Adventuremobile: Unimog Parked in SF
We stumbled across this Mercedes Unimog, 406 parked in one of San Francisco’s neighborhoods. The Unimog 406 is one of the best known ‘Mogs. It was produced between 1963 and 1989 by Mercedes-Benz in Gaggenau. The 406 is the successor of the unimog 401 (including the 411). The 406 was the first medium-heavy unimog from Daimler-Benz
The 406 was widely used in agriculture (Unimog Agrar) and forestry. And this one looks to be exactly that. This is the classic Unimog.
“The first Unimog was designed for the farmer. The 406 is like the previous one primarily developed for the agricultural sector. Special Unimog attachments were developed during the development of agricultural implements. The Unimog can plow, sow, spread fertilizer, control weeds, mow grass and much more. Due to the high speed of 70 to 80 km / h and because the machine could do many tasks, the 406 was ideal for the farmer. The 406 had overtaken the normal tractor at one point and was the ideal agricultural machine. That is how Unimog agrar got its famous name worldwide.” - Expedition Meister
The 406 is not only used for agriculture but also by several armies worldwide.
Just minding my own business on the streets of SF
It’s got some great spot lights on the front along with the provisions for attachments that make a Unimog a Swiss Army Knife on wheels. The front mounts would allow for a plow, street sweeper, snow plow, whatever you might need. There are also hydraulic lines enabling you to add lift and pivot controls to the various attachments. Currently it looks like it’s set up with a simple front hitch mount. Likely for something like a bike rack if someone is converting it to overland duty. The standard dust separating swirl pot on the snorkel keeps the particulates down so the air cleaning doesn’t get too plugged up.
(Notice a couple T1N Sprinter Vans in the background.)
This is a single cab, so only two seats. The rear of this Mog is set up with a utility bed for hauling tools, hay, and whatever your errands around the farm might need. The rollbar is more of a utility mounting bar, supporting the upwards exhaust, a mount for 3 standard jerry cans and possibly a winch? There’s a rear facing light bar to keep the cargo and rear lit up for those camping trips. A cool slide out utility drawer on the rear keeps your ropes and gloves organized. The rear hooks are there as a provision for those heavy farm / building tools to be dropped onto the rear.
