When big things go wrong on the road, better call a yellow cab with an 8×4 drivetrain, representing the top segment of wreckers. Three of those brutes were on display at a crane show I visited last September.
This nameless, 2012 Scania R500 V8 was for sale when I took the pictures. According to its registration, the tow truck found a new owner in early December.
A Hiab knuckle boom crane and its outriggers sit between the cab and the body. Clearly, the whole crane construction is carried by the two steering axles with a total axle weight rating of 18 tonnes (39,700 lbs).
The H.F. Nielsens Maskinfabrik from Denmark made the towing equipment.
The same Scania, completely unfolded (photo courtesy of Versteijnen Trucks).
Outside, the Van Eijck company showcased their 660 hp, 2024 Volvo FH16. They run a fleet of more than 100 recovery vehicles and operate both nationally and internationally.
The rotator on top was supplied by DP Manufacturing from Tulsa, OK.
And the towing equipment came from Miller Industries, Ooltewah, TN.
I must say, this helped a lot, otherwise I wouldn’t have a clue or two. Miller’s capacities in pounds: 17,000 lbs, 55,000 lbs, and 80,000 lbs, respectively. Nice round numbers, what a coincidence.
Last but certainly not least, BRL’s 2020 Volvo FM beast.
With a curb weight of almost 31 tonnes (68,350 lbs), this is the heaviest full-size wrecker of the trio.
Everything neatly packed up. All that hardware may look rather overwhelming, but the truck manufacturer rates this 8×4 chassis at a gross weight of 44 tonnes (97,000 lbs), so there’s nothing to worry about (photo courtesy of Volvo Trucks Nederland).
Both the massive, 40 tonnes (88,185 lbs) rotator and the towing equipment were built and installed by Erkin World Power from Turkey.
And there’s no escape for that poor ol’ Volvo FL truck!
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Thats pretty cool that parts of those trucks came from Miller industries in Chattanooga TN(Ootawah is a suburb) Thats about 150 miles as the crow flies from where I live.
I know Miller is the 800lb gorilla in tow trucks here in the states. I could be wrong but I think they are the only company in the USA making heavy class 8 semi truck wreckers. I know they own most of the market for smaller roll backs and pickup truck style wreckers, but there are competitors in that segment.
Having had to be towed twice on my last job, Ive seen up close how these things work and their limitations both times I was towing a trailer, our depot had to send another prime mover to recover the trailer those big tow trucks cant to two laden units, first time the sterling I was driving ate the rear drive axle total weight 46,000kg had to be towed and the load delivered by the towtruck, sounds easy until he saw where he had to take it tow truck didnt fit under the unloading gantry, second time I was empty on a return run and a wheel and axle came out of the Freightliner ( drive wheel is twin tyred and bloody heavy) so another lift and tow needing another truck to pull my trailer,
Awesome pieces of gear they really are first time it was a Volvo 700 and second time a KW with Cummins signature 620hp but they cannot tow two laden units or lift them with the rotator, I read the loading cert and asked questions.