A tractor unit is a heavy truck built to pull a semi-trailer. It is used for intercity and international freight. The tractor and trailer are bought separately, so you must check that they fit. One tractor can pull several different trailers.
Before you choose, define the route and the cargo. How many kilometers do you drive per day? How heavy is the load? Are there mountain sections? These answers set engine power and axle count. The driver needs a CE license category.
The semi-trailer type affects the tractor choice. A curtain-side trailer, a refrigerated trailer, and a container chassis have different weights and requirements. A refrigerated trailer may need more power and fuel. First decide which trailer you will pull, then choose the tractor. Otherwise the tractor may not suit the trailer.
Engine power and torque must match the road. On a flat highway, medium power is enough. On a mountain route, such as the Kamchik Pass between Tashkent and the Fergana Valley, a stronger engine and an engine brake help. A weak truck slows on climbs and the trip runs long.
Calculate the gross weight. Example: tractor 8 t, semi-trailer 7 t, cargo 25 t, total 40 t. Permitted gross weight and axle load are limited. Overloading brings fines and liability for road damage.
The gearbox matters too. A manual gearbox asks more of the driver, while an automated one can reduce fatigue. An engine brake or retarder on long descents spares the service brake pads. On a mountain route, that matters for safety. Ask the dealer about the options and pick what fits your route.
On long runs, the driver rests in the cab. A sleeper cab reduces fatigue and improves safety. For short city runs, a low cab is enough. Pick the cab type by trip length.
A two-axle tractor is lighter and uses less fuel. A three-axle tractor is steadier with heavy loads and poor roads. The fifth wheel height and coupling must fit the semi-trailer. Check compatibility before you buy.
A tractor unit covers many kilometers, so fuel and maintenance are the main costs. Service intervals and oil and filter change schedules affect spending. Fast access to parts shortens downtime. Every idle day is a day of lost income.
At an authorized dealer, service and parts for the tractor are in one place. See models on faw.uz/en/products/ and service information on faw.uz/en/services/. Tell the dealer your route and they can suggest a model and a maintenance schedule.
Take the route between Tashkent and Samarkand as an example. The distance is about 300 km. At 35 liters per 100 km, one way uses 105 liters. A round trip uses 210 liters. Multiply that by the fuel price and you get the fuel cost of one trip.
Count the time too. At an average speed of 60 km/h, one way takes about 5 hours. Loading, unloading, and rest time add to that. A driver's work and rest schedule is limited by law. The trip time must fit inside that schedule.
A simple calculation like this helps you choose a tractor. If the route is flat and fixed, a medium-power tractor is enough. If the route has mountains and heavy loads, you need a power reserve. Run the numbers for your own route and bring them to the dealer. See models on faw.uz/en/products/.