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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.

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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

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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

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