• Around 20 Unimog exhibits from the UGE and UHE model series showcase the system expertise of this all-rounder, which has been tried and tested for over 75 years.
• The vehicles are equipped with a wide range of body attachments and implements for the green sector and demonstrate the operational readiness of the Unimog throughout the year.
• Highlights include the top-of-the-line U 535 and U 435 models with an output of 260 kW (354 hp) and low-emission engines in accordance with Euro VIe.
• The hydraulic spring ensures a constant driving level and assists in coupling and uncoupling body implements.
• As part of the publicly funded “WaVe” project, Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks is presenting a prototype of the Unimog based on the U 430 with hydrogen-powered combustion engine.
• Franziska Cusumano, Head of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks & Custom Tailored Trucks: "With our Unimog, which can be used all year round, we have been highlighting the diversity of the implement carrier for decades, among other things, in fields of application such as green area maintenance, horticulture and landscaping or winter service. At the same time, we have a firm eye on the future and, as consortium leader of the WaVe innovation project, we are also committed to the decarbonization of the working machine sector. This underpins Daimler Truck’s ambition to only offer climate-neutral new vehicles in driving operation in its core markets by 2039 by presenting a first prototype of the Unimog with a hydrogen-powered combustion engine within the framework of this research project."

Leinfelden-Echterdingen – Whether it’s mowing steep slopes at the side of the road, maintaining green areas, giving the lawn on the sports or golf course the perfect cut or clearing the road in winter: For these and many other tasks, service providers need an implement carrier that is as reliable as it is powerful, and which can meet very high demands in terms of productivity, efficiency and environmental friendliness. This is exactly what the Unimog from Mercedes-Benz has stood for for over 75 years. Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks demonstrates just how versatile the powerhouse can be with over 20 exhibits of the implement carrier model series and the extreme off-roader model series from June 18 to 20, 2023 at demopark at Kindel airfield near Eisenach. The trade fair describes itself as "Europe's largest open-air exhibition for the green sector" and is regarded as leading the way in the market for commercial vehicles as well as in horticulture and landscaping. Typical for demopark: Exhibits can be viewed here, they can be experienced in action and, in many cases, also tried out for yourself.

Franziska Cusumano, Head of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks & Custom Tailored Trucks: "With our Unimog, which can be used all year round, we have been highlighting the diversity of the implement carrier for decades  in fields of application such as green area maintenance, horticulture and landscaping or winter service, among other things. At the same time, we have a firm eye on the future and, as consortium leader of the WaVe innovation project, we are also committed to the decarbonization of the working machine sector. This underpins Daimler Truck’s ambition to only offer climate-neutral new vehicles in driving operation in its core markets by 2039 by presenting a first prototype of the Unimog with a hydrogen-powered combustion engine within the framework of this research project."

A vehicle class of its own

Specifically developed for implement use, the Unimog in association with many qualified body partners offers individual system solutions that can increase both productivity and the capacity utilization of a fleet. Standardized and normed interfaces ensure quick implement changes. The U 535 and U 435, among others, showcase this at demopark. The U 535, the heaviest and most powerful Unimog model series, can be seen here with a rear-mounted mower without additional axle locking from Unimog ExpertPartner Mulag. Last year, the Unimog and Mulag were able to look back on a 50-year collaboration. At the trade fair, the U 435 can be seen with a spreader from Bucher Municipal. Both vehicles are equipped with a powerful diesel engine with an output of 260 kW (354 hp).

In the Unimog, the fully synchronized electropneumatic manual transmission translates the output of the maintenance-friendly, economical, smooth-running and high-torque Euro VI engines into propulsion. The synchronized Electronic Quick Reverse reversing group makes it easier to change direction quickly, for example when clearing or maneuvering. Comfort steering also offers high added value – it reduces the steering forces at low speeds and when the vehicle is stationary. This is particularly advantageous when working with heavy-duty front-mounted implements such as mowing combinations or large-volume tires. The electrohydraulic system adapts to the respective driving situation depending on the speed. The comfort steering thus generates a variable steering feel adapted to the driving situation.

Important safety feature: Thanks to the panoramic cab with its short front-end dimensions, you have a good view of the working area. In order to minimize the risk of accidents when turning right, it is also possible to retrofit a turning assistant on all Unimog implement carriers with Euro VI standard. At the same time, the Unimog offers a high level of braking safety thanks to a dual-circuit service brake system with disk brakes on all four wheels. Thanks to four-channel ABS, the Unimog remains steerable and directionally stable during maximum full-stop braking.

Light as a feather off-road

To make working with the Unimog even more efficient and comfortable for customers, the vehicle is optionally available with hydropneumatic suspension on the rear axle. Here, gas is compressed or expanded by a change in oil volume, which creates a resilient effect. In conjunction with hydraulic cylinders, spring accumulators, hydraulic valves, sensors and control unit, the hydraulic spring enables a more stable driving behavior in addition to the constant driving level under a wide range of load conditions or heavy rear-mounted implements. Ride comfort is significantly increased, particularly for one-sided loads and when cornering. At the same time, the system assist when coupling and uncoupling attachments – it makes work easier and reduces set-up times when changing implements.

Research project: Unimog with hydrogen engine

At this year’s demopark open-air exhibition, Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks is also presenting a prototype of the Unimog based on the U 430 with hydrogen-powered combustion engine as part of the publicly funded “WaVe” project.

The project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, is being implemented jointly by 18 partners from industry and science and began in July 2021. The consortium leader is Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks, administrative control is in the hands of Commercial Vehicle Cluster Nutzfahrzeug GmbH. After the first test phase of the H2 engine was successfully completed on the test stand in autumn 2022, the engine together with fuel tank, safety and monitoring systems were installed in the Unimog at the turn of the year, and initial tests in driving operation were carried out. In the second quarter of 2023, the prototype will be equipped with a body implement for mowing in order to then gain further insights into work mode.

The aim of the WaVe project is to examine the extent to which the tasks of a conventional diesel engine as a multi-power distributor for the traction drive and all power take-offs can also be performed by a hydrogen-powered combustion engine in the future. This variant could prove to be a possible alternative drive type for the Unimog. This is because the implement carrier places high demands on output, performance and payload. However, as space is limited, the installation of a purely battery-electric drive or hydrogen-based fuel cells would be challenging.

By 2039, Daimler Truck intends to offer only climate-neutral new vehicles in driving operation in its core global markets (EU30, USA and Japan). In order to achieve this objective, the company has clearly set the strategic course for itself and is consistently pursuing a dual strategy in the electrification of its portfolio: with battery and hydrogen-based drives. In addition, by the end of June 2024, for research purposes, complementary drive systems such as hot hydrogen combustion in the piston engine for the Unimog will be investigated as part of the aforementioned WaVe joint venture.