Gripping and lifting – the first independent crane test for timber loader cranes in Central Europe

Previously, there were few direct ways to compare timber loader cranes. As a customer, if you did not have the opportunity to test-operate different models, then you had to rely on the information in the catalogue.

Forst & Technik and Trucker magazines organise the first independent crane test in Central Europe

In order to ensure more objectivity, this year, the editorial offices of specialist magazines Forst & Technik and Trucker invited the major Central European manufacturers in the industry to a large-scale comparative test of current timber loader Z-cranes for the first time.

At EPSILON, this offer was accepted enthusiastically right from the start, because we love competition and knew that with the current NEXT EPSOLUTION crane series, there is no need for us to shy away from comparison with others! In addition, a little curiosity is healthy and keeps us young, so, as the leading manufacturer in Europe, we also wanted to find answers to some of our burning questions from an independent source. For example, how realistic are competitors' statements? What are their respective strengths and weaknesses? However, what interested us most of all was the opinions of the operators who work with the cranes every day.

The test criteria

After several months of preparation time for the editorial teams of the specialist magazines, most of the relevant manufacturers were finally ready to put themselves up against a standardised test format and, most importantly, the verdict of the operators.
Central Europe’s most widespread crane model, currently the 12-metre-tonne Z-crane with a reach of around 8 m, was to be put to the test in a three-day event.
Alongside a range of measurements (including the unladen weight of the crane, effective reach, correct hydraulic pressure, actual lifting capacity, lifting capacity below vehicle level, slewing torque and the new discipline of 'far throw'), there was also a great deal of value placed on the opinions of the operators.

Objectivity is the most important goal

In order to make this part of the test as objective as possible, every manufacturer put forward one of their own 'works operators' who was familiar with all aspects of the timber transport industry. In addition, the editorial staff of Forst & Technik provided another, independent operator in order to complete the test verdicts. All operators then had the opportunity to get to know each crane before giving their initial judgement. This was because every works operator was assessing the competition’s cranes, not their own.

It became clear that PALFINGER EPSILON's new developments were consistently well received by all operators. Particularly 'in terms of operator-friendliness and ergonomics, the M12Z is really in a different league from its competitors' (Forst & Technik crane test, October 2016). These are important characteristics that make day-to-day work noticeably easier for timber transporters and are therefore particularly close to the hearts of the EPSILON developers.

For this reason, EPSILON decided to send neither the lightest, nor the cheapest crane in this lifting class to the race, but one with the Master Drive control system and the best features for the operator. Despite these characteristics, the crane appeared in the middle of the pack in the weight measurements (with the Classic Drive System, which weighs approximately 140 kg less, EPSILON cranes are the lightest, depending on the boom system). With the Classic Drive, we also have a thoroughly attractive response to market demands in terms of price.

Detailed results can be found in Forst & Technik magazine and can also be downloaded as a PDF

All results can be found in detail in the original Forst & Technik article from the October 2016 issue. The entire test can be downloaded exclusively from PALFINGER EPSILON below as a PDF.
We hope you enjoy reading and comparing!

Original article crane comparative test in Forst & Technik Issue 10/2016 PDF

Forst & Technik Issue 10/2016 Onlineversion (only for F&T Members)