The Austrian rail ballast producer Hengl relies on the Unimog U 423 road-rail vehicle.

Traction on all routes.

The power pack already shows off its advantages on the journey by road to the rail track: thanks to a 5.1 litre Euro VI diesel engine delivering 231 hp and 900 Nm of torque, and differential locks on front and rear axles, it is guaranteed to arrive safely at the next on-tracking point whatever the weather conditions. The task of switching to the tracks is aided by the excellent visibility afforded by the panoramic windows, and the precise positioning of the Unimog over the rails is monitored via a camera – the driver can watch and adjust the process conveniently using a display in the cab. Coupling the wagons is also an effortless task thanks to another camera.

Technology. Weight. Power.

Once the rubber-tyred tractor unit is mounted on the tracks and converted into a shunting vehicle, the real work can start: the quiet-running screw compressor is actuated by the power take-off and delivers up to 1750 l a minute, supplying five air tanks and an operating volume of 4250 l. Enough to release the brakes on 52 axles.

As far as the traction of the four drive wheels is concerned, the high kerb weight of up to 13.8 t guarantees an excellent degree of friction between the rubber tyres and the tracks. A higher total weight for shunting vehicles has been approved for the Unimog especially for this purpose. The Unimog also has its own track-drying system fitted directly in front of the wheels. This is used while the vehicle is being driven.