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Sisu Auto · 1969–1984

Sisu M-161

Sisu M-161
Photo: Tommi Nummelin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source ↗

Sisu M-series is a 2–4-axle forward control lorry model series made by the Finnish heavy vehicle producer Suomen Autoteollisuus (SAT) in 1969–1984. The series consists of 4×2-driven M-161, 6×2-driven M-162, 6×4-driven M-163 and 8×2-driven M-168. Typical applications were logging trucks, tankers and long-distance transportation haulers which pulled conventional and semi-trailers. The permissible payloads varied from ca. 9 tonnes up over 18 tonnes. The predecessors of the series were Sisu KB-112 and KB-117. M-type was later replaced by Sisu SM-series.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Sisu KB-112

All Sisu Auto M-161 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Development

The preceding models of M-series were three-axle KB-112 and two-axle KB-117 which featured a serial produced hydraulically tiltable cabin first in Europe. In 1968 SAT took over its main domestic competitor Vanajan Autotehdas (VAT) from which it got new technical solutions and the company's new head designer Veikko Muronen. The development of the new concept had begun, however, before the takeover of VAT. A 1968 built military application, artillery hauler prototype KB-46 was equipped with an entirely new, rectangular shaped cabin which was used also on the initial prototype MS-162BPT. The heavy-duty Jyry-class hauler was designated in particular for long-distance transportation.

Production and market

The first units were handed over to customers already at the end of 1969 but officially the new model was launched in 1970 together with the new R-type, which featured a conventional type cabin. The applications included haulers for conventional and semi-trailers, tankers and logging vehicles. A number of other applications were produced in small numbers for both civil market and the Finnish Defence Forces. The vehicles are known to be exported at least to Switzerland, Algeria and Greece. Already since the 1950s SAT had negotiated with the authorities for allowing four-axle lorries with two steering axles in road transportation. Such layout had already been used in mobile cranes since the late 1960s. At the end of 1978 the Ministry of Transport finally allowed also such lorries. The first homologated four-axle lorry in Finland was Sisu M-168 of which second steering axle was the same as used in Sisu T-108 mobile crane. All M-series lorries were produced in the Karis factory apart from a 30 units' series of four-axle M-168CEV and M-168BEV lorries which were assembled in Hämeenlinna factory due to lack of capacity in Karis. The last M-series units were produced in 1984 and the range was replaced by modular SM-series.

Technical data

=== Engine === M-series used initially Leyland and Rolls-Royce diesels. Later Cummins came into the selection. During the years Leyland had produced for Sisu sturdy, reliable and nearly indestructible engines – as well as technically utterly failed units. The V8-diesel O.801 was first tested in the KB-46 before it was used in M-series; unfortunately, this engine belongs to the latter category and therefore it stayed in the selection only for a short period. The first Sisu's with Rolls-Royce engines were produced in the 1950s. The first Rolls-Royce used in the M-series was a 282-hp version of the Eagle 275. In 1973 an optional 297-hp Eagle 305 became available. The 315-hp Eagle 320 Mk III presented in 1976 became a famous engine in Sisus; later that year power was increased to 327 hp. The following year a downgraded 271-hp Eagle 265 Mk III became available. The lorries powered by these units can be recognised by the "RR 320" or "RR 265" badges on the grille. The very last Rolls-Royce engine installed in a Sisu is the Eagle 340 Mk III which was used in the MA-162CZV concept vehicle. The weakness of Eagle Mk III engines was excessive wear of cylinder liners. The problem was fixed with silicon carbide treated liners which were taken into use in 1980, after which the engine type became called Rolls-Royce Eagle Mk III "Finlandia." The more durable liners were later also installed in the older engine types. Users were also demanding more power than Rolls-Royce could provide. The first experiences from Cummins engines in Sisu's in the late 1960s had not been good. The engines used were Cummins Vale V8 diesels which suffered frequent failures. But the experiences were different when the six-cylinder 375 PS (276 kW; 370 hp) Cummins NTE-370 engines became available in the M-serie

Sisu MA-162

In 1978 SAT made a study for increasing of payload on logging trucks by reducing the kerb weight. The vehicle was based on Sisu M-162 and it was connected to a two-axle conventional trailer. Transversal frame beams and some other chassis parts, rims, subframe, wings, crane beam, protection wall behind the cabin and the vertical side beams to hold the logs were made from aluminium alloy instead of steel; this led to weight saving of 1,435 kg. The trailer was lightened with similar methods, leading to 950 kg lighter kerb weight. In addition, the truck was equipped with RR Eagle 340 engine that is slightly lighter than the standard Eagle 320. The model name of the prototype was MA-162CZV. The truck was nicknamed "Emma" and it was developed together with the end customer, company Tehdaspuu Oy. Another similar study followed in 1980 when SAT built a container truck by using aluminium structures. The prototype model name was MA-162CZV, this time with Cummins engine.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name
Sisu M-161, M-162, M-163 and M-168
Manufacturer
Oy Suomen Autoteollisuus Ab, (from 1981 Oy Sisu-Auto Ab)
aka
Jyry-Sisu
Production
1969–1984
Assembly
Karis and Hämeenlinna, Finland
Related
Sisu KB-46
Layout
M-161: 4×2, M-162: 6×2, M-163: 6×4, M-168: 8×2
Engine
Leyland, Rolls-Royce and Cummins diesels; 265–405 hp → table
Transmission
Fuller RTO-958LL-B (BVF-14) 14+3 or RTO-9513 (BVF-13) 13+2
Wheelbase
→ table
Width
2,500 mm
Height
2,890 mm
Kerb weight
from 6,610 kg → table
sp
uk
Predecessor
Sisu KB-112 and KB-117
Successor
Sisu SM-series

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sisu M-161
JoachimKohler-HB · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source ↗

Sources

More from Sisu Auto

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