High-voltage work

The energy company manages the electricity grid in the British county of Yorkshire and in northern Lincolnshire. The area covers 8 million customers and 3.9 million households and businesses. "Our customers need us more than ever today and are aware of the important role we play in supply," says Alistair Walton, programme manager for overhead lines at Northern Powergrid. For this reason, the team works non-stop, 24 hours a day, 356 days a year. Just as relentlessly as the seven new extreme off-road-capable Unimog U 5023 that the company has brought in to provide support.

With its 5.1-litre four-cylinder engine rated at 170 kW (230 hp), the Unimog U 5023 is agile, especially off-road. "These vehicles are in use as part of our operations every day and are used by our overhead line installers to access wooden mast lines. These are often located in hard-to-reach places, but the fantastic off-road capability of the Unimog enables us to traverse even the most difficult terrain," enthuses Alistair Walton.

The trucks, into which Northern Powergrid has invested £1.75 million, were supplied by the specialist dealer South Cave Tractors in Brough, East Yorkshire. Northern Powergrid worked closely with colleagues at South Cave Tractors and Versalift to define the specifications – an unbeatable off-road team. As a result, the Unimogs have been perfectly tailored to their tasks and 'know' their way off the road. The all-round vehicle also features outstanding standard equipment.

The central tyre pressure control system TireControl plus is part of the standard equipment, allowing the driver to lower tyre pressure from the cabin. This not only increases traction but also protects the environment by causing less damage to the ground. The tyres can then be reinflated when on firm ground, which improves safety and fuel consumption at normal road speeds.

Even more traction is provided by the robust yet torsionally flexible frame in combination with the torque tube suspension system. Together they enable a high degree of axle articulation.

This keeps the Unimog U 5023's wheels on the ground – even under high tension.

"Its off-road capability is legendary. No less important, however, is the high reliability of the chassis and the work platforms – so we can use the Unimog at any time of day or night and in any weather." Justin Bower, Commercial Manager at Vehicle Lease & Service, says about the highly off-road-capable Unimog. Northern Powergrid's sister company rents the vehicles to the electricity provider.

In order for the Unimogs to reliably perform their line engineering work, they are equipped with hydraulic elevating work platforms from Versalift. Northern Powergrid teams use them for the repair and replacement of power lines. Across the network, the overhead lines, carrying between 240 and 66,000 V, are held up by wooden masts.

Thanks to the elevating work platforms' maximum reach of 20 m, they are easy to reach – an electrifying task at high altitude. "This is a big improvement compared with the 15 m of range we could manage with the former vehicles," says Alistair Walton proudly.

In addition to its impressive maximum height, the Versalift LT-56-NE offers a telescopic boom with a reach of 9 m. This allows technicians to overcome obstacles when accessing the overhead lines. Each elevating work platform features a basket that can carry up to 230 kg and is large enough to accommodate two technicians.

“When considering the equipment, we also asked our teams for their opinion,” says Alistair Walton. “The result is extras such as heated lockers and additional work lights, which are a great help when the team is called out to our customers at night or in difficult weather conditions to restore the power supply.” Northern Powergrid and the Unimog: a relentless team.

“The acquisition of the seven Unimogs was a significant investment for us,” summarizes programme manager Alistair Walton. “With the trucks, we can be there for our customers and ensure that our teams work safely, quickly and efficiently. All in an effort to maintain the power supply and respond to any electrical emergencies.”

Thanks to their highly off-road-capable Unimogs, the Northern Powergrid team thwarts every blackout.