Unimog 425
The Unimog 425 is the first series production heavy duty Unimog series, made by Daimler-Benz from 1975 to 1988 in the Mercedes-Benz Gaggenau plant, alongside the long-wheelbase model Unimog 435. It was first presented to the public on the 1974 DLG show in Frankfurt, then named Unimog U 120, indicating a power output of 120 PS (88.3 kW; 118.4 hp). However, series production models were equipped with 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) or 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) engines, and therefore called U 1300 and U 1500.[1] Daimler-Benz made three types of the Unimog 425, and a total number of 3135 were built, making the 425 much rarer compared to the longer wheelbase, but otherwise similar Unimog 435, of which more than 30,000 were built. The 425 was the first Unimog to feature the "edgy cab", which is still used in the Unimog today.[2]
| Unimog 425 | |
|---|---|
 425.121 | |
| Overview | |
| Type | Truck |
| Manufacturer | Daimler-Benz AG |
| Also called | U 1300 U 1500 T U 1500 |
| Production | 1975–1988 |
| Assembly | Mercedes-Benz-Werk Gaggenau |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Heavy duty tractor |
| Related | Unimog 435 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | OM 352 (diesel, 88–110 kW) |
| Transmission |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,810 mm (110 5⁄8 in) |
| Length | 4,870 mm (191 3⁄4 in) |
| Width | 2,300 mm (90 1⁄2 in) |
| Height | 2,685 mm (105 3⁄4 in) |
| Kerb weight | 5,940 kg (13,100 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | None |
| Successor | Unimog 427 |
Technical description
The Unimog 425 is a two-axle lorry with a downswept ladder frame and rear-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive can be manually enabled. Both axles are coil-sprung, live, portal axles, with panhard rods, torque tubes, and hydraulic shock absorbers. All four wheels have the same size; the braking system is a pneumatic, dual-circuit system with disc brakes on all wheels. A trailer braking system was available as a factory option. For powering (farm) implements, the 425 has two switchable (540 and 1000/min) PTO shafts, and a hydraulic rear three-point linkage. The steering is hydraulically power-assisted. Daimler-Benz offered only one engine, the turbocharged Mercedes-Benz OM 352 diesel engine.[3]
The torque is transmitted from the engine to the wheels through a dry single-disc clutch, and synchronised UG 3/40-8 gearbox. It has four gears and an additional planetary two-speed box, resulting in eight total gears. The gearbox shifts its gears pneumatically, and has a single gear leaver with a traditional H-shift pattern for all eight gears. When shifting from fourth into fifth, the main gearbox shifts from its fourth gear into its first gear, and the planetary gearbox shifts from its first into its second gear. There is no reverse gear on the UG 3/40–8 gearbox, instead, the Unimog 425 has an additional gearbox just for reversing. The reduction is only 1 : 1.03, meaning that, given a top speed of 85 km/h, the maximum reverse speed exceeds 80 km/h. Therefore, the planetary gearbox's second group can be locked to prevent drivers from reversing at very high speeds.[3]
Daimler-Benz offered another gearbox option for agricultural customers. The agricultural extra gearbox is a planetary gearbox with three gears, regular, field, and crawler, thus resulting in 2×4×3=24 gears. Unimog 425 with the agricultural gearbox option have a pneumatic dual-clutch transmission instead of the dry single-disc clutch.[3]
Unimog 425 types
| Type | Model name | Cab style | Wheelbase (mm or in) | Engine power (kW or hp) | Number built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 425.121[4] | U 1300 | Closed cab | 2,810 mm or 110 5⁄8 in | 88 kW or 118 hp/92 kW or 123 hp | 1063 |
| 425.131[5] | U 1500 T | OEM part (half Unimog without rear), closed cab | 110 kW or 150 hp | 282 | |
| 425.141[6] | U 1500 | Closed cab | 1790 |
Technical specifications
| U 1500 | |
|---|---|
| Production years | 1975–1988 |
| Mass | 5,940 kg (13,100 lb) |
| Length | 4,870 mm (191 3⁄4 in) |
| Width | 2,300 mm (90 9⁄16 in) |
| Height | 2,685 mm (105 11⁄16 in) |
| Wheelbase | 2,810 mm (110 5⁄8 in) |
| Track width | 1,840 mm (72 7⁄16 in) |
| Ground clearance | 500 mm (19 11⁄16 in) |
| Turning diameter | 13 m (42.65 ft) |
| Tyres | 16–70/24″ |
| Engine type | OM 352 |
| Engine layout | Water-cooled, straight-six, diesel engine |
| Injection system | Helix-controlled direct injection with inline injection pump |
| Displacement | 5,675 cm3 (5.675 L; 346.3 cu in) |
| Bore × Stroke | 97 mm × 128 mm (3.82 in × 5.04 in) |
| Compression ratio | 16 : 1 |
| Rated power (DIN 70020) | 110 kW (150 PS; 150 hp) at 2550 min−1 |
| Max. torque (DIN 70020) | 461 N⋅m (340 lbf⋅ft) at 1600 min−1 |
| Top speed | 85 km/h (53 mph)} |
| Source | [3] |
References
- Lutz Nellinger: Der Unimog: Arbeitstier und Kultmobil. Komet, Köln 2016, ISBN 978-3-86941-581-9. p. 21
- Daimler AG (ed.): Mercedes-Benz Public Archive – Baureihe 425. Retrieved 16 November 2019
- Oldtimer Traktor Number 11-12/2012
- Daimler AG (ed.): Mercedes-Benz Public Archive – Baumuster 425.121. Retrieved 16 November 2019
- Daimler AG (ed.): Mercedes-Benz Public Archive – Baumuster 425.131. Retrieved 16 November 2019
- Daimler AG (ed.): Mercedes-Benz Public Archive – Baumuster 425.141. Retrieved 16 November 2019
