Gravel Charlie

DIGGING INTO THE PAST

1960s, Sweden A young man, a farmer's son, is sitting at his kitchen table sketching ideas for a vehicle which could haul timber and manoeuvre through the trees on the snow-covered slopes for the country’s all-important forestry industry.  Wiking Björn knew that to prevent the front wheels from skidding in the snow, he had somehow to synchronise the wheels of a tractor and trailer. So, he started to sketch a tractor without front wheels.

Gravel Charlie

In 1966, the DR 631 – better known as Grus Kalle or Gravel Charlie – was born, the first series-produced articulated hauler in the world.

Gravel Charlie had a load capacity of just 10 tonnes (compared to up to 40 tonnes today) but Björn’s unique concept was there: based on a tractor without a front axle and a hauler coupled to it with an articulated joint. 

“I will never forget those days when I  had the possibility to contribute with my sometimes unorthodox ideas.” - Wiking Björn

Read the full story featured in Volvo Spirit magazine
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