Unimog
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![Unimog U1300L built 1987-1992 used by the Ennigerloh (Germany) Fire department [1] as a support vehicle](../../../upload/shared/thumb/2/28/RW1.jpg/200px-RW1.jpg)
The Unimog (from the German "UNIversal-MOtor-Gerät", meaning "universal motor machine/equipment") is a range of trucks produced by Mercedes-Benz (now a division of DaimlerChrysler AG). The first model was designed shortly after WWII, originally to be used as slow-moving tractors for Germany's turnip harvest.
New Unimogs can be purchased on all major continents. Unimogs are common in Western Europe, where they are used as snow plows, military vehicles, construction equipment, agricultural implements, and municipal equipment carriers.
In 2006, Unimogs can be purchased in either of two series. There is a medium series 405, also known as the UGN ("Geräteträger" or equipment carrier), which is available in the U300-U500 model. There is also the heavy series 437, also known as the UHN ("Hochgeländegängig" or highly mobile cross country), which is available as the U3000-U5000 model.
In September of 2006, DaimlerChrysler presented the new small Unimog U20 at the IAA trade fair in Hannover, Germany. It will be available in Germany in late 2007, is based on a shortened U 300 frame and uses a smaller cabin.
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[edit] Unimog Features
[edit] Design
Unimogs have very high ground clearance — greater than the Humvee — made possible by portal gears that allow the axles and transmission to be higher than the tires' centers. Unimogs also feature a flexible frame that allows the tires a wide range of vertical movement to allow the truck to comfortably drive over extremely uneven terrain, even meter-high boulders. They are equipped with high visibility driving cabs to enable the operator to see the terrain and more easily manipulate mounted tools. The newest unimog models can change their steering from left to right in less than one minute to permit operators to work on the most convenient side of the truck.
[edit] Equipment
Unimogs can be equipped with front and rear tool mounting brackets and hydraulic connections to allow bucket loaders and hydraulic arms to be used. They have a power takeoff (PTO) connection to operate rotary equipment such as snow brooms, snow blowers, brush mowers, or stationary conveyor belts.
[edit] Variants
All Unimog models except for the 404S have a diesel powerplant varying from 25 horsepower (19kW) to upwards of 280 horsepower (205 kW). Unimogs are available with short wheelbases for tool carrier operations or long wheelbases for all terrain cargo carrying operations.
The Unimog model with the largest single design production run is the Unimog 404. The most common versions of this model was produced in troop carrier and radio box/signal truck variants for the German Army and other Western European armies. It was powered by a 2.2 liter waterproofed Mercedes-Benz petrol engine that produced as much as 80 horsepower (60 kW).
[edit] Unimog users
[edit] Military
Unimogs have been used by many different militaries, including the German, Swiss, Chilean armies and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). They are also used extensively by the South African National Defence Force and the New Zealand Army, The Australian Army is also a wide user of the UNIMOG. The Unimogs are used as troop carriers, ambulances, and mobile command centers equipped with radios (radio boxes). The Mamba APC is an Armoured Personnel Carrier manufactured by BAE Systems in South Africa that is based upon the Unimog driveline. The United States Army uses Unimog vehicles to access remote installations.
[edit] Civilian
Unimogs are used by Fire Departments and municipalities as utility vehicles. They can be used as material handlers, auxiliary power providers (generators), and equipment carriers. Their ability to operate off-road makes it easier to access remote areas in emergency situations. They are commonly used in snow removal where other vehicles might not be able to operate. Most European Alpine towns and districts are equipped with one or more Unimog snow blowers to clear narrow mountain roads that have drifted closed.
In construction, Unimogs are used as equipment carriers and material handlers. They can be equipped with a backhoe, front loader, or other contracting equipment.
On railroads, Unimogs are used as Rail car movers and Road-rail vehicles.
In agriculture, Unimogs are used to operate farm equipment. While most farm field implement operations are now performed by a tractor, unimogs are used to haul produce, machinery and animals. They are also used around the farmyard to run Chippers, grain augers, and conveyors.
Unimogs are also used, as a Prime mover, to pull heavy trailers or large wheeled conveyances.
[edit] North America
Unimogs have been uncommon in North America because of differing vehicle regulations and requirements from those in Germany, and also due to the lack of a North American sales and support network. Most Unimog models found in North America have been imported by individual dealers or independent enthusiasts.
Since 2003, North American retail models are officially limited to the U500 series (the North-America-specific member of the UGN series) sold through heavy-truck dealerships, generally (but not exclusively) Freightliner dealerships. Freightliner is a DaimlerChrysler subsidiary. The UGN series is specifically manufactured for the North American market and is significantly different mechanically from its European counterpart[2]. The UGN faces stiff competition in North America by manufacturers whose truck or equipment lines perform some of the same duties as the Unimog. Some of them are Caterpillar, John Deere, AM General, Sterling Trucks (also a DaimlerChrysler subsidiary), and General Motors.
