6 unimog - Mercedes-Benz España

U500
The 58th IAA Commercial Vehicle Exhibition in Frankfurt am Main was the platform for the
first public appearance of the Unimog U 500. In contrast to the Unimog U 300 and U 400,
which were introduced in the spring, this implement carrier with up to 280 horsepower on
tap and a gross weight limit of 16 tonnes is, thanks to its operating profile, also a versatile
specialist when the need arises.
The European market for implement
carriers is a hard-fought battleground.
For success here one needs
products that comply with the customers
demand for a major improvement in the
cost/performance ratio. For this reason
the new, big U 500 also offers interesting
technical solutions such as a Telligent
gear shift or powerful Euro 3 standard sixcylinder
engines from the 906 model line.
On top of this it has a comprehensive
standard package with no fewer than 83
features extending from storage facilities
and lockers to additional side turn-indicator
repeaters.
Advantages compared with trucks
The question as to what operating purposes
a Unimog of this size (230 to 280
horsepower and 16 tonnes gross weight
limit) can fulfil that a medium-size allwheel
drive truck could not carry out
satisfactorily was naturally asked within
the DaimlerChrysler Group, the largest
commercial vehicle manufacturer in the
world, but is, however, quickly answered.
The successor to the heavy Unimog
U2100 to 2450 model line is a highly versatile
implement carrier for municipal
6 UNIMOG
JOURNAL
U 500 – a new performance class
services, trade and industry and the construction
and energy-supply industries. It
has conceptual advantages compared with
its truck competitors, which can largely be
explained in the following points:
— integrated implement carrier/tractor
— optimal drive and attachment facilities
— high torque and pulling power with the
Unimog 4x4 driveline concept
— high pulling power for winter clearing
— mechanical power take-off shaft at the
front with 150 kW power output
— 20 to 30 percent more front-axle load
available than a comparable truck
— semi-forward control design permits a
very good view of the appliances and
attachments.
Developed for multi-purpose operations
The new Unimog U 300 - U 500 models
have been developed for multi-purpose
operations. The U 500 on the other hand,
is a new vehicle dimension with regard to
its power and strength in heavy duty
operations. This can be seen from the snow
clearing work carried out by road and
motorway maintenance departments,
which use heavy equipment with high grit
and road salt carrying volumes on a daily
basis. But even with an add-on road
sweeper with a body of up to 6 cubic metres
in volume, the U 500 is in a new performance
category.
Heavy loads are no problem
Compact and manoeuvrable tractors
for heavy duty transport work are a special
type of commercial vehicle that is
constantly in demand in the industry. The
U 500 with its immense pulling power
has no problems here and the standard
all-wheel drive and differential locks are
significant plus points. In addition, the
short tractor is ideal for the movement of
extra-long material.
In the construction and energy industries,
the requirements are above all for
heavy implement operation, frequently in
off-road environments or confined areas.
The U 500 s compact dimensions and its
high payload of up to 9 tonnes are for instance
ideal when erecting mobile cranes
with load capacities of up to 40 tm. Trailer
loads of over 24 tonnes are also no
problem for this new-generation vehicle.