Multicar 25

Manufacturer:	VEB vehicle factory Waltershausen
Sales designation:	Multicar 25 M 25 Multicar 25.1 A Multicar 91
Production period:	1978-1992
Previous model:	Multicar 24
Successor:	Multicar 26
Engines:	diesel engine
Power:	33-40 kW
Payload:	2.30 tons
Perm. Total weight:	3.95 t

The Multicar 25 , also known as M 25 , is a light truck from the German Democratic Republic . The vehicle replaced the Multicar 24 in 1978 and was manufactured in various variants in the VEB vehicle Waltershausen , which belonged to the industry association vehicle construction (IFA). In 1992 it was replaced by the Multicar 26 , a year earlier, there had already been the transition variant Multicar 91 .

History 

The production and testing of the prototype of a new Multicar began in 1978. The new Multicar 25 was finally presented at the Leipzig Autumn Fair in 1978, where he received a gold medal and other awards. Afterwards the production started in Waltershausen . The number 25 again consisted of 2 tons of payload and the 5th series. 

Compared to the Multicar 24-0, the two-seater version of 1974, visually changed little. Most notable is the windscreen that has been pulled further down, the additional triangular side windows in the A-pillar, and the individual windscreen wipers, which are down at the bottom. In the interior, a new vibration-damping driver's seat was installed and the instruments are arranged clearly. In addition, the 42 ° tiltable cab has been equipped with a central tilt lock between the seats. On the M24, the cab still had to be unlocked separately from the driver's and front passenger's side. The four-cylinder diesel engine type 4 VD 8.8 / 8.5-1 SRF is the same engine as its predecessor and still provides 45 hp (33 kW). On request, a new creeper was installed

In order to change the bodies quickly, they are attached to the frame with standardized fastening points with only four screws. So it should be possible to mount all available types within an hour. All swap bodies are operated with the vehicle's own hydraulic system, which was delivered in several versions. Plant 01 was the basic model and intended only for tipper bodies. Plant 02 had an increased capacity and could operate additional equipment, such as a sliding plate. The model 05 was suitable for all swap bodies. The operation takes place depending on the structure of the driver's seat or, in exceptional cases, directly on the body. From 1982, a four-wheel drive for the vehicle was offered for the first time , from 1983 are superstructures with tarpaulin and bow available. 

In 1985, the model with four-wheel drive was fundamentally revised. It received a completely new powertrain with revised Cunewalder diesel engine, which now has 2238 cc displacement and 46 hp (34 kW) makes. The maximum torque is more likely. A new transfer case was also installed, the wheelbase increased from 1970 mm to 2100 mm. The name for the new type was Multicar 25.1 A, as AL, the version with longer wheelbase (2675 mm) was offered. The top speed rose to 60 km / h, also a roll bar in the cab was integrated. For the start in winter, a preheating device was installed, which acts with 600 W power on the cooling water. In addition, various special equipment could be ordered.

With the political change in 1990, the company Multicar had to cancel jobs and completely renew the production. However, it was also due to the strong specialization, the only vehicle manufacturer in the GDR, which could continue to distribute its products and still exists. On May 1, 1990, the Multicar Spezialfahrzeuge GmbH Waltershausen was founded, until March 1991, the Multicar 25 was produced in series. 

From March 1991, the company changed the production to the model Multicar 91. The vehicle largely complied with the new legal requirements. The most significant change in addition to various details was the installation of a four-cylinder diesel engine type 028.B from Volkswagen . At 1896 cc, it delivers 54.4 hp (40 kW). He was then considered the most modern diesel engine of its kind. Again, the models were available with and without four-wheel drive. The production of special bodies, however, was discontinued. Instead, machines from all over Europe were delivered. By the end of production in 1992 and the start of production of the Multicar 26, a total of 100,546 units were built, including the Multicar 91. As with previous types, a large proportion of them were exported.

From the manufacturer and in official documents, the vehicle was called Multicar 25 and partially abbreviated as M 25 (with spaces).  In the colloquial language and the literature of the period after the other hand, also has the name Multicar M25 or 25 Multicar M input found  which was not intended by the manufacturer. The use of the IFA brand was inconsistent, but much more widespread than its predecessor. In contrast to the Multicar 24, the Multicar 25 also carries the IFA emblem on the front, as far as the vehicles were built until around 1990. To the industry association vehicle construction belonged to the manufacturer since the 1. January 1978. 

The German Post (DDR) dedicated to the Multicar 25 two stamps. A trade fair mark for the appearance of the new type in 1978 and a special stamp with the Multicar 25 48 in 1982.

The basic form of the Multicar 25 remained until the year 2010 in the form of visually only slightly revised Multicar 26 obtained.

Model Variants 

From the Multicar 25 various versions were manufactured with some special bodies. 

Multicar 25 

The Multicar 25 was produced in the first version from 1978. The bodies were very similar to those of the predecessor, but were increasingly supplemented by new developments. The list reflects the status of 1983.

