With bee-like diligence.

Woldgate Honey's 2,000 hives contain in excess of 50,000 bees at peak. The result speaks for itself: at least 60 tonnes of high-quality honey are produced each year from March to October. To ensure optimal conditions, the hives are moved several times during this period – following the flowering plants from arable fields to the heather moorland.

To be ideally equipped for production even away from the flowers, the company has taken delivery of three new Unimog U 4023, each weighing 8.8 tonnes.

Autumn is the busiest time of the year: Woldgate's beekeepers visit the hives daily in remote parts of the North York Moors. The task demands a wide range of capabilities from the vehicles — and the Unimog meets them all.

Managing Director Mark Evamy explains that the vehicles cover relatively long distances on conventional roads to reach the hives. That puts the focus on comfort and cost-effectiveness. However, some of the more remote hives are up to 8 km from the nearest road. Here, off-road capability is the decisive criterion. The third focus is the chassis: it must provide space for 160 hives, the equipment, and, finally, must also allow the specially manufactured lifting arms to be fitted.

Mark Evamy says that not many vehicles can meet all of these requirements. He has relied on the Unimog for 12 years and has no regrets. That's why, for the first time, three new vehicles made their debut.

Thanks to its strong yet torsionally elastic frame and torque tube suspension, the Unimog achieves extreme axle articulation of up to 30°. Inclines of 45° pose no problem thanks to the short overhangs. For maximum performance, the 170 kW (230 PS) Euro VI engine drives all four wheels.

The trio is fitted with flatbed bodies made of galvanized steel. These are mounted on the vehicles' special non-twisting, pivoting subframes to avoid hindering the suspension. The lift arms are mounted at the rear.

Not only do the capabilities of the Unimog impress – the environment also benefits from the new vehicles. In addition to engines that meet the latest emissions standard, Woldgates' newest Unimog are equipped with a central tyre pressure control system. The system allows the driver to lower the tyre pressure from the cab. In off-road operations this minimises damage to the ground while at the same time increasing traction. When the vehicle is back on the road, the tyres can be re-inflated and ensure maximum safety and fuel efficiency.