Is a Unimog Viable as a Farm Vehicle / Tractor in the US?
The Mercedes Benz Unimog is hands-down one of my all-time favorite vehicles. It is a completely utilitarian, bare-bones, no-thrills truck that is more than just a truck. It is also a kind of tractor fitted with a power take-off (PTO) that all of you farm kids and rednecks are familiar with. But it can also be used for, well, just about anything. They started out life as a military truck, but quickly gained notoriety in the civilian world for their its bulletproof design and reputation for extreme off-road prowess (it is used in farm fields after all).
But can you even make a Unimog street legal in the United States? And if you can, how do you register it, title it, and drive it legally?
What Is A Mercedes Unimog?
The Mercedes-Benz Unimog is a highly versatile vehicle used for various purposes, including agriculture. It is known for its off-road capabilities and its ability to tow heavy loads. The Unimog is also equipped with a power take-off (PTO), which allows it to power farm equipment.
Mick from Northamptonshire, England, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Mog was originally designed for military use, but it has since been adapted for civilian use. The Unimog is available in a variety of configurations, including a two-axle model and a four-axle model.
The Unimog is a capable vehicle but very expensive vehicle. But since the Unimog wasn’t sold in the U.S. in high numbers, it is unclear whether the Unimog is a viable option for a modern American farm. The cost of the Unimog may be prohibitive for some farmers, and the Unimog may not be necessary for all farming operations.
The Unimog is classified as a truck in the United States and must be registered and insured as a truck, so the Unimog can also be used off-road but must be equipped with the proper safety equipment.
Where Is The Unimog Made?
Unimogs, or “UNIversal-MOtor-Gerät," are all made in Germany. Specifically, Wörth am Rhein in Germany. This is just since 2002, and it doesn’t exactly tell the whole story, either. Unimogs have primarily been manufactured in Germany, but they have also been manufactured under license in other areas of the wor
I personally say that these don’t count since they are being created on license to the exact same specs as the Mogs coming out of Germany.
Okay, So What Makes The Mog So Special?
Well, there are a lot of things that make the Mog super special. First and foremost, though, understand that there are many models of Unimog. It is a production line of vehicles, with some much more trucks than tractors. The basic guts are pretty much similar, but there are some models that are made for agricultural work.
Technically still a Mog…and a total badass
It’s A Truck…And A Tractor
Okay, so some models are definitely more truck and are, in fact, used as prime movers for all kinds of different industries. But in this case, we’re taking a look at it as a farm vehicle.
Okay, so first, let’s talk about some important differences between European farming and North American farming (Canada has enormous farming operations). If you have ever visited Western Europe, you already know how much smaller it is than North America. If you haven’t been there, you should go; it’s beautiful, you’ll love it.
Corporate farms in America are massive, often spanning thousands of acres. You know this is true if you ever drive past a farm equipment dealership and peep the size of the equipment and implements. Absolutely massive.
The equipment we use here not only isn’t necessary in most of Europe, but it wouldn’t even fit. The farms in Europe are much smaller, and the roads are much smaller. Gigantic machines running on dual- and triple-wheels don’t even fit on the roads in Europe, so farmers need machines that can pull more than one duty and fit on their cramped roads.
Power Take-Off
What makes the Unimog so unique is that it really is both tractor and truck all rolled into one machine. True, it does not have quite the same low-end pulling power of a tractor, but tractors also can’t comfortably do 60 km/h, either.
Unimogs are very much a tractor in that the agriculture models are equipped with 3-point hitches (standard on every tractor since around the 1950s) and standard power take-off (PTO). The PTO is what makes this truck a completely unique vehicle. Not so much that it wasn’t attempted but more that it is the only one that has stood the test of time.
If you haven’t grown up around the farm, let’s talk about what the PTO is and how it does it.
The Power Take-Off (PTO) on a tractor is a mechanical system that allows power from the tractor's engine to be transmitted to various implements or attachments. These implements can include things like mowers, balers, augers, and other machinery used in agriculture or industrial settings. The PTO is a crucial feature that enhances the versatility of tractors, enabling them to perform a wide range of tasks beyond simple transportation.
Here's how a PTO on a tractor typically works:
1. Location: The PTO is usually located at the rear of the tractor, although some tractors may also have a front-mounted PTO. It consists of a shaft extending from the tractor's engine, and power is taken off a transfer case or similar gearbox. It is always taken from a transfer case when PTOs are used on trucks.
2. Connection: Implements and attachments are equipped with a PTO driveline connection. This connection typically consists of a rotating shaft with splines that match those on the tractor's PTO shaft.
3. Engagement: To transfer power to an attachment, the tractor operator engages the PTO. This is often done through a lever or switch in the tractor's cab. When engaged, power from the tractor's engine is transferred to the PTO shaft.
