Unimog 421

The Unimog 421 is a vehicle of the Mercedes-Benz Unimog series, made by Daimler-Benz. In total, 18,995[1] units of the Unimog 421 were built from 1966 to 1989 in the Mercedes-Benz Gaggenau plant. It is a medium-sized vehicle bigger than the traditional Unimog 411, but smaller than the Unimog 406. Introduction of new heavy models and Unimog 411 production ceasing in the mid-1970s changed the Unimog 421's role in the Unimog lineup; it became the predecessor of the light Unimog series and thus succeeded the Unimog 411.

Unimog 421
An Unimog 421 Cabrio
Overview
TypeTractor
ManufacturerDaimler-Benz
Also calledUnimog 431
Unimog U40
Unimog U45
Unimog U52
Unimog U60
Production1966–1989
AssemblyMercedes-Benz-Werk Gaggenau
Powertrain
EngineOM 636
OM 621
OM 615
OM 616
TransmissionManual gearbox, 2×4 gears
Chronology
PredecessorUnimog 411
SuccessorUnimog 407

Both short and long wheelbase versions, as well as "front half only" OEM part versions, were made. Technically, the Unimog 421 is based on the Unimog 406 and Unimog 411. The plane ladder frame and axles are Unimog 411 parts, and the engines used for the 421-series are also passenger car engines. Cab and gearbox are Unimog 406-related. The 421 closed cab version looks almost exactly like a 406-series cab, but the cabrio version is a bit more narrow and "squat".[2] A 406-series can be differentiated from a 421-series by the position of the air-intake: A 421-series has the air-intake on the right-hand side of the bonnet, and a 406-series on the left-hand side.[3]

In Argentina, a copy of the Unimog 421, the 431-series, was produced under licence. From 1969 to 1971, 601 cabrios and 152 closed cab units of the Unimog 431 were made. Daimler-Benz produced CKD-kits in Gaggenau, which were then shipped to Argentina for manufacture. The 431-series was fitted with a 44 kW (59 hp; 60 PS) engine, but has the short wheelbase – this combination was not available for the original 421-series.[4]

Engines

The 421-series was made with straight-four precombustion chamber Diesel engines. Prototypes included, four different engines were used, which are all passenger car engines.[5]

Engine Displacement Rated power Years
OM 636 1.767 L (107.8 in3) 40 PS (29 kW; 39 hp) 1964–1965
(Prototypes only)
OM 621 1.988 L (121.3 in3) 40 PS (29 kW; 39 hp) 1966–1968
OM 615 2.197 L (134.1 in3) 45 PS (33 kW; 44 hp) 1968–1970
OM 616 2.404 L (146.7 in3) 52 PS (38 kW; 51 hp)
60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp)
1970–1989

Types of the 421-series

In total 20 different types of the 421-series were made, out of which four were made as OEM parts for other manufacturers.[1]

Mercedes-Benz types

Type Model Cab Wheelbase Rated power Number manufactured Notes
421.122 U40, U45 Cabrio 2,250 mm (88+58 in) 29 kW (39 hp; 39 PS),
33 kW (44 hp; 45 PS)
2.647
421.123 U40, U45 Closed cab 2,250 mm (88+58 in) 29 kW (39 hp; 39 PS),
33 kW (44 hp; 45 PS)
3.215
421.124 U52 Cabrio 2,250 mm (88+58 in) 38 kW (51 hp; 52 PS) 1.145
421.125 U52 Closed cab 2,250 mm (88+58 in) 38 kW (51 hp; 52 PS) 1.995
421.126 U60, U600L Cabrio 2,605 mm (102+12 in) 44 kW (59 hp; 60 PS) 4 U 600 L: Crew cab
421.128 U60, U600L Cabrio 2,605 mm (102+12 in) 44 kW (59 hp; 60 PS) 3.252 U 600 L: Crew cab
421.129 U60, U600L Closed cab 2,605 mm (102+12 in) 44 kW (59 hp; 60 PS) 599 U 600 L: Crew cab
421.130 U40T, U45T, U55T Cabrio 29 kW (39 hp; 39 PS),
33 kW (44 hp; 45 PS),
40 kW (54 hp; 54 PS)
6 OEM part
421.131 U40T, U45T, U55T Closed cab 29 kW (39 hp; 39 PS),
33 kW (44 hp; 45 PS),
40 kW (54 hp; 54 PS)
210 OEM part
421.132 U60T, U600T Cabrio 44 kW (59 hp; 60 PS) 35 OEM part
421.133 U60T, U600T Closed cab 44 kW (59 hp; 60 PS) 372 OEM part
421.140 U52, U600 Cabrio 2,250 mm (88+58 in) 38 kW (51 hp; 52 PS) 1.805
421.141 U52, U600 Closed cab 2,250 mm (88+58 in) 38 kW (51 hp; 52 PS) 3.368
421.162 U60 Cabrio 2,605 mm (102+12 in) 44 kW (59 hp; 60 PS) 13
421.163 U60 Closed cab 2,605 mm (102+12 in) 44 kW (59 hp; 60 PS) 25
421.310 U421 Cabrio 2,250 mm (88+58 in) 41 kW (55 hp; 56 PS) 304

