Sisu SK 181
Built: 1990 · Series: SK
More machines from model year 1990
Not the right version? The data comes from vehicle registers holding many near-identical versions side by side. Photograph the data plate — we read make and type from it. Open the scanner e-mail address required
Sisu SK – collective page for the Finnish heavy-duty series built for forestry, mining and military use, six-cylinder diesels from 157 to 278 kW, 6.6 to 10.8 litre displacement, gross weights up to 36 tonnes
The SK series covers the classic heavy trucks of the Finnish maker Sisu Auto, based in Karjaa with later production in Kankaanpää. Sisu was formed in 1931 out of Finland's state-owned motor industry and consistently built vehicles for local conditions: deep snow, unpaved forest tracks and severe cold. The SK models of the 1980s and 1990s all carried six-cylinder diesel engines and went to both civilian customers – mainly forestry and heavy-haulage operators – and the Finnish armed forces, which Sisu still supplies today. The abbreviations in the type codes (VK, CK, CA) refer to cab shape and drive configuration, while the axle count appears in designations such as 6X2, 6X4 or 8X2.
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The register lists 74 versions here with 157 to 278 kW from exclusively six-cylinder diesel engines of 6,600 to 10,820 cm³ displacement, kerb weights of 7,050 to 28,550 kg, gross vehicle weights of 15,000 to 36,000 kg, lengths of 6,300 to 11,500 mm and widths of 2,450 to 2,800 mm.
Sisu trucks are a fixture of forestry and heavy haulage in Finland as well as winter-service and military work, competing there with Scania, Volvo and the Finnish military versions of Mercedes-Benz; outside Finland and Scandinavia the brand is rarely seen, which limits parts availability regionally.
On a used SK, it is worth checking for frame cracks and corrosion on the axle suspension and subframe, typically stressed by road salt and off-road work, as well as the condition of the transfer case and four-wheel drive on the 6x4 and 8x2 variants. Engine and chassis parts are available through Sisu-authorised workshops in Finland; for examples outside Scandinavia, usually only with long lead times.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Sisu SK, Sisu Auto (manufacturer)
Technical data
Engine
| Power | 185 kWcorrect |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 7,360 cm³correct |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 9,850 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,600 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 7,720 kgcorrect |
| Gross vehicle weight | 20,100 kgcorrect |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 24 kW/t (185 kW / 7.7 t)
Stronger than 27% of the trucks in the register — out of 25,241 models with a stated power figure.
Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the Sisu SK 181 have?
The Sisu SK 181 delivers 185 kW.
How much does the Sisu SK 181 weigh?
The unladen weight is 7,720 kg.
What is the gross vehicle weight of the Sisu SK 181?
20,100 kg.
What engine does the Sisu SK 181 have?
7,360 cm³ displacement.
What are the dimensions of the Sisu SK 181?
9,850 mm × 2,600 mm.
When was the Sisu SK 181 built?
Production years: 1990.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 7 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
The technical data on this page comes from official vehicle registration records (RDW/Traficom), not from the manufacturer.
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Other models in this series
SK
SK 150
SK 150 VKH
SK 150 VKH/3800
SK 170 VK
SK 170 VKH-AR313-6X2
SK 170 VKH/4400
SK 171
SK 171 VK
SK 171 VK-410/480
SK 171 VK-4x4
SK 171 VK/340
Sources: [1]
Truck in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.