Next to the classic farmer, contractors with their own vehicle and machine park play a growing part in agriculture. This is one of the trends at the Agritechnica, the biggest fairs of agricultural engineering that will open its gates this November (10th – 14th) in Hannover. In this environment of highly specialized agricultural working methods the Unimog by Mercedes-Benz is right where it belongs. It offers a diverse, highly professional use of equipment on the basis of economical and environmentally-compatible drive technology for vehicle and attachments. Therefore, everything at the Mercedes-Benz booth (C 19 in hall 13) revolves around the effective working operation in the field and highest efficiency on distances of transport that continue to grow and on which freight volume continues to increase. For approximately the last two years the Unimog engines have been meeting the limit values of the European emission standard Euro VI for trucks. In the industry they are known as especially eco-friendly, even more so because another reduction of the fuel consumption could be achieved with the new engines.
Service providers in agriculture and public service
The presentation of Mercedes-Benz at the fair addresses strongly the interests of those service providers who in addition to the agricultural sector also perform services in the public service – e.g. garden maintenance and winter service – both sectors have been the home of the legendary Unimog carrier for a long time now. The public service technology has been holding its ground as an independent topic at the Agritechnica for years now – in many areas of work there are similar requirements for vehicles and machines.
Effective carrier also in agriculture
High utilization through de-icing in winter and cleaning operations and wood maintenance in times of transition – that is the everyday life lived by many contractors who are mainly working in agriculture. They especially appreciate the core competence of the Unimog which its unrestricted application throughout the year. In addition to front and rear there are four attachment areas available for a variety of equipment – between the axis and on the chassis. The powerful hydraulic system supplies the attachments with just exactly the amount of energy that is required using Load-Sensing Technology.
Furthermore, we have the good transport characteristics of the Unimog, its high towing weight up to 40 t with a load capacity of 40 t, as well as the unrestricted suitability for the motorway thanks to a high speed of 90 km/h.The Unimog with two biaxial agricultural trailers is able to profit from the maximally permitted length of transport of 18 m. As a matter of fact, vehicles with a permit as a farming tractor or grain carrier that are are being used for transporting agricultural goods or work can be made exempt from road toll for lorries in Germany. Also the Unimog can make use of that, along with the exemption of the driving ban for Sundays on the motorway.
The Unimog programme
The programme of the Unimog that was introduced approximately two years ago consists of the starter models Unimog U 216 and Unimog U218 as well as the Unimog U 318 and the U 423. They all share the four-cylinder engine with a performance between 115 kW (156 PS) and 170 kW (231 PS). The U 427 an the Unimog U527, as well as the U 430 and the U 530 have a six-cylinder engine and have over 200 kW (272 PS) or respectively 220 kW (299 PS). At the time Mercedes-Benz caused a stir when they switched rather early to the European emission standard Euro VI for trucks managing to include constructively the demands of the necessary components like the SCR catalytic converter and the diesel particulate filter. The Unimog can be admitted as a farming tractor since the emission standard Euro VI for trucks is regarded as equal to or rather as higher compared to the legally required emission regulation Tier4 in Germany.
Compact and versatile starter models U 216 and U 218
Despite the increased necessity of space due to the exhaust technology in this model range, it has been accomplished to create a more compact Unimog. The wheelbase of the Unimog U 216 and the U 218 is with 2800 mm by 200 mm shorter than the wheelbase of the U 318; furthermore, they are about 50 mm narrower. Thus they achieve a turning circle of 12.6 m – a definite passenger’s car value. In the context of agricultural work this plays an important role in field work because it enables in most cases a turn at the headlands without any resetting. For the Unimog U423 to U 530 an all-wheel steering ex factory has been made available this year. It allows four different modes of steering: Normal steering using the front wheels, all-wheel steering using all wheels, crab steering for diagonal driving as well as the manual steering of t he rear wheels. As a result the turning circle is being reduced by 20 percent and the maneuverability is increased significantly.