• Multicar 25 01 - flatbed vehicle and basic model, without hydraulic system.
• Multicar 25 02 - New version with tarpaulin and bow , the loading capacity is 4.6 m³
• Multicar 25 09 - Flatbed version with loading aid. It is a hydraulic liftgate .
• Multicar 25 10 - Three-way tipper with low side walls. Equipped with the type 01 hydraulic system, which does not allow any additional accessories.
• Multicar 25 12 - Rear tipper with twice as high side walls as the standard model. Designed for the transport of light bulk goods.
• Multicar 25 13 - Dump Truck , designed as a rear tipper . With modified loading area and a payload of 2250 kg. In order to be able to transport concrete or almost liquid goods, the possible tilt angle was increased to 76 °. Otherwise, there is a risk that parts of the load will not slip out of the trough.
• Multicar 25 14 - skip loader , presented at the Leipziger Messe in 1980 , capacity of 1.1 m³.
• Multicar 25 19/23 - Equipped with front snow plow and spreader for winter service. Various spreading materials could be used, for example grit, sand or road salt.
• Multicar 25 22 - Special stem brush and a derivative of the Multicar 25 48.
• Multicar 25 30 - Provided with aerial ladder system DLH 10. It was mainly used in the construction and maintenance of overhead lines and street lighting. It is provided with the hydraulic system 02, which is also responsible for the control of the aerial ladder. In addition, a so-called off-road regulation is installed which ensures with hydraulic supports that the vehicle stands straight even when working on slippery surfaces.
• Multicar 25 32 - special version with mounting platform. Unlike the aerial ladder this could only be driven vertically upwards. In the process, the operating staff piece-wise install a steel mast dismantled into 2-meter pieces, on which the working platform can ascend and descend. The maximum working height is about twelve meters.
• Multicar 25 33 - assembly tower version with aerial work platform type UM 12-1. The assembly mast was not approved as a swap body for safety reasons.
• Multicar 25 48 - washing and spraying vehicle. Equipped with a 1800 liter water tank and the hydraulic system 02. It was especially intended for sweeping and washing sidewalks and roads, but also street signs could be cleaned with it. Water could be tapped from water pipes as well as from waters.
• Multicar 25 51 - Container vehicle. It is a small garbage truck with a built-up garbage press. For example, public wastebaskets could be taught and the waste was compacted. With hydraulic system 02.
• Multicar 25 54 - referred to as coarse feed distributor . The vehicle is intended to distribute food in large stables with livestock. The capacity is 3.9 m³
• Multicar 25 65 - With concrete mixer construction . The drum holds 400 kg of material.
• Multicar 25 77 - box truck

Multicar 25.1 A 

In 1985, in addition to the basic model Multicar 25 of the Multicar 25.1 A was introduced. The most significant innovation was that the vehicle has four-wheel drive . In addition, the Multicar 25.1 AL offered a version with a longer wheelbase. This was 2675 mm, ie 575 mm more than the basic model.

Swap bodies were generally offered for the Multicar 25.1 A. As with the previous models, all attachments are fixed to the frame with only four screws and are easy to replace.

Built for the pure material transport flatbeds (long / short) with and without loading aid, tarpaulin and bows (long), insulating cases for refrigerated transport (long), normal suitcases (short / long) and three-way tippers, rear dump and dump trucks. In addition, there were semi-trailers for the transport of long materials and as a tow truck. In addition, they produced two-axle trailer type HM 20.01 (flatbed) and HM 20.11 (two-way tipper).

For special tasks, similar to its predecessor, washing and spraying vehicles, sweepers and vehicles were built for winter service. The latter were equipped with spreaders and sweeping rollers or snow plows. In addition, skiploaders were produced, as well as various turntables and assembly vehicles and refuse collection vehicles. Even two-way vehicles were built on the basis of the Multicar 25.1 A, but not in the GDR.

Multicar 91 

The Multicar 91 was, as the name implies, introduced in 1991. The external changes were minimal, for example, the IFA emblem was replaced by a redesigned Multicar emblem. In addition, the side mirrors and taillights have been changed. The vehicle stands on 14-inch rims with tires of size 185R14C or 195R14C. The intake air duct was placed to the left behind the driver's cab and led far upwards. The new diesel engine with an output of 40 kW (54 hp) from Volkswagen led to an increase in top speed to 70 km / h. In addition to the engine various other parts of suppliers from the territory of the former Federal Republic were purchased.

Also with the superstructures it came to cooperations with other companies. While the basic structures (flatbed, tipping bridges) were mostly self-made, special parts were often delivered. These included sweepers, spray and wash assemblies and new bodies for winter service. Also completely new superstructures, like loading cranes or excavator arms, were mounted on the chassis of the Multicar 91.

The model 91 was available with or without four-wheel drive. As early as 1992, the vehicle was replaced by the successor Multicar 26 .