Unimog U400 fast tracked to Australia

The road/railer, delivered by Unimog Sales Australia/New Zealand to Sydney-based freight operator Cavanagh Cranes & Transport, is a special member of the heavy-duty cross-country Unimog family. It has a unique ability to transform at the flick of a switch, from a conventional on- and off-road vehicle, to a railway-based maintenance unit.
It provides fast and independent access to work sites, in both comfort and full weather protection and improves work-place safety by reducing unnecessary handling of equipment. As well as offering plenty of tractive power, its function-specific design avoids railway track damage, a problem often associated with road-only vehicles.
Cavanagh’s Unimog is fitted with an aerial work platform specifically designed for overhead rail line maintenance, a feature designed by LH Access. It has a hydrostatic drive which allows maintenance staff positioned in the aerial basket to move the vehicle forwards and backwards along railway lines.  Other technical highlights include:

• A work platform with a working height of 10m and an outreach of 6.5m;
• A work platform that can rotate 360;
• Cut-slots in the basket for cable inspection;
• Fixed mechanical slew-locking to allow adjacent operation to rail lines open to traffic; and
• A boom system that can work through its full range on rail without the use of stabilisers.

Putting the U400 to work in his business was an easy decision for Sam Cavanagh, owner of Cavanagh Cranes and Transport.
“By adding the U400 to our fleet, we are able to provide the perfect solution for our rail clients. The versatility of the vehicle, which works efficiently on road and rail, sets us apart from our competitors,” he said.
Unimog Sales Australia MD Grant Andrews, said the sale was another opportunity to showcase Unimog’s effectiveness in challenging local applications.
“It is streets ahead when it comes to working in tough terrain; it’s widely regarded as the best solution when a tough and versatile vehicle is needed, especially when it has to operate both on- and off-road and, in this case, on railway tracks.
Andrews added: “Unimog sales are increasing as more clients demand greater versatility, efficiency and reliability from their vehicles, without increasing their whole-of-life costs. This is where the Unimog comes into its own: the model range offers customers unique technical solutions specific to their needs.
“By having standard-fitment features such as PTO systems and integrated vehicle hydraulics, customers avoid the need to retro-fit such features and therefore avoid the financial and reliability costs retro-fitment often brings.”