- Daimler Truck is presenting three municipal vehicles from Mercedes-Benz Trucks in Hall C6/Stand 451
- Experience the new UNI-TOUCH operating system on the Unimog U 430 implement carrier
- Exhibiting the battery-electric eActros 400 with hooklift plus winter equipment and snowplow
- All-electric eEconic as chassis for municipal work provides insight into drive’s architecture
- All three vehicles have enhanced safety functions from the General Safety Regulation (GSR)
- Franziska Cusumano, Head of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks: “At IFAT, we will be presenting our Unimog implement carrier with the UNI-TOUCH operating system and new safety assistance systems for the first time. This means that, our customers will be performing their jobs on the road, railroad, in the field, or off-road with even more comfort and safety.”
- Christian Wilz, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Sales and Services Germany: “At this year’s IFAT, we are focused on integrating battery-electric vehicles into municipal applications. We have two vehicles at our stand, the eActros 400 and the eEconic, which offer a number of versatile options, with suitable attachments and bodies. From waste disposal to snow removal and grit spreading, in dense inner-city traffic, in cold and slippery conditions – our electric trucks are ready to go.”
Leinfelden-Echterdingen / Munich – From May 13th to 17th, 2024, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will showcase various trucks for municipal work at IFAT, the world’s leading trade fair for water, wastewater, waste, and raw materials management. At Stand 451 in Hall C6, this manufacturer will be showcasing a Unimog implement carrier with the new UNI-TOUCH operating system alongside two battery-electric trucks: an eActros 400 with Meiller hooklift, winter equipment and snowplow from Bucher Municipal, and an eEconic for municipal work.
In front of Hall C6, an Arocs 6×4/4 with steered trailing axle will be on display, equipped with a dumper and crane. Other battery-electric vehicles, such as an eEconic for use as a waste collection vehicle and an eActros as a dumper system, can be experienced with live demos in the outdoor area.
Franziska Cusumano, Head of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks: “At IFAT, we will be presenting our Unimog implement carrier with the UNI-TOUCH operating system and new safety assistance systems for the first time. This means that, our customers will be performing their jobs on the road, railroad, in the field, or off-road with even more comfort and safety.”
Christian Wilz, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Sales and Services Germany: “At this year’s IFAT, we are focused on integrating battery-electric vehicles into municipal applications. We have two vehicles at our stand, the eActros 400 and the eEconic, which offer a number of versatile options, with suitable attachments and bodies. From waste disposal to snow removal and grit spreading, in dense inner-city traffic, in cold and slippery conditions – our electric trucks are ready to go.”
Unimog implement carrier with GSR, UNI-TOUCH and three implements
For the first time, Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks is showcasing a Unimog implement carrier that meets the requirements of EU vehicle safety legislation (EU Regulation 2019/2144 General Safety Regulation II, or ‘GSR’) that comes into force in July 2024. This implement carrier therefore provides more assistance to drivers and more safety for all road users. The new GSR now includes Sideguard Assist, Frontguard Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, a reversing camera and a tire pressure loss warning system as standard.
Almost all of the implements available for the Unimog can now be controlled from the new UNI-TOUCH operating system. The new operating system can replace onboard computer control panels, making operation more ergonomic and intuitive. The center console has been completely revamped and has a leaner design. It can now be moved sideways as well as forward and back. In addition, effort was made to reduce the number of controls in order to save space. The driver can now assign buttons individually as well as save profiles and recurring processes. A 10.5 inch (26 cm) touchscreen allows the user to configure the settings for the job at hand. The screen can be rotated and tilted in order to set the viewing angle as needed.
The optional multifunction joystick has assignable controls and can be plugged into the interface on the driver’s seat or front passenger seat. This means that the user can always operate the joystick with their right hand while resting their arm on the armrest. At the same time, the joystick moves automatically with the suspension seat so that the driver can work ergonomically.
Other elements of the new operating system are the start/stop button, which replaces the classic ignition key of the implement carrier, and the new control panels on the driver’s door, front passenger door, and optional mowing door.
