Twice the efficiency: on rail and road.
The Unimog manoeuvres in road-rail operations with a high tractive force of up to 1,000 t towed load. This is possible thanks to the torque converter clutch, permanent all-wheel drive, compact axles and drive via the truck’s own wheels. The fully-fledged rail vehicle is flexible at all times thanks to the quick transition between rail and road – not least because the Unimog is full of possibilities that go far beyond shunting: Its attachment and body mounting spaces as well as the mechanical, electrical and hydraulic interfaces make it ideal for a wide range of tasks in the maintenance and repair of the rail infrastructure.
Applications
Manoeuvring.
As a shunting expert with tractive force, the Unimog brings a lot of power to the track.
The vehicle wheels drive the all-rounder directly on the rail, while the rail guide device is used exclusively for rail-bound travel at speeds of up to 50 km/h. The advantage of this solution: The high friction coefficient between the rubber wheel and the steel rail creates maximum traction. This means that the Unimog is extremely reliable in shunting towed loads of up to 1,000 t or 52 railroad carriage axles.
Advantages in shunting operation:
- Up to 1,000 t towed load when shunting on the rail
- Smooth moving-off procedure thanks to the torque converter clutch unit
- Convenient radio remote control for economicone-man operation
- Shunting up to 25 km/h
- Clean drive concept, engines in accordance with the latest emission standard Euro VIe
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Comfortable moving-off procedure.
The torque converter clutch unit of the Unimog increases the starting torque approx. 2.5-fold. This means that the Unimog moves off smoothly even with heavy towed loads – with few gearshifts and without engaging the clutch. This protects the cargo and the vehicle. And prevents clutch wear.
One-man operation.
On request, the Unimog can also be equipped with radio remote control via cooperating road-rail specialists. It enables the driver to perform the coupling and uncoupling processes more efficiently. Or to position the carriages under a filling system without the help of a banksman, for example. Or when reversing with carriages, it makes it possible to drive the train from the front without the need for an additional driver in the cab. In a nutshell: One-man operation using radio remote control saves both time and personnel costs.
Numerous additional benefits.
Several implements are also available for the road-rail Unimog which can be fitted and removed in the blink of an eye. One minute it is a shunting vehicle, the next the Unimog is ensuring clear roads on the factory premises after having a snow plough or front-mounted sweeper fitted in no time at all.
Unimog at the AGRO terminal in Heidenau.
HaBeMa GmbH & Co. KG uses the Unimog U 423 at this important transshipment point for grain and feed. The road-rail Unimog pulls a train with up to 12 carriages over the filling and unloading station. Its powerful screw compressor, which is driven by the engine power take-off, is particularly appreciated. This means that enough air can be produced in a short time to release the carriage brakes – preventing long waiting times. The company would never have been able to meet the noise protection requirements of the Federal Emission Control Act, which apply at this site in Heidenau, with a diesel locomotive. This applies in particular to work between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Unimog also impresses with its low fuel consumption, significantly lower repair and maintenance costs and spare parts availability.
Traction and tradition.
Austrian railway ballast producer Hengl relies on the Unimog U 423 as a road-rail vehicle. The latest Special Truck, an Unimog U 423 with a road-rail system, was delivered last summer and has since been placed on the tracks every day with precision to transport thousands of tonnes of rock to the railway network.
Applications
Implement use.
The Unimog is impressively versatile 365 days a year.
Specially developed for operation with implements, the Mercedes-Benz all-rounder offers a unique platform for countless possible uses at any time of year. This is ensured by, among other things, four attachment and body mounting spaces, standardised interfaces as well as hydraulic and mechanical drives for equipment and bodies. Mercedes-Benz has also been cooperating closely with leading international equipment and body manufacturers for decades.
