Impressive Unimog Demonstration of All-purpose Tractor
Page 54
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
DEMONSTRATIONS of the MercedesBenz Unimog all-purpose tractor were given for the first time in this country on Lord Montagu's estate at Beaulieu on September 14.
Unimog stands for UniversalMotorgerat, which means universal power plant, and this it certainly is. The literature available shows that it is used throughout the world on all kinds of agricultural, forestry and road maintenance work and that it is also suitable for use on building sites. Various attachments are available for fitting to any of the three power take-offs (located at the front and rear and on the off-side between the wheels).
High Ground Clearance A feature of the Unimog is its high ground clearance—almost 15 in. under the differential casing when fitted with 18-in. wheels—and independent suspension through coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers at all four wheels. The standard engine fitted is a Mercedes-Benz OM 636—VI diesel unit which is virtually the same as that fitted into the MercedesBenz 180D car but de-rated to give an output of 35 b.h.p. at 2,550 r.p.m. A sixcylinder petrol engine can be fitted if required.
For the tests at Beaulieu Unimogs were shown with lime-spreading, hole boring, front loading and bull-dozing equipment and one was also shown as a tractor for a logging trailer. However, the most impressive demonstrations were of the Unimog's ability to traverse the roughest terrain, The area of the tests included short gradients which, although appearing steeper than the 1 in 1.6 claimed as negotiable in the specification, were climbed by the vehicle without difficulty.
Steeper gradients were descended and one of the vehicles was also driven over tree trunks more than 1 ft. in diameter.
n20 The demonstrations took place in a small disused quarry and, in spite of the ground becoming churned up towards the end, a Unimog was beaten only once, and then in an attempt to climb an almost sheer face which had become particularly slippery. Wheel spin was the deciding factor.
LICENCES TRANSFERRED MINETEEN stage coach and express licences, plus three group excursion and tour licences in the new town of East Kilbride, Eaglesham and Hamilton areas, were granted to the Central S.M.T., Ltd., Motherwell. by the Scottish Traffic Commissioners at Glasgow last week. The transfer of these licences from J. Laurie and Co., Burnbank, a company recently acquired by the Central S.M.T., saw the end of one of Scotland's pioneer and oldest bus companies.