MAN Truck & Bus is making a clear statement in the premier class of heavy-duty transport with the launch of a new TGX 41.640 8×4/4 heavy-duty tractor unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of 250 tons. The 640 hp four-axle vehicle easily moves large turbines weighing hundreds of tons for wind turbines, high-voltage transformers or entire submarines. Among other things, the MAN TGX features a torque converter clutch, a special gearbox designed for extreme loads and powerful hydraulic and compressed air systems that enable precise steering and leveling of the 30 or more axles of heavy-duty trailers in any driving situation.
The new heavy-duty range is a complete factory solution from MAN Individual: the four-axle base vehicle is produced at the Munich plant and then equipped with heavy-duty couplings, reinforced cooling and diesel and hydraulic tanks at the MAN Truck Modification Center in Wittlich.
The high-performance truck comes with the same comprehensive after sales, warranty, and financing services as all series vehicles. This makes MAN one of the few providers of series-based complete solutions from 3.5 to 250 tons and covers every transport task from light to heavy with the TGE, TGL, TGM, TGS and TGX models – also fully electric on request from 12 to 42 tons.
Friedrich Baumann, Executive Board Member for Sales & Customer Solutions at MAN Truck & Bus, unveiled the new tractor unit in the presence of around 80 international heavy-duty transporters: “With our new 250-ton tractor unit, we are returning to the supreme discipline of heavy-duty transport. Thanks to MAN Individual’s expertise, we are offering our customers a highly specialized vehicle that combines maximum performance, reliability and economy in one package. In doing so, we are once again sending out a strong signal to simplify our customers’ business.”
MAN has delivered the first new 250-tonne heavy-duty TGX to the German rental specialist BFS. The dark blue tractor unit is available for heavy-duty transport companies that require vehicles at short notice for particularly heavy-duty operations. “We are very proud to have the very first of these special high-performance trucks in our fleet! It is the perfect flagship for our special vehicle rental fleet and another highlight in our 60-year partnership with MAN,” says Jan Plieninger, Managing Director of BFS. He and his team are cooperation partners of MAN for commercial vehicle rental: from standard models and special vehicles to 250-ton trucks – with flexible short to long-term rental and supported by a comprehensive service network of over 90 MAN-owned workshops in Germany, Switzerland, Croatia and the Netherlands.
New 250-tonne TGX: designed for extreme heavy-duty applications
At the heart of the new heavy-duty model is the MAN D3876 in-line six-cylinder engine with 640 hp and 3,000 Nm torque, available in a wide range from 900 to 1,380 rpm¹ – ideal for high loads at low speeds. The torque converter clutch (WSK) integrated into the automated MAN TipMatic 12.30 OD gearbox enables low-wear, powerful starting with up to 1.59 times more torque and sensitive maneuvering. In addition, the Retarder 40 ensures high continuous braking performance and thermal stability. Special TipMatic programs provide support during operation: the Heavy Transport program for loads up to 250 tons, the Efficiency mode for loads up to 70 tons with particularly economical fuel consumption.
Integrated heavy-duty equipment ex works
MAN bundles the central heavy-duty components in a heavy-duty tower behind the cab. It contains four pressure tanks for 160 liters of additional air supply, a 960-liter diesel tank and the 290-liter tank for the two-stage heavy-duty hydraulics. This delivers pressures of up to 300 bar, works with a load-sensing system and provides 20 or 40 l/min of oil independently of the load – depending on the requirements of the axle steering systems. A heavy-duty transport cooler is also integrated into the heavy-duty tower, which keeps the engine temperature stable even at low speeds and high engine loads.
The JOST JSK 38 C fifth wheel (3.5″) is mounted on the frame, with an 800 mm shifting device as standard for optimum load distribution. For use in pushing or pulling operations, the vehicle has a front register coupling with three height levels. At the rear, the ROCKINGER 56 EA can be fitted as an option, whose automatic locking mechanism enables comfortable and reliable coupling even on uneven terrain.
Design, comfort and individualization with MAN Individual
The tractor unit is also available with the MAN Individual Lion S equipment package as an option. This includes exclusive design elements such as carbon applications, black aerodomes, red accents and high-quality interior details such as Alcantara seat covers, decorative stitching and red seat belts. A 24-inch television or an electrically adjustable TV recliner are available as options, as is ambient lighting elements that make everyday driving much more pleasant, especially on long journeys.
Service and financing portfolio up to 250 tons
MAN complements the new heavy-duty model with a comprehensive service and financing portfolio: this includes MAN Service Contracts, Extended Warranty and the Uptime Guarantee as well as digital services such as Perform, Compliant M, Timed and ServiceCare. The global service network with around 1,670 locations in over 140 countries ensures rapid support. Flexible financing and insurance models from MAN Financial Services – including Hire Purchase and PremiumCover –offer additional planning security, especially for heavy-duty customers.
