Greenworx is planning to grow its tree surgery and ground clearance business following the acquisition of its first Mercedes-Benz Unimog.

The off-road truck is able to perform the work of several other vehicles and can power a range of attached implements.

Supplied by specialist Unimog Dealer Lloyd Ltd, the U430 model has a factory-fitted tipping body with aluminium dropsides. Its six-cylinder engine produces 299PS, and drives through an automatic gearbox.

Brett Skelton, co-founder of Greenworx, said: “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. For jobs close to home you can drive on the road, but a tractor is slow and uneconomical. When working further afield 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 is equipped to power a wide range of implements via attachment points at the front, side and rear.

Skelton is able to a wood-chipper which discharges straight into a box on the back, while still leaving the vehicle free to tow a trailer.

“Our vehicle has proved so effective that we’re already thinking of adding another. It’s the base on which we can build the future success of our operation,” added Skelton.