Unimog U 5023 at RETTmobil 2023: Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks unveils innovative combination pumper for forest firefighting and disaster relief

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Leinfelden-Echterdingen/Fulda – Between May 10 and 12, 2023, Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks will be showcasing a highlight of innovative firefighting technology at RETTmobil in Fulda, the leading European trade fair for rescue and mobility: The TLF-W forest-fire combination pumper based on the Unimog U 5023, which will be on display at the F16 open-air stand, is equipped with a wide range of state-of-the-art specialist firefighting #equipment. By virtue of its technology, it is suitable for efficiently combating dangerous vegetation and forest fires. Its applications also include disaster relief, for example in floods and critical high water situations.

 The highly off-road capable and compact Unimog has been appreciated for many decades by fire departments worldwide as a go-to vehicle for hazardous forest fires in rough terrain, where the safety of firefighters should always have top priority. The all-wheel drive combination pumper to be exhibited at RETTmobil 2023 has been designed in accordance with DIN EN 1846 and is based on the AGBF/DFV expert forest-fire #truck recommendation “Waldbrand-TLF”. The first two vehicles of this new model will be used by the fire directorate in Stuttgart, the state capital of Baden-Württemberg. They are both based on chassis of the off-road capable Unimog model series. In its standard all-steel crew cab, a fire crew of four together with protective clothing and #equipment can be comfortably accommodated on four individual seats.

 The dimensions of the Unimog U 5023 TLF-W are very compact, with a length of 6950 mm, a wheelbase of 3850 mm and a total height of 3300 mm, including the body. Added to this, there are short overhangs and a very high ground clearance as well as angle of approach/departure. Thanks to the 1200 mm fording capability, crossing waters is just as easy as driving over fallen tree trunks and boulders on the way to deployment.

 With a range of special measures, the combination pumper at RETTmobil 2023 is outstandingly suitable for efficiently combating forest fires. It has a very low “Varus 4x4” body from renowned fire #truck specialists Schlingmann in stainless steel-aluminum composite #design with a very low center of gravity. The T-shaped water tank with a volume of 3200 liters has been integrated into the body. The roof of the body is approved for carrying up to ten individuals. For example, this means people people can be rescued and evacuated from the danger zone in flood operations.

 The fire truck-specific body is secured to the chassis with a three-point bearing. Together with the tried-and-tested Unimog portal axles and the low center of gravity of the body, this offers the greatest possible maneuverability and means that the Unimog U 5023 TLF-W can get to its deployment site as quickly and safely as possible – and of course it can leave just as quickly and safely as possible in case of imminent danger. A front spray bar and spray nozzles in front of all four wheels and on the branch deflector of the cab ensure the protection of the vehicle crew in forest fire deployment. In particularly critical situations, the team has an auto-protection system at their disposal, which is supplied with 230 liters of water from two separate safety tanks. At the front of the vehicle there is a 50 kN winch, which can also be used to recover the vehicle in an emergency.

 The firefighting extras of the combination pumper also include the high-tech pump-and-roll #equipment, which can be used for targeted combating of larger fires in densely forested areas while driving. Up to 2000 liters of water per minute can be delivered from two rectangular roof hatches accessible above the rear seats. This is done using two hollow spray lances and the manually operated water cannon on the vehicle's roof. The FPN 10–2000 centrifugal fire pump, which is installed at the rear of the Unimog U 5023 TLF-W, produces the required rated flow at a rated pressure of 10 bar. A 60-liter foam tank with an AutoMix 30 DE mixing system has been installed for an optional addition of foam.

 Special heat protection sheaths ensure additional operational safety. Two lateral #equipment compartments and an #equipment compartment in the rear area provide space for the necessary firefighting cargo. They can be flexibly supplemented with roof boxes and other storage units. The spotlamps at the front and rear, the surround lighting in the roof area and the special signaling system feature LED technology and ensure optimum visibility even in darkness or poor weather conditions.