Fire truck ATs-40 (130)-63B on the chassis of the legendary ZIL-130 truck, for many decades it remained the main combat vehicle for extinguishing fires throughout the entire Soviet Union. This vehicle has become a symbol of the fire department, combining the time-tested reliability of the Soviet automobile industry with the functionality necessary for emergency response. Even today, when modern European and American chassis are entering service, the "one hundred and thirties" continue to serve in small towns and industrial facilities.
The design is based on ZIL-130, which has proven itself to be a durable and maintainable car. The fire superstructure, developed in the city of Balashikha, turned an ordinary truck into a specialized tool for fighting fire. Tank truck was equipped with a centrifugal pump allowing the supply of water under high pressure, as well as a set of special equipment for carrying out emergency rescue operations. Understanding the technical features of this car is necessary not only for historians, but also for mechanics servicing preserved equipment and collectors of vintage cars.
In this material we will analyze in detail the design of the machine, consider the key parameters of pumping equipment and discuss the features of operation in real conditions. Specifications AC-40 ZIL-130 represent a standard for understanding how fire fighting equipment of the last century was created. You will learn about the nuances of the water system, the features of the transmission and why this car still commands respect from professionals.
General layout and purpose of the vehicle
The AC-40 (130) car is classified as tanker truck, which implies the presence on board of a supply of fire extinguishing agent - water and foaming agent. The vehicle is designed to deliver combat crews to the site of a fire, conduct reconnaissance and directly extinguish the fire with water or air-mechanical foam. The body layout is made according to the classical scheme: in the front there is a crew cabin, behind it there is a tank, and in the rear compartment there is a pump compartment with equipment.
One of the main features is cabin, made of metal and designed to accommodate six people (including the driver). Earlier versions featured wooden cabins, but they quickly fell into disrepair, so an all-metal version became standard. Inside the cabin there are places for placing breathing apparatus and special clothing, which allows firefighters to begin training while en route.
⚠️ Attention: The tightness of the cabin of early releases was often insufficient. When driving with the siren on and without closed hatches, a large amount of water and foam could get into the cabin, which created discomfort for the crew.
The back of the car is occupied tank, the volume of which is standardized and amounts to 2400 liters of water. This volume is sufficient to carry out priority actions to localize the fire before the arrival of additional forces. A suspended ladder was often installed above the tank, and on the sides there were canisters for storing fire hoses and barrels. All elements were securely fastened to prevent the load from shifting during sudden braking or driving over rough terrain.
The pump compartment, located at the rear, is protected by doors and equipped with a workstation for the pump operator. All water supply controls, pressure gauges and a vacuum gauge are located here. Layout designed to allow access to equipment in all weather conditions, although winter operation often required increased stamina from personnel due to the exposed nature of some controls.
ZIL-130 chassis: engine and transmission
The heart of a fire tanker is engine ZIL-130 (ZIL-375 or ZIL-508.10). This is a V-shaped eight-cylinder carburetor engine that develops a power of about 150 horsepower. Despite the relatively high fuel consumption and carburetor power system, the engine had high torque at low speeds, which is critical for a fire truck, which often has to move at full load on poor roads.
The vehicle's transmission includes manual transmission with five steps forward and one back. Synchronizers are installed in second, third, fourth and fifth gears, making shifting easier. However, first gear and reverse do not have synchronizers, requiring a complete stop to engage. For a fire truck, this is not critical, since reverse gear is rarely used and only when maneuvering at low speeds.
The most important element for pump operation is power take-off shaft (PTO). It transmits torque from the engine to the fire pump. The PTO is controlled from the driver's cab or from the pump operator's seat. The reliability of this unit directly affects the ability to supply water. A shaft with electro-pneumatic activation was often used, which made it possible to connect the pump on the go, although the instructions recommended doing this at idle speed.
- 🚒 Engine type: Gasoline, V-shaped, 8 cylinders.
