Sisu SL 181 VK
Built: 1990 · Series: SL
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 SL – the Finnish heavy-duty truck for construction and forestry: four- and six-cylinder engines of 6,600 to 10,000 cc, 167 to 250 kW, tractor unit versions as CK and CKH with tandem axle
Sisu is the Finnish commercial-vehicle manufacturer based in Karjaa/Karis that has built heavy trucks for the specific demands of Nordic construction sites, forestry and mining for decades. The SL range comprises multi-axle tippers and tractor units; in the type designations, VK denotes tipper bodywork (Finnish vaihtokuormaus/vaihtolava, exchangeable load unit), CK a tractor unit with fifth wheel, and the H suffix after CK vehicles with an additional driven or liftable tandem axle.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists 18 versions with 167 to 250 kW from four- to six-cylinder engines of 6,600 to 10,000 cc, unladen weights of 7,440 to 12,000 kg, gross vehicle weights of 18,000 to 30,000 kg, lengths of 7,020 to 10,500 mm and widths of 2,450 to 2,550 mm.
Sisu trucks are tailored to operate under Finnish weather and road conditions, with a rugged frame and strong off-road capability for forest and mining roads; the brand thus serves a niche segment in which it holds its own against the internationally broader manufacturers Scania, Volvo and MAN.
When buying used, check the condition of the frame and axle mounts after years of construction and forestry use, wear on the tipping hydraulics and fifth-wheel coupling, corrosion on the underbody and brake lines, and the service history of the four-wheel-drive systems; parts are supplied through the Finnish Sisu service network.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Sisu SL, Sisu Auto (manufacturer)
Technical data
Engine
| Power | 185 kWcorrect |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 7,360 cm³correct |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 7,450 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,510 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 8,000 kgcorrect |
| Gross vehicle weight | 21,000 kgcorrect |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 23.1 kW/t (185 kW / 8 t)
Stronger than 27% of the trucks in the register — out of 25,242 models with a stated power figure.
Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the Sisu SL 181 VK have?
The Sisu SL 181 VK delivers 185 kW.
How much does the Sisu SL 181 VK weigh?
The unladen weight is 8,000 kg.
What is the gross vehicle weight of the Sisu SL 181 VK?
21,000 kg.
What engine does the Sisu SL 181 VK have?
7,360 cm³ displacement.
What are the dimensions of the Sisu SL 181 VK?
7,450 mm × 2,510 mm.
When was the Sisu SL 181 VK 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.
We do not sell machines. We ask the dealers who carry this model and come back with price and lead time.
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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
SL 170
SL 170 4X4
SL 170 VK
SL 170 VK-4600/5000
SL 170 VK-4X4/5000
SL 170 VK-4x4/500
SL 170 VKH-6X2
SL 171
SL 171 VK
SL 171 VK-4X4
SL 171 VK-4x4/5000
SL 171 VK/4800
Sources: Traficom — Finnish vehicle register (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data
Truck in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.
