Weather conditions were also taken into consideration during the development of the Kranimog which is the trademarked name of the removable rear-mounted crane. Because due to global warming the number of operations in winter is dropping. "To create additional economic efficiency and generate further potential for summer operations were both top of the list in the specification sheet," Anton Bader explains. Thanks to its small size, the Kranimog preserves the well-proven agility and off-road capability of the Unimog. And with a low ground pressure it is particularly gentle on forest floors.
From being just an idea to becoming an all-rounder.
Already an authorised Unimog service partner and certified Hiab partner, Fischbacher became a UnimogPartner by Mercedes-Benz in December 2020. During the conception phase of the Kranimog – a patent has been filed for its design – 3-D CAD data records provided by Bodybuilder Management were used to adapt the subframe to match the vehicle contour in every detail so that overhangs could be avoided and most importantly the vehicle height retained. The advantage for the operator is that "the Kranimog can fit through anywhere that the Unimog can," Anton Bader says. "Our top-quality, weight-optimised, hot-dip galvanised and powder-coated steel body lasts as long as the Unimog itself and has a loading sill that is 40 mm lower than a vehicle with an original platform subframe – added value that the user can experience on a daily basis."
A further highlight is the leak-free multicoupling which brings together all hydraulic connections in one block and can also be opened under operating pressure. Thanks to the hydraulic locking mechanism the Kranimog is mounted safely, with very little effort and without the need for tools – furthermore it is free of play and self-tightening.
Stable handling characteristics.
"With a conventional rear-mounted crane on the back, a vehicle can start to sway very quickly," is how Anton Bader describes the effect when a crane is mounted and alters the vehicle's centre of gravity. But the engineer gave this some thought too: "The Kranimog body is lower than the platform and so the handling characteristics of the Unimog are excellent even in off-road conditions." This feature also means the tipper flatbed can still be tipped to the rear when the crane has been removed.
At the end of the design process Fischbacher had a crane which could be used in a whole range of different operations: to remove driftwood from the danger zone during flooding, to grip logs in forest fires, during wood harvesting or following storm damage. The Kranimog also lends its support in road and pathway construction thanks to its efficiency. Anton Bader explains: "Without the crane the Unimog has unrestricted use of its original payload. This means that it is possible to transport bulk material, making use of the full payload or to carry implements such as a salt spreader without a permanently mounted crane reducing payload. We have achieved this by retaining the geometry of the original ball point mountings."
And as if all that is not enough, the engineer mentions another advantage of the Kranimog for all Unimog owners: "Existing implements that can be mounted on the original platform frame also fit our frame."
Ready for duty.
If you are looking for a crane implement you can find many different solutions in the Unimog Partner Portal. Just like every manufacturer, Fischbacher is always delighted to receive enquiries. "We have five cranes on stock for spontaneous buyers," says Anton Bader who calls the Kranimog the "fifth man at the building yard". And rightly so; the rear-mounted crane combination deserves applause just like any other reliable member of staff.
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