Volvo Trucks – Volvo Trucks vs 750 Tons: An extreme heavy haulage challenge

How much can a single, series-produced truck haul? A Volvo FH16 featuring I-Shift with crawler gears faces one of the toughest challenges in the history of Volvo Trucks. With the world’s strongest man, Magnus Samuelsson, and trucking journalist Brian Weatherley in the driver’s cab, a Volvo FH16 attempts to pull 750 tons.

Volvo Trucks is back with yet another mind blowing challenge. In “Volvo Trucks vs 750 Tonnes” a single truck is connected to a 300-metre long monster road train consisting of 40 loaded containers. The mission? To put the new transmission, I-Shift with crawler gears, to the ultimate test.

“For this kind of exceptionally heavy loads custom built trucks are normally used, but here we’re using a Volvo FH16 with a driveline that has come straight from the factory,” says Peter Hardin, Product Manager FM and FMX at Volvo Trucks.

The secret weapon is called I-Shift with crawler gears. Equipped with the new gearbox a Volvo FH16 is able to start from standstill with 325 tonnes. Behind the wheel of the truck is none other than renowned strongman and World’s Strongest Man champion Magnus Samuelsson.

“I’ve faced many tough challenges over the years but this pull is my heaviest ever,” he replies.

The challenge took place in Gothenburg, Sweden. Beyond the 750 tonnes the team was caught off-guard by the erratic nature of the Swedish winter.

CNaz

My Life at Speed Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Chris Nazarenus, had a chance meeting with key executives at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1998. It would be the "Jerry McGuire" moment that would change her life forever. Although she knew nothing about motorsports at that time, the chance meeting would influence her passion for all things fast, great stories and interesting people. That's what you will find here at My Life at Speed.