All Unimog models bring with them the general advantages of the model range, that is to say the high environmental compatibility of the Euro VI engines, the „free view cabin“ that – compared to its former model – has been visually improved and modernized; the synernergetic drive EasyDrive – a flying changeover while driving from the continuous hydrostatic transmission to the manual transmission –, the improved working and performance hydraulic system and a new operating concept. Furthermore, the driver of the Unimog knows to appreciate comfort features and security technology on lorry level.
New hydraulic system saves energy
The hydraulic system of the Unimog works demand oriented with the Load-Sensing-System, to the end that when being started the equipments only use the amount of energy they need in that moment. Through a special valve block this new hydraulic system is also compatible with attachments that need classic constant – current power. The tire pressure system „Tirecontrol plus“ has been constructed completely new. Now the preconfigured suitable tire pressure for the respective operation can be set automatically and comfortably on the display, a process wherein you can choose between „street“, „sand“ and „bad road“. An almost custom-made technology for operations in agriculture that always entail frequent changes between loose and firm surfaces in which case it is paramount to drive with as little ground contact pressure as possible. The proverbial good driving qualities of the Unimog off-road are partly due to the portal axle since they ensure an increased ride height. Thus the agricultural user benefits while driving in the field since there remains enough room between the vehicle and the growth and plants.
Apart from the Unimog carriers also the highly cross-country Unimog U4023 and Unimog U5023 go into action in agricultural operations. Among other things they are combined with tanker sprayers but they are also employed for transport operations. In both cases the good driving qualities along with the payload, the engines that have also been switched to Euro VI and an overall renovation have a positive impact on the entire modal series.
The agricultural Unimog
For agricultural operations there is the Unimog carrier in agricultural design: Front power take-off and front lift, rear power take-off and rear lift, the height-adjustable Scharmüller-trailer coupling also in combination with bottom hitching for the ball-type hitch, agricultural tires and a platform with mobile surfaces that leave open a vision triangle at the rear attachment space. For 2016 for the first time the rear power take-off has been planned as equipment of the U 427 and the U 530 ex factory. The wide tires size 495/70/R24 for the U 530 allow with variable tire pressure especially gentle driving on soft surfaces.
The Unimog U 430 in agricultural design (exhibit)
The Unimog U 430 in the complete agricultural design is equipped with a butterfly mower as an example for effective usage of vehicle and equipment. The mower combination is being powered by the front power take-off as well as by the rear power take-off. While operating the front equipment works in the centre and the rear equipment works on both sides so that three tracks can be mowed at the same time. With this impressive example the Agriculural Unimog demonstrates exactly its abilities in field operations. The U 430 has a six-cylinder engine with 220 kW (299 PS), the strongest motorization that has ever been achieved for a Unimog. All building elements of the agricultural design are visible on this exhibit.
The Unimog U530 with municipal equipment (exhibit)
The U 530 differs from the U 430 through a 200 mm longer wheelbase and a higher overall weight up to 16.5 t. It is equipped with a front reach arm mower by the firm Mulag and a salt spreader for de-icing. A typical combination for region with little snow fall where mowing and grove works are still being operated in times of transition while the de-icing still or already has to be provided.
The Mercedes-Benz agricultural model Arocs (exhibit)
With the Mercedes-Benz Arocs the ultimate transport professional is present at the fair. The basis is the model 2051, the conversion for the agricultural use has been taken on by the company Bruhns. Part of that are agricultural tires, a special wheel coupler plate that allows torsion while driving and a hydraulic system that works according to the Load Sense principle for unloading the trailer. This trailer can be operated as a rear dump truck with a push boat or a walking floor. In all three cases a fast unloading is guaranteed. The height-adjustable Scharmüller-trailer coupling is here also part of the equipment. The six cylinder in-line engine of the Arocs achieves 375 kW (510 PS) and thus has ample reserve for demanding drives on loose surface as well as transport distances. With an impressive engine performance as well as the overall towing weight of 40 t the Arocs offers the highest transport capacity in the portfolio of agricultural vehicles of all the Mercedes-Benz special trucks. Like with any other utility vehicle model series by Mercedes-Benz the Arocs developed for building sites naturally also complies with the emission standard Euro VI.
