The Buran A snowmobile, as well as its modified version Buran AE, are the basic models in the Buran line, built on a shortened frame. This snowmobile is one of the best machines produced by the manufacturer Russian Mechanics OJSC. The main qualities of this vehicle are not only impeccable maneuverability, but also the ability to tow fairly large loads, operate at very low ambient temperatures, and the ability to transport people over certain distances. It is also worth noting that the car is completely unpretentious, both to weather conditions and to the quality of the fuel being poured. All this allowed the snowmobile to gain truly enormous popularity among fishermen and hunters.
In general, all models of the Buran snowmobile have a unique design, namely one support ski and two rear tracks. This solution has already been time-tested many times. Thanks to this, the car is not afraid of stumps, snags, bushes and tree branches that can cause damage to the chassis. The use of exactly two tracks had a positive effect on the vehicle’s cross-country ability, since their total area provides a fairly low specific pressure, which, in turn, makes the Buran A/AE snowmobile a real snow all-terrain vehicle. But also another key point in almost all snowmobiles is maneuverability. With this, everything is going just fine with this machine, since one swivel ski, combined with a fairly short longitudinal base of the equipment, allows you to maneuver in rather cramped conditions, for example, to go around trees in forest areas.
The modernized frame, which received a front bevel in the tunnel, coupled with increased ground clearance, allows you to easily move through deep snow, and, if necessary, easily remove snow clogging the rollers.
History of the Buran snowmobile
The first RMZ engine
A power unit from IZH-Jupiter-3 was installed on board the Buran. However, the engine from the motorcycle did not provide enough power, so it was decided to create a new engine. This is how the first model RMZ-640 appeared, which has undergone more than one modification during its existence. To this day, RM engineers use this engine in their equipment.
Aircraft engine assembly plant transforms into leading snowmobile manufacturer
Previously, the enterprise was called “Rybinsk Motors” and was engaged in the production of engines for aircraft, but the management did not want to stop there. Design engineers were tasked with creating equipment that would be accessible to a wide range of buyers and in demand.
The main specialization of the enterprise is the development and production of snowmobile equipment. However, the Rybinsk plant also produces several models of ATVs and motorized towing vehicles. Among residents of the northern regions of our country, RM products are in great demand. The quality of domestic snowmobiles can compete with their foreign counterparts. “Russian Mechanics” is not just a workshop for assembling Chinese equipment, but a full-fledged company that controls production at all stages, starting with development.
Engine
The Buran A/AE snowmobile is equipped with a two-stroke, two-cylinder power plant of the RMZ-640 brand. For this engine, the compression ratio was significantly reduced, which made it possible to use not only AI-92 gasoline, but also A-76 and AI-80 for proper operation. But besides this, the engine has one feature, namely, instead of regular gasoline, you can use gas condensate (gasoline) and even with it the engine confidently develops its power characteristics. It uses a single Mikuni brand float-type carburetor, which is often found in most modern snowmobiles. The diameter of each cylinder is 76 millimeters. Their total working volume is 0.635 liters. The piston stroke is 70 millimeters. With all this, the RMZ-640 is capable of developing a rated output power of 25 kilowatts, which translates to 34 horsepower. The unit is protected from overheating by an air cooling system, which has become standard for all such machines.
Description and technical characteristics of the snowmobile "Buran"
The Buran snowmobile is an old, time-tested snowmobile track. It is chosen by hunters and fishermen due to its cost, as well as good maneuverability and the ability to pull large loads. The all-terrain vehicle has become a real legend of domestic all-terrain vehicle production, and now, more than forty years after the start of production, it continues to be produced. The model has more than forty years of history, during which it has undergone many changes. Over the entire period, more than four hundred units of equipment rolled off the plant’s assembly line.
This snowmobile track, in accordance with the manufacturer’s classic design, has one guide ski. New models of the RM “Buran” snowmobile are distinguished by their modern design and smooth shapes. However, these are still the same “workhorses”, capable of pulling loaded sleds weighing up to half a ton.
