• Exhibition highlight: the new Unimog Euro VI

  • Latest engines much cleaner and more efficient

  • Practical overall solutions for special purposes

  • Economic shunting with up to 1000 t towing capacity

Euro VI on the rails - that's an absolute first in the international railway business. At InnoTrans in Berlin (23 to 26 September), the leading international exhibition, Mercedes-Benz will celebrate the premiere of the new road-rail Unimog with engines that conform to the Euro VI European truck emissions standard, thus setting new standards of environmental compatibility and efficiency.

The tenth InnoTrans, the international platform and the leading exhibition in the rail sector with over 100,000 trade visitors from all over the world, is fully booked once again. More than 2500 exhibitors from 50 countries will completely occupy the exhibition grounds at the Berlin Funkturm (Radio Tower). For the first time, the new 6000 square metre "CityCube" exhibition hall will be available for InnoTrans.

The vehicle predestined for road-rail use is the new Unimog U 423 with 170 kW (231 hp) performance. The increased payload of the new Unimog enables even better traction for shunting. If the Unimog is equipped with implements for working on the rail infrastructure the increased payload has a positive effect, too. With the new Unimog generation, Mercedes-Benz also fulfils customers' demands in the rail sector.

Unimog road-railers are ideal for shunting tasks (up to 1000 t towing capacity), and for maintenance and repair work on the rail infrastructure of national railways and municipal tracks. As an implement carrier, it offers a very wide variety of uses, such as mowing alongside the tracks, repair or maintenance work on signalling systems or the contact wire, for cleaning the track bed, or on tram tracks. At the exhibition in Berlin, Mercedes-Benz (southerly open-air area, stand no. F4/16) will be presenting new and practical comprehensive solutions for special applications and tasks.

90 percent reduced emissions compared with Euro V

The Unimog transfers the high emissions standards for road traffic to the railway. Many shunting stations and industrial zones are located in low-emission zones where the residents have to comply with strict emission regulations - even if the rules do not extend to rail traffic, companies can use environmentally friendly shunting technology.

And the progress can be put into figures: the Euro VI engines for trucks reduce diesel particles and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90 percent compared with Euro V, and in comparison with 1990, emissions from commercial vehicles have been lowered by between 88 percent and 98 percent.

High potential for fuel consumption saving

The Unimog is not only extremely environmentally friendly, it also saves you hard-earned cash. The capital investment is far lower than for a shunting locomotive, and it also pays off in terms of running costs. Its low fuel consumption when used as a shunter - many customers stated that it is between five and six litres diesel per operating hour - makes the Unimog road-railer an environmentally-friendly and economical alternative to a shunting locomotive.

Innovative drive technology with speeds up to 50 km/h in both directions

Typical Unimog characteristics such as permanent all-wheel drive with inter-axle differential lock, and separate differential locks for the front and rear axle, single tyres, and also the torque-converter clutch, all make the Unimog an ideal vehicle for road-rail work.

The transmission with eight forward and eight reverse gears enables speeds on the track of up to 50 km/h in both directions. Equipped with a hydrostatic drive, the implements can be used at very low speeds from 0.1 km/h.

The enhanced systems for the working and power hydraulics also benefit from the more powerful engines.

A new feature: easier working thanks to "Easy Drive"

The synergetic "EasyDrive" is yet another innovation in the new Unimog and is especially useful for the road-rail vehicle. It allows for infinitely variable working speeds between 0 and 50 km/h and simplified switching between hydrostatic drive and mechanical transmission while driving.

Unimog on the rails: implement carrier and shunting vehicle

Thanks to being driven on the rails by its road wheels, the Unimog is predestined for road-rail use. The high friction coefficient between rubber tyres and steel rails provides excellent traction and economical shunting of towed loads of up to 1000 t with a comparatively light vehicle weight. The torque-converter clutch available ex factory increases the engine pull-away torque, thus enabling smooth towing of heavy loads without wear and tear to the clutch.

No separate rail drive system required

Thanks to its compact axle dimensions, it does not need a separate rail drive - and can operate on different rail gauges. With the help of special wheels and tyres, the Unimog can drive both on standard railway tracks and on a variety of international wide-gauge tracks with its own wheels. A hydraulically lowering rail guiding system ensures safe guidance on the tracks. At any level area approximately five metres long, for example at level crossings, the Unimog can simply leave the rails and continue on the road to the next work location at up to 90 km/h. For use on local public transport rails, rail gear systems are available which enable it to drive on bends with a curve radius of 17 m or more.

Newly designed cab with a well-thought-out operating concept

The open-view cab of the new Unimog generation has been given a modern design. Its appearance places greater emphasis on the visual and functional effect of the short bonnet. LED daytime driving lamps are integrated into the new bumpers. To improve visibility, the windscreen wipers have now been fitted above the windscreen. The open-view cab thus provides an optimal and safe view of the working area, enhanced even further by the new camera monitor system which is now available.

The best working conditions for the driver and co-driver in the interior: a multifunction steering wheel, an adjustable steering column or the enhanced heating and air conditioning system. The instrument cluster for driver information has been redesigned and has a large, well-lit display. The operating controls have also been optimised. For example, there is a steering column lever to operate driving functions such as gearshift transmission control or the new premium engine brake.