The implement carrier on display is equipped with a combination mower/cutter at the front of the vehicle and a gritter. The MFK 500 front mower from Mulag has a reach of six meters (seven meters with telescopic shift rod) and can be used on both sides. Drive is provided either via the on-board power hydraulics or front power take-off shaft. The FSG 2000 free zone cutter from Mulag can be used to trim branches and shrubs as well as to clear roads and railroad tracks. This implement can be mounted on the front mounting plate of the Unimog with little effort.
The mounted spreader, Bucher Municipal’s Yeti W22 Omega, features an additional tank for salt brine, which is integrated into the spreader tank between the two screw conveyors. The spreader thus offers the same volume for dry matter (road salt) and salt brine: 2.2 m³ or 2,200 liters. This makes it possible to apply wet salt with a brine content of 50% (FS 50). The increased brine content makes de-icing work more efficient and environmentally-friendly by extending the wet salt’s effective time and reducing its drift. If necessary, the customer can also use this technology to apply pure brine (FS 100). For summer work, the additional tank can serve as a water dispenser for watering and cleaning. Another advantage of the Yeti Omega series is its low overall height thanks to the innovative double screw technology, which ensures a low center of gravity and excellent all-round visibility.
Electric trucks for municipal use
For the first time at IFAT, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is presenting the Mercedes-Benz eActros 400 for use as a winter service vehicle with Meiller hooklifts and Bucher Municipal winter equipment. The Polyx L series snowplow comes with the patented neoprene blade as standard, which clears roads gently and with little noise, and provides improved snow ejection. The snowplow is connected to the vehicle by a novel front mounting plate. The front mounting plate, which was previously firmly connected to the chassis, now remains on the snow plow, thereby allowing unrestricted use of the sensors for the GSR requirements. In addition, there is a significant weight saving when used outside of winter service. The Icebear VP350e FS 30 electric and self-sufficient spreader has five cubic meters of dry matter and 2150 liters of brine.
The batteries on the eEconic 400 comprise three battery packs, each with an installed capacity of 112 kWh[1] and a usable capacity of around 97 kWh[2]. With four battery packs, the eActros 400 boasts a range of up to 400 kilometers[3] depending on the application. The technological centerpiece of this electric truck is the drive unit – an electric rigid axle with two integrated electric motors and a two-speed transmission. Both liquid-cooled motors generate a continuous output of 330 kW as well as a peak output of 400 kW.
At our stand, interested individuals will also find the all-electric Mercedes-Benz eEconic 300 on display with a 6×2 axle configuration as a chassis. The basic vehicle is characterized by a particularly low curb weight in comparison to other companies. Without a body, visitors can take a better look at the vehicle’s drive architecture. The eEconic is predominantly used as a waste collection vehicle in inner-city and municipal work, where it can put its improved payload to good use. Bodybuilders can view the eEconic for use as a waste collection vehicle in the ‘Mitte’ open-air area, Zöller (stand 710/5), FAUN (stand 712/5) and Terberg HS (stand 713/15).
Mercedes-Benz truck in action outdoors
In front of the hall is the Mercedes-Benz Arocs 2748 with GSR, designed for stability and durability. This vehicle, which has so far been mainly used in construction, will be presented at IFAT with the 6×4/4 axle configuration. The vehicle has permanent front wheel drive and a steered trailing axle. The winter equipment comes from Küpper-Weiser, the dump truck body from Meiller, and the crane from Palfinger.
At the outdoor area of the Association for Work Machinery and Municipal Technology in Germany (VAK e.V.), Mercedes-Benz Trucks is presenting an eEconic 300 with a body from Zöller at the live “Truck in Action” demo. The vehicle has been operated by customers for over a year, and experts will be sharing their experiences and consumption values. The eEconic will be accompanied by an eActros 300 with Meiller hooklift and trailer. The tractor/trailer combination can handle two containers with a total volume of 96 m3, which are loaded and unloaded fully electrically.
Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks will also be presenting an eEconic from the truck factory’s logistics center in Wörth am Rhein. This vehicle will also serve as the platform for the VAK panel discussion.