- ⚙️ Working volume: 6.0 liters (6000 cm³).
- 🐎 Maximum power: 150 hp at 3200 rpm.
- 🛢️ Lubrication system: Combined (spraying and under pressure).
Particular attention should be paid to the cooling system. Radiator has a large cooling area, but with prolonged operation of the pump at high speeds in hot weather, the engine could be prone to overheating. Therefore, mechanics always monitored the level of antifreeze and the cleanliness of the radiator honeycombs, especially after working in dusty conditions.
When operating the AC-40 in winter, be sure to use winter oil in the engine and transmission, since thick summer oil during a cold start can lead to destruction of the oil filter or cutting off the pump drive splines.
Fire pump: device and characteristics
The main working part of the tank truck is centrifugal fire pump PN-40U (or its modifications). The abbreviation PN means "fire pump", and the number 40 indicates the nominal water supply - 40 liters per second at a pressure of 100 meters. This is enough for the simultaneous operation of two or three fire nozzles. The pump is single-stage, centrifugal type, with a horizontal housing split, which facilitates its repair and maintenance.
To create an initial vacuum and suck water from an open reservoir, it is used vacuum pump. On the ZIL-130, a piston vacuum pump was most often used, driven from the power take-off. The operator had to monitor the oil level in the vacuum pump crankcase and switch the taps in time to turn the vacuum system on and off. The process of filling the pump with water is called "priming", and the time of arrival of the first barrel depends on the speed of its passage.
Water flows are controlled through the system valve and valves. On the control panel there are handles for switching modes: “tank-pump”, “reservoir-pump”, “pressure-tank”. All handles have clear fixation and markings. Switching errors could result in water hammer or hose rupture, so operator training was rigorous.
| Parameter | Meaning | Unit of measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Pump delivery | 40 | l/s |
| Pressure | 100 | m |
| Suction lift | 7.5 | m |
| Shaft speed | 2700 | rpm |
| Vacuum creation time | 20-30 | sec |
⚠️ Attention: It is forbidden to turn on the pump without water (“dry”) for more than 10-15 seconds. This leads to overheating of the sealing rings and jamming of the mechanical shaft seal.
An important detail is pump heating system. In winter, the water in the pump could freeze, so heating from engine exhaust gases was used. The operator opened a special valve, and hot gases washed around the pump body, preventing the formation of ice. This simple but effective solution allowed the vehicle to remain in the combat crew even in severe frosts.
Foaming systems and equipment
Water is not enough to extinguish flammable liquids (petroleum products), so the AC-40 is equipped with a system foaming. The equipment includes a foam concentrate tank with a volume of usually 100-150 liters. The foaming agent is supplied to the water flow through a dosing device - a water-jet ejector or a piston dispenser. Mixed with water in certain proportions (usually 3% or 6%), the solution forms foam when passing through the fire nozzle.
Fire truck equipped hose fittings and a tool. The canisters contain pressure hoses with a diameter of 51 and 66 mm, suction hoses for taking water from the reservoir, branches, adapters and fire nozzles (RS-50, RS-70). The kit also includes a crowbar, a hook, an ax and a bucket, which are necessary for opening structures and auxiliary work.
☑️ Checking the combat crew
Lighting equipment allows you to work at night. Installed on the cab roof or above the pump compartment spotlight, which is powered by a car generator or a separate battery. The light flux is directed towards the rear of the vehicle, illuminating the working area of the pump operator and the hose deployment area.
It is important to note the presence signaling system. The car is equipped with an electric siren and orange (or red in older versions) flashing lights. The siren had to be loud enough to be heard in traffic, which often required the use of a pneumatic signal in addition to the electric one.
Dimensions and weight parameters
AC-40 ZIL-130 belongs to the class of medium fire trucks. His overall dimensions allow you to maneuver in urban areas and drive on most public roads. However, the total weight of the equipped vehicle is quite large, which requires the driver to have skills in driving a large vehicle, especially when reversing or on slippery roads.
