Volvo CE Kicks Off ‘Golden Hauler’ Tour

NOTD VOLVO 150

NOTD VOLVO 400Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) launched the world’s first articulated hauler, the Volvo DR 631, in 1966. This year, Volvo CE will be celebrating the articulated hauler’s 50th anniversary with a custom-painted A40G hauler, dubbed the “Golden Hauler,” which will travel around the United States and Canada to make special appearances at dealer-sponsored events.

The tour kicked off last month at a Ritchie Brothers’ auction in Orlando. Rock Products’ Associate Editor Josie Smith attended the tour’s second stop at Volvo dealer Flagler Construction Equipment’s Tampa location.

“This year is a very special year for Volvo. Not only are we celebrating the articulated hauler’s 50th anniversary, but we will also be introducing a new class of articulated haulers at bauma 2016 later in the year that will mark a new generation of the class,” said Göran Lindgren, president, Region Americas, Volvo CE.

Twelve employees from Volvo CE’s Shippensburg, Pa., facility custom painted the A40G articulated hauler gold. “This project is a lot bigger than any we’ve done before,” said Dave Harry, paint project leader. “We spent 650 hours gilding the hauler to make it shine for its celebratory journey across the United States and Canada.”

AkzoNobel, a leading global paints and coating company headquartered in Amsterdam, donated $15,000 worth of Sikkens Autocoat BT paint. The sparkling gold color was hand-selected and hand-sprayed by the project team at Volvo, with assistance from AkzoNobel. Volvo Trucks donated a custom-painted gold Volvo VNX 630 to transport the Golden Hauler throughout the year. Built in New River Valley, Va., the VNX is powered by a 600-hp Volvo D16 engine and Volvo I-Shift 12 speed automated manual transmission. Volvo CE’s long-time partner Keen Transport, a national heavy equipment transportation and trucking company based in Carlisle, Pa., is dedicating one driver to help drive the truck and Golden Hauler across the country.

The Golden Hauler will end its journey at ConExpo-Con/Agg 2017 in Las Vegas, where it will be auctioned off with proceeds supporting training programs that encourage new generations to enter the construction industry. Volvo is partnering with SkillsUSA and Skills Canada, which provide leadership and character development educational programs and activities, as well as regional career development programs located near their Shippensburg manufacturing facility.

Furthermore, as part of the anniversary year, Volvo CE will also be hosting a contest to find the oldest working Volvo hauler in the United States or Canada. The winner of the contest will be invited to join the articulated hauler celebrations in Braås, Sweden, this summer.

Starting March 1, full details about the competition, including how owners can submit their nominations, can be found at www.GoldenHauler.com.

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