With the Unimog U 430, work on the Chick family’s farm is smooth sailing.

For Ian and Rebecca Chick, pig farming has become much more efficient since they replaced their agricultural tractor with a new, very well-equipped Mercedes-Benz Unimog. This versatile implement carrier is a great help to the family and is essential for a wide variety of tasks.

The best choice for many challenges.

As well as their 2,000 pigs, Ian and Rebecca have around 340 sheep on their farm in Scredington and cultivate their fields for hay and silage. The Lincolnshire Pig Company is known for its quality for miles around and supplies two of the country’s most well-known food retailers. Because of this, on the Chicks’ farm, a high level of efficiency is a must!

So that they can meet the high standards expected of them, the Chicks need a work tool that can be used in a wide variety of situations. After doing no small amount of research, the couple decided to purchase a Unimog U 430 implement carrier from dealer South Cave Tractors. The vehicle was specially tailored to the Chicks’ needs and has already proven itself to be an excellent tool for their everyday work.

A lot of extras for a varied range of tasks!

The Unimog U 430 is powered by a six-cylinder engine delivering 220 kW (299 PS) and coupled with an automated version of the standard gearbox. This makes it possible for the driver to switch between automatic and manual gearshifts at the push of a button. It also comes with a long list of optional extras, including the popular central tyre inflation system, with which the Chicks can effortlessly raise and lower the tyre pressure in order to adapt the Unimog to the different ground conditions on the field and farm.

Before it was delivered, the vehicle underwent comprehensive modifications in the workshop at South Cave Tractors in Brough, East Yorkshire. The dealer designed, manufactured and assembled an integrated trailer coupling and lifting system with external controls, with which  Ian Chick can make fine-tuned settings when connecting equipment to the Unimog’s hydraulic systems. The changes increased lifting and pulling capacity, and so South Cave Tractors also built and installed a heavy-duty subframe. On top of that, there is a camera that gives a full 360-degree view.

South Cave Tractors celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. It has sold vehicles from the unique Unimog brand since it first opened. Ian and Rebecca Chick bought their Unimog with the support of Mercedes-Benz Finance and concluded an extended manufacturer’s warranty covering five years or 450,000 km.

The all-rounder trumps all!

“No other vehicle meets our requirements as well as the Unimog”, says Ian Chick. “There are so many jobs on the farm that it can be used for, whether it be mowing, raking, making hay bales or hedge trimming. I even use it to operate a hydraulic high-pressure cleaner. The list of jobs to do on a farm is almost endless, but this “Swiss Army Knife” of a vehicle can do them all.”

But the Unimog U 430 is not just a great farm vehicle; it comes in handy on the roads too, as the farmer explains: “Rebecca has relatives in the area with their own agricultural companies. We use a 16-tonne trailer to supply them with manure from the pigs. It’s a 23 km round trip so with the tractor, it would take us over an hour.” Because of its greater road speed, the Unimog can cover the same distance in just over half the time – and so make the trip much less frustrating.

“What’s more, the Unimog is significantly more economical than a tractor and also offers safety advantages”, continues Ian Chick. “I no longer have to deal with cars driving close behind me and then cutting in front of me after they’ve overtaken. Our regular route also crosses a main road. The fact that the cab was at the rear of the tractor meant that I would have to drive very slowly. But with the Unimog, you sit in the front of the vehicle and have an excellent view, which makes the drive across much less stressful.”“The Unimog is unbeatable”

Saves time and energy.

“What’s more, the Unimog is significantly more economical than a tractor and also offers safety advantages”, continues Ian Chick. “I no longer have to deal with cars driving close behind me and then cutting in front of me after they’ve overtaken. Our regular route also crosses a main road. The fact that the cab was at the rear of the tractor meant that I would have to drive very slowly. But with the Unimog, you sit in the front of the vehicle and have an excellent view, which makes the drive across much less stressful.”

Team Chick has a new top performer.

So far, the Unimog U 430 has “exceeded all expectations”, says Ian Chick. “Together, we make a great team, all bringing our individual skills to the company. While Rebecca’s focus is on looking after the animals, my military background has given me a real appreciation for efficiency.”

This is where the Unimog’s versatility comes in. As Ian Chick juggles several jobs, he is always glad when his all-rounder helps him save time. His 6-year-old daughter Trinity is also “completely in love” with the new work tool! In the short time they’ve spent together so far, the Chicks and their Unimog have already become a close-knit unit that won’t be parting ways any time soon.