PALFINGER EPSILON – Highlights 2016

The major investment in the new innovation centre in Salzburg built in 2015, and subsequent standing of PALFINGER EPSILON as a research and quality hub in Austria, brought new highlights as early as 2016:
Employee numbers increased substantially, especially in research, design and sales, thereby laying the groundwork for further expansion in 2017 while another sales record was celebrated in 2016 – with over 3,000 cranes leaving the Salzburg factory destined for use all over the world.
However, this desire to break new ground does not mean that existing customers and partners are neglected. To this end, services for dealers was a particular focus for development with new approaches being formulated for end customer training.

Innovation customers can really feel

It’s essential for PALFINGER EPSILON that innovations not only work in laboratory conditions. Innovations need to resonate with customers and prove themselves daily in practical timber and recycling applications. The first independent crane test for timber loader cranes in Central Europe by German specialist magazine Forst & Technik was proof that this has again been spectacularly achieved with the M series of the current Next EPSOLUTION range launched in 2015. Particularly “in terms of operator-friendliness and ergonomics, the EPSILON M12Z (featuring Master Drive control – author’s note) is really in a different league from its competitors” (Forst & Technik crane test, October 2016).

Furthermore, at KWF 2016, the world’s largest forestry demo fair, EPSILON unveiled the new Classic Drive control. The special highlight is that the current EPSILON M-series can be combined with the Classic Drive to produce what’s currently the lightest crane in the 10–13 mt lifting class.

Because drivers’ ascents up to the crane seat remain one of the most common causes of accidents in the industry, EPSILON has developed a new idea here too: the first-ever height-adjustable side mounted seat for timber loader cranes. For the first time, drivers no longer have to climb up a ladder to reach the control stand. EPSILON’s new side seat allows drivers to comfortably access the seat and then “levitate” hydraulically up to the working position at the touch of a button. The tried-and-tested, multi-award-winning advantages of the Master Drive control stand (e.g. hydraulic servo control) of course remain unchanged.

Your wish is our command – innovations by customer specification

EPSILON is also driving forward the field of customer-specific innovation. For example, an ultra-strong, lightweight processor crane was specially developed for cable yarding technology for MM Forsttechnik, a subsidiary of Austria’s largest private forestry company specialising in steep terrain timber hauling.

A longstanding partnership was also formed with Rottne Industrie AB, one of the world’s biggest CTL (cut-to-length) timber machinery manufacturers. At the launch of the new Forwarder F11D, Rottne announced that the Rottne RK85 and RK125 double-telescope cranes would now be fitted with telescopic booms from the Austrian manufacturer. For Rottne, the reasons for this decision are obvious: “EPSILON has impressed us with its extremely high quality in particular, alongside delivery reliability and innovative prowess. Even in the toughest conditions, the stability and service life of the EPSILON double-telescope system are simply outstanding,” says Tobias Johansson (Product Manager, Rottne).

Service – the key to success

But it’s not enough to break new ground in the timber haulage industry with products alone – EPSILON is also developing new ideas for serviceability and customer proximity.

Therefore, to provide customers with expertise, tips and tricks for practical applications involving the timber loader cranes, EPSILON is actively supporting MAN’s Profi Drive Training, which is going on tour in 2017. Using the company’s own equipment to provide the best-possible preparation for everyday work, the new training programme aims to instruct participants in specific areas including cost-effectiveness, driving safety and load securing. The first segment-specific training was held on 18 November 2016 at the MAN Truck & Bus testing ground in Munich for hauliers from UPM GmbH.

PALFINGER EPSILON will therefore continue to stand for practical innovations and superior quality in manufacturing in 2017. You can start looking forward to the market leader unveiling more of its innovations at ELMIA Wood 2017. We guarantee you’ll be impressed!