WF trac
The WF trac is the current version of a tractor originally known as MB trac and developed by Mercedes-Benz which was based on their Unimog platform. It was built by Mercedes-Benz between the years 1973 and 1991. At its time its design and concept was revolutionary, featuring four identical wheels, high road speeds and powerful engines.
![](../I/Mercedes-Benz_MB_Trac_1600_Turbo_pic1.JPG.webp)
Some offshoots have been manufactured since Mercedes-Benz left the agricultural business - several companies incorporated the technology in their own products. Production and development of the whole product continues as WF Trac at Werner Forst- und Industrietechnik (Werner foresting and industrial technology) in Trier, Germany.
History
The Unimog was quite successful, except as originally intended as an agricultural platform. Daimler-Benz produced a new vehicle in 1972, the MB-trac, to be more oriented to larger-scale mechanical farming. The new tractor crossed the Unimog technology of all-wheel drive and a power transmission to four large equal-sized wheels, with the appearance of a tractor: slim hood, behind it an angular, highly rising driver cab. In contrast to conventional tractors, the cab is situated between the axles, similar to large "four wheel drive" wheel loader - however, the steering is realized not by an articulated front and rear, but with a normal steerable front axle.
From the initial MB-trac 65 and MB-trac 70 (later MB-trac 700), a broad platform developed to the heavy-duty MB-trac 1500 within a few years, culminating in the MB-trac 1800 intercooler shortly before production ceased. The MB-trac was reasonably successful on the market, though it did not meet the high expectations Mercedes-Benz had set on it. Daimler-Benz later merged the MB-trac with the agricultural machinery activities of Deutz AG. The manufacturing of the MB-trac series ended in 1991, when the production line was taken over by the Werner company. 41,000 vehicles were produced of the original MB-trac, 30,000 of which are still in service today.
![](../I/MB_Trac_converted_to_shunting_vehcile_UCA-TRAC.JPG.webp)
In Belgium, the company UCA had started converting MB-trac and WF-trac machines for rail shunting purposes in 1981.
Production series
![](../I/MB-Trac_1500_turbo_transporting_hay_bales.JPG.webp)
Mercedes-Benz
Type 440: | |
MB Trac 65/70 | (65 hp (48 kW)) |
MB Trac 700 | (68 hp (51 kW)) |
MB Trac 700 S/K | (65 hp (48 kW)) |
MB Trac 700 / K | (68 hp (51 kW) / 80 hp (60 kW)) |
MB Trac 800 | (72 hp (54 kW), 75 hp (56 kW) & 78 hp (58 kW)) |
MB Trac 900 | (85 hp (63 kW)) |
MB Trac 900 turbo | (85 hp (63 kW) / 90 hp (67 kW)) |
Type 441: | |
MB Trac 1000 | (95 hp (71 kW) / 100 hp (75 kW)) |
MB Trac 1100 | (110 hp (82 kW)) |
Type 442: | |
MB Trac 1100 | (110 hp (82 kW)) |
Type 443: | |
MB Trac 1100 | (110 hp (82 kW)) |
MB Trac 1300 | (125 hp (93 kW)) |
MB Trac 1300 turbo | (125 hp (93 kW)) |
MB Trac 1400 turbo | (136 hp (101 kW)) |
MB Trac 1500 | (150 hp (110 kW)) |
MB Trac 1600 turbo | (156 hp (116 kW)) |
MB Trac 1800 intercooler | (180 hp (130 kW)) |
First series WF trac
- WF trac 900 (92 hp (69 kW))
- WF trac 1100 (105 hp (78 kW))
- WF trac 1300 (136 hp (101 kW))
- WF trac 1500 (150 hp (110 kW))
- WF trac 1700 (177 hp (132 kW))
Second and current series WF trac
The WF trac is now produced both in a 4x4 and a 6x6 version. Its maximum road speed is 50 km/h (31 mph) in the 4x4 and 40 km/h (25 mph) in the 6x6 variant.[1]
- WF trac 2040 4x4 (204 hp (152 kW), 80 mdaN torque, 4.8 litres 4-cyl Mercedes-Benz engine)
- WF trac 2040 6x6 (204 hp (152 kW), 80 mdaN torque, 4.8 litres 4-cyl Mercedes-Benz engine)
- WF trac 2460 4x4 (238 hp (177 kW), 85 mdaN torque, 7.2 litres 6-cyl Mercedes-Benz engine)
- WF trac 2460 6x6 (238 hp (177 kW), 85 mdaN torque, 7.2 litres 6-cyl Mercedes-Benz engine)
External links
- Werner GmbH, official website (in German)
Media related to MB-Trac at Wikimedia Commons