Mercedes Unimog is an old and extremely famous brand in the world of heavy off-road vehicle enthusiasts. Interestingly, it is difficult to even convey in one word the essence of this wonderful technique.
The Mercedes Benz Unimog is a cross between an off-road truck and a tractor. And this is not an exaggeration. Among the automotive characteristics of the car are speed, carrying capacity and comfort. And it can be attributed to the tractors by a giant pulling force, for which the machine is equipped with a number of devices. In addition, the number of devices that can be hung on Unimog also befits a tractor, not a truck.
It was precisely this uniqueness that made Mercedes Benz Unimog so popular all over the world both among lovers of extreme off-road conditions and among various state structures, including the army and police.
The story of Unimoga
The first Unimog was developed shortly after the end of World War II. Destroyed Germany needed a reliable and utilitarian vehicle with flexible functionality. That was then quite a small Mercedes Benz Unimog with an engine of only 25 liters. from. and wheelbase of 1720 mm.
The machine compares favorably with existing tractors in its excellent maneuverability, while also having excellent off-road qualities. Since 1951, the car stood on the conveyor in Gaggenau. In 1953, Mercedes switched to the production of a larger version with a base of 2120 mm. In 1956, the first military Unimogi S404 models appeared with a powerful 82-liter engine. from. with a wheelbase of 2,900 mm and a clearance of 40 cm.
Model development
By the sixties, the Mercedes Unimog received universal vocation in Europe. Machines were actively used not only in the army and agriculture, but also in municipal utilities. Therefore, Mercedes began to actively develop attachments for trucks. In the U406 series, it is possible to hang equipment from all four sides of the machine. It was a relatively large machine with a base of 2380 mm, which became the universal workhorse from Mercedes. These machines even got the opportunity to be used as mini-locomotives, and they drove in and out on the railway tracks themselves and on the go, without conversion.
In 1970, a tractor appeared on the Unimoga platform - MB Trac and heavy models like 425 with a lifting capacity of up to 9 tons. In the 80s, new unified series were introduced - 407, moderate - 427 and heavy - 437. And the 90s brought only new models as part of the old series. The model range of the Mercedes Benz Unimog found its existing appearance at the beginning of the 2000s, when the medium-heavy trucks U300, U400 and U500, as well as the U3000, U4000 and U5000 models, which were very close in size, went into production.
In Russia
In Germany, you can also see light models U20, which work in urban utilities.
But this car is not delivered to Russia. In our country, three models U400, U4000 and U5000 are presented, having close overall dimensions and description.
Three different types of Mercedes Benz Unimog are distinguished mainly by off-road capabilities and pre-installed equipment. “Four hundredth” is primarily focused on urban utilities and in the base is equipped with a four-circuit hydraulic system and a power take-off shaft. The thousandth series is designed for super-heavy off-road. The two models are close to each other, and the U5000 is only a more passable, load-lifting and expensive version of the “four thousandth”.
Use cases
The manufacturer talks about the possibility of using cars in rescue and fire services, thanks to the excellent reliability and all-weather vehicle. It is possible to transport goods over the most rough terrain due to tire pressure monitoring, high ground clearance and progressive curled frame. Also, Mercedes Benz Unimog copes with the role of an auxiliary vehicle for industrial needs, whether it is a mining tanker or a mobile workshop. And the U400 is available with a huge selection of utility tools.
Various combinations of devices such as a crane, a mower, a grab, a lifting platform, a snow blower or an excavator are installed on Unimog. And much more.
Specifications
The U400 model has a chassis with a base of 3080 mm or 3600 mm with a turning radius of 11.5 meters. Permissible maximum mass of the machine ranges from 11.9 to 13 tons. The car is equipped with one of two engines with a capacity of 177 or 238 horsepower.
Technical characteristics of the Mercedes Benz Unimog U400 allow him to act as a trailer tractor weighing up to 28 tons. Optional installation of a double-circuit brake system of the trailer.
The U4000 and U5000 models have the same wheelbase of 3250 mm or 3850 mm. The turning radius is 14.3 meters for the short version. The gross weight of the U4000 ranges from 7.5 to 10 tons. At the "five thousandth" this figure is more and reaches 14.5 tons. The U4000 is capable of pulling a trailer up to 14.2 tons, and the U5000 up to 18.7 tons. Mercedes Benz Unimog thousandth series are equipped with engines with a capacity of 177 liters. from. and 218 liters from. These two machines have a smaller variety of attachments than the U400, but are even better suited for transporting goods in difficult conditions.
Mercedes Benz Unimog reviews
Traditionally, this machine is considered the standard of German quality.
The Unimogs of the thousandth series are a real dream of any hunter or tourist. Without conceding, and sometimes even surpassing domestic all-terrain vehicles in cross-country ability, these cars have a qualitatively different level of comfort. There are many modifications of the Unimogs of the type "house on wheels" that provide excellent opportunities not only in terms of sleep and hygiene, but also connect modern electronic devices, allowing you to stay in touch with the world in any wilderness.
But you have to pay for everything, and the main complaint about the car is a rather big price. This is especially true for Russian utilities, which quite rarely can afford the U400, despite all its functionality.