The Ant scooter was produced at the Tula Machine-Building Plant from 1959 to 1995. Its modification, or as they say now, restyling, was carried out in 1983 and updated version received the designation Ant 2M 01. The longevity of this unusual three-wheeled vehicle brought, first of all, positive qualities, among which it is necessary to highlight:
- versatility;
- affordable price;
- simple repair;
- compactness;
- maneuverability.
The TMZ Ant scooter was the first cargo model motorcycle equipment, mass-produced in the USSR. Availability cargo platform allowing to transport 250 kg of cargo at a speed of 60 km/h made the Ant very popular. It is enough to note the areas in which it was used:
- Transportation within the city, including small batches of products for restaurants, cafes and canteens.
- In-plant transportation, when small batches of certain components were moved between production workshops.
- Transportation of small volumes building materials, especially in urban environments.
- Carrying out transportation indoors, primarily for agricultural purposes (greenhouses, poultry farms, livestock farms).
For various modifications The TMZ Ant scooter used four body options:
- open;
- open reduced (installed on the cargo-passenger version);
- awning;
- van.
The most significant disadvantage It is necessary to note the lack of any comfort for the driver, who was forced to spend almost the entire working day behind the wheel of a scooter. It was especially difficult to work in winter time, since, unlike two-wheeled mopeds, scooters and motorcycles, the Ant cargo scooter was used at state-owned enterprises even in winter.
Device and technical parameters
The design of the Ant scooter was quite simple and consisted of the following main parts:
- engine;
- frame;
- transmission and suspension;
- electrical equipment;
- brake system;
- body.
Such a simple design of the motor scooter Ant 2M 01 and its broad unification with the two-wheeled model Tulitsa (Tula) allowed owners to carry out repairs themselves.
The TMZ Ant scooter had the following specifications And operational parameters(data for the modification of the Ant 2M scooter is given in parentheses):
- Drive – 3x2.
- Load capacity– 0.25 t (0.28 t).
- Engine:
- type – petrol two-stroke,
- ignition – electronic;
- number of cylinders – 1,
- volume – 0.20 l,
- cooling option – forced air,
- power – 11.0 l. With. (12.5 hp),
- carburetor - K-36G,
- fuel – a mixture of gasoline and oil (1/33).
- Dimensions:
- base – 1.78 m,
- length – 2.68 m,
- width – 1.25 m,
- height – 2.16 m,
- track – 1.05 m,
- ground clearance - 0.12 m.
- Transmission:
- type – mechanical,
- number of gears – 4,
- reverse gear - through a reverse gearbox,
- Switching method: foot pedal.
- Common data:
- weight – 0.24 t,
- maximum speed– 60 km/h, (62 km/h),
- volume fuel tank– 13.0 l,
- fuel consumption – 6.2 l, (6.0 l),
- wheel size – 4.00–10.
The main disadvantages of a scooter and its modernization
The Ant scooter, like any other vehicle except its own positive qualities also had disadvantages. At the same time, the existing shortcomings could be attributed both to structural ones, originally inherent in the device, and to operational ones, arising during the operation of the equipment.
According to reviews from owners, structural defects that required rework or the most frequent repair of a particular unit include:
- an unsuccessful electrical circuit of the scooter, often leading to failure of components (din-starter, relay-regulator, ignition coil), especially in rainy weather;
- undeveloped device Transmissions often with poor-quality factory assembly led to a crash during 2nd or 3rd gear operation. To fix it, the owners had to study the structure of the box itself, as well as how to properly disassemble and then reassemble the gearbox after repair;
- not a big difference in the fuel levels between the tank and the carburetor chamber led, when there was little fuel in the tank, to running on a lean mixture or stopping the engine.
