A high-steaks Oz test

TORTURE-TESTING TRUCKS IN THE AUSTRALIAN outback is popular with the Brisbane-based Volvo Group Trucks Technology team – not only for its Australian models, but also on behalf of Volvo and Mack engineers from around the world.

But the renowned Outback challenges went next level recently – when the usual heat, dust, heavy gross weight and rough road tests were joined by a spooked cow….

In what Volvo is terming a “high-steaks” encounter, the GTT engineers testing a European-spec Euro 6 16-litre engine in a Simons National Carriers Volvo FH16, discovered “just how much damage a Volvo FH can handle…and still get the job done.”

The night-time collision occurred on the Barkly Highway, in the Northern Territory, as the 131-tonne triple roadtrain combination was heading for Darwin.

The big hit damaged much of the cab structure ahead of the engine… and even relocated some of the cooling package.

Post-collision, the two drivers onboard inspected the damage – and were amazed to see that no coolant had been lost and the major components of the cooling system remained intact.

So they carried on – for another 18 hours….all the way to Darwin, where the load was delivered before they headed to the local dealership for repairs.

It was, as Volvo Group Australia notes: “No mean feat for a badly damaged vehicle.” The FH16 needed a new cooling package, including the air-conditioning condenser and gearbox cooler. Bent front cab shock mounts were also replaced – along with an electrical repair to the throttle assembly.

Once back in Brisbane the truck received further repairs in the form of a new Wild-bar and some new panel work.

But all checks confirmed that “the impact with over half a tonne of bolting beef failed to damage the chassis or steering components of the FH. Not a bad testament to the strength and durability of the Volvo FH at all.”

T&D