Tractor Tuesday MB Unimog 421 U600

The Unimog 421 series went on sale 50 years ago in 1966 Not sure how old this one is but from the curved rear arches it probably is early 70s. I know nothing about the Unimogs and there was no badge or plate anywhere to be found - luckily a handbook on the passenger seat gave me the info but showed there were 3 models - 600, 600L & 600T but what they mean I don't know. There was of course also a cabriolet.

Built from 1965 to 1989 and used mainly in council and forestry work were also used as tractors but the main operating area was the front, the load platform making the use of towed implements difficult. This example is fitted with PTOs (the Power Take Off to drive the implements) at front and rear and can just be identified by the half mmon cut out under the Mercedes Grille Star. Next to it the hydraulic connections. Many of the agricultural front implements were then attached to a front loader.

Certainly has its uses and advantages but also many disadvantages. Cost the equivalent of 9,000 Euros for the basic model in 1966 and today you will find them for around 10 to 20,000 Euros. Not a bad return on capital. Wish my car could show the same healthy second hand value.

The sloping roof to the left is a PV unit, the roof section turning automatically to follow the sun and get maximum energy harvest. The ground floor remains static and can be used as an office or store. Ottobeuren has lots of PV but I suspect today most of the energy was coming from nearby windmills. It was freezing cold, a strong wind, snow showers and we yet again had sought refuge in the forest for the dog walk. Met friend marion with her BC and wonderful pug but we humans kept our distance as Marion has the flu. Gute Besserung Marion.

Today is the 30th anniversary of Chernobyl. Please all those countries still driving ahead with this form of electricity production think hard about the advantages and disadvantages. I know "Green" renewables are not without their problems and the dreadful and hated brown surface coal units in northern Germany are an environmental and social catastrophe but surely we need to invest in an alternative to the, in effect, uncontrollable nuclear units.

I also know the risk factor of a Fukushima is small here in Europe but most disasters have either been human error or were made worse by human error. Chernobyl was caused by it, Three Mile Island and Fukushima were made worse by it. The recent tragic train crash was human error ( a harmless word for the signalman playing a game on his mobile phone). Most plane crashes are human error. And what about terrorism. What would Southern England look like after a serious disaster in Somerset and a normal prevailing west wind. You won't see many visiting Changing of the Guard for the next few hundred years. I just hope Boris has left enough room for the Eu to accept taking a few million UK ímmigrants. There must be enough tidal and windpower to get things happening. I know we don't want a windmill behind the house but rather that than a Fukushima or Chernobyl scenario. The garden will be somewhat overgrown by the time your great great great great great grandchildren can take a look to see if the leeks did well.

Talking of happy things and times, today is the 7oth anniversary of the Vespa scooter. Greetings to all the Blip Mods and Rockers who have made the Brighton seafront so "colourful" over the years.