[edit] History
This section contains information translated from the German language Wikpedia page for Unimog.
[edit] 1940s
[edit] 1946 - The First Prototype
Following World War II, Germany was to become an agrarian state, according to the Morgenthau Plan. Unimogs were developed in post-war Germany to be used as agricultural equipment. The Unimog was designed with equal-sized wheels, a mounting bracket in front, a hitch in the rear, and loading space in the center. This was to make it a multi-purpose vehicle that farmers could use in the field and on the highway. Minneapolis-Moline had developed the UDLX Comfortractor for North America in 1938 with a similar concept in mind.
Albert Friedrich designed the first model and entered a production agreement with Erhard und Soehne (Erhard and Sons) in Swabian Gmuend (Schwäbisch Gmünd).
Development began on January 1st, 1946. The first prototype was ready in the end of 1946. The prototype was equipped with a gasoline engine, because the development of the OM636 diesel engine had not been finished at this time. The prototype looked almost like the Unimogs that were built later. The original track width of 1,270 millimeters was equivalent to two potato rows.
[edit] 1947 - Production
The 25 hp (19 kW) OM636 Daimler Benz diesel engine became standard equipment in the first production Unimogs at the end of 1947. The original symbol for the Unimog was a pair of ox's horns in the shape of a letter U. The first 600 "70200" series Unimogs were built by Boehringer. This was mainly for two reasons: Erhard und Soehne did not have the capacity to build the Unimogs, and Mercedes Benz was not permitted to build all-wheel drive vehicles at that time.
[edit] 1950s
[edit] 1951 - Daimler Benz - Gaggenau manufacturing plant
After Daimler Benz took over manufacture of the Unimog in 1951, the three pointed Mercedes star began to appear on the front of the vehicle and replaced the Unimog ox horn symbol. The new model became known as the series 401.
A new series 402 with a long wheel base chassis (2120mm instead of 1720mm) also became available.
The vehicles began to be manufactured in Gaggenau, in Baden-Württemberg. Production continues there as of 2006.
[edit] 1953 - Closed cab
An enclosed driver's cab was available as option starting in 1953, making the Unimog a true all-weather vehicle.
[edit] 1955 - The 404 S
In 1955, the first Unimog 404 S series were produced. The primary customer of the 404 S was the Federal West German army, which was re-arming in the face of the Cold War.
The 404 was intended to be a mobile cross-country truck, instead of an agricultural implement. The 404 S is the most popularly produced variant. 64,242 were produced between 1955 and 1980.
[edit] 1957
The unimog is equipped with a fully synchronized transmission allowing easy shifting while at speed. It is one of the first agricultural tractors to be so equipped.
[edit] 1960s
[edit] 1963 - 406 Series
The 406/416 middle series were produced beginning in 1963. They were equipped with a six cylinder diesel (OM312) producing 65hp (48kW). The 406 and 416 are similar, The 416 having a longer 2900mm wheelbase compared to 2380mm for the 406. Later models were equipped with the direct injection OM352 diesel engines starting with 80hp (59 kW) and going up to 110 hp (80 kW).
Between the original Unimog and the middle series, Daimler Benz developed a light series 421/403. This was later supplemented by the 413 line. They differ by the wheel base and the engine power. The 421 has a 2380mm wheelbase and the 403 has a 2250mm wheelbase. The new engines come from the passenger car line (421/U of 40hp with 2.2 liter capacity), and from from the Benz truck line (403/U of 54hp with 3.8 liter capacity).
[edit] 1966 - 100,000th Unimog
The 100,000th Unimog was built in 1966 in Gaggenau.
[edit] 1970s
[edit] 1972 - MB Trac
The Unimog was quite successful, except as originally intended as an agricultural platform. Daimler Benz produced a new vehicle in 1972, the MB Trac to be more oriented to larger scale mechanical farming. The new tractor crossed the Unimog technology of all-wheel drive and a power transmission to four large equal-sized wheels, with the appearance of a tractor: slim hood, behind it an angular, highly rising driver cab. In contrast to conventional tractors, the cab is situated between the axles, similar to large North American four wheel drive tractors. However there is no articulation betweent the front and rear sections as with the American tractors.
From the initial MB-trac 65 and MB-trac 70 (later 700), a broad platform developed to the heavy duty MT-trac 1800 within a few years. Nevertheless, The MB-trac was not a huge success. Daimler Benz later merged the MB-trac with the agricultural machinery activities of Deutz AG. The manufacturing of the MB-trac series ended in 1991.
