Mercedes-Benz Unimog U530s Take On Overhead Line Duty For UK Power Networks
UK Power Networks operates an electricity grid serving 8.3 million properties across the East and South-East of England, including London, East Anglia, and the South Coast. In order for its “hot glove” teams to continue maintaining its overhead power lines, the company has commissioned six new Mercedes-Benz Unimog U530 bucket trucks with full-time four-wheel drive, ample ground clearance, and portal axles with differential locks for traction.
“Many of these are in remote and difficult-to-access locations but the Unimog’s fantastic off-road capability allows us to go anywhere, at any time, in all conditions,” says UK Power Networks Transport Operations Manager Cliff Allender. “With its unique set of capabilities, the Mercedes-Benz Unimog is really the only viable choice for such a demanding application.”
Repeat Customers
Dealer Arthur Ibbett of St Neots, Cambridgeshire, fulfilled the order for the new bucket trucks, which have replaced older Unimogs which provided 15 years of dependable service. “Its performance on both rough ground and road, reliability, and cost-effectiveness have been well-proven over the last 15 years,” says Allender. “The new vehicles combine all of the attributes of our previous examples, with a specification that incorporates a number of refinements and makes them even better-suited to the role.”
The Unimogs are equipped with electrically insulated Versalift hydraulic lift arms and two-person buckets instead of UK Power Networks’ previous one-person equipment. The lifts have an enormous capacity of 455 kilograms (1,003 pounds) and a working height of up to 14.85 metres (48.7 feet) to allow technicians to repair and replace power lines carrying up to 46,000 volts.
The new trucks are fitted with secure lockers, some with heaters, and a 1,000-watt invertor to power additional working lights and beacons. “The extra lights and heated lockers that we included after consulting with our crews will be a great help if they are called out at night or in severe weather,” Allender says.
The Unimog U530
Mercedes’ all-wheel-drive Unimog celebrates its the 75th anniversary this year. The 4x4 vehicle has single rear wheels and gross weights of 7.5 to 16.5 tonnes (8.26 to 18.2 U.S. tons). It comes in UGE implement carrier (like the U530) and UHE extreme off-road variants.
The U530s ordered by UK Power Networks are shod with Michelin 495/70 R24 tyres, the largest agricultural tyres allowable, as well as an optional Central Tyre Inflation system. CTI lets the driver partially deflate the tyres from inside the cab to increase the size of their contact patch with the terrain. This not only improves traction but also minimises damage to soft ground.
The Unimog U530 has a 7.7-litre, in-line six-cylinder engine capable of producing 299 horsepower (220 kilowatts) and 1,200 newton-metres (885 pounds-foot) of torque. The vehicle has a top on-road speed of 90 km/h (56 mph).
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Source: Mercedes-Benz