The highly flexible vehicles, mounted on Mercedes-Benz Unimog U427 chassis supplied by Newport, East Yorkshire-based South Cave Tractors, incorporate a high capacity Schmidt FS 90 snowcutter-blower, an Schmidt SNK 27 snow plough and a Schmidt Stratos III 2.5 m3 spreader, giving them highly flexible all-round winter functionality.
The purchase will contribute towards National Highways ambitious carbon reduction targets; the new vehicles meet the latest, most stringent Euro VI-E emission standards, incorporating advanced emission control technologies to minimise the environmental impact.
New vehicles based throughout England
National Highways original intention was to replace their 40-year-old snow-blower fleet, which had reached the end of its working life. With the addition of a snow plough and gritter, the versatility of the vehicles has been extended several times over.
The vehicles are based at depots in each of the National Highway nine operating regions throughout England, and have already been used to tackle some of the severest weather we have experienced this winter, particularly in the North West.
Unimog chassis offers further benefits
Aebi Schmidt opted for the Unimog chassis because of its ability to work all year round. Whether clearing snow in winter or maintaining verges and highways in the summer, its capability to switch between implements - snowploughs, mowers, suction vacuum units, patch planers and road repair tools - ensures operators can maximise their investment and keep their fleet operational in any season.
Adrian Gallagher, Assistant Contracts and Performance Manager, National Fleet Team, at National Highways said:
“We went out to tender and Aebi Schmidt and Unimog provided the best all-round solution for our needs. This was a major investment and, by adding the snow plough and hopper, we have given the vehicles greater versatility and helped future proof our winter maintenance fleet for the years to come.”
“With the Unimog, we may also be able to add further equipment for summer maintenance, such as water pumping, road planing and cutting, which would give them an all-year round capability and greater usage.”
Mr Gallagher said that feedback from operator drivers so far had been very positive.
“They love the vehicle, it’s highly manoeuvrable, and we’ve had some excellent feedback from our drivers. Because the Unimog is quite a narrow chassis, we can use it in quite restricted operating areas, such as contraflows, run-off areas and narrow lanes on motorways like the M25, when the need arises,” he added.
Aebi Schmidt UK sales manager, Matthew Elderkin, commented:
“We have an excellent and longstanding relationship with National Highways and are delighted that they have selected our three-in-one winter resilience vehicles to help future-proof their winter maintenance needs.”
South Cave Tractors marketing manager, Andy Cooper added:
“The Unimog boasts significantly reduced CO2 and NOx emissions, thus allowing operators to meet environmental targets without compromising performance. Cleaner air and lower running costs make this model an ideal, efficient and environmentally responsible choice for National Highways.”