OREANDA-NEWS. October 23, 2012. KAMAZ came forth with suggestions for permissible axle loads in accordance with Technical Regulations for Wheeled Vehicle Safety and European standards under EU Directives.

The draft regulation of the RF Government “On Introducing Amendments to Certain Regulatory Acts of the RF Government on Goods Transportation by Roads of the Russian Federation” was posted on the website of the RF Ministry of Transport, and that was the reason for KAMAZ’s constructive suggestions for permissible axle loads. The opposing views of the RF Ministry of Transport and OJSC KAMAZ come to different interpretations of cargo transportation regulations concerning permissible axle loads in Russia. Like other Russian vehicles, KAMAZ trucks are designed in accordance with Technical Regulations for Wheeled Vehicle Safety which was approved by the Government of the Russian Federation, but their operation is regulated by rules of cargo transportation by roads of the Russian Federation which differ from the technical regulations and European standards.

KAMAZ is Russia`s largest truck and chassis manufacturer. The company’s products occupy a large segment of the commercial vehicles market and represent Russia in the global truck market.

Thus, the KAMAZ-65115 dump truck is one of the most widely used vehicles in Russia. It is designed so that the basic mass on the rear bogie makes 19 tonnes according to the vehicle registration document. Under the proposals of the RF Ministry of Transport, a carrier will “lose” 2,300 kg from each travel by virtue of these amendments.

So, the introduction of the amendments proposed by the Ministry of Transport will lead to additional fuel costs, environmental degradation and more expensive goods. In the long run, it will result in disruption of hauliers’ business. According to the domino principle, clients and ordinary consumers will also bear losses.

KAMAZ agrees with the Ministry of Transport that the legal weight on two-axle single wheeled vehicles shouldn’t exceed 18 tonnes, but suggests differentiating the permissible mass on some other types of vehicles. For example, the permissible weight should be 26 tonnes for trucks with one or two driving axles, consisting of two pairs of wheels, with pneumatic suspension (or equivalent) and a maximum axle load of each axle under 9.5 tonnes, and 25 tonnes for three-axle vehicles.