Where It All Started With Volvo Construction Equipment

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[@racerroy1]

What a credit that Lady is to Volvo, That is what is lacking in a lot of Companies, Thanks for sharing your visit to Volvo, very enjoyable and informative.

[@jonlowe8727]

Yeah you're spot on mate ❤

[@80012453]

That guide is great!

[@gwpsr58]

She was a treat. So much history and product knowledge.

[@oleran4569]

Yeah. It was like she had grown up in that company and loved it!

[@gregholmes3661]

That tour guide is actually great to listen to. I’ve got that squirrel thing but she kept me glued

[@ChrisCookAuto]

Absolutely, she made the video!! You can tell she has her heart in it with how enthusiastic and knowledgeable she is!!

[@gravelydon7072]

@@ChrisCookAuto You can tell she is proud of where she is.

[@TheDanishConstructionChannel]

Yeah, Jannicke she lives for that museum :)

[@andrerossol3985]

Yes, she is great! But also a great Museum!

[@TheDanishConstructionChannel]

@@andrerossol3985 Yeah it is, i love coming there and seeing all the history 🙂

[@jimharper9609]

The tour guide was awesome! She really knew her stuff and was very pleasant to be around. Most guides just act like robots after doing hundreds of tours......

[@sloytar2]

I have a 1987 Volvo BM Valmet tractor, the last model range of tractors influenced by Volvo BM. Let me explain a bit about how things happened. If anyone have any questions or feedback, feel free to reply. Volvo BM decided to focus on construction equipment and went into a merger with their Finnish competitor, Valmet. This was in 1979. This merger was made clear by making a model range together. This was the Volvo BM Valmet 05-series. Volvo BM supplied things like the cabs and transmissions for these tractors. Valmet made the other parts. This made the tractors have the best of both worlds. These tractors kept the red color from Volvo BM as well. This tractor series was released in 1982 and remained in production until 1991. This means that Volvo BM tractors were really manufactured until the 90’s. These are tractors that are still actively being used on farms today. My grandfather bought a new one in 1987. It still works great on our farm with 12 000 hours on it. The tractors were rebranded Valmet in 1987, but continued using the Volvo BM design and parts until 1991. Parts like the cabin identification plates, all cabin parts and so on, says Volvo BM on them. Many parts are also common between the construction equipment and these tractors. This complicates parts accessibility for the Volvo BM Valmet, as it varies who can supply the parts. Valmet continued as a tractor brand until the late 1990’s. After further ownership change, they were forced to change name. In the early 2000’s they changed name to Valtra (litterally meaning VALmet TRActor). In the late 2000’s they were bought by AGCO. As you might now, AGCO is the big american company that also owns Massey Ferguson, Fendt, Challenger, GSI and so on. Valtra tractors are still being made to this day, in Finland. Now, much more technologically advanced. Many parts are shared between MF and Valtra. For instance, the engines are made in Finland. Valtra also trace their history back to Volvo BM if you read their history page. This is the modern day successor of the Volvo BM tractors.

[@TampaAnimalLovers]

Thank you for sharing your trip to the museum. Great to see how the company survived and evolved to become what it is today while still keeping close touch to its roots.

[@dansbrown1313]

The Hostess was wonderful!

[@nandi123]

@@dansbrown1313 She is the perfect person for a job like that.

[@ZenWithKen]

Just so you know, two meters of snow is about two Aaron's tall. Thanks for sharing!

[@MikeT-TheRetiredColonel]

bwahahaha

[@specialks1953]

Thank you for taking us along with you and I really enjoyed the genuine enthusiasm of the Lady that was escorting you through the museum. She is very Knowledgeable about the history. She likes running the steam engine!

[@Del-27]

The lady was so knowledgeable, need more like her, so great for Chris to have some time off, if anyone deserves it , it’s Chris, he brings happiness to so many of us , let’s give it a rest about his gf/wife, ! It’s his life outside of work! I think everyone is on the wrong track,

[@erubadify]

We have a BM Volvo 60-70 something model at our farm, still runs and being used to this day :)

[@Vickie-Bligh]

What a wonderful tour. Nice seeing Mike & Jenna. I hope you guys had as much fun as it looked.

[@wesmcdowell9449]

Soooo..... Is anyone else screaming "CLIMB IN THE SEAT/CAB OF EVERYTHING!!!!".... after she said you can climb in ALL our exhibits... or is that just me...?

[@MajesticDemonLord]

My Inner five year old is already climbing in...

