The LZ-series range of articulated tractor units was launched at the 1933 Berlin motor show. Mercedes presented three variants - the 4-tonne LZ 4000, 6-tonne LZ 6000 and 8-tonne LZ 8000. These new models had been developed using the light-duty Lo 2000 model's chassis and diesel engine, which had gone on sale the previous year in 1932. 

The key advantage of articulated tractor units was that they were far lighter than the typical rigid flatbed setup of the period, yet they were capable of having higher payloads. This was due to the fact that the tractor could be uncoupled from the load carrying trailer, meaning the unladen weight to payload ratio was ideal.

The same 3.8 litre 4-cylinder 55hp engine from the Lo 2000 was used in the LZ 4000. The LZ 6000, however, used an uprated version of the same engine at 4.9 litres with an output of 65hp. This engine was derived from the Lo 3000 3-tonne truck. With the LZ 8000 being the largest in the range, it used a 7.4 litre OM 67 six-cylinder engine from the Lo 3500 which produced 95hp. The three new models had gross combination weights of 8 tonnes, 11 tonnes, and 14 tonnes respectively.

LZ 8000 tractor unit


Five years after the launch of the three LZ models, at the 1938 Berlin motor show, a new tractor with an impressive 10-tonne payload was exhibited. This model was the LZ 10000, and its gross combination weight was 17 tonnes. It used a 7.3 litre 6-cylinder diesel engine with a power output of 100hp.

Production abruptly ended though when the Nazi government ordered the manufacturing of articulated trucks to cease as part of their standardised production plan in 1939.

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