Posted by Joe Lorenzino on Thursday, January 22, 2004 at 1:25AM :
In Reply to: Mercedes Unimogs??? posted by Steven Fowler on Thursday, January 22, 2004 at 0:07AM :
A Unimog is really just a “Chrysler of Germany” (Daimler Benz) designed Power Wagon. They were designed to do the same things around the farm or jobsite, and both started production in the late 40’s. All Unimogs have portal axles, and I believe they all have differential locks. (cable operated in the gas models, air operated on the diesels) The gasoline engined Mogs were designed for use as a military transport truck; they go a little faster, but do not have near as many “functional” options. The diesels were designed, like the Power Wagon, to be a cross between a truck, and a tractor. The idea was to build a power unit that would operate many types of implements, and had a high enough road speed that it could be driven to where it was needed rather than transported by another vehicle. They have a standard mounting system front and rear that allows different implements to be “pinned on” fairly easily. “Implements” for them include front end loaders, forklifts, backhoes, trenchers, winches, snow blowers, snow plows, irrigation pumps, industrial sized PTO air compressors, cranes, pickers, mowers, brush trimmers, etc., etc., etc…
My 406 has a built in air system, factory hydraulics (2 sets front, 1 set rear) 540 rpm PTO’s front and rear, 10,000 lb PTO winch, as well as the standard portal axles, dif locks etc. Previous owners had an 8 ft rotary mower mounted on the front of it, and used it for cutting the weeds in irrigation canals. They could easily cut the sides of the canal, as a mog is good for traversing up to a 45-degree side hill. A neighborhood rancher has one set up with a bale handler deck for feeding cattle, and figures there is no place he can’t get to on the ranch with it.
Ask your friend what the serial # and model number are, and what it has for options (hydraulics, PTO’s, 3 way tipping bed, auxiliary transmission, hydrostatic drive, etc.). Information and parts are available through the “Freightliner” dealers, Mercedes itself, and Case, as well as from a host of smaller suppliers on the net. There is also a lot of info about them on the web, but no forum to match this one. (Thanks again Joe Cimoch!!!!) J.V.L.
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