[@espenbjerke665]

The Volvo loader at 14:00 are still used everywhere in scandinavia, specially for snow removal

[@uppsalahazzemarkstedt2759]

This 'backwards' construction is the best. All bucket weight is on the big tyres (with snow chains you get enormous grip) and it really turns on a dime around center point. You can follow curb in 90⁰ corners with your snowplow. Love it! ❤ And best of all is that you don't even have room for your grandkids along as passengers in cab. Haha!

[@Mike40M]

Remember the earlier model at 13:02. Probably used a very early one. With 5 reverse and 1 forward gears. Took a long time crossing a road. Causing lots of cars waiting.

[@JPaul60]

The guide really enjoys her job ,is proud of the company and very knowledgeable about it's history. That's very admirable in this day and age.

[@alansmith4734]

Back in the 70's, the one thing that I remember about Volvo Cars was that they had stainless steel exhaust systems on them. My Opel Manta exhaust system rusted out, and I am in Texas.

[@markparker2873]

The tour guide is a Beautiful and knowledgeable young woman! 🙂

[@HeavyB123]

I don’t comment a lot but that tour was cool. Thank you for taking us.

[@KB-gs8zi]

Hey Chris !!! Thanks for the prelude of what's to come with your trip to Sweden & Volvo with Mike & Co. !! 🙂🙃😉😊👍👍👍👍👍

[@trevorvanbremen4718]

I'm expecting the 'second instalment' sometime around April?

[@LatitudeSky]

​@@trevorvanbremen4718April 2025 for Mike.

[@ronpeacock9939]

2 thoughts.. 1. Diesel Creek is got to be eating his heart out.. this place is right up his alley moreso that cable excavator.. that baby has been taken care of... 2 Seems like a really nice vacation for both you and Mikey (and Jenna.. ) I know you love the old hardware (just looking at your Cat collection).. so seeing some of this... we've come a long ways.

[@edwardsimpson1164]

I've always wondered where the BM part came from. I"ve seen old BM Volvo equipment, but wasn't aware that BM was the original. Pretty neat history.

[@robertvirtue]

Tour guide is very knowledgeable and a real sweet heart.

[@randysmith9636]

Thank you for bringing us along, excellent tour.

[@heatherlane9270]

Fantastic opportunity to see this and thanks for taking us along. Remember the steam 'tractor' - Dad had our hay threshed into chaff with one of those (geez I'm getting old!). History makes a difference - come a long way in this area.

[@TobbeVijlto]

I visited that museum in ca 2005 in conjunction with one of our yearly Volvo Head Safety Officers Conferences. We had dinner in the huge hall. I worked for Volvo within car manufacturing for around 20 years up until I went on pension in 2013. Hope you enjoyed your trip to Sweden Chris.

[@shorthorn76m]

Chris, Great meeting you on our connecting flight back in Newart. First time I’ve ever seen someone wearing a Let’sDig18 shirt…and it’s Chris!! Loved the museum tour. Tim 19:51

[@waltermattson5566]

That is a very knowledgeable lady. She did a wonderful job!

[@Beartrap70]

That's a really Coooool Awesome museum 🙂 If I was able to visit there I would be smiling so greatly, even for days 😀 Thank You Chris for showing the museum 🙂

[@jburk8600]

Thanks for taking us along on the tour. We will be able to see it again in September when DP releases his version. Once again you scooped him.

[@nelsonannett5427]

very nice lady that gave the tour and seeing every thing was great. thanks guys .cheers.

[@keithdunlap2701]

Wow !! Oh Yeah, This is gonna be good !! Starting with the History of it all... And Man, the Blade on that Dozer was crazy wasn't it !! Looked like it wrapped all the way around it pretty much, and connected overhead there somehow ?? Very cool Chris !! Thanks for sharing Man, Can't wait to see what ya got coming !! Great as always Have a Great Evening, And, On too the Next ...

[@dagwood1327]

Thanks for the museum tour. I don’t get out much.

[@tomchaplin2420]

Wow that lady new her stuff, you & your partners are very lucky.

[@zapfanzapfan]

Thank you for the awesome tour and thank you to the excellent tour guide!

[@donutman3089]

We like seeing your digs and work stuff, but this was over the top awesome! Loved seeing the history and the museum. LOVE the tour guide! That young lady is not only beautiful, but full of energy and excitement with a passion to teach. One of the better videos lately, you two.

[@mickbaker2483]

Hi Chris and Mike you have a very nice host at volvo and My goodness she knows her mechanics yes it's her job but she does it very good, if this video is anything to go by this is going to be a great series of videos, thank you for tacking us with you very very enjoyable.

