Unimog: outstanding characteristics in areas with safety implications.

A wide field of vision.

Legal requirements.
The field of vision describes the area the driver is able to see from the point where his line of sight meets the ground. The driver must be assured of an adequate field of vision under all operating circumstances and weather conditions. The statutory EU Directive 2008/2/EC specifies that there must be a full field of vision from 12 m.

Perfect view on working tools.
The driver must be able to identify hazards in good time, particularly in complex traffic situations. Every second counts when avoiding an accident. Which is why the Unimog cab has all-round windows giving the driver a panoramic view. The semi-forward control configuration gives the Unimog driver the best possible view of the equipment mounted on the front end. The VarioPilot transferable steering allows the steering wheel and all the pedals to be moved from the left to the right side in the shortest of times. Combined with the optionally available glass mowing door, the driver is assured of a clear view of the machinery when, for example, mowing the road verges. The three mirrors on both the driver's and front-passenger's side ensure good visibility to the rear. A wide-angle rear-view mirror closes the visibility gap between rear-view mirror and kerb-view mirror. In addition, up to three camera monitor systems reduce to an absolute minimum what are, in any case, the Unimog's very small blind spot areas. The driver no longer needs to be constantly turning his head to look behind him, something which can rapidly lead to driver fatigue. The integral window heater also ensures crystal-clear visibility even at low temperatures.

Stable driving performance.

Attached equipment items, external fittings and the load can all affect the vehicle's handling characteristics. Dynamic forces influence vehicle behaviour especially during braking and on bends.

The more evenly the load is distributed, the easier it is for the vehicle to maintain directional stability. The vehicle's design and its load are decisive factors in maintaining directional stability and thus for safety when carrying out road maintenance or street cleaning, especially when there is an increased risk of skidding, for example when the road surface is wet or covered in snow. The Unimog's well-distributed axle load maintains vehicle directional stability even on icy or wet road surfaces.

Controlled braking behaviour.

Whether the road surface is dry, wet or icy, being able to stop in a short distance under control is vital whenever emergency braking has to be applied. Steerability should always be a given on the widest possible range of surfaces. Because if you can steer while braking, you can still carry out an evading manoeuvre. Controlled braking increases the safety of everyone on the road.

The Unimog's excellent braking safety is achieved by a two-circuit service brake system with disc brakes on all four wheels. Thanks to four-channel ABS, the Unimog remains steerable and directionally stable during emergency braking and can be brought accurately to a halt. The automatic load-dependent brake (ALB) regulates both the braking power and the brake force distribution between the front and rear axles, depending on the load. The braking system also functions reliably in cold and damp weather, assisted by a hot air dryer. An ABS socket, available ex works, can also ensure safe trailer operation.

Easy snow chain fitting.

Road conditions can change at lightning speed in winter. Drivers of snow-clearing/gritting vehicles need to be able to react equally quickly even if they are working on their own. The ability to fit snow chains easily is important on both fresh and compacted snow.

The snow chains for the Unimog's four identical size wheels weigh just 30 kg each; they can be carried on board and easily fitted by one person. Automatic snow chains, conveniently selectable by the driver at the push of a button, are available as an optional extra. This allows the driver to stay on the safe side when clearing snow and able to continue working even under difficult conditions.

Excellent vibration protection.

Legal requirements.
Exposure to severe vibrations in the workplace quickly results in fatigue. In the long run, this will lead to a loss of concentration and increase the risk of an accident. Workplace safety legislation has, therefore, specified limits which must be adhered to.

The Unimog has a driver´s cabine with low vibration - with vibrations while moving or doing the winter service, that are far below permissible limits.
The reason for this are the full-suspension chassis, the driver´s cabine with 4-point-suspension and the air-suspenioned driver´s seat. This provides the driver even on dirt road a workplace with high comfort.

Rear impact safety.

Legal requirements.
The risk of rear-end collisions increases when vehicles engaged in grass-mowing, brush-cutting or road sweeping tasks are driving more slowly than other road users. This demands a special protection concept. The driver cabine, forexample, is certified on ECE R29/2.

Safe, manoeuvrable and fast.
The Unimog's ballast weight, its stable frame and the 2.4 m long platform body ensure a significant reduction in impact energy at the driver's station. It's a long way from the initial impact to the driver's seat where the three-point automatic seat belts and integral head restraints provide additional protection. Moreover, on roads and motorways, the Unimog can also exploit its full potential and adapt its speed to that of the traffic flow up to the maximum permissible speed for commercial vehicles. Even when the top headlights are switched on, its speed is not restricted to 30 km/h.