Summary
The Mercedes-Benz L3000 was a 4x2 3-tonne rear axle drive truck used by Nazi 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 1944. When production was discontinued, more than 27,700 L3000 type trucks had been built, making 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 |  Nazi Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1938–1945 |
| Used by | Nazi Germany |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
| Produced | 1938-1944 |
| No. built | 33,265 |
| Variants | L3000, L3000A, L3000S |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4,020 kg (8,860 lb) |
| Length | 6.255 m (20 ft 6.3 in) |
| Width | 2.350 m (7 ft 8.5 in) |
| Height | 2.600 m (8 ft 6.4 in) |
| Crew | 2 |
| Armor | none |
| Engine | OM 65/4 4,849 cc (296 cu in) Diesel engine 55 kW (74 hp) at 2,250 rpm |
| Payload capacity | 3,020 kg (6,660 lb) |
| Ground clearance | 225 mm (8.9 in) |
| Fuel capacity | 90 L (20 imp gal; 24 US gal) |
| Maximum speed | 70 km/h (43 mph) |
History edit
From 1896, Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft built not only passenger cars, but also light and heavy trucks with a payload of up to 10 tonnes (22,000 lb) 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.
The L3000 was used in all major theaters of World War II where German forces were deployed, and was also used by civilian fire departments.
Variants edit
- L3000 - civil version
- L3000A - military version with all-wheel drive
- L3000S - military version using some standardized parts
Technical data edit
| 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
In Popular Culture edit
A replica of an L3000 based on the chassis of a GMC CCKW appears in the 1981 film Raiders Of The Lost Ark. It is involved in the film's most famous chase scene.[1]
A modified Lo 2000 or L3000 truck carrying a detachment of SS Einsatzkommandos appears on the village arrival scene of the 1983 British Horror film The Keep, set in Romania in 1941.[2]
See also edit
- Mercedes-Benz Lo 2000
References edit
Notes edit
Bibliography edit
- 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 edit
- Mercedes Benz L 3000 S kfz der Wehrmacht
- fahrzeuge der Wehrmacht - Mercedes 3000 (in German)
- Wehrmacht Technik - Technical details, 3 views, pictures of the Mercedes Benz L 3000 (in German)