Intermat 24
Digger Man

Digger Man Blog

by Nick Drew  |  Fri 13 Dec 2019

Munktell Museum on the Xmas wish list

If you are looking for something to do in the run up to Christmas, then I highly recommend a visit to the awesome Munktell Museum in Eskilstuna, Sweden.

Munktell Museum on the Xmas wish list

I was lucky enough to have my first visit to this excellent museum in 2018 during my trip to the Volvo Days event, that took place during the summer, but I am sure that at this time of the year Eskilstuna would be an even more magical place to visit, not only to check out the museum, but also to do some last minute Christmas shopping, enabling you to grab some more original gifts for friends and family.

The Munktell Museum exhibits more than 180 years of Swedish industrial history and welcomed more than 28,700 visitors in 2018. With a great reputation globally, the museum has steadily grown its visitor numbers – up 40% in the last decade. The museum is home to approximately 200 exhibits and includes around 90 historic vehicles, among the many rarities on display are the first Volvo CE wheel loader, the first Swedish tractor, seen below, built in 1913, the Munktells 30-40 which was powered by a two cylinder, two stroke, semi diesel engine which as the model number denotes had a power output of 30-40 hp.  

Also represented is the world's first mass-produced articulated hauler the DR631 which was to become affectionately known as "Gravel Charlie", seen here on display out of the museum at the Volvo Customer Centre in Eskilstuna.

 

The museum tells the story of how Johan Theofron Munktell, a Swedish industrialist, opened his first mechanic workshop in Eskilstuna in 1832 and later merged his business with the company of the brothers Jean and Carl Gerhard Bolinder, laying the foundation for what we all know today as Volvo CE.

The exhibits contained within the museum are absolutely top drawer and a testament to all involved. Its great to know that these historical machines will be preserved for future generations to see for many years to come.

Checkout this promotional video on the museum.

Loads more