Advantages in machine operation:
- Customised special solutions
- Up to four attachment and body mounting spaces for a wide range of devices
- Front power take-off shaft and other engine and transmission power take-offs as well as up to four separate hydraulic circuits
- Standardised electrical, mechanical and hydraulic interfaces
- High payload with low kerb weight
- High utilisation thanks to versatile applications
- Fire protection certificate available for tunnel use
Economic efficiency through flexibility.
From servicing overhead lines with lifting work platforms to winter service with snowploughs or rotating equipment. From cutting the structure gauge to deployment as a breakdown train or with a workshop set-up – Unimog reliably carries out a wide range of tasks in the vicinity of the track infrastructure and on the company premises.
Versatility that impresses.
Whether just as an implement carrier or a shunting vehicle with additional attachments and bodies such as a crane, lifting work platform or mowing device – you have almost unlimited possibilities with a road-rail Unimog. This is ensured by its implement carrier concept with standardised interfaces and up to four attachment and body mounting spaces. And with up to four separate hydraulic circuits as well as mechanical engine and transmission power take-offs, various devices can be operated – this ensures optimum vehicle utilisation all year round.
Comfortable work.
Excellent view of the working area, ergonomic arrangement of the controls, fully air-conditioned cab: With the Unimog, driving and operating comfort are just as important as safety in machine operation. The hydrostatic drive for infinitely variable adjustment of the working speed at constant engine and power take-off shaft speed significantly reduces strain when used with sweepers, pruning shears or snow blowers. This means that the driver accelerates or decelerates the Unimog particularly sensitively and smoothly using the hand wheel without engaging the clutch.
Easy-Drive – the innovative traction drive system.
Perfectly tailored to the occasion: the synergetic traction drive.
The EasyDrive synergetic traction drive combines the advantages of a fuel-saving manual transmission with an infinitely variable hydrostatic traction drive. When put to work, its benefits are plain to see: working speed can be set steplessly and independently of engine speed, and can be maintained at that level with the cruise control function. And if you need to move between work locations, you can easily switch between infinitely variable and mechanical transmission modes while the vehicle is in motion. This system makes work easier for the user, increasing productivity.
Easy-Drive control is simple:
- With accelerator pedal and brake
- Using the working cruise control
- With the left-hand drop arm
- With the multifunction joystick
Technologically innovative.
And it's all down to the traction drive: this is tailored precisely to the job at hand, making it possible to use the continuously variable speed settings in a much wider speed range from 0 to 50 km/h, in so doing making EasyDrive extremely efficient and a doddle to operate. The optimised high pressure regulation achieves much higher traction, considerably improving the Unimog implement carrier's performance. EasyDrive allows the driver to change between mechanical and hydrostatic drive while the vehicle is in motion, helping you to work efficiently with optimised speed and economical driving.
Automated shifting with AutomaticShift.
Two drive programmes help reduce the driver's workload: in automatic mode "A", the drive program handles gear changes and clutch operation completely by itself, regardless of load, accelerator position, engine operation, climbs/inclines or engine brake. However, if it becomes necessary for the driver to manually change gear using the multifunction lever, this is also possible.
And the "M" drive programme (manual) offers complete control. Here, gear selection is also made using the multifunction lever. The driver chooses the gear, while clutch operation occurs automatically.
AutomaticShift (EAS) with dual-pedal operation (accelerator/brake) is available for the U 435 and U 535 models. The optimised gearshift tuning makes gear changes noticeably quicker and clutch wear and tear significantly reduced. This makes life easier for you, the driver, especially for gearshift-intensive vehicle tasks – so you can concentrate better on the surrounding traffic and on the task at hand.
Effortless changing between working and driving modes.
The drive-work mode is a huge help in everyday operations: when mowing, for example, if a section has been completed, the manual transmission can be actuated easily and speedily.
This is how it's done: when the maximum speed of 50 km/h is reached for the hydrostatic drive, the switch to manual transmission is made either by actuating the clutch, or there's the option for this to take place automatically.
And so, merging into lanes of moving traffic is made faster and safer. And with EasyDrive, the decision as to which drive mode is best is taken without the need to brake.
