Agriculture, forestry & landscaping
For uprooting trees.
Good news: If you want to feel like you could uproot trees, you don't necessarily have to sweat it out at the gym. Entrepreneur Adam Watmough from Leicestershire in England takes a different approach. With a brand-new Unimog U 535. At the wheel of the most powerful implement carrier in the series, he uproots, cuts up and transports trees for his forestry business Watmough's Forestry.
Solutions for forestry: Mercedes-Benz Unimog
"The most expensive tyre I’ve ever bought."
Just in time for the company's 21st anniversary, the Unimog arrived at Watmough's Forestry in Melton Mowbray in England, near Leicester. That wasn't planned at all.
Adam Watmough had actually only gone to his trusted Unimog dealer, Arthur Ibbett, to pick up a spare tyre. Instead he ended up buying a new Unimog implement carrier U 535. "That was the most expensive tyre I've ever bought," he laughs. But he had no doubts. He confirmed the order the very next day. Such a purchase without much planning? A great vote of confidence.
In his region, Adam Watmough is known as the "tree surgeon." He originally wanted to buy a used Unimog and have it repainted so that it shone in his company's colour. But then he heard about the well-known Mercedes-Benz tourmaline green, a shade almost identical to the established Watmough green. So he moved from a used vehicle to a new one.
"The investment in a second Unimog made sense for me because the demand from commercial, utility and private customers was so great and we are looking forward to another busy year," explains Adam Watmough. "With the two vehicles we save the costs of renting additional equipment."
"And I saved a lot of money because I didn't have to have a used vehicle repainted," adds the entrepreneur. "In addition, I was able to tailor the specification exactly to my work and benefit from the three-year manufacturer's warranty. That reassures me." A selling point for peace of mind. A selling point for the soul: "I have to admit that I'm a little addicted to shiny new toys," he admits with a smile.
“I was able to tailor the specification precisely to my work.”
New addition to the family.
Adam Watmough already had experience with the power and reliability of the Unimog when, nine years ago, he bought his first used example, an extreme off-road Unimog U 2150. "I've always bought my spare parts from Arthur Ibbett because he's not far from me and offers fantastic service," he says.
Strong as a tree.
The implement carrier U 535 is a real powerhouse: equipped with a 7.7-liter inline six-cylinder Euro VIe engine that delivers 260 kW (354 hp) and a maximum torque of 1,380 Nm, it is the most powerful truck in the series. The engine is paired with the automated transmission EAS, which has been specially tuned for the more powerful engine.
The reinforced UG 130 transmission was developed specifically for the 354-hp engine – including shift software tailored to it. It offers improved shift coordination and clutch control, which in turn enables faster gear changes. This results in a smoother driving experience and greater fuel efficiency. And the Unimog thus puts all its power to work on the road. A power that can literally uproot trees.
That suits Adam Watmough well: he often has to transport heavy tree trunks. He can also rely on his Unimog when it comes to permissible gross vehicle weight. With up to 12.7 t it handles even particularly heavy loads.
Away from the forest, the Unimog is as nimble as a weasel: With a top speed of up to 90 km/h you are fast and economical on country roads and motorways. "The Unimog is much more economical than a conventional tractor when we're on the road," says Adam Watmough.
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Forestry comfort.
An additional plus is the electrohydraulic comfort steering, which makes it easier for the driver to turn the steering wheel at low speeds or when stationary. This is especially helpful when the vehicle is fitted with large-volume tires or heavy front-mounted implements.
The new Unimog is also comfortable in terms of equipment and driving experience. Compared with the established Unimog U 2150, Adam Watmough's U 535 comes with air conditioning, seat heating, electric windows and electrically adjustable exterior mirrors.
Perfectly equipped.
Everything you normally need for forestry work is already included with the Unimog U 535. A front PTO and a hydraulic package are on board, as well as a three-way tipping body – to which bodybuilder Hutton Coachbuilders has fitted a wood chip box with side‑hinged rear doors.
The Unimog also features a lockable toolbox at the front and a hydraulic trailer hitch for agricultural use. Arthur Ibbett installed it to enable pulling a wood chipper or a second wood chip trailer.
Kids on tour.
Back to sweating: here's a little anecdote from Adam Watmough that fits. He has passed his enthusiasm for the Unimog on to his children. When he drives his two youngest to school in it, the Mercedes-Benz all-rounder attracts a lot of attention. "The Unimog attracts a lot of interest when I pull up with the flashing warning lights. It towers above the other parents' cars," Adam Watmough says. Because hardly anyone can match it. "I give a quick blast on the horn and the children's faces light up." A top position — without much effort.
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