The modern lineup includes machines:
- "Buran A/AE";
- "Buran AD/ADE";
- "Buran 4T/4TD".
Modification A/AE: main characteristics
The Buran A snowbike received a two-stroke engine with two cylinders and a power of 34 horsepower. The motor is cooled using air. The truck has good traction and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 60 km/h.
This model does not have an electric starter.
The next version of the all-terrain vehicle has a modified hood. The manufacturer used injection molded plastic as the basis. The material is impact-resistant and can withstand severe frosts. Unlike its predecessor, it has an electric starter. A model with a long platform will weigh a little more.
How is the second model different?
The technical parameters of this snowmobile track are practically no different from the previous one. Both modifications have an electric starter, a long platform and a ski base on board.
New four-stroke Buran
The latest modification of the Buran snowmobile has received radically different characteristics. This is not just a reliable, but also an economical tractor.
Thanks to the installation of a four-stroke engine, the manufacturer managed to reduce fuel consumption. At the same time, the model is distinguished by comfort and high cross-country ability. The main difference between the 4T and 4TD modifications is that in the second case the track has an extended platform.
Daniila Rukin
Snowmobile specialist "Buran". I go fishing in my free time.
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The snowmobile muffler is mounted on the bottom of the frame, where the exhaust pipe is also located. This reduces noise and vibration levels.
Dimensions
The seat of the all-terrain vehicle is designed for two people - the driver and one passenger. The dimensions of the Buran snowmobile depend on the modification:
| Parameter (in meters) | Model | |
| 4T | 4TD | |
| Length | 2,7 | 3,1 |
| Width | 0,91 | 0,91 |
| Full Height | 1,44 | 1,44 |
Truck load capacity and trailer dimensions
The snowbike has a spacious luggage compartment, which is located under the seat. In addition, the model is equipped with a durable towbar, thanks to which you can transport cargo.
Trailer dimensions:
| Length | 2.42 m |
| Width | 106 cm |
| Height | 113 cm |
Suspension
The model does not have shock absorbers. An elliptical spring is installed in front, and an independent roller spring-traveling suspension is installed in the rear.
The travel of both suspensions is 5 cm.
Mover
The propulsion system uses two paired rubber-fabric reinforced tracks with front-mounted drive sprockets. A screw mechanism is used for tension.
| Length | 2.878 m |
| Width | 38 cm |
| Height of lugs | 1.75 cm |
The extended model, with the letter “D” in the marking, has a longer caterpillar track - 3.685 meters.
Transmission
The gearbox is a three-speed variator with V-belt transmission and automatic change of driving and driven pulleys.
Speed set:
- anterior raised;
- anterior low;
- neutral.
Like all modern snowmobiles, Buran also has a reverse gear.
Daniila Rukin
Snowmobile specialist "Buran". I go fishing in my free time.
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A manual drive is used to control the box. In this case, the handle and the switching mechanism are connected by an automatic tensioning mechanism.
Brakes
The basis of the track chassis, together with the variator, is formed by a mechanical disc brake. There is nothing new here - most modern snowmobiles, including those produced by RM, have the same one.
Operating parameters, maximum speed and load capacity
The snowmobile can be started using a manual or electric starter. At the same time, a contactless type of ignition system is installed on board. The model does not have a separate oil tank; the fuel capacity is 28 liters. The extended and shortened versions of the track have some operational differences:
| Parameter | 4T | 4TD |
| Dry weight (kg) | 289 | 314 |
| Towing weight (max. kg) | 250 | 500 |
| Maximum speed | 60 | 55 |
Basic equipment
The basic package of this four-stroke utility includes:
- electric starter and reverse;
- windshield;
- emergency brake;
- odometer;
- speedometer;
- towbar;
- spacious trunk.
