Crane on a Unimog for the fire service

Mercedes-Benz Unimog U5023 with Palfinger PK12502 SH articulating loader crane. Photo: Mercedes-Benz Trucks

A new Mercedes-Benz Unimog 4x4 truck with a Palfinger loader crane and other kit gives a UK fire service the ability to handle incidents in remote locations.

Fire officers in Cornwall in the south west of the UK will use the new vehicle to respond to wildfires and flash floods, both of which have been increasing in frequency.

The Unimog carries Thunderbirds-style mission-specific ‘pods’ containing specialist equipment for certain tasks.

Contractor Emergency One (UK), in Scotland, designed the conversion. The Unimog has the maximum permissible gross weight of 14.5 tonnes. It is a U5023 variant with a 5.1 litre four cylinder diesel producing 170 kW.

Behind the cab sits the Palfinger PK12502 SH articulating crane used to lift the pods on and off the vehicle. The four pods are designated Wildfire Response, Flood Response, Line Rescue and Disaster Response.

As standard the Unimog has a water fording capability of 800 mm but the Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service opted to increase this to 1,200 mm.

The new Unimog and crane is for the Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service. Mercedes-Benz Trucks