Unimog U900

[shaggy]

I have been contemplating the idea of getting a u900 I was just wondering what peoples views were on them. It would be used 90% of the time for local domestic work

 

Couple of things that I am worried about are how expensive parts are and whether I would get away with running this as my only vehicle and not also running a 3.5 tonne?

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[David Riding]

What are your justifications for getting one if you dont mind me asking, will you keep the chipper you have for your 3.5t or go the pto route. You will pay between 5-7k for a half decent one. There is no easy answer for reliability & therefore parts. I know people who have spent 20k on unimogs and had endless problems and people who have spent 5k and had very few. An inspection cannot tell you a crystal ball is more appropriate.

[Jamie]

i like the one my boss has, e have a pto chipper, pto winch and a butt plate up front oh and a chip box, they are not without their problems and they are a bit of a comprimise but i like it

 

Jamie

[shaggy]

I think I would go down the pto chipper route.

 

My main justifications are that I need something with some good off road capability as the yard is a mud bath, I do a bit of paddock maintenance though not much, and recently I have had a few big clearance jobs and have found my self over loading the land rover and trailer which is something I want to stay clear of.

 

My main concern is that I am going to be spending thousands a year maintaining old machinery.

[Jamie]

like i mentioned above a winch up front is great for self rescue stick a hook eye and some sliders and drag chains and it becomes a mini skidder.

 

Jamie

[garth mc garth]

all i can say is make sure you have the work to justify it. why not hire a tractor in when needed, you then dont have the outlay for machinery maintenance etc. whenever i need extra machinery i can get a 220hp 50k tractor for £100 a day plus fuel,i just charge it into the job.

i got a 130hp mog i paid 7k for knowing it needed tidying up. spent another 3k on it sorting out little problems and fitting a few extra bits i needed and am very happy with the result. i do around 12,000 meters of agricultural fencing a year so when its not doing that its hauling timber or doing paddock maintenance.

[niftysteve]

My 900 is used almost every day its no different to any machine really if you dont look after it it l let you down.Almost any vehicle has some parts that are so expensive. 900 's in my opinion are a nice compact size especially for geting onto private drive ways or even behind a house to pull some stumps

[Buzz]

DO NOT get rid of your 3.5 tonner to get a mog, if you have to sell it to finance getting the Mog then don't get a Mog. My biggest mistake was solely relying on one vehicle.

 

If (when) the Mog breaks down you won't be able to continue working.

 

They are fantastically versatile piceces of kit but you need a good one, and good advice when you are looking to buy....good luck.

[Buzz]

Just noticed your in my old neck of the woods, whereabouts in Guildford are you based then mate ?

[carlos]

hi ben.

we have a couple of mogs at work.

heres a few points ,

what sort of distances are between your jobs? as semms they only go about 40mph.

the maintence does semm very high on them. because of the price second hand you sometimes end up with a 20yr old vehicle great as they are at that age bits will start to fail.

also are you mechanicly minded or do you have accses to cheap reliable mechanics.

also i think to utalise the massive engine fully one may need to tow a trailer.

they seem to drink fuel to( ours in ireland is on red diesel so not to bad) but can seem bit daft doing 40 miles in it to prune apple trees cos you need the chipper for two minutes.

make sure you get agri tyres for off road stuff( there not cheap tho!)

just a few thoughts which may help p.s they are great fun to drive! carlos