Two-way
Unimog instead of the locomotive
At the port of Königs Wusterhausen, 28 companies and a 25-strong team ensure smooth operations every day. Managing director Michael Fiedler relies on modern technology: the new two-way Unimog U 423 with ZAGRO conversion is the heart of the operation. With its automatic track monitoring it provides safety and efficiency across the ten kilometres of track. In addition to handling scrap, grain and building materials, container handling plays a central role.
In the port of Königs Wusterhausen, a Unimog U 423 is shunting.
Large area, much more to it.
Business is booming. Last year, managing director Michael Fiedler (54) celebrated the operating company Lutra GmbH's best business year with his 25-strong team. "We handle everything that is delivered or taken away by inland vessel," says Michael Fiedler, "for example grain, scrap metal, waste wood for the nearby biomass power plant, and building materials." Two to three ships call daily.
But it’s not only ship cargo that is handled in the port; freight trains also have to be loaded and unloaded on schedule. Above all, container handling in the port is important. In this respect, Metrans is the leading operator in the port, a subsidiary of the Hamburger Hafengesellschaft. The container terminal alone covers 35,000 m2.
“We are proud to be the first to deploy ZAGRO's automatic track monitoring with a road-rail Unimog.”
A Unimog for many tasks.
To ensure the smooth handling of up to two trains a day, Lutra GmbH uses a characteristically yellow two-way Unimog U 423 with a ZAGRO conversion and EBO approval. This allows the Unimog to enter public rail traffic if required.
"We are very proud to be the first company to deploy ZAGRO's automatic track monitoring on a two-way Unimog," enthuses Managing Director Michael Fiedler. "The system detects people or other obstacles ahead and automatically applies the emergency brakes if a dangerous situation arises."
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Five men have been trained on the new vehicle, which can also be operated by radio remote control. The predecessor model, a Unimog U 1650 from 1998, was only recently moved to the sidings — into a well-deserved retirement. And because the Universal Motor Device also lives up to its name in the harbour, Michael Fiedler ordered the new Unimog U 423 complete with a Dücker sweeper brush and a Schmidt snowplough. "If we're not shunting, we keep our facility in good order with the Unimog."
Project implemented in collaboration with Unimog general distributor: Harald Bruhns GmbH
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