The vehicle's height allows it to cross most bridges and overpasses, but roof-mounted equipment (light tower, ladder) should be taken into account. Ground clearance The ZIL-130 is large enough to allow access to bodies of water with steep banks, but the center of gravity of the high-mounted tank requires caution when cornering.
- 📏 Length: about 6700 - 7000 mm (depending on cabin modification).
- 📏 Width: 2500 mm (excluding mirrors).
- 📏 Height: about 2800 - 3000 mm.
- ⚖️ Total weight: about 9500 - 10000 kg.
- 🚀 Maximum speed: 90 km/h (with full load).
The weight distribution along the axles is designed to provide sufficient grip for the drive wheels. However, when the tank is fully filled with water, the load on the rear axle increases significantly. This affects braking distance and stability. Brake system The car is drum-type, with a pneumatic drive, which was standard, but by modern standards requires an earlier start to braking.
Why was the ZIL-130 not taken out of production for so long?
The secret of longevity lies in unification. Up to 80% of the engine and chassis parts were interchangeable with other trucks from the plant, and the simplicity of the design made it possible to repair the vehicle in the field with a minimum set of tools.
Operation and typical malfunctions
Operation of the AC-40 in conditions of real fires and exercises imposes its own requirements. The main enemy of fire equipment is corrosion. Constant contact with water, foaming agent and aggressive media leads to rapid rotting of the metal elements of the tank and frame. Therefore, after each trip, mandatory drying of the hoses and flushing of the pump with clean water was required.
A common problem was seal wear pump The cuffs and seals lost their elasticity, which led to water leakage or air suction, which is why the pump stopped holding vacuum and could not draw water. Regular replacement of grease in the shaft bearings and monitoring the tension of the fan and pump drive belts were a mandatory part of routine maintenance.
The ZIL-130 engine is sensitive to quality fuel and carburetor adjustment. A rich mixture led to carbon deposits on the spark plugs and a drop in power, while a poor mixture led to overheating and burnt out valves. A fire truck must start the first time in any weather, so the condition of the ignition system (distributor, coil, wires) was given paramount attention.
⚠️ Attention: When working with a foam concentrate, be sure to rinse the system with clean water immediately after combat use. Remaining foam crystallizes and can permanently clog tubes and ejectors, making the system unusable.
The current condition of the surviving machines varies. Some of them have passed major renovation and continue to work, others have been converted into trucks for household needs (garbage removal, watering machines), and others have become museum exhibits. In any case, the ZIL-130 remains a legend, the technical characteristics of which deserve respect.
The main resource of the longevity AC-40 ZIL-130 is the simplicity of the design of the pump and engine, which allows the crew to eliminate most faults without complex diagnostic equipment.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the maximum jet range of the AC-40 ZIL-130?
The range of the jet depends on the type of barrel and pressure. When using a fire monitor, the range can reach 50-60 meters, but a standard RS-70 hand gun at full pressure produces a compact jet at a distance of about 30-35 meters. A dense jet is effective precisely at these distances.
Is it possible to use AC-40 for transporting drinking water?
Strongly not recommended. The tank and pump were in contact with the foam concentrate and combustion products. Even after washing, harmful chemical compounds may remain in the seams and gaps. For drinking purposes, special food tanks are used.
Why does the ZIL-130 have such high fuel consumption?
The ZIL-130 engine has an old carburetor type of power supply and a V-shaped configuration with a large volume (6 liters). The design of the 60s did not imply high efficiency; priority was given to reliability and simplicity. Consumption can reach 30-40 liters per 100 km depending on the load and operating mode of the pump.
What speed of rotation of the pump shaft is considered working?
The nominal speed of the pump shaft is about 2700-2800 rpm. In this case, the car engine operates in the zone of maximum torque. Exceeding these speeds can lead to cavitation and destruction of the pump impeller.