To increase the comfort of the model, the designers added heated gas trigger and handles, as well as a backrest for the passenger seat.
Lighting engineering
A bright halogen headlight with a power of 55/60 watts is installed at the front. The taillight consists of LEDs. The extended model is additionally equipped with a spotlight.
Engine
The model is equipped with a reliable American Kohler engine with two cylinders. The power unit has the following technical characteristics:
| Total cylinder volume | 0.747 l |
| Fuel system type | injection |
| Power | 29 l. With. |
| Type | 4t |
| Piston stroke | 6.9 cm |
| Cylinder diameter | 8.3 cm |
| Lubrication system | in the crankcase, mechanical pump |
The motor is air cooled. There is a filter installed at the inlet and a muffler at the outlet.
Video
At the very beginning, the Buran snowmobile was created as a workhorse and therefore the manufacturer placed great emphasis on the ability to tow loads. This task, one might say, is an everyday one, which the snowmobile copes with simply flawlessly. A large traction force was achieved thanks to the large final drive ratio in the gearbox, the use of an Alpina model variator and a power plant with a fairly large maximum torque. It is worth noting that the engine develops maximum torque at low speeds, which allows you to drag a load weighing no more than 250 kilograms without any difficulty. Of course, this limitation was set only by the manufacturer, because a long operating time often shows that the machine is capable of more.
As was written earlier, there are two versions of the snowmobile, namely Buran A and Buran AE. Externally, both cars are completely identical, but the model with the letter E has an electric starter. The letter A means that the snowmobile has a short platform.
Compared to previous models of this snowmobile, Buran A/AE has a new modern design. The manufacturer has made some changes to the appearance of the hood, as well as to its mounting scheme, which, when tilted, provides full access to all the necessary components and assemblies of the engine. The hood itself is made of injection molded plastic, which is highly resistant to various external influences, impacts and has fairly high strength even at very low temperatures. The level of comfort has also been increased by installing a new high two-level seat on the Buran, which has a removable backrest for the passenger.
And finally, it should be emphasized that this snowmobile is very simple and unpretentious in further maintenance. Spare parts for it are very easy to find, and they are also quite affordable. The machine has excellent maintainability even in field conditions far from civilization.
Snowmobile operating instructions
Like all other products, the Buran snowmobile has a detailed instruction manual. It contains instructions for the maintenance of all important components of the track and indicates the frequency.
Types and frequency of maintenance
Daily maintenance is carried out every time before and after a trip. In addition, more thorough maintenance is carried out:
| Type | Maximum permissible mileage (km) |
| After running in | 250-300 |
| TO-1 | 950-1050 |
| TO-2 | 1950-2050 |
In addition, after a long period of inactivity, seasonal maintenance of the equipment is carried out before commissioning.
Controls
Also in the attached instructions, the owner will find clear diagrams of the location of important parts of the machine. This will help significantly facilitate minor repairs and maintenance of components.
Left handle controls:
- brake;
- starter switch;
- limiter (parking brake).
The right handle contains the steering wheel and throttle lever. The remaining controls are located on the dashboard:
- emergency brake;
- speedometer;
- odometer and daily mileage reset button;
- egnition lock;
- emergency braking system (with cord);
- gear selector;
- oil pressure indicator;
- headlight mode switch.
Some control elements are missing in the shortened model. In addition to the above, the 4TD version provides a toggle switch for the spotlight, as well as a power unit failure indicator.
Price
The cost of a new Buran A/AE snowmobile starts from 229 thousand rubles and reaches 244 thousand Russian rubles. The price directly depends on factors such as year of production, version (basic or modified), and equipment.
A used snowmobile has a slightly lower cost, namely from 185 thousand rubles to 220 thousand Russian rubles. The cost of this option varies depending on the same year of production, general technical condition and the number of kilometers traveled.
Breakdowns and repair features
In the operating manual for this machine, owners will find a detailed list of track faults, their descriptions, as well as recommendations for elimination.
