Euro 6 Unimog clears the way

A new Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz Unimog has cleared one of Europe's highest sealed mountain passes, shifting 3m-deep snow from the alpine road

Austria’s famous Grossglockner Pass was recently opened to traffic for the first time this year, after a Mercedes-Benz Unimog fitted with a new Euro 6 engine cleared the remaining snow from the 2504-metre-high ‘Hochtor’ (High Gate) on April 29.

It was a tough assignment for the Unimog U 427 and one that put its new 200kW (272hp) Euro 6 engine to the test, as not only did it have to propel the Unimog over the snowy and icy alpine pass, it also had to carry its Swiss-manufactured Zuagg SF 90-100 snow blower – a commercial snow blowing system that weighs 1.8 tonnes.

The blower features a hydrostatic drive system that allows it to operate at extremely low speeds – typically no more than 1km/h.

The new Euro 6 engine also allows the Unimog U 427 to operate while emitting an extremely low level of pollutants – around 90 per cent less pollutants and particulate matter than its Euro 5 predecessor, in fact.

The Unimog pushed on until it reached the Hochtor, the highest point of the pass, where it cleared the road of the remaining 3m-deep drifts of snow amid an intense blizzard.

At this time of year the banks of snow lining the picturesque 48km route are typically around 8m deep.

Now the major tourist road is clear, Mercedes-Benz says the Unimogs of the region can turn their attention to other tasks in the lead-up to the peak holiday season, such as mowing grass, cleaning roads, and trimming trees.

The Grossglockner Pass is one of Austria’s most popular attractions, with around 900,000 people expected to flock to the route this year. In order to open the road and prepare it for the influx of tourists, up to 700,000m³ of snow must be cleared from the road and its adjoining carparks each spring.

Euro 6 Unimog clears the way

Tags