Further advantages:
- Gears can be changed while driving
- Rapid change between manual transmission and hydrostatic traction drive
- Simple operation and activation
- Work mode for working with constant engine speed
- Drive mode for continuous speed change between 0 and 50 km/h
- Selection between operations-orientated driving conditions "efficient", "comfortable" and "powerful"
Product benefits
Vehicle concept.
As a "universal engine device", the Unimog is at the forefront when it comes to flexibility in operation.
Thanks to its sophisticated vehicle concept and tailor-made system solutions, Unimog also masters major challenges under tough working conditions. The all-rounder makes full use of its advantages on rail and road – 365 days a year.
Tailor-made system solution.
Unimog provides the ideal basis for individually customised system solutions. Thanks to its close and long-standing cooperation with competent partners, Unimog is equipped with the necessary railway equipment such as a carriage brake system, rail guide and the respective control elements as a road-rail vehicle – the best prerequisite for an optimally coordinated combination of vehicle and attachments or bodies.
Quick to get to the scene.
On it own wheels, both on the road and on the track thanks to the corresponding road-rail equipment – nobody can match the Unimog. It takes just minutes to get on and off the track. A few metres of level ground in the track bed is enough for the Unimog. Once the rail operation has ended, the journey to the next deployment location can continue at up to 89 km/h.
Flexible from the factory.
The Unimog is equipped as standard with special tyres and rims for operation on the standard track width or various international broad gauge tracks (1,435–1,676 mm). A hydraulically lowerable rail guide ensures safe tracking on the rail. In addition, the standardised mechanical, hydraulic and electrical interfaces for the countless solutions of the body manufacturers are already available ex works. The drive is provided by the rubber tyres. This is how the Unimog can move up to 1,000 t of towed load.
Fire protection certificate for tunnel applications.
A fire protection certificate from TÜV Süd Rail is available for the latest generation road-rail Unimog, which also covers the use of the vehicle in tunnels, even when operated in parallel with passengers. To meet the fire protection requirements in these areas, a fire detection device and a fire extinguishing system in the engine compartment are available on request.
Product benefits
Drive.
The Unimog offers full traction on the rail.
All four vehicle wheels are used for driving on the rail. The rail guide device is used exclusively for rail-bound travel at speeds of up to 50 km/h. The advantage of this solution: The high friction coefficient between the rubber wheel and the steel rail creates maximum traction. Thanks to its powerful transmission with up to 24 forward and reverse gears, the Unimog can handle towed loads of up to 1,000 t or 52 railway carriage axles.
Powerful drive, cleverly brought onto the rail.
A finely graded transmission with up to 24 forward and reverse gears as well as permanent all-wheel drive with differential locks ensure optimum transfer of the engine power to the rail. If required, the Unimog engine power take-off can be used to drive a powerful compressor for a carriage brake system.
Easy-Drive.
The innovative EasyDrive traction drive combines the advantages of a fuel-saving manual transmission and an infinitely variable hydrostatic drive. It allows you to swiftly switch between the two drive types. The hydrostatic drive itself has two driving programs: the working mode for applications with a constant engine speed and the driving mode for smooth acceleration at variable engine speed. Despite the wide range of functions, operation is simple: Using the EasyDrive lever on the left behind the steering wheel, users can control the direction of travel, gear and cruise control – alternatively with the multifunction joystick or with the accelerator and brake, depending on the work assignment or preference of the driver.
Product benefits
Economic efficiency.
The high utilisation of the Unimog through versatile, year-round applications saves you money.
When it comes to cost-effectiveness, the road-rail Unimog with its modern and efficient drive technology can definitely hold its own. Thanks to the comparatively low fuel consumption and high utilisation options due to flexible work assignments, the Unimog pays off, particularly in terms of operating costs. The all-rounder from Mercedes-Benz also scores very well in terms of maintenance and service. Decisive factors which give the Unimog the advantage.
Low consumption.
