The SAMIL 20 is a 2-ton cargo vehicle produced in South Africa in the mid-1980s and was used as the primary light cargo carrier of the South African National Defence Force. The vehicle design is based on the German Mercedes Unimog chassis and Mark I of this vehicle was based on the Magirus Deutz 130M7FAL 4x4 truck. In Mark II, the engine was replaced with an upgraded South African built water cooled diesel engine. The vehicle is still in use with the SANDF.
Description The SAMIL 20 is a light utility 4×4 military truck designed and built in South Africa for the South African Military forces. The chassis provide the basis for a wide range of cross-country vehicles. It has a forward control cab with a canvas roof and removable side windows. The cargo area is made of pressed steel with low steel sides and may be covered with a canvas top carried on a removable steel frame. A removable bank of back-to-back outward facing seats is fitted on the cargo centre-line accommodating ten seated troops. These seats may be removed and carried on the sides of the cargo area when the vehicle is used for general cargo purposes. The cargo area has four container locking ports to permit 20' containers to be carried. The spare wheel is mounted between the cab and cargo area and a manual light crane is fitted to allow wheel changes by a single operator.
The vehicle has differential locking facilities on both front and rear axles as well as on the transfer box. It has a short wheelbase with a ground clearance of 460mm and permanent 4-wheel drive. The initial Mk I vehicle was powered by a 6-cylinder air-cooled Magirus Deutz engines. This engine was not suited to the heat and dust associated with military use in South West Africa, which lead to the development of the Mk II.
Dimensions Data are based on SAMIL 20 cargo version: Length: Width: Height: Wheelbase: Ground Clearance: Track (Front): Track (Rear): Angle of approach: 36° Angle of departure: 40° Fuel tank capacity:
Weights Gross vehicle mass: Front axle rating: Rear axle rating: Payload:
Specifications Drive: 4×4 Engine: Mk I: Deutz F6L 913F Configuration: 6 Cylinders in-line Capacity: 6,128 cc Cooling: Air-cooled Power: 93 kW (124 hp) @ 2650 rpm Torque: 383 Nm @ 1600 rpm Mk II: Mercedes OM 353 (License built Atlantis Diesel Engines ADE352) Configuration: 6 Cylinders in-line Capacity: 5,675 cc Cooling: Water-cooled Power: 96 kW at 2800 rpm Torque: 363 Nm @ 1700 rpm Clutch Type: Single dry plate Size: Gearbox Make/Model: ZF S5-35 Forward gears: 5 Speed Synchromesh Transfer case Make/Model: ZF Z65 Type: 2 Speed, Permanent 4×4 Differential Lock: Pneumatically operated Axles Front Axle: Full floating, double reduction Differential Lock: Pneumatically operated Rear Axle(s): Full floating, double reduction Differential Lock: Pneumatically operated Wheels: Single wheel all-round Tyre size: 14.5 × 20" – 12 Ply Steering type: Power Assisted Brakes Service Brakes: Dual Circuit – air over hydraulics Park Brake: Pneumatically Operated Suspension Springs: Semi elliptical leaf springs Suspension Shock absorbers: Double acting telescopic hydraulic (Ft & Rr) Electrical Voltage: 24V Batteries: 2 × 12V 120 A/h Cab Type: Forward Control with Canvas Roof Cab seating: Driver + 1 Assistant Access to Engine: Cab tilts forward Steering: Right-Hand Drive Hard Top Roof
Variants Cargo/Personnel Carrier: 2-ton load or 10 back-to-back seated troops. LAD – Light Mobile Workshop vehicle for general repairs and vehicle services FCP – Artillery Forward Command Post vehicle Refuelling vehicle Battery Charger vehicle Telecommunications Repair Field Office Ambulance Kwevoel: Armoured mine resistant cab with standard cargo area Bulldog: Mine resistant armoured personnel carrier Ystervark: Kwevoel version with fixed mount 1 × 20 mm GAI-CO1 20mm AA gun on cargo base Rhino: Mine resistant armoured personnel carrier (variation of Bulldog)
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