The most common operational deficiencies are:
- unstable ignition on Ant requiring frequent adjustments;
- short service life of brake pads;
- loss of hydraulic shock absorber fluids, which require disassembly, refilling and assembly of shock absorbers for repair;
- malfunction electrical equipment of the starter dyno under the influence of dirt, water, dust. Repairs were carried out by disassembling and reassembling, checking the electrical circuit, searching for and replacing the failed element;
- occurrence of cracks in the frame;
- oil leak in the gearbox.
Very often, the owners, having gained experience in operating the Ant scooter, carried out modernization. But before starting to implement the changes, the following issues were resolved:
- How much is it?
- What will the modified Ant look like?
- How to find and collect necessary materials for modernization?
- How much will the scooter weigh after the modification and how will this affect the technical characteristics?
- How long will it take to remodel?
After receiving positive answers to these questions, work on changes was carried out. Motor scooter Ant tuning, which allowed him to give additional properties, came down to the following main alterations:
- Installation of a dump truck bodies for transportation of bulk cargo.
- Design change appearance.
- Installation of a coupling device that allows you to work with various trailed and semi-trailer devices and equipment.
Versatility, cost and maintainability allowed the TMZ Ant scooter to be compared in terms of production volume and popularity with such best Soviet models motorcycles, both heavy and light road bike for the village.
If the old people say that they poured the usual diesel oil into gasoline” - don’t believe such “old people”, these old people drove on “holes” and mostly pedaled naturally.
In the good old days, when gasoline was cheaper than soda (6 kopecks per 1 liter; with the price of soda 3 kopecks per 200 grams), vehicles with two-stroke engines were fueled with a “motor mixture” which naturally consisted of gasoline and oil called “autol” in ratio from 1 to 25 to 1 to 100, depending on the recommendations of the engine manufacturer.
What does it consist of fundamental difference two-stroke internal combustion engine from a four-stroke one, and whether there are three and five-stroke engines is described in detail in the “Physics Primer” for primary school. In addition, it says why no engine is able to operate without lubricating the friction pairs with oil of a very specific quality.
Any engine oil(oil for lubricating the rubbing pairs of internal combustion engines) consists of base oil and various additives that determine the quality intended for a particular ICE type. The fundamental difference between oils for two-stroke and four-stroke internal combustion engines is that in the first, the oil must completely burn together with gasoline, and in the second, it must retain its lubricating properties for as long as possible with sufficient high temperatures. If the “motor mixture” is prepared with oil for a four-stroke internal combustion engine, then the ash formed during the combustion of such oil will erase the cylinder mirror and piston like ordinary sandpaper quite quickly. If you want to destroy the “ant” as soon as possible, use the advice of your “old people”.
A feature of Soviet-made two-stroke engines is the lubrication of the rubbing pairs with oil, which was mixed with gasoline “manually”. Modern two-stroke engines are preparing fuel mixture immediately before entering the crankcase, consuming it from a special tank in the amount required for a specific engine operating mode.
Picking up modern oil For “ant”, I think it would be advisable to use one of the oil classification systems (whichever you like best). At my “driving school” I was taught to use API classification(American Petroleum Institute- Pendos Oil Institute).
From domestic oils oils should only be used for two-stroke internal combustion engines having index 2T. Such oils are produced by all enterprises of our oil industry. By the way, the price of this oil is quite divine - about 130 rubles per liter. Even if you dilute it in a ratio of 1 to 50, the price of fuel will not increase significantly compared to modern prices for gasoline.
That's how it is. Good luck on the road to you and the “ant”.
The legend of the Soviet motorcycle industry is the “Ant” scooter. Let's consider all the advantages and disadvantages of the scooter, tuning possibilities and reviews from owners. Everything about the ant scooter in one topic.
Motor scooter "Ant" - affordable practicality
Today cargo scooters we do not enjoy such popularity and excitement as it was in the days Soviet Union. There are explanations for this: the car shortage at that time was quite high price and other difficulties, gave rise to the thoughts of an ordinary rural or suburban resident about buying something alternative, unpretentious, inexpensive, and at the same time of high quality. A motorcycle with a sidecar was not very suitable for transporting goods, and this was a basic need in the countryside.
