4x4 Mag - Mercedes Benz Unimog

Uniwhat ?

Mercedes Benz Unimog - the most cost effective 4 wheel drive on the market.

written by Claire of Frank Atkinson Unimogs

The Editor's glowing endorsement of the Mercedes Benz Unimog in the March issue has given me an opportunity to provide you with a little background and more technical information about these marvellous machines.

"Can you send me some information on these Unimog things? I've heard of them, but my mate's got one and he swears by his" is a commonly heard cry at Atkinson Unimogs, as we hold the largest second-hand stock of the things in the country. Let me enlighten you as to the potential and capabilities of the UNIversalMOtorGerat (Universal motor tool, or Unimog, to you and me).

The Unimog recently celebrated it's 50th birthday and is rather a cult figure on the Continent, with a huge following, but until recently has never received much attention in this country. The Unimog started its life as a 4 wheel drive concept, a working vehicle to be used for a multitude of tasks. Key features which are now associated with the Unimog are a compact body, excellent manoeuvrability and an extremely high ground clearance, powered by a thoroughbred Mercedes Benz truck engine. The short wheel base, short frame overhangs, moderate vehicle width and low height allow manoeuvrability and access to areas which would otherwise be out of reach. In addition, the crew cab type will seat up to seven people, thereby transporting your work crew in one journey, to areas which may previously have been difficult to access, or required shuttles.

It is the Unimog's ability to adapt to a changing work environment which makes it such a jewel. In an economy which is generally tightening its belt, one multipurpose machine which can complete diverse tasks is a valuable asset. Different implements can be attached front, centre and rear, and there is a high towing capacity. The Unimog can turn its hand to anything.

I have highlighted a number of features of the Unimog which differentiate it from either trucks or tractors. To begin, there are two basic types of mog, the U900 (long wheelbase U1100) which is a smaller round cab style, later replaced by the square cab U1000 variety and its bigger brothers. Characteristics will differ according to the mog style and engine, however, basic features includes : Portal axles allow the centre line of the diff to lie considerably higher than the centre line of the wheels. The combination of this and a low centre of gravity allows extreme gradients to be tackled (up to 45 degrees). The front axle has a high carrying capacity, permitting the installation of heavy front mounted implements (for example a wood chipper).

Due to the short frame overhang, the Unimog is less likely to get wedged between a rock and a hard place! (The short bonneted cab provides good vision over front mounted implements, so you can have no excuse for getting stuck...!)

Front and rear PTO shafts allow the full engine output to be used in driving mounted implements, and the live PTO can be engaged whilst the vehicle is in motion. A crawlergear group will give low working speeds at full PTO output. The extension of the transmission to 16 or 24 speeds gives an increased tractive force allowing the towing of heavy loads (along with all wheel drive). Hydraulic power steering allows light steering even with heavy loads, and a hydraulic system allows hydraulic implements to be mounted on the front and rear linkage. Implement attachment points take account of frame torsion and centres of gravity.

The technical merits of the Unimog go on ad infinitum. Any machine which can take you to a site in the morning (at up to 50mph), carry not only you but your crew as well, work all day (anything a tractor can do a mog can do better, trust me) and then tow a trailer home for you, has really got to be giving you your moneys worth. In addition, you'll find a low depreciation on your mog, a high level of reliability (old mogs never die, they just work harder ...), you can use red diesel (under the appropriate conditions, I do hasten to add!) and benefit from low road tax.

Really the best way to find out more about these versatile machines is to come and see them for yourself, have a test-drive and get a feel for them. Whether it be a U900 or a U2150, we reckon that once bitten you won't be twice shy !

Frank Atkinson Unimogs can be contacted on 015242 62922 You can find Frank's advert in the Advertisers Index of this magazine.