[edit] 1974 - Heavy series
In 1974, The new U 120 of the "heavy" series 425 Daimler Benz, extended the Unimog available models with an additional heavy line. The new, angular cab is remarkable with a large, forward hood sloping to the nose. The hood flows down in a wide, black grille. The appearance of this driving cab remains unchanged in principle in 2006, more than one quarter century later.
The series 425 have a 2810 millimeter wheel base and nine tons permissible total weight with 120 HP (shortly thereafter 125 HP as U 125).
[edit] 1975 - Series 435
For the German Federal Armed Forces likewise, the manufacturing of the series 435 began in 1975 as a successor of the Mercedes Benz Unimog S 404. The 435 was characterized by a long wheel base of 3250, 3700 or 3850 millimeters.
[edit] 1976 - Unimog models re-named
The new angular 424 "middle" series of Unimogs were produced starting from 1976. They are designated U 1000, U 1300/L, U 1500, and the flagship U 1700/L with 124 KW (168 HP) engine performance.
In the same period Daimler Benz re-ordered the type designations for the older series. The classical round form series of the Mercedes Benz Unimog are designated U 600/L, U 800/L, U 900 and U 1100/L. (The letter L stands for a long wheel base, because most models are available in two wheel base variants. )
The Unimog with the rounded driving cab became known as the light series. The new series with angular cab were divided by payload into a middle and heavy series. Some engines overlap - the Unimog nomenclature is not simple to understand (see below for notes on series names).
The long-proven Unimog-S (404), although with clearly decreasing number of items, is the single remaining "Benziner" in the lineup.
With the exception of the entry-level model, all Mercedes Benz Unimogs for 1976 were equipped with four wheel disc brakes - many years before this safety equipment becomes mandated for trucks.
[edit] 1977 - 200,000th Unimog
Unimog number 200,000 is produced.
[edit] 1980s
1980 production of the U404 (Unimog S) ended
1985-Introduction of the light and medium range: 407 and 427.
[edit] 1988
- Production of the 406 ceased
- The 437 series is introduced
[edit] 1990s
[edit] 1992 - new light models
Introduction of the new light models 408 (U90) and 418 (U110-U140) with newly designed cabins replace the predecessor models. The new very diagonal front portion gives the operator a good overview forward. The asymmetric front hood, which is lower on the driver's side, permits the best overview of connections and attachments. A new framework and progressively working coil springs improve the handling for the Unimog. The completely re-arranged cab with a high roof offers more space than previously, distinct controls, and not least, a friendly workplace. Among the technical characteristics for the new Unimog are: the tire pressure adjustment system that can be operated while driving, anti-skid system, new engines from the passenger car range for the U 90 of the easy series rank as well as "Servolock", a mechanism for the hydraulic connection of implements.
[edit] 1993 - U2450
The culmination of the 1993 program is the Unimog U 2450 L 6×6, a all-wheel-driven 3 axle truck. Engine performance increased tenfold with this new top model compared to the original Unimog. The Unimog club in Gaggenau is brought into being.
[edit] 1994 - The "Funmog"
Mercedes Benz brings out the "Funmog", which is limited on twelve copies. With luxury extras such as leather seats, carpets and the like available, the Funmog is the most exclusive Unimog. Selling price for the Funmog starts from DM140,000.
[edit] 1996 - UX100
Introduction of the very small model UX100. It is designed to slip speedily over sidewalks and by park plants. It is sold off after a few years of production to Hako, which are specialized in vehicles of this kind and size.
[edit] 2000s
[edit] 2000
- Introduction of the all-new range of models (UGN/405: U300/U400/U500)
[edit] 2002
- Production is transferred from Gaggenau to Wörth am Rhein
- Introduction of the U3000-U5000 models (437.4)
[edit] 2005
At the Dubai motor show in December, the "Unimog U 500 Black Edition" premieres as an offering to wealthy desert-dwellers. It is a similar luxury offering comparable to the Funmog.
[edit] 2006
- Starting from June 2006, the UGN series is produced with "BlueTec" technology, so that the future exhaust limit Euro IV requirements will be fulfilled. With that, a new packaging of the vehicle and new design designations are connected (old design +1, e.g. from 405.100 becomes 405.101)
- At the IAA 2006 commercial vehicle show in Hanover, a new Unimog U 20 was presented, which will be available at the end of 2007. The most striking feature is the cabover design, with no vestigal front hood characteristic of the traditional Unimog. It has a total weight from 7.5 to 8.5 tons. The underlying technology comes from the U 300. The driving cab is from the new Brazilian Accelo light truck (Caminhões Leves) series. The wheelbase is shortened to 2,700 mm.