Mercedes-Benz service stands for mobility
The globally acknowledged high quality of all Unimogs and special vehicles is due to the efficient service of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks. At over 650 locations in over 130 countries all over the globe service specialist provide maintenance, diagnosis and repair work. This goes along with an intensive support and technical consulting to the extent of driver safety and technical training.
Five extensive service offers
The user can choose between five different service offers: Purchasable extension of warranty for the entire vehicle to 24 months or respectively 36 months. The extension of the warranty is a guaranteed connection. It offers protection and transparency of costs without any co-payment and with attractive predictable conditions for the second and third year of usage after the initial registration.
Furthermore there are service providers for maintenance and repair works (Service Complete) to which a leasing contract can be added (Service Leasing Complete).The extensive service package covers all workshop repair works from coordinating appointments to checking the monthly fixed installments .This secures the customer the clear transparency of costs as well as the operational safety and the operating efficiency of his Unimog vehicle fleet.
By introducing the new Unimog generation the Unimog user can also enter into a pure maintenance contract with the supplier (Maintenance Complete). Along with a fixed running time come distinct price advantages for all maintenance work.
Furthermore, four more service offers are available : Power train warranty (Service Extend), guaranteed connection for the power train (Service Extend plus),on – site service with a collection and delivery service as well as a rental vehicle for the driver (Service Mobilität) and the Full – service package for warranty and wear and tear work at the Unimog (Service Complete).
Financial services of the Mercedes-Benz Bank
Also the financial services of the Mercedes-Benz Bank are custom-made – just like the operation concept of the Unimog.
Standard financing: The classic model among the models of financing – with attractive conditions and freely selectable contract durations. Deposit, contract duration and monthly installments are being fixed at the commencement of the contract and offer utmost planning security. By paying the ultimate installment the Unimog automatically becomes the property of the contract partner.
Financing through seasonal installments: The financing of the installments follows the seasonal business performance. In very busy months a higher installment is to be paid-in times when the Unimog is hardly being operated a lower installment. Thus the financial leeway is always maintained and by the end of the contract the Unimog becomes the property of the contract partner.
Balloon payment financing: The final installment or balloon payment offers extremely low monthly installments and maximum flexibility upon expiry of contract. In the process a balloon payment is calculated upon commencement of contract that follows individual contract duration and an estimated kilometer mileage.
Plus3 financing: With the Plus3-financing three options are available to the contract partner: Selling the Unimog at the end of the duration of the contract after having payed the final installment, repurchase through the dealer for the repurchase value defined in the contract or acquisition of the Unimog by paying the final installment.
Keeping maximal mobility through leasing
To drive a new Unimog and to keep financial mobility at the same time – with the leasing offers of Mercedes-Benz Bank this is possible. Furthermore, the leasing rates are deductable as direct expenditure. There are three attractive variants to choose from:
Leasing: The classic leasing model is the preferred alternative to financing or cash purchase if the preservation of liquidity, tax benefits or the relevance of the vehicle fleet are paramount. Since only the usage of the Unimog has to be paid for the monthly installments are low and furthermore completely deductible. At the end of the lease the user simply returns the Unimog and switches to a new model.
Service-Leasing: In the context of service leasing service performance is matched with the advantages of leasing. With only one contract a crucial part of the operating costs can be covered.
Communal leasing: With Mercedes-Benz Bank Local Leasing also public institutions like municipal or communal transport services can benefit from the advantages of leasing. Thanks to low monthly installments the costs stay manageable and the vehicle fleet remains always up to date.
Terminable rental agreement: With a time limit of three months the user is able to cancel the contract at any time – given that the minimum rental period of 24 months has already elapsed. After a cancellation the customer is free to choose from three options: To return the Unimog and if needed to switch to a different model or to purchase it using the Mercedes-Benz contact partner.
