In 1992 the Austrian Armed Forces acquired several tractor-trailer units for mobile x-ray stations that were to be used for tuberculosis-screening. Since there was no intention of ever taking such units off the paved roads, conventional medium-weight civilian-type tractor units from Steyr were selected, and with the low weight of the trailers (6 tons) the 230 HP engine was by far sufficient. Both trailer and tractor (rear axle) were equipped with air-ride suspensions to better protect the sensitive x-ray units. Due to the relatively high electric power demand of the x-ray unit, the trailers were not equipped with on-board generators, but instead every Austrian barracks got one high-power 380V electric outlet installed, and these x-ray units would typically be parked next to these outlets.
After a couple of years tuberculosis-screening had become redundant, and these units were parked. After several years "in limbo" (which were mainly spent trying to ascertain whether there were any radioactive parts in the x-ray equipment that would preclude these units from being sold to private individuals), they were finally cleared for discharge. Our vehicle (tractor BH 83.324 and trailer BH 94.548) was first licensed on August 13 1992, discharged from active service on December 22 2015 and auctioned off in early 2016.
In 2018 the tractor unit was completely refurbished into its original "mint" condition and is now part of our collection of Steyr vehicles. The trailer was completely emptied and converted to an accommodation/sleeper arrangement.