[edit] Pictures
 Mercedes-Benz Unimog 25 hp from 1948 |
 Unimog 401 with closed cab, built 1953-1956 |
 Unimog 406.121, model year 1971 "Two way vehicle" railroad shunter (known in North America as a HiRail truck) |
 Unimog of the German Armed Forces as a military ambulance Sanitätsstützpunkts Hohe Düne Ostsee (High Dune Medical Station on the Baltic Sea) |
 Stripped down Unimog S404.1 "sanding" in the Texas Hill Country |
 Improvised armored car based on Unimog truck, in Batey ha-Osef museum, Tel Aviv, Israel. 2005. The car was used by arab militants. |
 NZ Army U1550L Unimogs undertaking driver training on the weapons range in the Kaipara District. |
 NZ Army driver trainees strip down a U1550L Unimog. |
 Unimog S404.1 |
 Unimog 405 UGN U400L n.541 on second stage of the rally-raid Lisboa-Dakar 2006 |
 Unimog 405 UGN U500 equipped with a rotary snow blower |
 Unimog 405 UGN U-400 |
 Unimog 405 UGN U 400 built around 2000 as a road/rail "two-way vehicle" rail car shunter |
 Carabinieri Mercedes Unimog 3000 - 5000 mobile labs for NBCR (nuclear, bacteriologic, chemical & radiologic) activity |
[edit] Unimog series names and identification notes
Unimog series numbers like 401, 406, or 425 in this article are the factory numerical designation ("Baumuster" in German). Unimogs also have a sales model number like U80, U120, or U1350. Each series can have several model numbers, as they are equipped with different engines.
The "U" model numbers were roughly equivalent to the horsepower of the engine. A 424.121 with a 2630mm wheelbase equipped with the 100hp OM 352 engine is a U1000. A 427.100 with a 2650mm wheelbase and the 100 hp 366 engines is also a U1000. Starting in 1976, model numbers have an extra 0 at the end. However, more recent models like the U5000 are really only rated at 218hp.
[edit] Specifications
[edit] Unimog 404
- introduced: 1955
- discontinued: 1980
- width: 2130 mm (84 in)
- length: 4900 mm
- height: 2190 mm (86 in), cab height: 1600 mm (63 in)
- cargo bed: 3000 by 2000 mm (118 by 78 in), 2130 by 2080 mm (84 by 82 in) with double-cab
- wheelbase: 2900 mm (114 in)
- turning radius: 13 m (42.6 ft)
- empty weight: 2900 kg (6390 lb)
- gross weight: 4400 kg (9700 lb)
- tires: 10.5 x 20 (DOT)
- fuel: 2 x 60 litre (15.9 US gal)
- ground clearance: 400 mm (15.7 in)
- fording (w/o equipment): 800 mm (31.5 in)
- traverse angle
- on a side slope: 42 degrees
- approach: 45 degrees
- departure: 46 degrees
- climb: 70% grade
- descent: 90% grade
- average fuel consumption (gasoline): 10–14 mpg (US) (24–17 L/100 km)
- engine: 2.2 litre straight 6 SOHC (Mercedes Benz M180) 80 HP (60 kW)
- Shielded Distributor Ignition, 24 Volt Electrical System
- 2 Barrel Zenith NDIX-32 Carbeurator
- transmission gearing
- forward: 14.93/8.23/4.47/2.46/1.52/1.0
- reverse: 20.12/11.09
[edit] Unimog U5000 BM436.430
(Short Wheel Base Single Cab)
- introduced: 2002
- discontinued: In Production
- width: 2474 mm
- track width: 1920 mm
- length: 5410 mm
- height: 2740 mm
- wheelbase: 2336 mm
- turning radius: 14.5 m
- empty weight: 4,300 kg
- gross weight: 11,800 kg
- tires: 365/85 R 20
- fuel: 145 litres
- ground clearance: 476 mm (varies with tyre)
- fording 800 mm (standard)
- 1200 mm (optional equipment)
- traverse angle: not published
- on a side slope: not published
- approach: 44 degrees
- departure: 53 degrees
- climb: not published
- descent: not published
- average fuel consumption (diesel): not published
- engine: 4.8 litre straight 4 Turbocharged OM924LA 218 HP (160 kW)
- Electronic Speed governor
- transmission gearing
- forward: 9.570/6.635/4.375/3.219/2.188/1.517/1.000/0.736
- reverse: 14.569/10.101/6.660/4.900/3.330/2.309/1.522/1.120
[edit] See also
