Salla, located in Eastern Lapland, is one of the small municipalities in Finland that have become users of Lännen multipurpose machines. In Salla, too, the reasons for this choice are familiar but even clearer – the multifunctional machine is considered a sensible opportunity to maintain the operational readiness of even a small municipality in various tasks.
Salla’s latest Lännen multipurpose machine, an 8800M, was delivered in 2023.
- It arrived just in time for May Day, and we even had one last heavy snowfall after that, says the machine’s primary operator, Tuomas Kellokumpu.
This is a reminder of the location—Eastern Lapland, close to the Russian border, and above the Arctic Circle. The conditions are challenging for much of the year, and most of the machine’s workload involves snow plowing and other winter maintenance.
Salla's new Lännen 8800M multipurpose machine arrived in spring 2023 just in time for the last snow removal tasks. Above the Arctic Circle, the machine handles tasks such as plowing and snowbank removal in winter, and excavation and brush cutting in summer.
- A snowplowing run adds up to 140 kilometers on the odometer, Kellokumpu explains.
- Then there’s clearing snowbanks, snow blowing, and snow loading, he adds.
While these tasks are natural for a machine operating in the north, they’re far from the only duties. Summer inevitably arrives even in Lapland, bringing tasks like municipal excavation work, road maintenance, and brush clearing.
- We mainly use subcontractors for private road maintenance, but we aim to handle as much as possible ourselves, says Ari Kivelä, a construction manager with Salla’s technical department.
- That’s why we have a machine like this.
ONE Lännen AT A TIME
The new Lännen backhoe loader isn’t Salla’s first. It replaced a 2011 Lännen 8600G, which logged an impressive 14,000 working hours before being retired.
- Before that, we had a tractor backhoe, but we didn’t go back to that option, Kivelä explains.
"If we only had a wheel loader, for example, I don't think we could separately acquire an excavator. We would then have to outsource those jobs. Additionally, we often need to be in several places during the day. This definitely saves time and transfer costs."
According to him, the previous Länkkäri served the municipality well. When the time came to replace it, they sought even greater hydraulic power in the new machine. This led to the selection of the Lännen 8800M.
Salla's new Lännen 8800M isn’t the municipality’s first Länkkäri – the previous 8600G served for 14,000 working hours before being replaced.
- We don’t have a specific replacement cycle; it depends on the condition of the machine. Once the need arises, we start municipal-level discussions about acquiring a new one, Kivelä explains.
This means the new machine is also expected to have a long service life.
- This machine comes with a maintenance contract, which is very convenient. The maintenance is handled by TunturiAuto in Kemijärvi, and we were very satisfied with their service for our previous machine, Kivelä adds.
A Machine Designed for Its Operator
From an operator’s perspective, a new machine always requires some adjustment, but it also brings new opportunities for daily work.
- The machine immediately felt more robust, and for tasks like roadside mowing, its stability is noticeable, says Tuomas Kellokumpu.
One new feature of the M-series is the control display, which provides easy access to machine settings, such as hydraulics.
Tuomas Kellokumpu, the regular operator of the Lännen 8800M, appreciates the machine's user-friendly settings and the on-site training received during commissioning. In a multipurpose machine, the role of the operator is crucial – the machine does not work without a professional.
- I’ve adjusted some of the settings, and it’s very straightforward. We also received excellent on-site training for the machine, Kellokumpu continues.
As the machine’s primary operator, Kellokumpu handles a wide range of tasks with expertise. In a multipurpose machine like this, the operator plays a critical role—after all, the machine doesn’t work on its own.
- The acquisition process involved listening to the operator and collaborating with Lännen Tractors to refine the machine, says Kivelä.
THE FEATURES OF THE MULTIFUNCTION MACHINE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES
The combination of a skilled operator and a versatile machine provides small municipalities with work capabilities that would otherwise be out of reach.
- If we only had a wheel loader, I don’t think we could also afford a separate excavator. Those tasks would have to be outsourced, Kivelä points out.
- Additionally, we often need to be in multiple locations in one day. This machine saves time and transfer costs, Kellokumpu highlights, referring to one of the Lännen backhoe loaders key features—its mobility.
- The diverse attachments are a major advantage and one of the most important aspects compared to a wheel loader or excavator. The increased power of the machine also opens up new possibilities for utilizing the Lännen, Kivelä concludes, summarizing their experience with Lännen machines.
The versatile Lännen backhoe loader is a practical and multifunctional solution regardless of the season or terrain conditions. Read more about the various tasks different types of machines can accomplish with one versatile Lännen machine here.
If you have any further inquiries or wish for our sales team to get in touch with you, simply click here.
You can also request more information by emailing info@lannen.com.
