Unimog operator decals deconstructed

I have a number of blog posts about the various decals that I have reproduced in vector format. I will link those below. This is a dedicated page for the decals. As I create them, I am realizing that there must be an incredible amount of variations. Seemingly all of these decals are drawn by hand. I have heard that they are all created specifically for each truck and its options but I do not know if that is valid.

These are the decals I have reproduced as vector illustrations so far. If you have one that isn’t posted here, please send it to me.

Vector illustration of Unimog dash decal with 8-speed gear pattern and 4WD selector

Unimog operator decal reproduction featuring PTO controls and forward-reverse lever

Custom Unimog dash plate vector showing hydraulic implement controls and gear ranges

Detailed Unimog 435 dash decal reproduction with turtle, rabbit, and donkey icons

Unimog cabin decal deconstruction showing parking brake and differential lock instructions

Components – Various Unimog factory options

As far as I can tell, a “stock” or “standard” Unimog does not exist. Each truck is ordered to suit the job it will hold. There are a ton of options that may or may not be present on any given Unimog. So, these operator decals must show how to use the options that are included.

A lot of these drawings are a mystery to me. My truck is very simple and does not have many options. Below is a numbered list of all of the various pieces that I call components because they are smaller parts that make up the whole of the decal. I have added descriptions where I can.

Help Me Solve the Mystery

I’ve spent countless hours in Affinity Designer meticulously re-drawing every line and curve of these decals to bring them back to life. But while I can recreate the graphics, the actual meaning behind some of these icons is still a bit of a riddle.

Do you know something I don’t? If you recognize a symbol I’ve labeled as “Unknown,” or if your Mog has a variation I haven’t listed here, please reach out. I want the technical documentation to be as sharp as the vector art.

Send me a message or leave a comment below!

1. Two knobs

All I can assume is that these two knobs maybe control the PTO?
Turtle = slow | Rabbit = fast | Donkey = heavy load/high torque

Unimog dash icon for PTO speed control with turtle, rabbit, and donkey symbols

2. Standard 8 gear shift pattern

This is probably as standard as it comes. Some versions have open circles, and some are solid. Also some versions have the two vertical hash marks in the center and some do not. I assume those represent the air assist from 4th to 5th gear.

Unimog 8-speed manual transmission gear shift pattern diagram

3. PTO control via clutch

I think this represents pushing the clutch to disengage the PTO. I know on my fire truck, there was an electronic solenoid that used air to engage and disengage the clutch. This allowed the firefighters to use the clutch to remotely start and stop the PTO, which drove the water pump on the front of the truck.

Unimog decal explaining PTO engagement via foot clutch and air solenoid

4. Animal farm

I think these represent the Working (Schaltgetriebe) and Crawling (Kriechgang) gears.

Unimog gear range decal with turtle, rabbit, and donkey icons for working and crawling gears

5. Forward/reverse lever

This represents the lever that puts the truck in forward or reverse. Both forward and reverse use the same eight gears.

Unimog forward and reverse shuttle lever diagram for 435 series trucks

6. 2WD/4wd/Lockers selector

There is a 3-position air switch on the dash. The thing on the left represents the actual switch. The three truck icons represent the modes.

0 = 2wd
I = 4wd
II = 4wd with front and rear lockers engaged

Unimog 3-position air switch diagram for 4WD and differential lockers

7. Parking brake

The thing on left represents the actual parking brake 2-position lever. Top right represents brakes off. Bottom right is brakes on.

Standard 2-position Unimog parking brake lever operator decal

8. Parking brake

I don’t understand this one. My parking brake is like #7. This one seems to be three positions. I believe the 3rd position is an air brake test or “Prüfstellung” (Test Position) and it’s used to check if the mechanical spring brake will hold the entire trailer/truck combination without the assistance of the trailer’s air brakes.

Unimog 3-position parking brake decal including Prufstellung test position

9. Unknown

I think it has something to do with the PTO.

Cryptic Unimog dash symbol possibly related to PTO or auxiliary gear engagement

10. Raise/lower Hydraulic implements

I think this pictogram refers to the Hydraulic implements (Schmidt plate attachments like snow plows).

Unimog hydraulic implement decal for front Schmidt plate or snow plow controls

11. Animal farm 2

It seems to have the standard eight gear pattern but then they added a bunch of stuff. Very confusing.

Complex Unimog gear pattern diagram combining 8-speed shift and range selectors

12. PTO related

This one is beyond me. I assume it is PTO related but not sure how. Not sure if the gears represent knobs or whatever the lever to the left of it activates.

Unimog mechanical operator diagram showing lever and gear engagement for PTO options