MAZ-6430

MAZ-6430 at a glance

The MAZ-6430 arrived in the same year that MAZ and MAN formed the MAZ-MAN joint venture, a period when the Minsk plant modernised its heavy-truck range. The long story of the plant is in the history of MAZ.

From the MAZ-6422 to the MAZ-6430

The MAZ-6422 tractor of the 1980s served as the starting point. The new model kept the proven 6x4 layout but received a new cab, modern drivelines and more comfort for the driver, bringing it closer to western long-haul tractors. MAZ kept improving the design during production. According to the old 1cars text, an updated version with more equipment was presented at a trade show in 2008, and the plant also offered versions with foreign engines.

Cab and exterior

The front end uses plastic wings, a plastic bumper and a plastic grille. The bumper carries the headlamps, side lights and indicators and doubles as a cover for toolboxes behind it. Roof-mounted spotlights and marker lights were optional. Redesigned mudguards reduce spray for other road users and keep the truck itself cleaner. Mirrors include main and wide-angle mirrors, a kerb mirror and a front mirror that shows the road just ahead of the bumper; the main mirrors adjust electrically.

Inside, the driver's seat adjusts for backrest angle, height, reach, cushion tilt and cushion height, and has an armrest. The steering column adjusts for height, angle and reach through a pedal next to the clutch, and the steering wheel is 460 mm across. Switches sit on a panel angled about 45 degrees towards the driver, and a small LCD screen shows the status of the main systems. Other details include:

• two berths and a cab high enough to stand upright;
• lidded storage boxes and a folding table in the centre of the dashboard;
• polymer noise-insulation screens, a big step for MAZ cabs;
• a small fridge and a gas cooker with an 8-litre gas bottle.

YaMZ, Mercedes and MAN engines

All engines of the basic versions meet Euro-3. The B7 version is less powerful but more economical. Both main versions use a 16-speed gearbox and reach 100 km/h at full load, and a speed limiter can be fitted.

Weights and axle loads (MAZ-6430A9)

MAZ offered the A9 with leaf-spring balancer or air suspension at the rear and with several fifth-wheel positions. The table shows the range of the four main configurations.

By our calculation, the 309 kW engine gives about 5.9 kW per tonne at the standard 52-tonne combination weight, and the 266 kW engine about 5.1 kW per tonne. At 65 tonnes the stronger engine drops to about 4.8 kW per tonne, so the reinforced versions suit heavy loads at lower speeds. The 1cars power-to-weight calculator gives the figure for any other load.

Checking a used MAZ-6430

Most used MAZ-6430s have covered high mileages in long-haul work, so a careful inspection pays off:

• engine type and emission class: check the documents, because YaMZ, Renault-based, Mercedes-Benz and MAN engines need different parts;
• the gearbox (ZF or Fast): clean shifts across all 16 gears and no noise from the splitter;
• rear suspension: leaks on air-suspended versions, broken leaves on spring versions;
• the fifth wheel and its mounting plate for wear and cracks;
• the cab: corrosion around the mounts, sealing of doors and windows, and the condition of the berths, fridge and gas installation;
• the electrics and the dashboard LCD, which reports faults in the main systems.