ZIL-133

ZIL-133 at a glance: maker, years and purpose

The ZIL-130 was the Soviet Union's standard medium truck, but the economy needed a heavier truck that could use the same cab, controls and many of the same parts. Adding a third axle produced the ZIL-133: drivers did not need retraining, and fleets could share spare parts between the two models. Most trucks were sold as bare chassis for special bodies. The history of the plant is told in the history of ZIL, and other models are in the ZIL catalogue.

History and development

ZIL built the first prototype, the ZIL-133B tractor unit, in 1966, followed by the experimental ZIL-133N in 1968. Series production of the long-wheelbase flatbed ZIL-133G began in 1975. It had a wooden or steel platform with drop sides on all three sides and could pull a trailer.

The petrol engine's high fuel consumption was the main weakness, so in 1979 ZIL introduced the ZIL-133GYa with the KamAZ-740 diesel V8. At 60 km/h, fuel consumption fell from 48.3 to 26.6 L/100 km. The diesel version had a longer bonnet, and the petrol ZIL-133G2 left production in 1983. The GYa was built until 1992 (some sources say 1994).

In the 1990s ZIL modernised the range with the cab of the ZIL-4331 and new engines. The ZIL-133G40 and G42 (1992–1999) used the ZIL-645 diesel or a Caterpillar 3116, and the ZIL-630900 and related models of 1999–2002 had YaMZ-236 diesels.

Cab and body

The three-seat cab comes from the ZIL-130 with minor changes, so the controls and instruments are the same. It has a sprung, adjustable driver's seat, a two-seat passenger bench, ventilation hatches and a wide windscreen with good forward visibility despite the long bonnet. Clearance lights sit on the cab roof, and towing hooks are fitted under the front bumper.

The standard platform is wood or steel. On the medium-wheelbase versions only the side boards fold down; on long-wheelbase trucks the sides and tailboard all open. A canvas cover on a frame could be added, and trucks were often delivered as chassis so that operators could mount their own equipment.

Engines and transmission

Gearboxes are manual, with 5, 8, 9 or 10 speeds depending on the version. On multi-range boxes, a pneumatic actuator shifts the range divider. The driver pre-selects the range with a switch, and the change takes place when the clutch pedal is pressed, which is convenient on roads where conditions change often. The first driven axle carries a centre differential with a manual lock.

Chassis, suspension and brakes

The ladder frame has two pressed side members joined by cross members, with reinforced first, fourth and fifth cross members carrying the engine, frame loads and the towing hitch. The front axle sits on semi-elliptic leaf springs with telescopic dampers, while the rear bogie uses a balanced suspension on semi-elliptic springs with reaction rods.

The air brakes have four systems:

• Service brake: separate circuits for the front and rear wheels, operated by the pedal.
• Parking brake: spring brake chambers on the rear axles, released by air pressure.
• Auxiliary brake: an exhaust brake that reduces wear on the main brakes on long descents.
• Emergency brake: operated through the parking brake valve if the service brakes fail.

Warning lights and a buzzer monitor the system, so the driver knows at once if air pressure falls below a safe level in any circuit.

ZIL-133 specifications

ZIL-133 versions and special bodies

Special bodies on this chassis included the KS-3575A truck crane on the GYa, AZ/AL/AKT fire engines, the ZB-1591B1 concrete mixer, the ASP-15 water tender, the AGP-28 aerial platform, the ZMU-8 fertiliser loader and ZSA-7 seed loader (both 1979–1992), and municipal trucks for snow clearing, street washing and vacuum cleaning. For the 1980 Olympic Games, ZIL built TS-5982 horse transporters on the ZIL-133G chassis, and further examples went to mounted police. An experimental E133VYaT tractor of 1982 had a turbocharged KamAZ diesel and a raised cab, later with a sleeping berth. The ZIL-133 also formed the basis of the ZIL-MMZ-4516 dump truck (1993–2002).

Working life of the ZIL-133

The ZIL-133 shared its cab, controls and many units with the ZIL-130. Fleets could therefore train drivers and stock spare parts for both models at once, and parts were sorted into clear groups that made ordering simple. A driver moving from a ZIL-130 found the same seat, dials and gear lever. The long-wheelbase flatbed and the trailer it could pull made it popular with agricultural and construction operators, while bare chassis went to body builders for cranes, fire engines, mixers and municipal vehicles. The diesel GYa nearly halved fuel consumption compared with the petrol trucks. Municipal versions with snow ploughs, sprinklers and vacuum sweepers were still being built on the ZIL-133G4 chassis in the 1990s.

In service: strengths and weaknesses

Operators valued the ZIL-133 for low running costs with the diesel engine, easy repairs and wide availability of parts shared with the ZIL-130. Its weaknesses were poor traction in deep snow and on soft ground, because only the rear axles are driven, a noisy cab and modest paint and finish quality. Many trucks remained in service with municipal and agricultural operators for decades. More vehicles of this type are listed among trucks.