NICOLAS Industrie SAS

TRACTOMAS TR 10x10 D100 – the world´s biggest tractor

The world´s largest truck tractor, the TRACTOMAS TR 10x10, was developed and built by the French special vehicle manufacturer NICOLAS Industrie. Altogether, four of these special vehicles, which easily surpass the dimensions of all previous heavy-duty truck tractors, are being delivered to ROTRAN Heavy Transport Co of South Africa, subsidiary of the ESKOM Generation. They will be used to transport transformers and other large equipment.



Several years ago, Nicolas had already developed and manufactured tractors of a similar design at its facilities in Champs-sur-Yonne, in Burgundy of France. Now, all past records regarding size and performance have been broken with the new TRACTOMAS TR 10x10 series. With a tare weight of around 40 tonnes, along with a vehicle total weight of 71 tonnes (tractor with ballast container box), the TRACTOMAS TR 10x10 is able to move a total truck/trailer weight (tractor plus trailer load) of about 600 tonnes. Thus, it can tackle the task of transporting extremely heavy transformers over distances ranging from 300 km up to 4,000 km. These are needed in the coal, gas and nuclear power stations which are operated by the South African energy company, ESKOM, as part of its nearly 26,000 km long electricity supply network.



The four gigantic truck tractors that NICOLAS has been commissioned to deliver to the energy company, are used together with two 11-axle heavy-duty platform trailers and a beams assembly in order to carry the transformers weighing up to 270 tonnes. The convoy, adapted to the length and the weight of the transformers to be shipped, will be 125 m long and will weigh 700 metric tons.



During the development of the TRACTOMAS TR, great importance was placed on absolute reliability and simple handling in spite of the immense vehicle dimensions. Thus, only brand-name components were used such as the diesel engine from Caterpillar or the power-shift transmission made by DANA SPICER. The Renault driver´s cab, taken from the company´s Kerax Class series, offers all the ergonomic advantages to the driver for long-distance transportation. With a tare weight of around 40 tonnes, an overall length of 12.62 metres, a width of 3,480 mm and an overall height of 4,515 mm, the TRACTOMAS TR 10x10 well exceeds all previously known dimensions for conventional heavy-duty truck tractors.



Technical details at a glance:



TRACTOMAS TR 10x10 D100

Total length approx. 12,620 mm

Total width approx. 3,480 mm

Total height (loaded) approx. 4,515 mm

Tare weight approx. 40,000 kg

5th wheel load approx. 31,000 kg

Total weight approx. 71,000 kg

Total truck/trailer weight approx. 600,000 kg



Engine: V 12 Caterpillar 3412 E

27.3 litre cubic capacity

912 BHP at 2,100 rpm

3,460 Nm at 1.400 rpm

Transmission: Dana Spicer power-shift torque converter clutch

8 forward gears

4 reverse gears

Axle configuration 10 x 10



Enclosed Pictures

The TRACTOMAS – the world´s biggest tractor



NICOLAS Industrie:

Transporters from NICOLAS are recognised across the world for their advanced technology and special product quality. Reliability in daily use, high load capacity and a long working life make the vehicles a very important component of modern logistical operations. The history of vehicle technology for heavy transport vehicles is closely connected with the name of NICOLAS and the company has a well-earned reputation of linking tradition and innovation. Together with KAMAG Transporttechnik in Ulm and SCHEUERLE Fahrzeugfabrik, it belongs to the group of companies owned by the Heilbronn industrialist, Otto Rettenmaier. Within the group, the TII – Transporter Industry International heavy-load division is global market leader.