Unimog: outstanding safety properties.

Choosing a Unimog always means choosing more safety. For municipal operation and in agriculture, protection of the occupants and of people in the direct vicinity of the vehicle is the highest priority. In this respect the Unimog can distinguish itself from other vehicle concepts and prove that as an all-rounder it is prepared for any challenge.

Test results focus on safety.

A tractor test conducted by the French magazine Entraid makes it clear how indispensable a safe vehicle is for everyday work: in the magazine’s test, a head-on collision of a tractor against the pillar of a bridge was simulated – 160 hp, 30 km/h. The result was horrifying: without a seat belt the driver dies from injuries incurred in the impact. With a fastened 2-point seat belt the injuries are not fatal but nevertheless serious.

The Unimog with its short front-end dimension, a wide field of vision, controlled braking behaviour, directional stability, easy use of snow chains, impact safety and high vibration damping offers a reliable overall package that provides safety for the driver and other road users where risks and dangers can arise. ADAC driving safety expert Wolfgang Lange calls the Unimog a "very safe, well-engineered vehicle".

To the Entraid tract test

Short front-end dimension.

Legal requirements.
The front-end dimension is the distance between the front edge of the mounted implement and the middle of the steering wheel. In the procedural documentation for mounted implements from the German Federal Ministry for Transport, Building and Urban Development, a maximum front-end dimension of 3.50 m is legally prescribed. In combination with the majority of the mounted implements, the Unimog clearly falls below this upper limit.

A closer look: more safety for the driver.
Particularly in tight spaces, the short front-end dimension of the Unimog is a decisive factor for ensuring a greater level of safety. If the implement carrier is equipped with a snowplough or another implement and the vehicle approaches a tight junction, the driver must be able to see vehicles approaching from the side in good time. Because the earlier a driver sees what is coming, the better he/she can react. The seating position of the driver in the Unimog, as well as the low distance to the front edge of mounted implements have a positive effect on visibility – which means greater safety for the Unimog driver and all other road users.

Large field of vision.

Legal requirements.
The field of vision is defined as the area into which the driver can see when his/her line of sight meets the ground. A sufficient field of vision must be assured for the driver in all operating and weather conditions. Legal requirements laid out in the 2008/2/EC regulation specify that the full field of vision must be reached at 12 m.

Perfect view of the implements.
Particularly in unclear traffic situations, the driver must be able to recognise dangers early. Every second counts when it comes to avoiding an accident. That’s why the Unimog is equipped with a panoramic cab with large panoramic windows. Thanks to its short-bonnet concept, the Unimog driver has an optimal view of any front-mounted implements installed. The VarioPilot® dual-mode steering allows the steering wheel and all pedals to be switched rapidly from one side of the vehicle to the other. In combination with the optionally available glazed mowing door, users have an ideal view of the working implements, for example when cutting grass verges. Three mirrors on each side of the vehicle have the view to the rear covered. A wide-angle mirror reduces the blind spot between the inside rearview mirror and the kerb view mirror. As many as three camera monitoring systems reduce the remaining small blind spot of the Unimog to an absolute minimum. Constant head turning, which can quickly tire a driver, is no longer necessary. An integrated side window heater also ensures a clear view even at cold outside temperatures.

Directional stability.

Attachments and bodies as well as the load state of the vehicle affect the driving characteristics of a working vehicle. Dynamic forces are particularly noticeable during braking and cornering.

The more uniform the axle load distribution is, the better is the vehicle’s directional stability. Particularly in situations with a higher risk of slipping, for example on snow-covered or wet roads, the vehicle load and the vehicle concept are decisive factors for directional stability and thus for safety during road service work applications. The balanced axle load distribution of the Unimog allows it to maintain directional stability even on slippery road surfaces or in wet conditions.

Controlled braking behaviour.

Be it on dry, wet or slippery road surfaces – if a full application of the brakes is necessary, short and controllable braking distances are what count. Steerability should also always be guaranteed on the most varied of surfaces. This is particularly important, as steering while braking means that obstacles can be avoided. Controlled braking behaviour increases the safety of all road users.

The Unimog offers high braking safety thanks to its dual-circuit service brake system with disc brakes on all four wheels. Thanks to four-channel ABS, the Unimog remains steerable and directionally stable during a full application of the brakes and comes to a precise stop. The automatic load-dependent brake (ALB) controls the brake force and brake force distribution between the front and rear axles, depending on the load. Using a heated air drier, the brake system works reliably even when the weather is cold and damp. A factory-installed ABS socket also guarantees safe trailer operation.

Easy-to-use snow chains.

In winter the road conditions can change quickly. Drivers of winter service vehicles should also be able to rapidly react to this, even if they are working alone. In the case of a new covering of snow or a layer of snow which has been compacted by other vehicles, simple implementation of snow chains is a must.

As all the wheels on the Unimog have the same dimensions, the snow chains weighing 30 kg each can be kept in the vehicle and easily installed by a single person. As an option, automatic tyre chains can also be used – these can be actuated by the driver at the press of a button. This ensures the driver stays safe during winter service operations and remains able to work even in tough conditions.

High vibration damping.

Legal requirements.
Anyone whose workplace subjects them to large amounts of vibration can soon become fatigued. Over time this leads to impairment in concentration, and the risk of an accident increases. That is why obligatory limit values have been defined in the regulations for health and safety at work.

Quiet workplace.
The Unimog is equipped with a low-vibration driver cockpit – vibration figures, even during mowing or winter service operations are considerably lower than the prescribed permissible limit values. Decisive components in achieving this are the fully-sprung chassis, the cab with four-point suspension and the air-sprung driver’s seat. The latter offers the driver a calm workplace, even when driving off the beaten track.

Impact safety.

Legal requirements.
If working vehicles are moving more slowly than other road users during mowing, cleaning or maintenance operations, there is a greater risk of a collision at the rear of the vehicle. That requires a special protective concept. The cab of the Unimog was tested according to the ECE R29/2 regulation, for example.

Safe, manoeuvrable and fast.
On the Unimog, the ballast weight, the stable vehicle frame and the 2.4-metre-long platform ensure a substantial reduction of impact forces at the driver’s seat. The path from the first impact to the driver’s seat is long and the three-point automatic seat belts and integrated head restraints offer additional protection. On roads and motorways, the Unimog is also capable of using its full speed potential and adapting to the traffic flow up to the maximum permissible speed for commercial vehicles. Even if the upper headlamps are switched on, there is no speed restriction to 30 km/h.