Archive first published
Ural Next Special Versions of 2016: Gas Truck, Bus and Crane
In June 2016 the Ural plant used a construction equipment exhibition to show what its new chassis could carry. The display included a natural-gas truck with a crew cabin, a 6×6 crew bus, a tractor with a loader crane and a 25-tonne truck crane. All were built on the Ural Next with the YaMZ-536 diesel or its gas version.
Key takeaways
- Five vehicles on show in 2016: four Ural Next builds and a refrigerated GAZelle Next van from the same group.
- Engines: YaMZ-536 six-cylinder from 177 kW (240 PS) to 230 kW (312 PS), plus a natural-gas version.
- The crane lifted up to 25 tonnes with a 21.7 m boom; the loader tractor reached at least 7 m.
- The Ural Next itself was first shown in June 2015 and entered series production that November.
The Ural Next base truck
The Ural Next replaced the cab and engine of the classic Ural-4320 while keeping its proven all-wheel-drive chassis. It was unveiled on 2 June 2015 at the same annual construction equipment exhibition. Series production was announced on 24 November 2015.
Size at a glance
| Dimensions | Ural-Next |
|---|---|
| Length | 9,000 mm354.3 in |
| Width | 2,259 mm88.9 in |
| Height | 2,952 mm116.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 4,755 mm187.2 in |
Its cab came from the GAZelle Next and GAZon Next of the parent GAZ Group. Payloads ranged from 5.5 to 13 tonnes in 4×4 and 6×6 form, and the gross combination weight reached 38 tonnes. Full details are on the Ural Next page.
Ural Next special versions at the 2016 show
The table sums up the 2016 display as the old 1cars report described it. These were show and order versions, not separate models.
| Vehicle | Drive | Engine | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas truck with crew cabin | All-wheel drive | YaMZ-536 natural-gas version | Six seats, tool box, loader crane |
| Crew bus | 6×6 | 177 kW (240 PS) | Insulated body and four heaters |
| Tractor with loader crane | 6×6 | 230 kW (312 PS) | Boom reach of at least 7 m |
| Truck crane | 6×6 | 210 kW (285 PS) | 25-tonne lift, 21.7 m boom, five-speed manual |
| GAZelle Next refrigerated van | 4×2 | - | Holds from −20 °C to +12 °C |
Gas power on a heavy off-road truck
The gas truck drew the most attention. Its cylinders sat behind the cab and on the frame. At a pressure of 200 bar they held about 250 cubic metres of gas. A module behind the cab carried six workers, a tool box and a small table, so the truck could take a crew and its equipment to a remote site.
Natural gas suits fleets working near gas fields and pipelines, where the fuel is cheap; the cost is extra weight and few refuelling points. To estimate the saving for your own fleet, try the fuel cost comparison.
Crew bus and work vehicles
The 6×6 crew bus did the same job for larger teams. Its insulated steel-framed body had four heaters of 10 kW, 2 kW and 8 kW combined, so by our calculation about 20 kW of heating, plus a 700 W windscreen element.
The loader tractor was meant for slabs and steel beams. The crane could lift up to 25,000 kg, including at hazardous sites.
What happened next
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| June 2015 | Ural Next unveiled at the construction equipment show |
| November 2015 | Series production announced |
| June 2016 | Gas truck, crew bus, loader tractor and crane shown |
The display showed the point of the Next: a modern cab on a chassis whose mounting points matched the 4320, so existing bodies and cranes carried over.
Which version suits which job: our view
The crew bus and the gas truck with crew cabin suit shift work on oil, gas and forestry sites. The loader tractor and crane suit construction and pipeline work. For a classic comparison of the older trucks, see Ural-375 vs Ural-4320. The whole range is in the Ural catalogue.
FAQ
What engine does the Ural Next use?
It uses the YaMZ-536, a turbocharged six-cylinder diesel with common-rail injection. Outputs range from 177 kW (240 PS) to 230 kW (312 PS). A version running on natural gas was also offered for fleets with access to gas.
What was shown at the 2016 construction equipment show?
Ural showed four special Ural Next builds. They were a gas truck with a six-seat crew cabin, a 6×6 crew bus, a tractor with a loader crane and a 25-tonne crane. A refrigerated GAZelle Next van stood alongside.
How much can the Ural Next crane lift?
The truck crane shown in 2016 could lift up to 25 tonnes. It had a 21.7 m boom, a 210 kW (285 PS) YaMZ-536 engine, a five-speed manual gearbox and a 6×6 chassis.
When did Ural Next production start?
The Ural Next was unveiled on 2 June 2015, and GAZ Group announced the start of series production on 24 November 2015. Orders had opened in the second half of 2015.