Some faults:
| Where did the problem occur? | Characteristic signs | Possible reason | How to fix |
| Engine | Does not start | No fuel supply; water got into the gasoline; low quality fuel. | In the first case, clean it, in others - replace the fuel. |
| Business interruptions | The wire does not fit well on the spark plug; pollution; broken contact | Clean the candles. Better secure the cap | |
| There was a knock | Overheat. Wear of rings, pistons, crankshaft, etc. | In the first case, immediately stop the engine and let it cool down. In case of wear of consumables - repair | |
| No traction | Bad fuel; overheat; the throttle is not fully open; fuel filter dirty | Replace fuel; wash the filter; Adjust throttle | |
| Transmission | Spontaneous stop | Broken belt or chain | Install new |
| Speeds don't change | Switching mechanism malfunction | Adjust | |
| Hodovka | Knock in the regulator | Bearing wear | Replace |
| Caterpillars do not stay on sprockets | Low chain tension | Adjust the track | |
| Control mechanisms | Stiff steering wheel rotation | Seizing in bearings and steering wheel drive | Lubricate |
| The speedometer needle has stopped moving | The flexible roller has broken. The speedometer mechanism is faulty | Install a new one. In the second case, contact the service center |
Appearance and tuning of the snowmobile
This snowbike got its name in honor of a snowstorm, which is why its hood is invariably white. The vehicle is in great demand due to its relatively low cost, cross-country ability and traction properties. The price of a new snowmobile version 4T from an official dealer is 355 thousand rubles. A model with a long platform will cost 20 thousand more.
On the Internet you can find a lot of positive feedback from owners, look at reviews and test drives. In addition, Buran lends itself well to modernization. Of course, it won’t be possible to turn a budget utility vehicle into a racing truck, but it is quite possible to improve its performance characteristics.
To reduce noise levels, sealed bearings are installed. The Safari regulator, which is installed from the factory on snowmobiles of the Taiga line, helps to increase the number of engine revolutions. If you install an on-board computer, the all-terrain vehicle will look no worse than its expensive foreign counterparts.
Full tuning
There are a number of companies that offer assembled kits for the complete modernization of this all-terrain vehicle. However, each owner can assemble such a set himself and save money. Standard kit includes:
- Honda engine (22 hp, 2 cylinders);
- Arctic regulator with four positions;
- Battery with a capacity of 24 ampere-hours;
- fastening cable for the power unit;
- soundproofed hood;
- bumper bumper.
In addition, you can install a lightweight spring on the brake mechanism. This will make the stopping process more comfortable.
Alex Motors 1136 units sold. You can trust us!
The reason for writing this article was the numerous requests from owners of Buran snowmobiles, and the frightening statistics of accidents as a result of snowmobile failure (failure of a counterfeit engine) in the harsh conditions of the Far North.
As a result of long-term communication with numerous owners of Buran snowmobiles from all over Russia, we found out that along with the original factory engines, numerous sellers of snowmobile parts successfully sell “left-hand engines” of garage assemblies. More or less honest sellers offer counterfeit engines such as a Rybinsk-assembled engine, a non-branded engine or a hand-assembled engine; others, deceiving the buyer, sell them as original; still others don’t make any distinctions at all, a new engine for Buran and okay...
Some buyers deliberately purchase counterfeit engines for reasons of economy - sellers usually offer them 3-5 thousand cheaper than the original one and at the same time brazenly deceive that it is better - supposedly it is assembled from all original parts and also by hand, but not at the factory. And so the buyer installs a counterfeit engine on his snowmobile (airboat) and goes into the cold into the tundra (forest, field, taiga) perhaps forever...
Now let's look at this problem in more detail:
During assembly, an original crankshaft (costing 10,000 rubles) is installed on the original engine; the famous Chinese crankshaft (costing 1,500-2,000 rubles) is installed on the one that is assembled in the garage.
