Supplied by dealer Lloyd Ltd, the U430 model has a factory-fitted tipping body with aluminium dropsides. Its six-cylinder engine produces 295bhp, and drives through an automatic transmission
Lloyd also supplied a low-loader trailer, which the Darlington-based operator uses to move machinery and timber.
The versatility of the truck is already apparent, says Brett Skelton, who runs Greenworx with his brother Ryan, as it combines the rough terrain of a tractor with a 56mph on-road cruising speed. “Everybody in this industry wants one, and now I can really see why.”
He explains: “We were using an agricultural tractor for on-site work, which was fine – up to a point. It was very capable on rough ground but the problem was getting it there... we were having to pay a haulier to transport the tractor for us.
“With the Unimog, this is no longer an issue. It’s just as good on challenging ground but in a different class on the road. It will travel happily at 56mph, using much less fuel than the tractor, and tow a heavily-laden trailer, too.”
The Unimog’s service intervals are much longer than those of a tractor, he adds, also saving on maintenance costs: “Financially, it’s a no-brainer.”
The Unimog is also equipped to power a range of implements via attachment points at the front, side and rear.
“This means, for example, that we can attach a wood-chipper which discharges straight into a box on the back, while still leaving the vehicle free to tow a trailer,” says Ryan Skelton. “The variety of things you can do with this one vehicle is huge.
“We’ve recently undertaken a detailed evaluation of all our operating costs, including haulage, with a view to looking at ways to make savings... Our investment in the Unimog is the culmination of that process, and the vehicle has proved so effective that we’re already thinking of adding another.”