The Ural Aryan range of heavy-duty trucks is all about efficiency and convenience. In 2005, the four-decade old, Kolkata-based Motijug Agencies decided to enter into an exclusive technical tie-up with Miass-based Russian heavy-duty truck-maker, Uralaz. Six years hence, the company now boasts of strong product arsenal that besides 4x4, 6x6 and 10x10 Defence trucks, and the Ural Aryan range consisting of a 16T GVW 4X2 rigid, a 31T GVW 8X4 tipper, a 35T GVW 4x2 tractor, semi-low floor city, as well as an intercity bus.

Launched a couple of months ago, the first in the line-up is the 16T rigid, UIL 16RT. The truck's 180 hp engine puts out a peak torque of 530 NM at 1,400 rpm. Boasting of 26 per cent gradeability, the rigid also counts factory fitted sleeper cabin, dual circuit, air pressure exhaust brakes, power steering and semi-elliptical multi-leaf spring suspensions as key customer deliverables. The 35T GVW tractor uses the same engine and predominantly the same aggregates.

The other bulwark of the truck range is the UF3140, the 8x4 tipper with a turning circle diameter of 2,300 mm. The truck is powered by a 6-cylinder 400 hp engine arranged in-line with turbocharger and intercooler. It puts out a maximum torque of 1450 NM at 1,250 rpm. The chassis is built of high strength, low alloy steel frame with full-length inner reinforcement that allows it to take a significant degree of punishment from overloading. The 42 per cent gradeability does not hurt its 'go anywhere' credentials either. The cabin has a 44-degree electrically actuated tilt system coupled with a full floating mechanism.

The vehicle also has a cab-chassis variant, on which 12 cu m concrete mixers are mounted, and other equipment from cranes to drilling rigs, etc. The cabin is noise insulated, with adjustable seats and an optional air conditioner. The tipper has found good market response since its unveiling during IMME2010. Customers appreciate that this high powered truck can perform in the most difficult of terrains. Therefore they are willing to pay a justifiable premium vis-a-vis lesser powered offerings in the market. So far, a hundred units of the tipper have been booked in India, while 125 have been requisitioned for exports to Africa.

The other offering from Ural India in the bus space is the UF11B (floor height of 900 mm) front-engined chassis.

Equipped with body-building partners spread across India and with a professed endeavour to set up 45 service stations across India by end-2011, Ural India will soon be able to service the north and east of India. The next phase of expansion would be in central and east India. Curre?ntly, the company has close to 15 dealerships across India, and has aggressive plans to expand its dealership base to 45 till 2012 spanning across India.

Moving to buses, Ural India has three offerings. The first two are an 180HP rear engined semi low floor city bus (floor height if 630 mm) as well as a coach. The former is a BSIII/BSIV - compliant bus with CNG readiness, while the latter is a 40-45 seater. The fully built buses are priced at Rs 25 lakh and Rs 30 lakh respectively. Interestingly, while the development of the chassis of these buses is along the same lines as the Aryan range of trucks, the former differ in one respect - the bodies are factory built using the latest technology ensuring maximum safety, luxury and comfort.

Specifications Ural 8x4 Tipper
Dimensions mm (as per IS 94350)
Weight
Wheelbase (Centre of first front axle to centre of the rear-most axle) 6910
Width 2,490, Chassis weight total 10,430
Gross vehicle weight 31,000
Gross vehicle weight 40,000

Engine
Ca6d;2-35, six cylinder, in line diesel engine
Direct-injection combustion chamber
Turbocharger and intercobler
Displacement 8.6 litre.
Max. power 400 Hp @ 2,100 rpm
Max. torque 1,450 Nm @ 1,250 rpm, Emissions BS Iii

Clutch
Single dry plate, diaphragm type hydraulically
actuated with air assist large friction area
Asbestos free linings, plate diameter 430 mm

Gearbox
Fast gear 12js160t (Direct), Type: synchromesh
Lubricate automatically, manually gear shift
Casing made of Cast iron
No. of gears 12 forward & 2 reverse

Chassis Frame
High strength low alloy steel frame
With full length inner reinforcement
Flange width 90 mm, depth 320 mm
Thickness 8 mm

Steering
Integral power steering  
Adjustable tilt and telescopic

Suspension
Front: semi-elliptic multi-leaf springs
No. of leaves 1 front axle 11 nos
Rear: 6-rod tandem axle suspension

Brakes
Dual line air brake system, full air brake system

Fuel Tank
Steel rectangular tank capacity 400 litre

Cabin
Day cab: Cabin lenght Bbc 1,935 mm
Cabin width at rear 2,420 mm

Performance Data (For a Gvw of 31 tonne)
Gradeability 42%
Economy speed range on top gear 40-55 kmph
Max. speed (geared 74 kmph)
Max. speed (limited) 45 kmph