Machine power Lännen Tractors

MACHINE POWER

Lännen Tractors Oy is based in Finland and produces construction machinery for demanding applications such as laying power lines and burying cables underground. Joseph Altham spoke to Lännen’s sales and marketing director, Mika Hänninen, to find out how Lännen’s machines help to keep the trains running during the Finnish winter.

Lännen Tractors is well known throughout the Scandinavian countries for its versatile and reliable machines. Lännen’s wheel loader backhoes are multipurpose machines that are widely used for infrastructure maintenance and on building sites, as well as for harvest work and in clearing the snow.

Lännen manufactures the wheel loader backhoes in Loimaa, in south-west Finland. The Lännen Mobile Construction Equipment Group also includes a Swedish subsidiary, Lundberg, which manufactures multipurpose machines (tool carriers) at Skellefteå in northern Sweden. Overall, the Lännen MCE Group employs 150 people and has an annual turnover of around €45 million. The company has a strong presence in its home markets of Sweden and Finland, and also has dealers in several European countries including the Baltic countries, France, Slovenia and Spain.

Lännen provides many different attachments for its tractors, such as hoists, ploughs and snow blowers, meaning that one machine can be adapted to perform many different tasks. Another advantage of the machines, says Mr Hänninen, is that they are stable and easy to use. “Few of our competitors can equal the stability of our machines, which are also outstandingly manoeuvrable. The people who use our machines really appreciate their ergonomic design, which makes the machine nice to drive.”

Cables and power lines

In Finland and elsewhere, Lännen’s machines are often used to install overhead power lines and to lay cables underground. The ruggedness and stability of the machines make them well adapted to the task of installing overhead cables. The wheel loader backhoe’s superior

off-road capability means that it can move easily over rough ground and work efficiently in the countryside. At the same time, the machine is stable enough to support a long boom, allowing the cable guy to work safely at a height of up to 19 metres. For installing overhead cables, there is also a separate pole grip for fixing new electricity poles into the ground.

In Finland, Lännen’s tractors play a vital role in maintaining and repairing electricity and telecommunications networks. Unfortunately, overhead power lines can sometimes be brought down in a storm, leaving households without electricity. According to Mr Hänninen, there were severe power failures in Finland in December 2011 following heavy storms. “A lot of trees fell down and thousands of homes were left without power. This led to discussions about replacing many of our country’s overhead power lines with underground cables, as has already happened in Sweden. Finland will probably follow Sweden’s example and we expect underground power line construction in Finland to lead to an increase in the demand for our machines.”

Railway maintenance

In Scandinavia, Lännen’s machines are especially popular for use in maintaining the railway system. “We have sold machines to the Finnish railway company as well as to railways in Norway and Lithuania.” The machines can be fitted with many different attachments, which means they can do many different jobs on the track. “The wheel loader backhoes take care of the track and the surrounding area. Trains are usually electric, so there is a constant need to maintain the power lines.” Lännen’s machines can move rapidly up and down the railway with the aid of special rail wheels and if necessary the rubber wheels of the machine can even be lifted right above the track. The machine can be fitted with a plough or a bucket and in wintertime, Lännen’s machines perform a valuable function on Finland’s railways by clearing the

snow off the track. In summer the machines are used to cut back the undergrowth at the side of the railway and keep the track clear of grass and weeds. Heavy-duty tractors are essential in Finland so that the trains can be kept running throughout the country’s long winter. “Our tractors meet all the needs of railway maintenance in the climate conditions of northern Europe and reduce the manpower required for the job. A capable driver can take care of all the maintenance tasks which means you only need one guy for each machine.”

Investing for the future

Although the economic environment in Europe may be uncertain, the Lännen MCE Group invested over €1 million in 2011 in new machines and equipment for the Loimaa factory. “We are aiming to increase our production capacity to meet future demand. We see good potential on our home turf in Sweden and Finland and we are currently exploring some exciting business opportunities in our export markets.” Exports already account for around 60 per cent of the turnover of the Lännen MCE Group and Lännen’s customers can rely on a strong after-sales service. The factories in Sweden and Finland have 2500 square metres of space for the storage of spare parts, enabling 97 per cent of orders to be delivered from stock, and Lännen’s dealers in Europe are on hand to provide high quality technical support. n