Like a sophisticated extension of your hand

Smooth and productive, but not abrupt, let alone aggressive. Ergonomic for the user, so that their body is not stiff at the end of the working day. Expedient and safe. At best, an attraction factor that makes young drivers interested in the industry. These are a few descriptions of what a good crane is like by Kesla Product Designer Matti Räsänen.

“A good crane is like a sophisticated extension of your hand. Its use is productive – fingers don’t go numb and movement doesn’t feel clumsy,” says Matti Räsänen.

In the control systems of forest machine cranes and harvester heads, Kesla’s partner is Technion Oy. Kesla handles the design and production of the control systems of all other Kesla products in-house.

Räsänen, who works in the company’s control system team, has personal experience as a forest machine driver and timber truck driver. That experience is a big advantage – he speaks the same language as the customers.

For many specialists who have worked with a crane for years or decades, the idea of switching to an electronic control system may have been difficult. Räsänen says that the sector is somewhat conservative.

Kesla has also taken into account committed users of mechanical control systems. If the customer so wishes, the benefits of the electronic control system and the feel of mechanical control can be combined in one machine.

“If necessary, the familiar joysticks of electric control can be replaced with bigger levers to lower the threshold for those accustomed to traditional control to switch to the electric control system.”

A new generation of professionals is needed at crane controls. In order for the sector to remain attractive, technology needs to be developed in an electronic, intelligent and more productive way. Kesla’s product development has also accepted the challenge.

Dialogue with customers is an integral part of the daily life of a product designer. “We receive direct customer feedback, actively collect feedback through product management and get user experiences from our test customers. Thoughts, ideas and concerns are listened to – and even read between the lines,” promises Matti Räsänen.

Thoughts, ideas and concerns are listened to – and even read between the lines, promises Matti Räsänen.