Kraków 2014-11-29
Outline of the history of navigation
Military airport equipment
70-years of the 20th century.
Part II
JELCZ trucks.
Jelczańskie Zakłady Samochodowego.
Jelczańskie Zakłady Samochodowego is the second largest producer of trucks in Poland. The plants were located in Jelcz-Laskowice. They specialized in the production of heavy trucks. There were much fewer JELCZ trucks in the Polish Army than STAR trucks. This was due to several reasons, most notably the higher purchase price. JELCZ trucks turned out to be extremely durable structures. At the present time, you can find an old, well-kept car. Unfortunately; These cars no longer meet the current emission standards, fuel consumption standards and modern driver's comfort.
JELCZ factory in the new 21st century.
In the 90s, the Jelcz factory, like most Polish factories, had major financial problems and the specter of bankruptcy. Jelczańskie Zakłady Samochodowe was transformed into a state-owned company in 1995. In this way, Zakłady Samochodowe "Jelcz" S.A was established, which soon became the property of Sobiesław Zasada Centrum SA. The Polish strategic investor was to be the guarantor of the development and preservation of historical achievements. It quickly turned out that the company had no idea how to develop its production potential, and the outdated offer did not withstand the competition from used vehicles from the West.
An attempt to save Jelcz took place in 2001, when three new subsidiaries were spun off from Zakłady Samochodowe Jelcz S.A.: Jelcz - Samochodowe Sp. o.o. (production of trucks), Jelcz-Komponenty Sp. o.o. (production of spare parts and components) and Jelcz - Autobusy Sp. o.o. The first company went bankrupt in 2004.
Under the rule of Principle, the situation became dramatic. The employees did not receive wages for many months. The company survived only thanks to small orders for buses from large cities, for example from Krakow. The last bus, Jelcz M083C, intended for MPK Kraków, left the plant on October 29, 2008. The company has been in bankruptcy since 2008. The history of Zakłady Samochodowe "Jelcz" S.A. ended in 2013.
In 2012, the office building in Jelcz-Laskowice, which formerly housed the headquarters of the management and a construction office, was demolished.
At that time, it was decided to stop the production of buses and focus on the production of trucks. The Jelcz 400 truck family was returned to the family. The company survived only thanks to orders from the army. In 2010, the Jelcz P882 car made its debut, based on the 400 series, an 8x8 truck designed specifically for the military.
In 2012, the companies Jelcz-Komponenty Sp. z o.o. and Jelcz-Autobusy Sp. o.o. merged. The new company moved to Huta Stalowa Wola, owned by Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, a state-owned company. As the Polish Army needed new trucks, not only Western ones (Iveco, Scania, Mercedes), it was decided to sign a contract for the purchase of 910 two-axle Jelczy 442.32. The contract was signed on November 29, 2013. One truck was valued at 740 thousand. zł. The contract value was approximately PLN 674 million.
In 2018, the Army ordered another 888 copies of this vehicle, but this time most of it was to be delivered to the Territorial Defense Forces.
As part of the Anti-Missile Shield, the Polish Patriot PAC-3 missile system will be mounted on Jelcz chassis.
It is worth adding that the Jelcz-400 vehicles enjoy a good reputation among the military. The cars are powered by a Mercedes diesel engine, adapted to military requirements by MTU. Cars can carry loads from 4 to 6 tons. They have a modern design; cabin, modular electrical installation. The Jelcz company offers (2020) vehicles of the type 4 X 4, 6 X 4, 6 X 6, 8 X 6, 8 X 8 and vehicles with armored cabins type 4 X 4, 6 X 6, 8 X 8.
In 2019, the company announced the return of Jelcz to the civil car market. The company proposed platforms for specialist constructions. Transport of fuels, technical gases, fire trucks, etc.
Technical data JELCZ 422.32: Mercedes MTU 6R106TD21 engine with 240 KW. 9-speed + reverse gearbox. 4x4 type. 2 x 140 liter fuel tanks. The car is 7.81 m long, 2.55 m wide, 2.74 m high, 3.35 m high with a tarpaulin. The car has a hydraulic winch. Top speed 85 km / h. Range up to 650 km. It overcomes water obstacles up to 1.20 m deep. It crosses ditches 0.60 m wide. Overcomes thresholds 0.30 m high. Own weight 9 750 kg. Gross weight is 15 750 kg. Standard load capacity of 5,800 kg. The car tows a trailer weighing 16,000 kg.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman