Fuel savings with Mercedes-Benz Unimog

1.8.2009 - Independent fuel tests have confirmed that operators of the Mercedes-Benz Unimog will save more than 40% compared to tractors, including fast tractors – more than enough to offset the purchase price of the vehicle.

The extensive tests were carried out by the independent German Agricultural Society (DLG) at the invitation of Mercedes-Benz Unimog.

The test involved haulage capability, where the Mercedes-Benz Unimog, unlike tractors – both conventional and fast tractors – can be licensed for road work. This means that the Unimog can be legally licensed for ‘hire or reward’ haulage, at the same time as use its exceptional off-road capability for work on fields and rough ground.

A Mercedes-Benz Unimog U400 was tested against several comparable agricultural tractors. Each vehicle was attached to a trailer load of 21 tonnes.

On level ground the haulage Unimog consumed 18.89 litres of diesel per hour: the average consumption of the tractors was 32.07 litres per hour – each at 50 kilometres per hour. When the Unimog travelled at 60kph (too fast for the conventional tractors) the average consumption was 23.25 litres per hour.

The 40% fuel saving that has been calculated means a saving of 13 litres per hour, compared to tractors, at the same driving speed. On the basis of 10,000 operating hours over the estimated service life of the vehicle this has been extrapolated to a cost saving of Euros 195,000! (13 litres per hour x 10,000 hours x Euros 1.50 per litre of diesel). Even if the Unimog is working for just half that time the savings on fuel alone – at current exchange rates – is about £80,000.

Mark Hopkins, Sales Director of Mercedes-Benz Unimog UK, says: “These independent tests bear out facts that we have been aware of for some time. We have had anecdotal evidence from operators of big savings – enough to persuade them that operating Unimogs is a lot more cost-effective than fast tractors – but this is the first time we have been able to obtain independent facts from a respected pan-European body.”

DLG, which is part of the European Network for Testing of Agricultural Machines (ENTAM), has a dedicated test site and has been carrying out machinery tests for over 100 years. It operates tests to national and international standards, regulations and technical specifications to ensure parity, and its reports are designed to be of practical use to the wide range of interests of modern farming. DLG was asked to carry out the series of tests so that facts and substance could be achieved to prove or deny a growing number of comments from Unimog operators about fuel savings.

{zdroj: bestforcar, Mercedes-Benz}

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