Sisu KB-45 is a light off-road lorry made by the

Finnish Finnish may refer to: * Something or someone from, or related to Finland * Culture of Finland * Finnish people or Finns, the primary ethnic group in Finland * Finnish language, the national language of the Finnish people * Finnish cuisine See also ...

heavy vehicle producer Suomen Autoteollisuus (SAT) in 1965–1970. The two-axle, all-wheel-drive vehicle with payload of 4 000 kg was developed after an assignment of the

Finnish Defence Forces The Finnish Defence Forces ( fi, Puolustusvoimat, sv, Försvarsmakten) are the military of Finland. The Finnish Defence Forces consist of the Finnish Army, the Finnish Navy and the Finnish Air Force. In wartime the Finnish Border Guard (which i ...

. It was followed by almost identical A-45/AH-45 in 1970.

Development

KB-45 was developed for the use of light infantry battalions of the Finnish Defence Forces. The project coordinator was Senior Engineer Uoti Hartikainen. The first prototype was built by SAT Testing Department in Fleming Street, Helsinki in March 1964. It was the very last Sisu powered by SAT's own type AMI petrol engine. The axles were made by

Kirkstall Kirkstall is a north-western suburb of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, on the eastern side of the River Aire. The area sits in the Kirkstall ward of Leeds City Council and Leeds West parliamentary constituency, represented by Rachel Reeves. Th ...

. The vehicle was nicknamed at an early stage ''Proto'', which was derived from ''prototyyppi'' (prototype). After the first prototype was finished the Defence Forces suddenly changed the specifications; the wheelbase had to be shortened by 30 cm. The decision was based on the Defence Forces' measuring results of average distances between trees in the Finnish forests. The new requirement lead to excessive problems in transmission design; gearbox and reduction gear had to be relocated. A long drive shaft between them had to be substituted by a structurally challenging gear socket system which enabled a shorter distance. Another requirement, replacing the petrol engine by a diesel engine, also caused problems. The original platform fastening system had to be redesigned due to a too small payload. When the final prototype was ready the Defence Forces were satisfied with the result.

Production and use

The first 18 vehicles were handed over to the Defence Forces in August 1965. Their primary use was pulling of howitzers and anti-aircraft cannons. The Defence Forces got in total 83 KB-45's of which two were fire engines. The successor of KB-45, A-45/AH-45, was very similar. The biggest difference was in transmission as the Kirkstall axles were substituted by Sisu's own products. At the same time the production was moved from Karis to Hämeenlinna, the former Vanaja factory which was merged with SAT in beginning of 1969. The KB-45 models have been substituted in Finnish army by 2008 presented

Sisu A2045 The Sisu A2045 HMTV (High Mobility Terrain Vehicle) is a Finnish standard medium tactical truck, intended to replace older SISU A45 "Proto" light trucks in the Finnish Defence Forces. In spoken language Sisu A2045 is called the ''MAN-Sisu'' refer ...

lorries.{{cite web, url=http://www.autokanta.com/koneporssi/tekniikka_ja_koeajot/kuljettaminen/yhdyskuntatekniikka_ja_jatteen_k/?x133043=896089, title=Armeija marssii vatsallaan…tai vaihtoehtoisesti Sisulla, date=2009-06-12, publisher=SL-Mediat Oy, access-date=2012-12-02, url-status=dead, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323175946/http://www.autokanta.com/koneporssi/tekniikka_ja_koeajot/kuljettaminen/yhdyskuntatekniikka_ja_jatteen_k/?x133043=896089, archive-date=2012-03-23

Technical data

KB-45 is powered by a Leyland in-line diesel engine with a maximum output of 135 hp. The usable revolution area is 1000–2400 1/min. The fuel tank capacity is 226 litres. The 5-speed transmission is fully synchronised. The vehicle is also equipped with a two-speed reduction gear. Both axles are driven and equipped with lockable differentials. The suspension consists of longitudinally mounted leaf springs and two-way acting telescopic shock absorbers. The vehicle frame is twisting type enabling of each wheel touching the ground also in rough terrain. The glass fibre and steel made cabin is fastened on the frame from three points and the 4.28-metre long platform, on which is space for 25 people, from four points. The reconnaissance winch capacity is 6 tonnes and it is equipped with a torque limiter. Some of the KB-45's were equipped with

Sisu Nemo Sisu Nemo is a hydraulic radial piston motor type developed and initially produced by Suomen Autoteollisuus (SAT). The system was patented in 1961. The motor produces a high torque at low speed and it has been primarily used to power both civil ...

hydraulic system for a hydraulically driven trailer which improved significantly the off-road capability of the combination. The system was marketed with name ''Two-In-One''.

Characteristics

Payload is 2 300 kg in terrain and 4 000 kg on road. The front overhang is 1 300 mm and rear overhang 1 000 mm. The turning radius is 7.6 metres and top speed 90 km/h. The good off-road capability is carried out by a torsionally bending frame structure and middle located engine which enable an even wheel load even in rough terrain. One of the wheels can be jacked up by one metre the rest three still touching the ground. During the validation tests, the vehicle was driven up 60% steep hills and it could also withstand a 45% side slope without falling.

References

Kb45 Military trucks of Finland Military vehicles introduced in the 1960s Vehicles introduced in 1965