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Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 20 Fights Forest Fires

The Unimog has proven to be the ideal vehicle both on and off the road and its reputation is now further strengthen by the Civilian Protection Authority in Luxembourg, who has started using the U 20 in firefighting operations. The firefighting tank vehicle will support the Unimog U 5000 which went into service in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in 2010.

Due to its compact dimensions and a turning circle that is similar to that of a car, the Unimog U 20 comes in handy when driving along narrow forest trails or turning and manoeuvring at very close quarters.

Off-road mobility is also among the vehicle’s key features, mostly thanks to the permanent four-wheel drive, portal axles securing high ground clearance, differential locks on both axles as well as a lockable longitudinal differential.

The water tank with enough capacity for 2000 litres of water is positioned directly behind the cab, and the technical firefighting equipment is fitted behind it. In addition, it has been equipped with special tires suitable for both on-road and off-road conditions.

The four cylinder in-line engine of the Unimog U 20 offer a total output of 150 hp. The transmission with its eight forward and six reverse gears is especially suitable for crawling at low speeds off-road as well as for "pump and roll" operations (extinguishing fires while driving). As an option, the Unimog U 20 is also available with a more powerful 177 hp engine.

The U 20 is also fitted with a compressed air foam system. It is capable of turning the 2,000 litres of water carried into a total of 14,000 litres of extinguishing agent. The system uses compressed air to add a foaming agent to the water to create seven bubbles of foam from one drop of water.
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