The articulated hauler concept is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2006 at Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE).
In 2006, Volvo CE sees the 50,000th unit roll off its production line. The 50,000th Volvo articulated hauler has been painted in ‘Volvo Blue’ and was displayed at the Inermat exhibition in Paris in April.
The DR631 debuted in 1966 for transporting gravel, earth and many other materials. Essentially a development of an agricultural tractor and a trailer, they were permanently joined with an articulating hitch, and the front axle of the tractor removed.
Subsequent models built on the original, increasing the original payload of 10 tons to 35 tons with the introduction of the A20 in 1987.
The product range was given a major overhaul in 1993 with the introduction of the C-Series, which featured a low-emission engine, fully automatic transmission and 100-percent differential locks. The 40-ton class hauler was launched in the mid-1990s in the shape of the A40, pulled by a 400-hp engine.
The new D-Class of articulated haulers was introduced in 2000 and covers payloads from 24 to 37 tons.