Implement-carrying concept: highly versatile uses

The Unimog is world famous for its outstanding properties as an implement carrier on the road. This competence can just as easily be used on the tracks. Up to four attachment and mounting areas are available, and for example mechanical and hydraulic power take-offs can drive an elevating work-platform, a crane, an arm with branch-pruning shears, or drive tunnel washing brushes or also a snow cutter.

Long-lasting partnership with road-rail specialists

For decades, Mercedes-Benz has been working closely with leading international body-builders. From the first phase of development to marketing. This makes system solutions possible that are tailor-made for customers' specific needs - including all implements and mounted bodies, and also the necessary rail equipment and specifications.

The exhibits

1. Shunting vehicle with radio remote control and new rail gear

The Unimog U 423 exhibited at the trade fair is the first Unimog of the new generation to have radio remote control for shunting. Also, the exhibit boasts a rail gear system with a CAN bus safety system newly developed by Zagro, which guarantees safe track travel and conforms with the latest safety regulations. The control communicates with the CAN bus of the base vehicle. The railway wagon braking system of the shunting vehicle is driven by the Unimog's engine power take-off and, with a delivery output of 1750 l/min with a 425 l air reservoir volume, guarantees that the coupled wagons fill quickly. The Unimog U 423 with 3000 mm wheelbase has a GVW of 13 000 kg.

2. Rail gear for tight curve radii on tram tracks

The Unimog U 423 on show, with bogie type track guiding system, manufactured by Zweiweg International, is a speciality. This concept is specially adapted for use on tram networks with particularly tight bends of 17 m curve radius or more. In order to provide the new generation 3600 mm wheelbase Unimog with the necessary space to lift the rail gear when driving on roads, Mercedes-Benz Custom Tailored Trucks (CTT) offers a bespoke chassis modification ex factory. This will be premiered at the exhibition.

3. Fire-fighting vehicle for Metro use

The Unimog U 400 (Euro V) with 210 kW (286 hp) engine, 3600 mm wheelbase and fitted with a Ziegler fire-fighting body (TLF 30/20-5 CAFS) and Zagro rail gear, is the third exhibit at the Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks stand. The Unimog is optimally adapted for use on sections of railway with a limited clearance, in particular Metro tunnels, due to its compact dimensions. This customer vehicle with a capacity of 2000 l of water and 500 l of foam is extremely flexible and can save time, thanks to the option of driving close up to the area of operation by road and then switching to the rails. The pump drive via the Unimog engine power take-off enables "pump and roll", which means that the pump can start working while the vehicle is still rolling.

In addition to the three exhibits on the Mercedes-Benz stand, there are two more Unimog road-railers on display at InnoTrans that can be seen on the stands of internationally renowned body builders.

Zwiehoff (open-air area, stand no. FC/3) presents a Unimog U 423 with Euro VI exhaust technology and rail gear, a folding coupling rod, and a Knorr railway wagon braking system for heavy loads, which is driven by the Unimog engine power take-off.

At the Zagro Group stand (open-air area, stand no. F1/24) there is a Unimog U 423 new generation shunting vehicle on display and also a U 400 recovery vehicle. This vehicle, with a 4200 mm wheelbase, is equipped with a box body and hydraulic recovery equipment that enable derailed rolling stock to be put back on the rails.

System advantages of the road-rail Unimog at a glance

  • Environmental friendliness:The European Euro VI emissions standard for commercial vehicles is considered to be one of the strictest emissions standards in the world. Compared with Euro V, it reduces diesel particles and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90 percent and in comparison with 1990, emissions from commercial vehicles have been lowered by between 88 percent and 98 percent.

  • Economy:The Euro VI engines have further reduced the Unimog's fuel consumption, which was already very low. This means low-cost shunting of heavy towing loads compared with a shunting locomotive. And also: a low purchase price and cheap maintenance via the Unimog service partner network.

  • Coordinated system of vehicle and body:Very close cooperation with the leading road-rail manufacturers from the first phase of development to marketing. This results in an optimally coordinated combination of vehicle and attachment or body.

  • Integrated implement drives, and attachment and mounting areas:Mechanical front PTO shaft (160 kW), working and power hydraulics, and many attachment and mounting areas ex factory, make the Unimog a professional implement carrier on road and rail, and ensure high flexibility.

  • Rapid transfer from rail to road:Rapid, simple road/rail changeover - on a level rail section approx. five metres long or, with the hydraulic turning and lifting mechanism, on stretches which are not level.Road speeds of up to 90 km/h. On the rails, up to 50 km/h, forwards and backwards.

  • First-class after-sales service:Unimog service available at more than 650 service centres worldwide. First-class spares service from the Mercedes-Benz dealer network.

  • Outstanding working and driving comfort: An ergonomically designed workplace, air conditioning, air-sprung seats and excellent visibility to the front and to all the work areas make the Unimog a comfortable and safe workplace.

  • High tractive force thanks to friction between rubber and steel:The high friction value between the rubber tyres and the steel rails ensures excellent traction and enables economical shunting of loads up to 1000 t.

  • Traction on the rail provided directly by Unimog wheels: Low-cost, safe driving on the rails with a hydraulically lowering rail gear system. No separate rail drive system required.

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