Biggest yet

There have been some pretty big European RVs in Halifax recently - usually the off road types on a MAN chassis /cab. Today's catch however is a real rarity - a Volvo FH sleeper, long wheelbase with tandem rears (one may be a tag, but is not a lift axle). This would be a typical long haul transport on European roads (and the rest of the world too - except North America), but would not be an expected choice for an RV.

Carrying Austrian plates, (from the State of Carinthia) it does appear to have some miles on it, judging by the paint wear and the number of stickers it has accumulated.

There is a flush fitting side door access to the RV unit, on the curb side, just above a section of checker plate.

.

RVs again

 I can't keep up with the continuing flood of European RVs, so can only post from time to time as I see something unusual. Today (August 17) definitely qualifies as 6X6 wheel arrangements are quite rare in the RV world. Also the Bucher name is not well known here as a truck manufacturer.

Bucher Municipal is a Swiss truck builder that specializes in what we would call "vocational" vehicles such as street sweepers, refuse, construction, ready-mix, winter maintenance and others. Bucher builds the complete truck, not just the chassis. They are also hydraulics specialists, so many of these trucks use hydraulic systems.

Bucher was a partner in the development of the Mowag Duro (DUrable, RObust) military vehicles used by many European countries.

Today's "catch" certainly has a military look - especially the colour of the wheel rims. 

I would say physical agility is a necessity - that step ladder access to the body is stowed in an exterior compartment (right side rear) so exiting would be only via the cab until the ladder can be rigged.

.

Watson Triple Header

 Transport Watson of Beloeil, QC, the over size specialists are well known in Halifax as regular loaders of airplane componenents that arrive from Europe by ship. Their trucks had a distinctive red colour scheme with "Watson" in blue, but that has changed a bit in the last year or so since the company was taken over by QSL (Quebec Stevedoring Ltd). They are now just plain red, but even so are usually very clean looking.

Today there were three Watson trucks in Halifax and they were unsual in a couple of respects. First, and most obvious, was that they were Freightliner COEs - a rare sight these days as engine forward trucks are the norm. In fact Freightliner has not produced COEs, (called the Argosy model) officially, since 2020 and even then they sold only glider kits for North America. The customer had to supply and install the engine and drivetrain.

The second point was that the trucks were transporting long steel tubular shapes. I don't say pipes, because they may be structural components for wind turbine towers or some other use. Watson has often carried components to the cement plant in Port Daniel - Gascons, QC.

 

Leading the parade was Watson W6883 with two tubes on an extended flat deck.

The trucks had some nice features, including fairings over the fuel tanks and "low rise" roof.

Next was W6881:

A nearly identical unit, it had a different arrangement of clearance lights on the windshield visor. It was hauling two tubes as far as I could see. 

Third in line was W6884, with three tubes on its extended flatdeck.

I guess because they were not over wide, they were able to exit the Fairvew Cove container terminal and head straight for the highway, without pilot cars. With the COEs they were under the 75 foot length limit - hard to tell...

More Mercs

 All of a sudden I am seeing more imported Mercedes trucks! Today it was four Arocs models with snow plow trailers by the Norwegian snow removal specialist Øveraasen.

The four units are destined for the Calgary Airport Authority and are numbered 100 to 103 and marked YYC (the call letters of the Calgary airport.) The tractors are rigged for plows, which are not fitted. 

I have covered similar rigs in the past, and learned that the swing out motor for the trailer plows is mounted at the end of the trailer, with its weight directly over the rear wheels.

.

Mercs - big and small

 Mercedes Benz builds cars and trucks of all sizes, from vans to hihway tractors. The latter are rare in North America, at least in part because the company owns Freightliner and Western Star and does not need another brand in a crowded market.

So when I see a big Mercedes truck I grab a photo - no matter how bad...

... like from the back through a chain link fence. This one must have arrived from Europe but how it came to be at the South End Container Terminal, and where it may be going is a mystery.

Smaller trucks such as vans have been common in recent years, notably the Sprinter type. Vans from the 1980s and 1990s were rare, so it was surprise to see one of that vintage with Canadian license plates.

The MB 100D was apparently produced from 1987 to 1996 and not exported to Canada. This unit, with Karmann RV body was likely purchased in Europe and brought to Canada as a used vehicle (thius avoiding heavy customs duties). It carries Quebec plates, so is still roadworthy.

.