I’m a sucker for the grumier-videos from France. A grumier is a heavy, self-loading combination vehicle for transporting long logs.
Right from the start of this high-quality video -wonderful drone footage included- it’s obvious that the profession of these truckers goes way beyond driving a big rig down the freeway, hauling goods from one industrial area to another. The video also shows the “unfolding-process” of an unloaded grumier in the forest, starting at 2:55.
The video was made and posted by GregFR-74 (Greg Raimbault), featuring the drivers and combinations of the Gervais & Son(s) hauling company.
I think they have hit the maximum size for a vehicle and a payload that can make it through that area. That is some impressive driving.
Another example of WGM (world gone mad).
Impressive driving and impressive operation of the knuckle boom loader too. Congrats to the driver.
Also, those are beautiful logs. They will make nice lumber.
That’s some impressive equipment and skilled operators!
I was so busy watching the clearance between the truck and buildings in the opening shots, that I didn’t notice the drop-off on the driver’s side. Wow!! I guess I can’t complain about the size of my high roof Ford Transit after seeing this. By the way, does anyone know what kind of timber that is? There’s quite a bit of logging in my area, but it’s all conifer softwood (redwood and Douglas fir). The trucks drive right through town regularly, but nothing like this little French village’s narrow streets. Here’s one neighborhood sighting from a few years ago. Conventional cab of course, because America.
Edit: not sure if picture will load.
I wonder if these are some of the old growth oaks being felled for the rebuilding of the roof timbers of Notre Dame.
Yes, the focal point is on the tractor’s left side. From a driver’s point of view, anyway…
I’m no timber expert (at all), no idea what kind it is. According to the creator’s/poster’s caption on YouTube, here’s where the driver unloads the logs:
https://www.scierieduleman.com/
And here where I live I see people having trouble getting their SUVs through the McDonald’s drive-thru. Such a pleasure to watch real driving skill.
Incredible. I didn’t know what was meant by a grumier, but that is one amazing vehicle. The footage here is great, particularly the aerial shots at the 10:00 minute mark or so, showing how the rear trailer pivots. Truly impressive driving!
As per French Wikipedia: “Un grumier est un camion servant au transport du bois, notamment des grumes”. 🙂
A major advantage of the type as seen in the video, is that the driver can control the steering/course of the separate rear unit. Needless to say, an absolute necessity there.
What happens to the poor schmuck coming in the other direction!!
The poor schmuck has no option but to log off.
Took a few seconds but finally got it!
Les Pays-Bas: Douze points!
Impressed! Thats a tricky exit road, and full length logs are a rarity over here logs are cut to export length in the bush and carted to ports in stacks on 8×4 trucks pulling 5 axles trailers to maximize each load most are fitted with on board scales, stems units such as these self loaders do exist but my orbit has me loading food oil at a port that exports logs so I drive past a forest laying down every day and the mix of traffic is loggers tankers and container trucks mostly.
In Alberta Canada these are full length, truly whole tree from the woods to the mill or scale yard.
And yes most of our trucks in BC also have built in scales, although not legal for the Crown stumpage (royalty payment). They allow for maximum, but not not over, loads as well as balancing the load between the truck and the trailer.
What a chick flick!
Wow, great videography and amazing driving!! I feel the need to search out more of these videos now…
The sign on the second truck says, TRANSPORT EXCEPTIONNEL. That may mean something like specialized transport, but I would say it is truly exceptional what they have accomplished in this run- truck and driver included.
What does each of those logs weight, perhaps five to ten thousand pounds each? The handling skill shown by the driver of the blue Volvo was excellent, as well as his maneuvering skill. The capabilities of that vehicle are something to take note of. Navigating through such narrow corners and villages was amazing. Fifty years ago, those logs would have had to have been cut in half perhaps.
Here in BC, the on-road legal weights range from 43,100 to 63,500 GCW (in kgs). The configuration in the video would be limited to 51,100 which is the second lowest configuration (1 steer, 2 drive and tridem trailer). Typical would be 15,700 for the truck and 32,400 for the load using typical steer tires (which have a reduced load). The self-loading apparatus of course adds to the truck weight, taking away from the load so we tend not to use them unless really needing to.
Off road trucks (HDX, P16, et al) are considerably more, but are not highway legal except for part of Highway 28 (Gold River to tide water).
I have no clue what is allowed in Europe, or what the steering part of the trailer could do for adding weight.
Such tractors as seen in the video weigh around 15,000 to 16,500 kg, crane included (so curb weight). Low sleeper cab, 6×4 drivetrain. Preferred choices, across the continent: Volvo and Scania.
Euro logging rigs always come with a crane. Either mounted on the tractor or all the way at the back of a straight truck.
The standard set-up in northern Europe (Scandinavia) is a straight truck with a long, full trailer.
An example from Finland: https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/cc-global-sisu-polar-hybrid-the-finnish-concept-of-strength/
No idea about the gross weight limits for logging combinations in France.
Right, googling “poids grumier” was enough. A logging combination in France is rated at a maximum gross weight of 57 metric tons (125,663 lbs), provided it has at least 6 axles (like the rigs in the video).
It’s right on the first page of this document:
https://www.bison-fute.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/reglementation_bois-ronds_mars2010.pdf
Thanks! That is an impressive load for the configuration.
As a forester in BC, I find these sorts of videos amazing. Gives me ideas of what can be done if willing to think a bit more creatively, although I don’t think this type of rig would be allowed here without a reach (draw bar to the trailer), at least on public roads.
Very skilful driving, reminds me of our bus tour in Japan and the narrow places the driver was able to thread.
Thanks for sharing.
At the 39 second mark I swear the driver side tire is halfway off the pavement. Way too close for comfort if you ask me. This little chicken will stick with his car and leave this to the professional drivers. Very nice quality video almost 3-D quality to my eyes.
Here, hold my beer!!!!