Sisu SM 312

Sisu is a Finnish truck maker with a plant in Kaipiainen and a long tradition as the main supplier of heavy military and special vehicles for the Finnish armed forces, as well as a provider of rugged chassis for forestry, construction and winter road maintenance across northern Europe. The SM range stands in this tradition and was built before the current E range (E11M/E12M), which is listed separately in the register; the letter combinations in the model names, such as CKH or CAKH, distinguish individual versions within the range, though their exact meaning cannot be conclusively resolved from the register alone. A straight-six diesel engine is fitted throughout. The register lists 131 versions with power outputs from 248 to 392 kW and displacements from 10,000 to 14,000 cm³, all with six cylinders. Unladen weights range from 6,800 to 24,750 kg, permissible gross weights from 20,000 to 44,200 kg at widths between 2,500 and 2,850 mm. With axle configurations up to 8x2 and bodies for round-timber haulage, tipper work or towing piste groomers, the SM range serves a niche segment in which Sisu traditionally competes against Volvo, Scania and its own, newer E range. On used examples, important points are rust on the frame and crane mounts on forestry vehicles, the condition of the rear-axle final drive and transfer case on multi-axle versions, the braking system including engine brake, the crane hydraulics on appropriately equipped vehicles, and spare-parts supply, which is limited outside Finland due to low production volumes.

Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Sisu SM