| Gatwick Airport is investing in four Mercedes-Benz Unimog U400 vehicles for their winter maintenance programme, helping the airport manage its costs whilst meeting its environmental commitments.
Fitted with snowploughs and hauling dedicated runway sweepers, the new, two-axle Unimogs, are more compact, lighter, agile and frugal with fuel. Their advanced technology, environmentally friendly diesel engines also mean they produce significantly lower emissions than the previous tractor units for the sweepers. |
| Exceptional manoeuvrability |
Gatwick is one of the UK’s busiest airports and a vital communications link for the south-east of England as well as supporting Heathrow and other London airports. Even light snow falls and low temperatures can cause operational issues, so there is a clear need to keep all ground surfaces clean and dry.
The prime role of the new Unimogs is to act as articulated tractor units hauling purpose-designed runway sweepers. They were selected because of a unique specification that included 4x4 drive, power and haulage capability plus front hydraulics for snowploughs, and exceptional manoeuvrability. |
“We needed a tractor unit that was powerful enough to haul these large sweepers in all weathers, and when we first saw the Unimogs we felt they could have been too small for such heavy-duty tasks. Demonstrations, research into possible alternatives and telephone call to Aberdeen Airport, where the Unimogs have to work in very severe weather conditions helped us make up our minds,” says BAA Gatwick Transport Engineering Manager, Steve Melhuish.
The transport needs of each airport differ, depending on location and climate, which means that even BAA airports have an element of autonomy in selecting the right vehicles for their individual needs.
At Gatwick, where environmental sustainability is an important factor, the four, high performance Unimog U400s have replaced large, elderly, fuel-guzzling artic tractors. |
The Unimog has a proven ability in towing large sweepers, and – as an all-year-round vehicle – some have been fitted with general-purpose bodies when they are not carrying out winter maintenance duties.
“We have a policy of not using ageing vehicles airside, as care for the environment and efficiency are priorities, to ensure minimal impact on our neighbours. The Unimog’s engines are much smaller than the previous tractor units were, and they are very fuel efficient and perfectly capable of carrying out the full range of jobs.
“There is no standardised restriction on NOX emissions from vehicles as yet, but we are imposing our own restrictions before the European standards are imposed on us. The Unimogs are playing their part in this ‘good neighbour’ initiative,” Steve Melhuish adds. |
| More than just fast removal of snow |
The sweepers prime role is fast removal of snow, but with heavy snow becoming more of a rarity, the sweepers are also designed to remove ice and moisture. This maximises the effectiveness of de-icer, so that it is not diluted, and a moisture-free environment does not allow further ice to form.
BAA’s Gatwick vehicle fleet of nearly 200 vehicles – cars, trucks and other wheeled vehicles – is soon to be augmented by another Mercedes-Benz Unimog, a top of the range U500. This fully ‘O-licensed’ Unimog will be required to haul a 25-tonne trailer and work outside the airport perimeter. It will also have a front Power Take-Off point, a crane and a winch, and replace three separate vehicles: saving money and helping to improve the environmental affect of operating necessary vehicles. |
| | | Product range View the full range of Unimog vehicles from Mercedes-Benz |
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