4. Rotational Speed: PTOs usually operate at a standard rotational speed, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). Common PTO speeds are 540 RPM and 1000 RPM, although variations exist. The choice of speed depends on the specific implement being used.
5. Implement Operation: The rotating PTO shaft transfers power to the connected implement, causing it to operate. For example, in the case of a mower, the PTO powers the blades, and for a baler, it drives the mechanism for compressing and tying bales.
6. Disengagement: Once the task is completed or during transport, the operator disengages the PTO. This stops the power transfer, ensuring safety and preventing unnecessary wear on the PTO components.
Farm Equipment Attachment
Okay, so here’s the really rad thing: the Mog has a PTO (we already talked about that, of course), and a 3-point hitch, along with a standard drawbar. This means that a Mog can operate just about any farm implement that is within its performance parameters (drawbar or PTO horsepower).
This is particularly useful for moving implements between fields when they are geographically separated. Granted, we see it all the time here in the States using standard tractors, but the Mog provides so much flexibility. You get the utility of a tractor (even with a loader or dozer blade in some cases) with the usefulness of a flatbed truck.
Did Mercedes Ever Import The Mog?
Why, yes, they did. Sadly, though, they didn’t make much of a splash in the North American market. According to Wikipedia, after five years of intense sales tactics, Daimler had only sold 184 units in North America. With these dismal numbers, they pulled the plug on the program. Odds are high that any Unimogs you find for sale were individually imported.
The Freightliner Unimog
The Freightliner Unimog 419 (FLU419) is, to put it mildly, arguably the most unusual combat vehicle the army has used in a long time. A medium-duty four-wheel drive truck that has been customized with a front-end loader akin to a tractor or skid-steer and a backhoe on the back is truly unique.
Furthermore, the backhoe component folds over and tucks completely onto the rear of the vehicle to make it easier to maneuver while driving.
Additionally, the truck features a few hydraulic ports that can be utilized to install some of the raddest devices ever. The hydraulic chainsaw is the one I like best. They did, in fact, make one. You attach it to the Unimog's hydraulic port and cut whatever you want. As long as the truck is operating, you won't experience power outages because it never has to be recharged. Amazing.
That feature makes a lot of sense for the military, and the army's engineering units were given the FLU419 anyhow. Speaking for the uninitiated now: the Engineering branch is not the Corps of Engineers. It is an army division dedicated to quickly creating and restoring airfields, roads, and bridges that can be quickly deployed and a bunch of other stuff. Very cool things. It's not a group of stuffy dweebs reading schematics behind desks.
The Million Dollar Question: Are Unimogs Useful On A Modern American Farm?
Well, a Unimog would probably be a great addition to any American farming operation if they decided to invest in one or could find one privately imported. However, with so few on the road, it’s unlikely that corporate farms would want to bother with finding one, and small family farms can’t afford one if they do.
Since there are no successful imports of the Mog, it probably won’t really ever take off. However, quite a few FLU419s are still in the pipeline to be sold as military surplus. I cannot think of a single solitary reason why any small farm wouldn’t want a FLU419 around the acreage. Hell, I can’t think of any reason why anyone wouldn’t want one.
Joost J. Bakker from IJmuiden, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Do You Tag A Mog Like A Truck, Or Is It Off-Road Only?
Okay, so here’s the deal: it depends on how you acquired the vehicle. Has it already been imported and successfully titled and registered in the U.S.? Is it a military surplus vehicle that you bought off of Iron Planet? Or is it one that was imported but is titled as an off-road vehicle?
If it is already titled and registered, you’re good to go and can transfer it accordingly like you would any other vehicle.
If you are buying one that is titled off-road only, we can help you out. We use the process to issue a bonded title through Montana, which also means that the vehicle will be owned by an LLC created in Montana. If you aren’t completely familiar with the Montana LLC process, make sure to smash that link.
If you are fortunate enough to pick up a Freightliner FLU419, you will want to use our military surplus vehicle package. Of course, you will need insurance no matter how you acquired your Mog, so make sure to check out our preferred insurance providers.
Wrapping Up
Dirt Legal is your first and last stop to get your Unimog on the road, whether it is a military surplus Mog, an off-road-only titled Mog, or even if you want to import one. We are here to make the process as painless as possible so you can focus on what really matters: getting your Unimog on the road.
John McCoy is a lifelong car and truck enthusiast and has a strong mechanical background off the road. He spent over 13 years in the U.S. Air Force as a crew chief, assigned to the B-1B Lancer, affectionately known as the Bone to those in the community, and the KC-135R Stratotanker. He resides on a small farm in Eastern Kansas where he (sometimes) enjoys fixing ancient farm equipment.