Tatra presented one of the most unusual machines of recent years – the super-heavy Tatra Phoenix chassis with eight axles and all-wheel drive on all wheels. Even the company itself calls such machines "centipedes". The reason is obvious: the truck received 16 wheels at once, and all eight axles are driving, and some of them are also steerable.
The main task of this platform is not to transport goods along the highway, but to work as a base for special equipment. This particular unit was sent to Australia for the installation of a Bronto Skylift lifting system, which is used for servicing high-rise buildings and wind turbines.
From an engineering perspective, the project looks unusual even by heavy equipment standards. The machine is built according to a cab-over-engine design: the cab is located above the engine, which improves visibility and weight distribution. A 12.9-liter Paccar turbodiesel is installed under the cab.
The key feature is maneuverability. Despite its gigantic size, some of the rear axles also turn. This allows an eight-axle machine to turn in a surprisingly compact radius for this class of equipment.
Such platforms are becoming increasingly in demand due to the growth of infrastructure projects: servicing wind farms, drilling rigs, and heavy construction systems. A conventional truck chassis simply cannot handle such a load.
Visually, the Tatra Phoenix really resembles a huge mechanical centipede – especially due to the dense arrangement of the axles. But behind the unusual appearance lies very practical engineering for working where ordinary trucks would have long been stuck.
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