4x4 Mag - The Duro

DURO - durable and robust

by Richard Walsh

Given the cost pressure facing most armies, it increasingly makes sense to construct vehicles that can be deployed for different tasks and, depending on their area of deployment, fitted with different superstructures. The DURO cross-country truck, supplied to the Swiss army since 1994, is a good example of this idea. The DURO comprises basic components, with chassis and cabin, that allow the same vehicle to be used for different purposes by adding different specification bodies which take little time to exchange.

We ran a short feature on this product in the May 1999 issue and since then we've gathered more information on this most interesting vehicle concept. The basic model of the DURO is used mainly for transporting soldiers and moving materials. Here, the addition of the loading ramp, which allows placing three standard pallets between the benches, is proving to be a good investment. The benches, which provide room for between 12 and 18 passengers, can be tilted and firmly locked into position. This creates a uniform, flat loading surface when required for the transport of large loads. Up to six standard pallets can be transported in this way with loading from either the side or rear. The Swiss army has 1800 DURO vehicles involved in personnel transport and a further 200 vehicles used as command trucks. This version has a glassfibre-reinforced plastic superstructure whose interior houses military and communications equipment. Fire support and Ambulance variants also exist. In 1997 the Swiss army purchased a further 1000 DURO vehicles. The most recent development of the the DURO is a fully armoured variant, designed to play a major role in joint combined task forces especially during peacekeeping operations, keeping logistics personnel and civilians during evacuation as fully protected as combat troops.

The DURO is manufactured by the company Bucher-Guyer from Niederweningen near Zurich in Switzerland, a company renowned for the supply of vehicles for agricultural and municipal applications as well as for off-road use, expeditions, rescues and military missions. Over 40,000 four wheel vehicles and well over 100,000 single axle tractors have been delivered.

Bucher-Guyer is responsible for system development, assembling and testing as well as marketing and after sales support. An ISO 9001 certified quality assurance programme, experienced employees and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities contribute to the efficient management of the programme. The Swiss army contract guarantees the civilian customers design maturity and the long term availability of spare parts.

The DURO is designed and tested for safe on-road transportation with a high payload and for safe off-road handling in tough terrain offering a 4x4 version in both short and long wheel base format and a 6x6 variant. Curb weight of the 4x4 SWB is 2.8 ton, 4x4 LWB 2.9 ton and the 6x6 3.4 ton, with loading capacities at 3 ton, 3.6 ton and 4.1 ton respectively. Towing weight is rated at a very useful 5 tons. Power is provided by a six cylinder VM diesel engine of 4162 cc developing 160 bhp assisted by an exhaust-gas turbocharger with intercooler. It's a direct injection electroncially controlled system with EURO II certification The full-time four wheel drive is controlled by a four speed automatic gearbox as well as by a two range transfer case. A differential lock system TORSEN is built into each axle which automatically locks when wheel spin is sensed. The transfer box can be engaged and disengaged whilst the vehicle is in motion. Brakes are inboard discs all round and wheels and tyres 275/80 x R20. De-Dion axles with long suspension travel and the BUCHER patented stabilizer provide maximum traction over rough terrain and extraordinary stability even when fully-loaded. Cabin and superstructure remain almost totally stable thanks to the rigid chassis, allowing people and material to be transported safely and in high riding comfort. The vehicle achieves a low centre of gravity and high ground clearance, this is the result of a low floor level and an optimum weight distribution between front and rear axles. Occupants of the DURO are protected by roll over protection equipment complying to ECE R66 standards.

It's interest to note that the DURO has replaced the Steyr-Daimler-Puch Pinzgauer 4x4 and 6x6 vehicle in the Swiss army and in military trials between 1988 and 1993 the DURO met and exceeded all required standards. The evaluation criteria concerned technology, troop transport, maintenance and commercial value which formed the basis for the later political decision of those in charge of defence procurement. In Switzerland, and on the off-road testing range for wheeled and tracked vehicles of the German Federal Army at Trier, the load carrying capacity and durability of the entire DURO construction were subjected to sever test over several months. Parallel to these endurance tests the vehicles were deployed on a trial basis in normal army service with units in the Swiss army. The vehicles and the individual components were also subjected to an extended safety test. A key feature of the success of the DURO is its ease of driving control. Militia soldiers in the Swiss army only have to do military service for three weeks every two years, and the use of the DURO does not pose any problems due to its similarity to driving a passenger car.

All we need now is to get our hands on one and put it through its paces... currently the company is testing a number of prototype RHD variants for the UK market, we'll let you know what develops. In the meantime for further details of this fascinating vehicle you can visit the DURO website at : http://www.buchguyer.ch/vehicles or you email : vehicles@buchguyer.ch Don't forget to say we sent you.