Mercedes-Benz L3000
The Mercedes-Benz L3000 was a 4x2 3-ton rear axle drive truck used by Germany in World War II, powered by a Daimler-Benz OM 65/4 74 hp 4-cylinder diesel engine. It was used alongside the Opel Blitz, and proved even more reliable in rough terrain; and was used in all fronts and extensively by the Afrika Korps. It was manufactured in three versions, the L3000, the L3000A, and the L3000S, from 1938 to 1943; by that time more than 27,700 of all versions had been built. This made it the most produced Mercedes-Benz truck of World War II.
| Mercedes-Benz L3000 | |
|---|---|
 Mercedes-Benz L 3000 S, Greece, 1943. | |
| Type | Truck |
| Place of origin | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1938–1944 |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| No. built | 33,265 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | tonnes |
| Length | m |
| Width | m |
| Height | m |
| Crew | 2 |
| Armor | none |
| Maximum speed | km/h |
History
From 1896, Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft built not only passenger cars, but also light and heavy trucks with a payload of up to 10 t for the civilian and military sectors. The Reichswehr also used 3-ton trucks as a personnel carrier. Daimler-Benz in 1934 produced some off-road test vehicles under the name Mercedes-Benz LG 63, which went on to successful testing as a Mercedes-Benz LG 3000 in mass production and were delivered from 1936 to the Wehrmacht, Reichspost, Reichsbahn and business operations.
Technical data
| L 3000 A | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions and Weight | |
| Length | 6255 mm |
| Width | 2350 mm |
| Height | 2600 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3800 mm |
| Front trackwidth | 1633 mm |
| Rear trackwidth | 1650 mm |
| Ground clearance | 225 mm |
| Fording capability | 700 mm |
| Turning diameter | 15.2 m |
| Mass | 4020 kg |
| Payload | 3020 kg (2600 kg) |
| Max. total mass | 7040 kg (6620 kg) |
| Further data | |
| Top speed | 70 km/h |
| Fuel consumption | 20 l / 100 km (30 l / 100 km) |
| Fuel tank | 90 l Diesel fuel |
| Lead acid battery | 2 × 12 V, 90 Ah |
| Drivetrain | |
| Clutch | Single disc dry clutch |
| Gearbox | Fivespeed gearbox with additional intermediate gearbox |
| Tyres | 7.50-20 offroad tyres |
| Drive | All-wheel-drive |
| Engine | |
| Model | OM 65/4 |
| Type | Straight four diesel with precombustion chamber injection |
| Cooling system | Water |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Bore × Stroke | 105 × 140 mm |
| Capacity | 4,849 cc (296 cu in) |
| Compression ratio | 20:1 |
| Rated power | 55 kW (74 hp) at 2250 rpm |
| Torque at rated power | 234 N·m at 2250 rpm |
() Figures in brackets: For driving offroad
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Oswald, Werner: Kraftfahrzeuge und Panzer der Reichswehr, Wehrmacht und Bundeswehr. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 1982. (in german)
- Frank, Reinhard: Mercedes im Kriege - Personenwagen, Lastkraftwagen, Sonderaufbauten. PODZUN-PALLAS-VERLAG, Dorheim. 1985. ISBN 3-7909-0244-6
External links
- kfz der Wehrmacht - Mercedes Benz L 3000 S
- fahrzeuge der Wehrmacht - Mercedes 3000 (in german)
- Wehrmacht Technik - Technical details, 3 views, pictures of the Mercedes Benz L 3000 (in german)