Merc's new super bakkie

Dewald Barnard watches as the Unimog pull his Rovic Leers 12-row planter.

WITH the launch of the Unimog 529 in Winterton yesterday, Mercedes-Benz South Africa has returned this popular all-terrain tourer to its agricultural roots.

The first Unimogs were developed as self-powered farm implements in post-war Germany, where the tiny runabouts did everything from harvesting potatoes in muddy fields to power water pumps.

Up to 1947, those first little Unimogs used a Merc engine that made only 19 kW (25-hp).

The central console of the 'mog has more buttons than a single engine'd aircraft. 

The 2018 model demonstrated to KZN’s farmers this week has rather more power, using Merc’s proven 7,7-litre, 6-inline truck engine that makes 210 kW and 1 150 Nm from 1 100 rpm. An eight-speed automated transmission has working range 16 forward and 12 reverse speeds, while an 85-kW, infinitely variable hydrostatic drive allow precise low speed control between 0-50 km/h for operations requiring constant engine rpm. PTOs and hydraulic drives can revolve, lift, push down or turn many farming implements.

Mario Alvelos, Unimog business developer, in his 72nd country, Seffrica.  

Mario Alvelos, business development manager at MercedesBenz, said the new Unimog is all about achieving more efficiencies on the farm. “Farmers are the biggest contributor to the economy right now, but we as consumers want to pay cheaper for food. The Unimog is a multi-purpose labour-saving tool that has since 1946 been engineered to save labour in all four seasons,” he said at a media briefing.

Winterton farmer and tractor dealer Leon Rohrs

Winterton farmer and tractor dealer Leon Rohrs demonstrated the Unimog’s ability to pull heavy loads, including large rippers and heavy planters.

Rohrs, who is also a Massey Ferguson dealer, said he was blown away by the abilities of the new ’mog 529.

Alvelos said the 529 was designed as an implement carrier, with the added speed of a truck, and Mercedes-Benz safety.

Rippers are tought tests for any drive train, but the Unimog 529 passed with ease. 

 Because it uses Daimler truck parts, 33 Meredes-Benz commercial dealers are also available nationwide to service the ’mog, which uses the same diagnostics as the group’s trucks to determine oil changes based on actual use, as opposed to mileage. Maintenance intervals are 1 200 hours or one year between oil changes.

Carryig up to 6 tons on the rear with wide spray arms is just a limbering-up job for the 'mog.

Alvelos said the new ’mog can do the work of three tractors at once, with the added bonus of being able to travel to site on its own power, while meeting all safety requirements at mines and commercial farms.

The Unimog 592 joins a long line of 'mogs.