More power out of every drop: low fuel and AdBlue consumption. The state-of-the-art engines of the Unimog combine lower fuel consumption with high exhaust gas purity. The manual transmission with effectiveness over 90% also contributes to high efficiency and low consumption on the road.
Shorter downtimes.
Low maintenance costs and long service intervals. Despite complex technology, Unimog reduces maintenance costs. Thanks to intervals of 1,400 operating hours, for example. In addition, the front power take-off shaft, hydrostatic drive and power hydraulics are only serviced as required after 1,400 actual operating hours. And the diesel particulate filter is replaced after 4,200 hours in a revolving change process. All in all, this simultaneously minimises downtimes.
Residual value guarantee.
Unimog is a rock solid investment. A vehicle like the Unimog, which is characterised by high functionality, quality and reliability, is particularly reliable in value. Models from all series fetch excellent prices on used vehicle exchanges. And rightly so: An Unimog is designed for a long, hard working life.
Economic efficiency through flexibility.
Its numerous variable interchangeable bodies make the Unimog unique. For decades, Mercedes-Benz has been cooperating closely with leading international equipment and body manufacturers – from vehicle development to sales – creating the best conditions for optimally coordinated vehicle and body combinations. Your Unimog partner will provide you with everything you need from a single source, including expert, individual advice for your specific application requirements.
Product benefits
Comfort.
Relaxed working – even during long operational periods.
The workstation and the cockpit in the Unimog, which is tailored to the user, create optimal working conditions. This helps to ensure that every task can be carried out while still fully focused and comfortable. For example, thanks to the arrangement of the control elements within optimum reach, the multifunction steering wheel or comfort steering for on-road deployments. Anyone spending longer periods of time in the cab will appreciate the high-performance air conditioning and heating system which provides comfortable temperatures in any weather. Heated windows and mirrors ensure clear visibility right from the start.
Multifunction display and steering wheel with Easy-Drive lever.
The buttons on the steering wheel enable important functions in the operating menu, such as changing the settings of the hydraulic system, for example – without taking your eyes off the work area. The selected parameters appear in the colour TFT display of the instrument cluster. The EasyDrive lever is located on the left behind the steering wheel. Here, drivers can operate the direction of travel, gear and cruise control with their left hand – both in hydrostatic and mechanical transmission mode – keeping the right hand free for machine adjustment motions with the multifunction joystick, for example.
Camera system with monitor.
Optimising the overview and simultaneously making it easier to connect devices – these are the two main advantages of the optional camera system. The system consists of a front, rear and freely positionable additional camera for implements; the image is displayed on a monitor in the interior. This means that the driver always has an eye on the immediate area around the vehicle as well as a perfect view of the front mounting plate when changing equipment.
Service & parts
Become
part of a legend!
We care about customer satisfaction. The Unimog is not just any old vehicle, it's an indestructible power pack, a versatile endurance runner and an adventurous all-rounder. In order to keep it at its best for many years to come, all professional Unimog users are provided with the very best support right from the start.
The Unimog is an automotive legend, in which every individual part has a role to play. Every service is decisive in how the story continues. That’s why every Mercedes-Benz Unimog service partner is more than just a workshop – it’s part of a legend. We are all part of this committed community, in which every part down to the smallest screw as well as every service appointment is crucial in making sure that the Unimog is cost effective and ready for action – empowering your Unimog to master everyday life with gusto – day in, day out.
Schweinfurt's Waterways and Shipping Authority in Schweinfurt has been very impressed with the Unimog's genuine parts.
As Norbert Eusemann chats with us about his Unimog, his excitement is contagious. The U 400 is the fourth model that the 57 year-old has been driving since he started working at the Volkach site of Schweinfurt's Waterways and Shipping Authority (WSA) in 1981. His passion for the Unimog was ignited when he was just eight years old and later, his passion became his profession. He is also very impressed with the service it provides. He says: "Mercedes-Benz Service has definitely earned its star."