International Wood Fair Klagenfurt – Prototype height-adjustable side seat already sold at trade fair
The International Wood Fair Klagenfurt was once again a must-see event this year for interested trade visitors dealing with forestry and timberwork.
While there was a slight dip in the number of visitors compared to the last Wood Fair in 2014 (down from 22,000 to approx. 20,500), the keen interest of the visitors from Austria’s neighbouring countries, Germany, Slovenia, Italy, Croatia and Switzerland (in total approx. 40%), was demonstrated once more.
Kuhn at trade fair with large EPSILON presence
As usual, Kuhn Ladetechnik was also present again this year at the trade fair with a truly impressive array of EPSILON models:
Eight different trade fair cranes provided a good overview of the most common lifting classes and telescopic lengths (from M12Z to Q170Z) as well as the diverse portfolio of various control systems from PALFINGER EPSILON – ranging from cabin cranes and the Classic Drive (most light-weight of its class) to the hydraulically servo controled Master Drive.
In particular, the first prototype of the hydraulically height-adjustable side seat – a world first from EPSILON – attracted a lot of attention at the Kuhn trade fair stand, as reported by Michael Kurzmann (EPSILON Sales Manager at Kuhn).
Hydraulically height-adjustable side seat – presenting a world first
More than anything, the trade visitors observed the advantages in the areas of convenience and safety with great interest. For instance, climbing up to the seat via the side ladder is now no longer necessary with the new control concept. The drivers simply enter at the height of the entry area and then, at the press of a button, the seat moves up into the working position that is now a whole 38 cm higher.
A feature that caused a sensation among the customers, as the higher seating position enables an even better overview when in the crane – a clear weakness of side seat variants available so far.
The customers also gave very positive feedback regarding the particularly large field of vision when in the seat. In order to provide drivers with the best possible view of the ground and load below them, the entry area has a very puristic design – a feature that was an immediate source of much enthusiasm during the test drives.
After the demonstrations, the trade visitors therefore put their words into action:
Tödtling Holztransporte – long-standing customer purchases prototype
For example, the management of Tödtling Holztransporte and its employees decided to buy the new side seat on the spot before even leaving the trade fair and to deploy it as soon as possible in their forestry operations. The fact that the trade fair model was still a prototype did not bother them – after all, they place a great deal of trust in EPSILON products.
No wonder, as the family-owned business that was founded in 1978 has been building upon the logging cranes from PALFINGER EPSILON since 2008. Thus, all lorries of the fleet, which has since grown to eight vehicles, are equipped with EPSILON cranes. With various lifting classes and model series, depending on the requirements – from the M120Z from 2008, which has been performing its job for 8,000 operating hours already to the newest model, M12Z, the “Next EPSOLUTION” model series. This includes a pre-series model of the M12Z with Master Drive, which forms the basis for the great deal of trust that the company has placed in the development of prototypes at EPSILON.
“The EPSILON developers constantly develop new ideas for their customers that keep me and my drivers moving forward,” says Ulrich Tödtling, Managing Director and owner of Tödtling Holztransporte GmbH.
“This was the case with the Master Drive concept with its hitherto unique hydraulic servo control and remains consistent with the height-adjustable side seat. Besides, our past experience has shown us that we can fully rely on the high development expertise when it comes to EPSILON. For example, we were initially sceptical about the hydraulic servo control of the NEXT EPSOLUTION series. Now, after just under two years of continuous use, the precision of this pilot control has become indispensable in our everyday operations. I am certain that before long, it will be the same with the features of the height-adjustable side seat,” the managing director explained.
New prototype soon to be at the IAA
The first prototype is already on its way to the customer, but further pilot-series models are already in production. The next opportunity to marvel at the new seating concept will be at the upcoming IAA (22–29 September 2016) at the PALFINGER stand (Open Air Area K58) – we are looking forward to your visit.
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