Types made for third party manufacturers

Several Unimog 421 types were custom-made as OEM parts for third party manufacturers.[1]

Type Third party manufacturer Model Engine power Number manufactured
421.160 Hoes Knickschlepper
421.164 Werner Forst- und Industrietechnik Uniknick UK52, UK60 38 kW (51 hp; 52 PS),
44 kW (59 hp; 60 PS)
75
421.170 Tractortecnic Unitrac UT45 38 kW (51 hp; 52 PS) 50
421.172 Trenkle Tremo 38 kW (51 hp; 52 PS) 250

Technical specifications

U 40 U 45 U 52 U 60
Years 1966–1971 1966–1971 1970–1988 1971–1988
Mass 2,450 kg (5,400 lb) 2,470 kg (5,450 lb) 2,850 kg (6,280 lb)
Permissible maximum mass 3,700 kg (8,200 lb) 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) 4,100 kg (9,000 lb) ?
Length 4,005 mm (157+1116 in) 4,020 mm (158+14 in)
Width 1,865 mm (73+716 in) 1,825 mm (71+78 in) 1,800 mm (70+78 in)
Height 2,180 mm (85+1316 in) 2,230 mm (87+1316 in)
Wheelbase 2,250 mm (88+916 in) 2,605 mm (102+916 in)
Track width 1,360 mm (53+916 in) 1,400 mm (55+18 in)
Bed length 1,475 mm (58+116 in) 1,750 mm (68+78 in)
Bed width 1,500 mm (59+116 in)
Bed board wall height 400 mm (15+34 in)
Tyres 10,5–18″ 6PR
Engine type OM 621 OM 615 OM 616
Engine design Water-cooled straight-four Diesel engine
Fuel system Precombustion chamber injection
Displacement 1.988 L (121.3 cu in) 2.197 L (134.1 cu in) 2.404 L (146.7 cu in)
Bore × Stroke 87 mm × 83.6 mm (3.43 in × 3.29 in) 87 mm × 92.4 mm (3.43 in × 3.64 in) 91 mm × 92.4 mm (3.58 in × 3.64 in)
Rated power (DIN 70020) 40 PS (29 kW; 39 hp) 45 PS (33 kW; 44 hp) 52 PS (38 kW; 51 hp) 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp)
Top speed 54 km/h (34 mph) 53 km/h (33 mph) 67 km/h (42 mph)
Source [6]

References

  1. Daimler AG: Baureihe 421
  2. Unimog-Community: Unimog U 421 [1966 bis 1989]
  3. Carl-Heinz Vogler: Unimog 406 – Typengeschichte und Technik. GeraMond-Verlag, München. 2016. ISBN 978-3-86245-576-8. p. 113
  4. Carl-Heinz Vogler: Unimog 411 – Typengeschichte und Technik. GeraMond-Verlag, München. 2014. ISBN 978-3-86245-605-5. p. 22
  5. Carl-Heinz Vogler: Typenatlas Unimog. Alle Unimog-Klassiker seit 1946 bis 1993. GeraMond, München 2015, ISBN 978-3-86245-026-8. p. 89
  6. Peter Kautz: Mercedes-Benz Unimog 421
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