IFA G5 explained

IFA G5
Manufacturer:VEB Kraftfahrzeugwerk »Ernst Grube« Werdau
Type:Lorry
Assembly:East Germany

Werdau

Class:5 t lorry
Platform:IFA G5
Related:IFA H6
Engine:EMaW 6—20 (Diesel, 9036 cm3, 88 kW)
Transmission:Manual five-speed unsynchronised gearbox
Propulsion:Tyres
Wheelbase:3800+1250 mm
Length:7175 mm
Width:2500 mm
Height:3000 mm
Weight:7850 kg
Predecessor:None
Successor:None
Sp:uk

The IFA G5 is an East German three-axle truck produced by IFA from 1952 to 1964.

History

The IFA G5 series was produced in the VEB Kraftfahrzeugwerk "Ernst Grube", Werdau. The plant was part of the IFA combine and succeeded the Schumann works in Werdau. The development of the truck began during World War II in the Vogtland Maschinenfabrik AG (Vomag). Although the Soviet occupation forces completely dissolved Vomag shortly after the end of the war, further development was carried out at Auto Union and Horch. In the Eastern bloc, the G5 series competed against the Soviet ZIS-151 lorry.

Technical description

The G5 is a three-axle lorry with rear wheel drive (6×4) and switchable front wheel drive (6×6). It has no central differential, which means that turning on front-wheel drive will send different amounts of torque to the front an rear axles; there is no option to send the same torque to each axle, therefore, the all-wheel drive system is not suited for on-road driving. The cab was manufactured in several different versions, such as a closed cab, crew cab, cab with soft top, and a cab with fold-down windscreen. The G5 series and H6 series, which were built in Werdau simultaneously, share several components.

The G5 was available in different versions, such as dump truck, crane truck, box body lorry, tarpaulin lorry, tanker, water cannon, and fire engine.

Technical specifications!! IFA G5 flatbed lorry
Engine
Engine typeEMaW 6—20
Operating principle and layoutStraight-six diesel engine
Fuel Systemswirl chamber injection
Bore × Stroke,
Displacement
115 × 145 mm,
9036 cm3
Rated power (TGL 8346)1201NaN1 at 2000 min−1
Max. torque471NaN1 at 1000 min−1
Fuel typeDiesel fuel
Powertrain
LayoutFront engine, rear-wheel drive with switchable front-wheel drive
Differential locksNone; due to a lacking centre differential, switching front-wheel drive automatically locks front and rear axles
Tyres8.25—20″
ClutchDouble disc dry clutch
GearboxManual 5+1-speed with dog-leg gear shift pattern, 2-speed spliter
PTOAvailable as a factory option
Measurements
Length7175 mm
Width2500 mm
Height3000 mm
Wheelbase3800+1250 mm
Track widthfront: 1800 mm
rear: 1750 mm
Ground clearance255 mm
Mass7850 kg
Payload5150 kg
GVW13,000 kg
Fuel tank150 l
Top speed72 km/h
Electrical system
Generator12 V, 0.5 kW
Source, unless otherwise stated[1]

Users

The main customers for these trucks were the Alert police, National People's Army (NVA), and the People's Police. Vehicles of Combat Groups of the Working Class were used as water cannons on 13 August 1961, during the construction of the Berlin Wall. Despite low demand, the number of G5 built was not sufficient to fulfill it. Decommissioned NVA G5s were later used in agricultural production cooperatives (LPG), as Minol fuel tankers, and as fire engines (TLF 15) with crew cabin.

Successor

There were two G5 generations, the G5/1, and the G5/2.

A successor to the G5 series was developed in the late 1950s. This so-called G5/3 had a 1501NaN1 V8 diesel engine displacing 12.5 litres, single tyres rather than twin tyres, and a tyre pressure control system. In total, 4 prototypes and 2 pre-series production models were built in 1958/59 and 1961. Further development was cancelled in favour of the new IFA W50. It is said that reasons for abandoning the G5 series were the economic situation in East Germany, but also its high complexity (engine and tyres), low demand, and the necessity to upgrade IFA's Werdau plant for the G5/3's series production.

Bibliography

References

  1. Oswald, Werner (ed.): Kraftfahrzeuge der DDR, (2nd ed.), Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 2000,, p. 189 (in German)

External links