[@donmiller358]

Chris, what an awesome tour, thanks for sharing.

[@hakanaxlund4316]

Benig a Swede this makes me very proud. Americans who really can appreciate the industrial history of Sweden. Thank you guys for sharing this. And how great isn’t she in guiding. 👍🏻

[@betlw]

Swedes are among the happiest people on earth.

[@R0T3]

No thats the finns, we swedes hate ourselves.

[@tujuprojects]

Especially in the southern Sweden. They even write news abroad about that happiness.

[@R0T3]

@@tujuprojects The shootings and bombings?

[@tujuprojects]

@@R0T3 among other horrible things.

[@carltontweedle5724]

History is such a great thing and it just keeps growing. We make it every day. Also that tour guide was great.

[@robo1210]

Just added an item to my bucket list. A trip to Sweden and a tour of that museum. Awesome stuff

[@TheBurnsStuff]

I absolutely LOVE seeing old photos of how things changed and developed. Thank you sooooo much for this video!!!! You have a wonderful tour guide. She really knows her stuff and very easy to listen to. You can tell by how she talks, she absolutely loves her job. She still gets excited talking about the history. Huge, HUGE respect for her!!

[@equipment-enthusiast]

Nice little excursion over in Sweden. Pretty cool to see where Volvo started and all the old tractors!

[@charleswelch249]

That's so cool. I hope you had a great time with the tour and visiting with Mike. Thanks for sharing Chris.

[@DIYTechRepairs]

From a fellow swede good to see that you visited our home country and legacy :)

[@jockesander6219]

Cool!!! I live in Eskilstuna, just 1 mile from the Munktell Museum. 😊

[@dylanpeterson6192]

So glad to see so much praise for the guide. I love going to museums and finding someone super enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the contents. Not sure if she's more than just a guide, but she seems sharp.

[@zzirSnipzz1]

It's the same as the UK,every farm has either a wee ford or Massey/Ferguson around

[@railguy6639]

I have driven a Ford 850 that was converted into a farm forklift by mounting the driver's seat backward. The linkages for steering and controls were, well... interesting to say the least.

[@LatitudeSky]

Gives me goosebumps even hearing the name Gravel Charlie. Such a significant step forward.

[@Korpen_1979]

Thank you for this great video 👍 Åkerman was manufactured in the small town of Eslöv in southern Sweden, I live just outside for many years. My grandfather was an excavator operator and had an Åkerman when he participated in the construction of the Öland Bridge, which connects the island of Öland with the mainland. This was the late 60s. I have been told how it happened when they changed buckets with the "big sledgehammer", it was blood, sweat and raw strength in those days. Greetings from Sweden

[@tsparky236]

That History Tour was totally awesome Chris. Really was an enjoyable tour sir to see the different machines of the Volvo Companies. Can only imagine the brainstorming that brought us to where we are today. Thank you sir for bringing us along.

[@70sdude68]

This is about an hour from where I live. Hope you enjoy Sweden.

[@dwaynekoblitz6032]

Pretty dang cool. I love museums. And that one certainly had its share of history. Very cool.

[@nandi123]

I think Chris was showing a little more than casual interest in that motor grader @21:13 . 🙂

[@BigTader]

Very interesting video with all of the old machines and the lady giving the tour was very knowledgeable and easy on the eyes 😎

[@terryrogers1025]

Thank you for the tour, really enjoyed seeing and hearing of the developments made towards the Volvo equipment of today. Again thank you, appreciate you sharing with your subscribers.

[@garydillon3960]

Chris and Mike thanks for the tour. God Bless and Safe Travels.

[@1950Argee]

What a great tour! Thanks for taking us along.

[@MrQuailpop]

Thanks for sharing really enjoyed the tour. Can't wait to see what's next

[@elmerfudpucker3204]

"There's an Aaron sized loader!" I split my sides laughing.

[@johnhodge2788]

What a history lesson. Thanks for sharing this Chris!

[@coaterdave]

Too cool. Thanks for taking us along!

[@landroverihtractor1965]

The tour guide was fantastic! Brilliant English, Thanks for the video

[@Stratos53100]

Excellent video, to see the equipment that was Actually used is different & unique

[@rhigh100]

Best tour guide ever.

[@justinmills8084]

I am so grateful for you sharing your experiences with us, because most people that see this would never see it in their life time.

[@classe_falt]

This was a cool video i was born and raised in the town of Eskilstuna and i live a mile from the Munktell museum 👍

[@chrisnelly2518]

Tour guide kept me interested.

