Unimog 6x6

This Unimog U2450L 6x6 is seen being prepared by Mercedes Benz as a Medium Recovery Vehicle for the Australian Army. 11/1999 --> Its first tour of duty for the Army was planned to be with InterFET in East Timor. late 1999 -->

The first of 55 Medium Recovery Vehicles (MRV) was recently handed over to "Brigadier Pat McIntosh CSC, Commander of the Brisbane based 7th Brigade". The Army has purchased "almost 2000 [...] Unimog U1700L four wheel drive trucks" since 1981.

The Unimog's engine and transmission both sport an impressive number of power take off (PTO) belts and drives for ancilliary equipment. Becoming a recovery vehicle, this truck will eventually have more winch power than you can poke a stick at.

The recovery equipment "is fitted to the MRVs by specialist Brisbane company, Evans Deakin Engineering Pty Ltd. Each unit is equipped with two rear-mounted 8-tonne winches, an hydraulic underlift recovery system and a Palfinger crane."
- 4wd.sofcom.com/4WD.html

The view of the Unimog's front suspension clearly shows the live axle and coil-spring suspension. Note the portal axle, i.e. the axle tube is much higher than the centre line of the wheels, thanks to the hub-reduction gears, which allows huge ground clearance. Water to 1200mm can be forded without special preparation. A central tyre inflation system improves cross country ability on soft ground.
- 4wd.sofcom.com/4WD.html

At the back, both rear axles are driven to give full 6x6 traction. Drive for axle #3 comes from axle #2 by a short prop' shaft, the power divider being lockable. All axles also have differential locks. The gearbox has eight forward and eight reverse gears, with a splitter and a two-speed transfer case which make for a total of 32 ratios in both directions of travel.

It is impossible to make such a big truck completely rigid and the Unimog's chassis can flex by several degrees, so steps are taken to distribute stresses where cross-members meet the chassis rails. In addition, the mounts for rear bodywork (not yet fitted) are flexible.

Mercedes-Benz Unimog 2450L 6x6 Medium Recovery Vehicle 1999

Forward-control truck, 3 seats
loa: 7580mm, width: 2500mm, height: 2800mm (cab), weight: 13,500kg (unladen)
payload: 4,500kg, GVM: 18,000kg, towing: 12,000kg (braked)
wheelbase: 3900mm (1-2) and 5300mm (1-3), track: 1870mm, grnd clearance: 495mm
approach: 47 degrees, departure: 49
turning radius: 9.25m
Type OM 366 LA, 5958cc, diesel, 6-cyls, turbo-charged intercooled, 2v/cyl ohv
power: 177kW at 2600rpm, torque: 760Nm at 1700rpm
transmission: 8x2 speed (in fwd & rev), 2-speed transfer case, part-time 6x6, diff' locks, portal axles with hub-reduction
suspension: live-coil/ live-coil, brakes: disc
tyres: 14.5R20, fuel-tank: 165L (220L optional)
2 x 8-tonne winches, hydraulic under-lift system & Palfinger crane

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