A fir tree for the Pope

When Pope Francis looks out of his window in St Peter's Square these days, he sees a magnificent Christmas tree. The fir tree comes from Ledro in the heart of Trentino and has travelled around 650 kilometres - on a 34-metre-long semi-trailer pulled by a MAN TGS 26.540 6x2. The brand new truck is part of the fleet of the transport company Santoni Srl and completed its maiden voyage with the journey to the Vatican City.

The Christmas tree has been carefully selected from the fir trees in the Ledro forests. They are PEFC-certified, which guarantees sustainable forest management. The tree for the Pope stood in one of the plots that had to be felled in any case. Had it not set off for Rome, the fir's final journey would have taken it to a sawmill.

Night-time journey to Rome

Santoni Srl was involved in this special project from the very beginning: from felling the Christmas tree and supporting the lumberjacks with the company's own crane to transporting it to Rome. For the long journey, the fir tree was secured with nets and ropes to reduce its dimensions to less than 3.5 metres wide and 29 metres long. Then the - mostly night-time - journey to the Pope could begin.

‘It was an extraordinary combination that this very special transport coincided with the first official journey of our new MAN TGS 26.540,’ says Managing Director Giacomo Santoni. ‘Of course, I really wanted to be at the wheel myself. Firstly, because I had personally chosen this vehicle. Secondly, because it was not a routine transport. I was very relieved that everything went smoothly - because I felt the burden of responsibility. At the same time, I felt vindicated in my choice of truck.’

Customised truck

The MAN TGS 26.540 6x2 is equipped with the D26 Euro 6e turbodiesel, a reliable 12.4-litre six-cylinder engine with a maximum output of 540 hp (397 kW) and a torque of 2,650 Nm. It also has an automated transmission, a retarder, a power take-off and a hydraulic system manufactured with ‘customised care’ by Alpi Gru from Trento. Another feature of this vehicle is the fifth wheel that can be adjusted in the longitudinal position. It not only allows the combination with different types and lengths of semi-trailers, but also helps to optimise the axle load distribution. Also specially requested by Santoni Srl are the two load eyes on the front cross member under the radiator grille, which are used for the stable attachment of ropes and guy wires.