The XS 144 Hi Pro has a reach of up to 13m and, as well as the poles, is used to lift and transport transformers that can range in weight from about 200Kg to 750Kg. The trucks are fitted with star shaped stabilisers, suitable for the off-road conditions in which they will be used. The crane and stabilisers are powered via a power take-off point from the Unimog U5000’s 218bhp diesel engine. After taking into account the weight of the crane, the Unimog U5000s each have an additional payload capacity of some 2.5t: more than enough for poles and the wide range of additional equipment that the overhead line maintenance teams require, Unimog says.
Mark Hopkins, director of Unimog UK, says, “The Mercedes-Benz central tyre inflation system, where tyres can be deflated and inflated from within the cab, not only provides extra traction on difficult ground, but by spreading the ‘footprint’ of the Unimog, ground damage is considerably lessened.”
United Utilities transport manager Graham Davies says, “There is simply no alternative. Unimogs play a key role in the transport fleet. We may have to go out at midnight in the worst possible weather conditions, and the driver and crew are confident that they can get to the site, complete the job and get back safely. That is because of the Unimog’s off road ability and power. Without the Unimog we would have had to employ at least three other vehicles for any off road jobs.
“Ten years ago when farmers first saw the Unimog as an electricity supply maintenance vehicle they thought we would be doing a lot of damage to their land, but now they all know how the tyre inflation system works and they welcome the Unimogs onto their fields. This saves us up to potentially £2,000 a time in compensation and allows the landowner or farmer to maximise profit from the land.”
Three more Mercedes-Benz Unimog U3000s are on order and these will be fitted with non-insulated booms for overhead line maintenance operations. The new vehicles join a fleet of older Unimogs, some of which have been working for 11 years: the Unimog U2150 with insulated platform for live line work is one of the oldest members of the fleet and it is still operating efficiently and effectively.
The Unimog U5000 has a wheelbase of 3,850mm and is powered by Mercedes-Benz four-cylinder diesel engine generating 218Bhp, and Telligent gear shift. The U3000s have a wheelbase of 3,250mm and the engine generates 156Bhp. They will be fitted with Versalift Eurotel ET36NF access platforms with a maximum working height of the two-man bucket of 13.2 metres and outreach of 7.3 metres.
