Fancy doing a bit of hunting? Tramping through field and stream... Well clearly this is the beastie to do it with. What you see here is the very latest Specautotrans 4x4 'URAL' Truck 48072V complete with a 170hp Caterpillar engine and Allison 2000 series auto box - well let's face it, every creature-comfort counts when you're off-road right? Based in the Ural Mountains, Specautotrans has, and I quote: "Considerable expertise in building heavily modified off-road vehicles, including those for local and international hunting enthusiasts." Not surprisingly, highly-capable vehicles are needed to navigate the uncompromising terrain of the Ural Mountains but while most manufacturers spec a manual box in the belief that they're better suited to the arduous conditions, Specautotrans decided to experiment with a fully automatic Allison transmission and wouldn't you know it, they're now fitting the auto box in their 48072V making it "completely unique in the region." Now click through here for more....and a better look at the mighty 'URAL' truck
With a rich variety of animals to choose from (and shoot? BLB) hunting seasons often overlap or run in parallel with each other. Vehicles are therefore required to be 'season-proof'; operating in all weather conditions, all-year-round. Modifications can include air conditioning, heated seats, cabins that convert into sleeping quarters and areas fitted to store specific hunting equipment. Sergey Schleiger, boss of Specautotrans tells BLB: "We had no previous experience of an automatic transmission; so when the opportunity arose, we opted for an automatic rather than a manual transmission for the URAL Truck. Early spring is usually a perilous environment for travel in the Urals as there is still deep snow in some areas, with ice and sleet in others. In a hunting expedition to Rostov-on-Don, we found the Allison's fully automatic transmission to be more than a match for the spring weather and the rugged terrain."
In such difficult conditions, reliability is just as important as durability. Destinations such as Rostov-on-Don are frequently remote, off-road routes which require prolonged travel over uneven terrain, sometimes up inclines of up to 1200m. "As the Allison transmission automatically selects the best gear," he adds, "...drivers could focus on navigating the terrain. An added advantage means that both the driveline and engine are protected from over-revving - prolonging mechanical life." Sergey also notes fuel consumption improved with an average reduction of 2.5 to 3 litres per 100km. "It was unexpected bonus for us. Such savings add up for vehicles that frequently travel long distances."
Specautotrans is now sold on the Allison auto as the superior choice for hunting expeditions. "Travelling to hunts is no longer as wearisome for drivers, conserving their energy for the real purpose of the travel: hunting." Concludes Sergey "With our experience, we now consider Allison's fully automatic transmission to be the best solution for heavy duty hunting trucks in the Ural Mountains."
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