[@doritleis2773]

A very Interesting Excursion in the Volvo Museum. To see the beginn from this Konzern how the simple Machine. To this Time with the modernst novelty Machine. Thanks for this very Interesting to take with one. 👌👍

[@Johnnyputt]

Learn something new everyday. Good video.

[@trapybruno3646]

Hello Chris thank you very much for this museum visit

[@donnamullins2089]

Thank you Chris. Great tour guide and very interesting progressing from first build start to finish. History and evolution. Enjoyed.

[@youbuyweplant]

Thanks Chris for this video! Love the innovation story of back when to now. People using their know how to build better machines. Kudos to them!

[@AlexKall]

She's an awesome guide!

[@dennis2376]

How very cool. Yep Mike is there, he is doing all the talking. :) Thank you this is so awesome. Have a great day.

[@paulcooper9135]

What a wonderful museum! Thanks for sharing 🇨🇦

[@Arbsang]

Hi, I've been following your channel for a few years now and when I see that you come to Sweden and to my home regions to visit, among other things, the Munktell museum, I actually feel a little proud. I hope you had a great trip and that you had a good experience. Keep up the good work😉

[@PhillipEarrey]

Thanks Chris for the tour, very interesting

[@louGriggs1944]

Great change of pace and very interesting and informative. Thank you.

[@Sean-i4r]

Huh,thats awesome to see you being successful and advantages of being a volvo owner

[@TheHillbillyEngineer]

That is so very interesting! Thank You for sharing this awesome journey!

[@warrendemars]

Wonderful video. The tour guide did a fantastic job too.

[@jonasnielsenconstruction]

The old Volvo and Åkerman machines are just reliable, nice and simple to operate. We got a few of them still in use, though it has to be said that the ones we are using are from the mid 90's, but we still got my grandpa's Åkerman H7m b, thats from the early 80's, but we don't use it anymore, other than for a few spare parts for the other 2 Åkerman we still use. If you or Mike ever wanted to try out a Åkerman EW200, and you are in Denmark, just send me a message

[@steveperry2314]

Hi Chris, Very interesting ! Thanks for the video. I learned a lot!

[@mischef18]

Excellent bro and cheers for letting us tag along, ya tour guide is a wealth of knowledge, she sure makes everything so interesting. Safe travels. Ken.

[@CGW11]

So cool to see you in Sweden!

[@ryanhoward1013]

She was a nice-looking girl also. But I could watch and listen to her for hours on the Volvo tour she is very knowledgeable on Volvo. Thanks for sharing your visit to Volvo hopefully there is a part two I don't want to wait for Mike's video around Christmas lol.

[@bobbaer869]

Great video Chris thanks for sharing it 👍👍

[@JD-zm4eh]

Thanks for taking us along, now this is something I have never seen before. I could spend days admiring the historical engineering progress. Moonshine and excavators go figure. Clear some land to build a huge still and grow some corn at the same time.

[@cullenmiller8170]

Thanks for sharing. Always wondered what the BM stood for. Loved the steam engine running.

[@michaeldirkx8344]

Thanks for sharing, so cool and intresting to see..i never knew it was different companies combined to one..need to see..learnt something .thx..greetz from the netherlands..

[@OUKRH5]

Great video, a lot of this oldish loaders are still in use arround here, for jobs that are not lasting a whole day, or on farms. But its a shame that they have not more from Akerman in my opinion, it was one of the most successful excavator companies in Europe. Also many of them are still in use.

[@hydraulic-hum]

thanks for sharing the tour, very interesting, some nice machinery, what a lovely country Sweden is..

[@robinparkes988]

Fascinating video Chris, thanks for posting it. Say Hi to Mike. I loved the Aaron machine

[@eppot1]

Proud living in Sweden !!

[@2009deerejohn]

It’s cool to see the history behind this stuff, I have a huge collection of books about tractors and heavy equipment but being able to see that kind of history in person and touch it is very cool

[@stephengmeiner3264]

Very interesting tour! Can’t wait to see more

[@jeffterhune8573]

Great video, thanks for taking us all along.

[@mikeness5074]

Thanks for sharing chris

[@joebacarella2829]

What a great tour guide, so happy so much knowledge, we have come a long way, but like you said overall it was a pretty short time frame, from digging, to horses, to mechanical power. I look at some of that stuff, then look at your 350, they came a long way in development. But like she said, they took a tractor, built the frame they needed and put a tool on it, genius, thanks for taking us along.