Csepel D-344

The Csepel D-344 is a medium size, 3-tonne, 4×4 off-road lorry, made by Hungarian manufacturer Csepel Autógyár, from 1961 to 1975. It was first presented to the public on the Leipzig Trade Fair in early 1963.[1] The Hungarian People's Army purchased huge quantities of the D-344, and eventually used it as their standard lorry. It proved to be robust and reliable.[2]

Csepel D-344
Csepel D-344
Overview
TypeLorry
ManufacturerCsepel Autógyár
Production1961–1975
AssemblyHungary: Budapest
Body and chassis
Class3 t lorry
Body styleLong-bonnet lorry
LayoutFront engine, all-wheel-drive
PlatformCsepel D-344
RelatedCsepel D-346
Powertrain
EngineCsepel D-414H (Diesel, 5.5 dm3, 70 kW)
TransmissionManual five-speed gearbox
PropulsionTyres
Dimensions
Wheelbase3750 mm
Length6716 mm
Width2498 mm
Height2775 mm
Kerb weight5700 kg
Chronology
PredecessorNone
SuccessorNone

Description
Front view; note the distinctive front axle

The Csepel D-344 uses a welded ladder frame, and has two permanently driven, leaf-sprung live axles. The front axle has single wheels, whereas the rear axle has twin wheels. All wheels are of the size 9.00–20.00 in. In its standard configuration, the D-344 has a ground clearance of 270 mm and a fording depth of 800 mm. The D-344 has a pneumatic braking system with drum brakes on all wheels. The ramp angle is 35° on the front axle, and 25° on the rear axle; the maximum gradeability is 44%.

The Csepel D-344 is powered by a Csepel D-414H naturally aspirated, 5.5-litre, precombustion chamber injected, straight four-cylinder diesel engine. It produces a maximum torque of 33 kp⋅m (324 N⋅m) at 1500/min, and has a rated power output of 95 PS (70 kW) at 2300/min. Its minimum fuel consumption is rated 190 g/PSh (258 g/kWh) at 2000/min. (All figures according to DIN 70020).[3]

The torque is transmitted from the engine to the manual five-speed gearbox with a single-disc dry clutch. The transfer gearbox that sends torque to both the front and rear axles also includes the differential for the front axle. Therefore, the D-344 has two drive shafts that send the torque from the transfer gearbox to the front axle, one for each wheel. This design was chosen to allow for a lower engine mounting point and thus a lower centre of gravity. The transfer gearbox has a differential lock in order to increase the D-344's off-road capabilities.[4]

With its mass of 5700 kg (DIN 70030; includes 215 litres of fuel and a 75 kg driver), the Csepel D-344 can reach a top speed of 82 km/h. The fuel consumption is rated 28.7 L/100 km. The standard payload is 3000 kg; in addition to that, the D-344 can pull trailers with a mass of up to 2000 kg. Military versions of the D-344 were equipped with a front winch.[5]

Types

The Csepel D-344 was built in several different types:[6]

  • D-344.00: Standard military flatbed variant, built from 1961 to 1966
  • D-344.01: Like the D-344.00, but without opening side panels
  • D-344.02: Civilian variant, no winch, but greater payload
  • D-344.05: D-344-based fire engine
  • D-344.22: Tropical type with better engine cooling, double-roof, and balloon tyres
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References
  1. ATZ, Automobiltechnische Zeitschrift, Volume 65, 1963, ISSN 0024-8525, p. 350 (in German)
  2. Boldizsár János Tibor: A Csepel D-344 honvédségi tehergépkocsi és változatai, 2013, ISBN 978-963-327-588-7 (in Hungarian)
  3. Historical Csepel engine brochure, ca. 1964 (in Hungarian)
  4. David Scott: Csepel D-344, in The Commercial Motor, Volume 117, Temple Press Ltd. 1963, p. 54
  5. Répási János: A Csepel Autógyár a magyar teherautógyártásban, 2004. (online); retrieved 31 January 2020 (in Hungarian)
  6. Magyar Jarmu: Csepel teherautók, retrieved 31 January 2020 (in Hungarian)
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