THE BIG MAN

MAN have produced some serious heavyweights over the years. We look back on them, and talk to a heavy haulage operator who knows the German V8 well

- Bob Beech

Top power engines tend to sell in relatively low numbers and, while flagship trucks tend to grab attention, the mainstream 11-13 litre trucks are where the real volumes lie for most truck makers.

This is particularly so for the Euro 5 MAN V8 engine rated at a whopping 680hp. It was only offered in the UK market for a limited time and almost every one sold here was fitted in three and four axle heavy haulage tractors. Tractor units plated for up to 250 tonnes gross are not exactly volume sellers in any market and only a select few operators have a requirement for this type of truck.

We spoke to just this type of operator to get their opinion on this rare but powerful MAN model.

The Allelys Group from Studley, Warwickshire, are major players in the heavy haulage sector, offering a wide range of transport, heavy lift and installation services. They operate a number of MAN 8x4 heavy tractors, including those powered by the 680hp V8 and the previous generation with the 18.3-litre V10 motor rated at 660hp.

Running a high power tractor unit on normal haulage operations, even at full-time 44 tonne work rarely taxes the driveline, but running a heavy haulage tractor with a torque converter transmission at its full 250 tonne rating, or going a stage further and hooking a number of them to a huge modular trailer, possibly grossing 500/600 tonnes or more, means that the tractors are really working and any weakness is soon exposed.