The original engine is equipped with Czech pistons, Czech piston rings, Austrian pins, Japanese needle bearings, original cylinders, Ufa or Moscow (Flames) ignition, original carburetor, etc., and there is even fasteners - bolts, washers and nuts of the required strength class. And for counterfeit they put Chinese pistons, rings, pins, bearings, carburetors, Chinese or, at best, Irbitan restored cylinders, etc.
At JSC Russian Mechanics, engines are assembled manually by qualified assemblers under the highest quality control of the assembly from high-quality parts and a warranty period of 6 months. With proper operation, this period overlaps several times. — In the garage, the “engine” is assembled by someone unknown, under what control, but it is clear from what spare parts - the cheapest and, of course, without any guarantees - whoever has encountered it knows - well, what kind of guarantee can there be for a Chinese crankshaft?
And in the end, the buyer will not receive any benefit if he purchases a slightly cheaper counterfeit assembly. The buyer purchases an assembly made from low-quality spare parts at exorbitant prices...
We (we will not advertise our name so as not to be considered advertising) have sold a large number of original engines and there have not been any serious complaints about their performance. Moreover, reliability is evidenced by the fact that the RMZ-500 engines were loved by our aviators, who preferred them to their foreign counterparts. This kind of trust is one thing to drive on the ground and a completely different thing to fly through the air.
We hope you have decided on the choice of engine - you go to a spare parts store, inspect the engine, but how can you determine whether it is an original or a fake? The information below will help you with this issue, and will also help you identify a dishonest seller and, in the case of a purchase already made, will help you get your money back for the purchased counterfeit engine!!!
1. The original engine is shipped from the factory in the original cardboard packaging with the “RM” logos (see photo). The packaging is quite good, suitable for transportation. If you are offered an engine without this packaging, you should ask why?! Well, suppose the seller says that it got wet from the rain or something else and lost its presentation... If the packaging is present, then there should be a tag glued to the side (see photo) with catalog numbers, logos and, most importantly, the engine number.
2. We continue the inspection further - we ask and study the engine passport. The passport must be of the same type as in the photo below.
3. Next, compare the engine number on the box, in the passport and the number on the crankcase to the right below the carburetor (intake manifold) as indicated by the arrow in the photo.
4. It seems to calm down here, but the most important thing is ahead. Please pay attention to the manual starter and the metal adapter to the carburetor (to the right of the carburetor) - on original casting engines there should be raised “RM” logos as in the photo. If they are not there, this is definitely a fake!!!
5. Then we check for the presence of raised logos on the fan housing (the photo also shows the original Czech Rubena fan belt) and on the square motor casing. On the carburetor (provided that the engine has a K-65Zh carburetor) on the left we read the marking CW-65J Zh and below the WEBER company we see an installed throttle cable on top.
6. We also pay attention from the side of the variator installation to the original designation of the cylinder 110500064 and below YL 112 to the original crankshaft cuff from KOC and to the technological plate instead of the engine base. Since February 2013, Russian Mechanics OJSC has not supplied engines with engine bases.
7. The spark plugs on the original A 17 DV engine, such as those in the photo below, are light in color, not black.
8. The ignition system installed on original engines is clearly visible in the photo below along the wiring harness, connectors and switch K-1B.
If all the above conditions coincide, we can say with confidence that this is an original RMZ-640-34 engine manufactured by RUSSIAN MECHANICS OJSC.
Buran engine configuration:
110502600 110502600 ZCh (RMZ-640-34) - Manual starter, domestic carburetor.
110502600-01 110502600-01ЗЧ (RMZ-640-34) - Electric starter, Manual starter, domestic carburetor.
110502600-02 110502600-02ЗЧ (RMZ-640-34) - Manual starter, Minkuni carburetor
110502600-03 110502600-03 ZCh (RMZ-640-34) - Electric starter, Manual starter, Mikuni carburetor.
