Universal utility truck Mercedes-Benz Unimog U1200

If we take Germany or Austria as an example, then machines of the Unimog line are very common here. They can be found in a variety of roles: as equipment for road workers, foresters, builders or farmers. And, of course, these users have the humble truck performing all their daily tasks.


In the markets of other European countries, these cars have not yet become so widespread. Although there are some cases when Unimog acts as road or agricultural equipment. One of these trucks even appeared as the workhorse of the protagonist of the Russian comedy “Hello, Fools!”


Of course, it looks quite unusual to our eyes. After all, many believe that vehicles with a three-pointed star on the hood are powerful and durable heavyweights, tractors in the hands of experienced truck drivers. Or, as a last resort, delivery equipment with a spacious booth behind the cab.

Small utility truck

Against the background of all this, it is very surprising to see such an almost toy vehicle with modest parameters and a rather short wheelbase. The first impression is that this is some kind of joke or an alien from the parallel world of Mercedes-Benz. In this article, we will try to touch a little on the entire line of small trucks, focusing on one of its most popular models.



For decades now, the Mercedes-Benz Unimog has been used by the German emergency response agency Technisches Hilfswerk (THW, literally: “Technical Assistance Organization”). They have found their application in other areas, as general purpose vehicles, including:

✅ in fire services
✅ from utility companies of many local municipalities
✅ from rural farmers

When emergency situations suddenly arise, equipment from a German manufacturer (primarily due to the short wheelbase) finds the widest application. They are able to work in off-road, flood or heavily polluted conditions. Trouble-free trucks help service workers gain access to the most remote and difficult areas. Unimog is often used in other areas and activities:

✅ as loading and unloading transport
✅ sources of additional energy (generators)
✅ sites for various types of equipment

In winter, transport is also not laid up. Snowy times make the Mercedes-Benz Unimog worthy competitors of the legendary Multicars. After all, just like the latter, German compact trucks are capable of carrying out such actions as clearing snow in places inaccessible to other types of transport.


As an example, we can mention the municipalities of most Alpine cities and regions. The narrow mountain roads available here in winter are subject only to German maneuverable equipment, acting as snowplows based on Unimog.

Mercedes-Benz Unimog on construction sites and in other industries

They have become indispensable assistants on all kinds of construction sites. Here they are often used as special vehicles transporting various types of compact equipment. There are also versions with an optional extended cabin and an increased number of seats. Such vehicles are used to transport or transport small construction crews to ongoing projects. In fact, the application options for Mercedes-Benz Unimog trucks in this area are very wide:

✅ excavators
✅ front loaders
✅ other contract equipment

Other popular areas of application for German trucks include the railways and the mining industry. In the first case, they often have to change the plane for movement, literally standing on the rails. Here, Unimogs are used as wagon tractors or classic autorail special vehicles.

In quarries and mine workings, trucks with modest parameters have found their role in areas with limited space. They even crossed the ocean to do this, reaching mining operations in the Canadian Gold Bridge (British Columbia).


They can also tow heavy cargo trailers or large wheeled vehicles. In this role, they are sometimes deployed for the local movement of jet airliners. The station wagon has also reached the African continent. Here, its good cross-country ability made it possible to use the Mercedes-Benz Unimog in difficult jungles (the field of ecotourism) or spectacular safaris.

Agriculture as an important area of ​​application for the machine

Still, the most promising industry for the use of popular German trucks can be considered agriculture. Here they formed the most successful competition for the classic kings of this field - tractor technology. Mercedes-Benz Unimog can drive various agricultural machinery and transport many types of cargo:

✅ agricultural products
✅ technical elements
✅ animals

On local farms, these devices can also be found as product choppers, grain augers or mobile conveyors. This is how one Central European farmer was able to use the technology for various types of work in his field.

Example of practical experience

One example of the 1200 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U1987 originally belonged to a German construction company. It was used in conjunction with a rotating cleaning brush and a water tank to clean municipal roads.


Despite its venerable age, which exceeded three decades, the equipment was in very good condition. This was well facilitated by her activity profile, which excluded heavy types of work. As a further use, the farmer assumed universal use:

✅ work in the field
✅ mulching the meadow
✅ transportation of a tow truck with an excavator
✅ cleaning construction dirt
✅ delivery of gravel

The car has been able to successfully accomplish all this since the end of the last decade thanks to its excellent driving performance, cross-country ability and maneuverability. However, the main areas of focus were field work and fodder procurement. Separately, the owner appreciated the comfort in the cabin, good handling and mechanical interior equipment.


The latter fact is especially valuable in case of minor breakdowns while working in the field. In such an incident, a tow truck and other additional actions are not needed. All repairs can be done with a hammer, screwdriver and a set of keys. Of course, there is no air conditioning in the cabin, but it is well insulated from dust and external sounds. Here are other characteristics of universal equipment:

✅ 6-cylinder engine – Mercedes OM352A
✅ working volume - 5,7 l
✅ power - 125 liters. With
✅ 8-speed gearbox
✅ maximum speed - 70 km / h
✅ fuel consumption – 25-30 l/100 km

In general, the German manufacturer offers about a dozen models in this line. There are also more powerful options, for example, the 215-horsepower U437. But the Mercedes-Benz Unimog U1200 we are considering today can be purchased on the secondary market today at a price of about 20 thousand dollars.