History, Development, and Use of
the MAZ-537 (8x8) Prime Mover

 

This section will cover the history, development, and use of the MAZ-537 Heavy Prime Mover. In this section you will find where the vehicle has been used, when it was designed, its limitations and abilities.

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Brief Operational History

The MAZ-537A 8x8 prime mover has been in service with the Soviet Union since the early 1960’s and is used for a variety of civilian as well as military roles.  It was designed to be able to tow a 65 ton semi-trailer off-road across relatively flat terrain.  The vehicle itself can carry 15 tons, or tow a trailer with a maximum weight of 75 tons. 

The MAZ-537 has a four gear transmission (three forward and one reverse) and a two speed transfer case.  This transmission system is very similar to the MAZ-535, and has the same tire pressure system as the MAZ-535.

Its suspension is made up of individual torsion bars with shock absorbers on the front axle.  Another interesting feature is that its front four wheels have hydraulically assisted steering that allows it to maneuver in remarkable ways.

Trailers commonly towed
Trailer Axels Length Capacity
ChMZAP-5247G 2 3.38m 50 tons
ChMZAP-5208 3 7.48m 40 tons
ChMZAP-5215 4 8.85m 60 tons

 

The MAZ-537 truck/tractor is equipped with a fifth wheel for towing a variety of trailers (listed on the table above).   It is on these trailers that the MAZ-537 carried a variety of strategic ballistic missiles in May Day parades during the Cold War.  These missiles included the SS-5 Skean, SS-8 Sasin, the SS-N-8 Sawfly, the SS-X-10 Scrag, and the ABM-1 Galosh missile.   

MAZ-537 Variants
Type

Characteristics
MAZ-537A Basic design..
MAZ-537D Is equipped with an AC generator unit.
MAZ-537Ye Has an AC generator and hauls a 65 ton (gross weight) 'active drive' trailer.
MAZ-537G Slight improvement on the basic design.
MAZ-537K Variant that hauls crane equipment.

  

Tactical Use and Limitations

The MAZ-537 was designed to carry very heavy loads across long distances, with or without roads.  It was also widely used in May Day parades where it carried a variety of large strategic missiles for the viewing public.  

There are very few bad things that can be said about the MAZ-537, this was because it is a very rugged vehicle that could carry heavy loads almost anywhere.  It can ford water up to one meter deep, climb gradients of 23 degrees, and descend gradients of 52 degrees with a full trailer!  Each of its eight wheels is powered, and the front four steering wheels are hydraulically assisted.  The very high cargo capacity of the vehicle was yet another advantage.

 

Deployment Chronology

Here you can see what vehicles the MAZ-537A Heavy Prime Mover replaced and what vehicles eventually replaced it.  You can find out more about each vehicle if we have them on our site by clicking on the links below.

The MAZ-537 replaced... MAZ-537 Heavy Prime Mover The MAZ-537 was replaced by...
Nothing, is was designed to carry the heavy loads required by the military of the 1960's Nothing, it is still in active service

 

 
Sources Cited

(1) Foss, Christopher. Military Vehicles of the World, London: Scribner's Sons, 1978. Print.
(2) FM-100-2-3, The Soviet Army, Washington D.C.: Headquarters Department of the Army, 1984. Print.

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