A trio of identical Mercedes-Benz Actros 6×4 tractors, neatly arranged at a September 2026 truck show in the east of the Netherlands. The one on the right was first registered in February 2019, the other two in October 2018. They’re obviously quite exceptional.
Locker modules behind the cab with a battery of air tanks on top, these are dedicated heavy haulage tractors alright.
The unstated number of the beasts is 3358, that’s 33 tonnes GVWR (72,750 lbs) and 580 DIN-hp maximum power output. The tractors come with planetary drive axles -as per usual in this line of business- and are powered by the truck maker’s 15.6 liter, OM 473 LA turbo-compound six-cylinder.
According to the information I found, the permitted gross combination weight of these Bolk Benzes is 180 tonnes (396,800 lbs). Each.
Some Actros-in-action pictures from Bolk’s Facebook site. The special and heavy haulage company took delivery of nine of these tractors in late 2018 and early 2019. All nine forming a circle, that would be nice. Maybe next year.
Are there any regulations regarding the red and white warning stripes on the bumper, or is that individual preference. I have seen other heavy haul trucks with striped bumpers, and some without and the same with tow trucks.
I’m thinking the roof mount air tanks are to allow bigger fuel tanks, and possibly more air volume
That red striping on a light shade of green (same color as on the raised cab roofs) is part of the Bolk livery.
I assume the air tanks on top are for whatever gets towed by the tractor. Essentially, these are ‘standard’ 6×4 tractors with the ususal components on the left and right side of the chassis, between the front axle and the tandem. The fuel tank on the left side of the Bolk tractors seems to be ExtraLarge though.
The fuel tank(s) of dedicated, compact 8×4/4 (or 10×4/6) heavy haulage tractors are placed behind the cab. Exposed, or as an integrated part of the locker module.
An example of a typical 8×4/4 heavy haulage tractor, a Volvo FH. Quite a fuel tank!
I wouldn’t like to fill it with diesel now over 2 quid a litre in the UK.
A colleague of mine, driving a VW Passat Variant TDI, swears by € 50 refuels…
That’s very specialized compared to a typical US heavy haul tractor that doesn’t look very different from a typical 6×4 conventional except for the smaller than usual sleeper unit and occasionally a lift axle making the truck 8×4. The double frame rails and extra heavy suspension aren’t obvious
As an aside, 26 tonnes tandems (factory rating, that is) with planetary drive axles are offered by all truck manufacturers here.
In the past, there were multiple independent, true heavy haulage specialists, like FTF and Titan. If you want a heavy haulage power house these days (with a 15+ liter turbodiesel) you simply visit the nearby Mercedes-Benz, MAN, Scania, or Volvo dealership.
Very true, and aside from Michigan trains in the 60’s and 70’s cabovers were not often used for heavy haul. Planetary axles are also very rare but not unheard of in North America.
Joe and Robert, as far as I know, Volvo, (and thus) Renault, and DAF use Meritor planetary drive axles. DAF builds them in their own axle plant in Belgium, hence DAF on the hubs. See picture below, which I took last Saturday, the axles were part of a heavy-duty 8×4 chassis with leaf springs all around.
Hi Johannes!
Are personalized license plates available in the Netherlands? The letter combination “BLK” (like Bolk?) caught my eye…
Good evening, Midsommar! Personalized plates are verboten here. On these tractors it works like this:
BLK: first registration on October 12, 2018.
BLL: first registration on October 23, 2018.
BLX, first registration on February 15, 2019.
In short, there’s an alphabetical/chronological order in the Dutch vehicle license plate system.
Ah, thanks !