Cost of the Ant scooter
The Ant scooter, costing 775 rubles, with its light weight and ease of maintenance, was an ideal option, and such scooters are still popular in Asian countries irreplaceable assistants, and are in great demand.
This is what one of the first Ant models looked like
Pay attention to the spare wheel mount
Gasoline consumption on the Ant scooter
It cannot be called economical; the 200 cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine consumes about 8 liters of gasoline, after slight wear and tear piston group, consumption usually reached 10 liters, but at that time this was not relevant, gasoline was very cheap and no one thought about fuel consumption and, accordingly, savings. If you are going to buy an Ant scooter now (of course, second-hand, they haven’t produced new ones for a long time), be prepared to consume about ten liters of gasoline.
Front suspension
The front suspension of the scooter is lever, almost “indestructible”. In terms of service life, compared to telescopic forks, it’s not even close, there’s practically nothing to break.
Today you can find an ant scooter with installed rear shock absorbers from the scooter, instead of the standard front ones, produced specifically for it.
Here the front suspension is slightly modified and borrowed from a Chinese cargo scooter
Motor scooter "Ant"
The Ant scooter has a dry weight of 240 kg, which is much lighter than the same MT or Ural motorcycle. This is the merit of the designers, and of course the lightweight single-cylinder engine.
This advantage made it possible for even one person to throw it on its side and begin repairs. In terms of repairs, there were also a lot of advantages: to replace a tube or tire, the wheel did not need beading, it was enough to unscrew the bolts around the wheel, and the rims split into two halves.
Rear suspension
Rear suspension - independent, rear wheel driven by a roller chain through a gearbox.
Motor scooter gearbox "Ant"
Note the gearbox located in the center rear axle, it is made quite well, however, during repairs, it is also very easy to remove.
Luggage compartment
The Ant scooter does not have a very large luggage compartment, its dimensions are 1250 x 1130 mm, but this is quite enough for everyday use. Models with additional space for a passenger, but shortened, were also produced. cargo compartment, everyone could choose the best for themselves suitable option, depending on specific needs.
Upon request, it was possible to buy a model with a high closed cargo compartment, finished with metal. It was ideally suited for servicing schools, kindergartens and enterprises, and transporting household items.
Load capacity
The permitted load capacity of all models is 280 kg, while the engine power is only 12 hp, and this is with two hundred cubic meters two stroke engine. But this was enough, because the maximum speed of the scooter is only 60 km per hour.
pay attention to front wheel Why not a tractor?
Some craftsmen increase the height of the sides, thanks to this you can load more bulk materials, as well as straw and grass, onto the ant scooter.
However, when buying such a scooter, be prepared for constant repairs; to be honest, all Soviet motorcycles constantly broke down and required intervention. This example is, of course, no exception, and constant problems with starting should not bother you. If you don't understand this, it's better not to buy it.
Modern competitors of the Ant scooter
Fortunately (or unfortunately), cargo scooters from China are now gaining popularity, costing about $1,500. Of course, they can be compared in competition with it, but not with the quality of the body, suspension and other products. An ant scooter will be of much better quality in everything, however, examples have survived to this day that will require you to have full knowledge of a car mechanic.
Pay attention to one of the models of the Chinese motorcycle industry, plastic body kit, very fragile, front telescopic fork from an ordinary scooter, which also served on it, served fully for a season or two. What will happen to her on the cargo ship?
But for more or less tolerable use, you can buy such a scooter.
But this model from China is a little better quality and more expensive, and is suitable for more severe loads. Made in the shape of a motorcycle.
Both models are equipped with a tilting body, which makes it easier to unload bulk materials and other things.
As you can see, the Ant scooter has many competitors, and these two models are only a small percentage of what Asian countries can offer, and at a reasonable price.
