Forest Logging Machine

Chapter 92 Forest Logging Machine

When Jiang Fan saw these tanks, he realized how much importance the Soviet Union had placed on people's livelihoods after the Great Patriotic War.

This story begins after Germany's surrender in May 1945.

Although the Soviet Union won the war at that time, the whole country was also devastated.

Industrial areas in western Europe were almost completely razed to the ground, tens of thousands of villages were reduced to ashes, and more than 2000 million people lost their lives.

After the joy of victory faded, Moscow faced a problem even more serious than the war itself:

How can we get this devastated country running again?

At the end of 1945, Stalin made a very important statement at the Central Committee plenary session: "The Great Patriotic War has proven that we are capable of producing the most powerful tanks and artillery in the world, but if we cannot feed our people and restore civilian industry, then victory will be meaningless."

This statement caused a great sensation at the time because it marked the beginning of a shift in the Soviet leadership's mindset from a war-oriented approach focused solely on the front lines to a construction-oriented approach that prioritized both people's livelihoods and industry.

Then, in early 1946, the Council of Ministers of the USSR issued Resolution No. 1472, which had a far-reaching impact on the war effort.

The gist of this document is:

All military industrial enterprises and heavy industrial plants and mines must allocate a portion of their production capacity for the research and development and production of civilian products while fulfilling defense orders.

The specific quantitative targets were that by the end of 1948, the output value of civilian products in each factory must account for more than 15% of the total output value, and by 1950, this figure should reach 30%.

This indicator caused many factory directors a lot of headaches at the time.

The reason is simple: changing the assembly line for manufacturing tanks and cannons to one for tractors and harvesters is not as simple as tightening a few screws.

Costs can't be reduced, and workers don't know how.

Tanks use special armor steel, while civilian machinery cannot use such thick materials.

Tank gearboxes are designed for high-speed maneuverability, while agricultural machinery requires low-speed, high-torque operation, leading to various minor problems.

However, what's even more troublesome is that the military industrial enterprises that withdrew from the Urals, Siberia, and the Far East still have a large amount of wartime scrapped equipment in their hands.

T-34 tanks, SU-76 self-propelled guns, and captured German Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks—these lumps of iron are piled up in the factory. It's a pity to dismantle them, but keeping them takes up space, and we don't know where to start modifying them.

In 48, the People's Commissariat for Heavy Industry of the USSR organized a special exchange meeting on the conversion of military technology to civilian use across the entire Union. Technical experts from major factories gathered in Moscow to exchange modification experiences.

But to be honest, the results were not ideal.

Some factories dismantled the turrets of the T-34 and, like Jiang Fan, modified them into tractors. However, the T-34 itself was not suitable for working in farmland; turning around would flatten half an acre of rice seedlings.

They thought that modifying the Su-76 into a forest-like vehicle was like taking apart a car, but the power system was completely incompatible, and it would break down after less than two hours.

As the director of the Andrei Machine Factory, Vega was overwhelmed by this target starting in 1946. His factory was located in the heart of the Ural region, surrounded by vast stretches of coniferous and mixed forests.

Logically, forestry machinery would be the most suitable product, but the problem is that all the technical backbone of the factory comes from tank and arms manufacturing backgrounds. Asking them to design an efficient forest logging machine is more difficult than asking them to redesign a tank.

For three years, Vega tried every possible method.

He tried to convert the waste into swamp transport vehicles, but the design was not strong enough. Three pieces of timber broke after traveling less than 5 kilometers fully loaded. He also tried to add a hydraulic grab bucket to the chassis of an SU-76 to make a timber harvester, but the hydraulic system often leaked oil, and the cost of repairing it was higher than hiring 10 horses.

The factory workers discussed among themselves that the money the factory manager had made from developing civilian products over the years was enough for him to live off for the rest of his life.

Upon hearing this, Vega could only manage a wry smile.

If the targets above aren't met, the factory will have to close down next year. It won't get coal and electricity quotas, and then it'll be starving.

So when Jiang Fan saw the abandoned tanks in the factory area, combined with Alexandrov's knowledge, and recalling that China had also experienced the painful period of military-to-civilian conversion in the early stages of reform and opening up, he now saw this as nothing less than an open-book exam.

So when Jiang Fan accurately pointed out his sore spot, he immediately snapped out of it and stared intently at him.

Jiang Fan then shared his thoughts, which Wu Nian immediately translated.

"Director Vega, I've noticed that your factory has a lot of decommissioned tanks piling up. If I'm not mistaken, you must have tried to convert them into civilian machinery over the years, right?"

Wu Nian translated these words fluently, and Wei Jia showed a hint of surprise on his face before nodding.

"Young man, you have a good eye. We did try it, but you said you have a solution. What do you mean by that?"

Jiang Fan smiled and added.

"I have a suggestion that might help you, but of course there are conditions. You can listen to it first, and then we can continue our discussion."

Vega was taken aback, and Natasha was also skeptical, but no one spoke up to stop them; they all wanted to hear what Jiang Fan would say.

That's the way.

"To be honest, our Ansteel plant can now independently convert tanks into tractors. You can verify this with our colleagues."

"Furthermore, given your current situation, I think a forest logging machine would be very suitable for your current circumstances."

"It can not only cut down trees, but also perform four functions: collecting timber, piling up, bulldozing, and land preparation."

"Manager Vega, are you interested?"

Natasha, who had been standing next to Vega with her arms crossed, immediately realized that Jiang Fan was talking nonsense.

What is a forest logging machine?

I had never heard of such a machine before.

Although she wasn't from the factory, she had received many businessmen from other countries who came here to try to reach cooperation agreements, and no one had ever heard of such a thing before.

So he said directly to Vega, "Vega, don't be fooled by them. These Chinese people just want the punching machine you have and are trying to use these empty words to drive down the price."

"Look at them, even those foreign experts and people from Moscow couldn't handle it. This inspection team from the Far East doesn't even have an industrial base, so what makes them think they can just spout off like that?"

These words were quite blunt. Wu Nian glanced around at the three people accompanying him, but there was no translator. However, Jiang Fan was able to understand them.

But he couldn't say it, he had no rebuttal, and could only silently swallow this bitter pill.

Li Wanshu and Shen Chun, who were standing to the side, had already noticed that something was wrong, but they didn't dare to ask anything at this time.

Vega did not completely reject Natasha's womanly opinion; instead, he silently and quickly weighed the pros and cons.

As the head of a state-owned machinery factory, he was responsible for meeting the targets set by Moscow and supporting all the workers and their families.

Those tanks piled up in the factory area cost a considerable amount to maintain each year.

If it can be transformed into usable forestry machinery, even if it only recoups the costs, it would be a great thing.

More importantly, he would not underestimate anyone, after all, this delegation was no ordinary people to have obtained approval from the Soviet Liaison Office in China.

Although China has a weak industrial base, those who have emerged from the flames of war often possess a special quality, and their words are worth listening to.

So Vega asked Jiang Fan directly, "What do you want?"

It's true that talking to smart people is quick and easy.

Jiang Fan immediately had Wu Nian translate: "I hope to select a punching machine in good condition within the range of funds we carry with us, one that can operate stably."

After hearing this, Vega showed a slightly surprised expression, then nodded. In his opinion, this request was not excessive, and even too simple.

He thought for a moment, then asked again, "Is it really that simple?"

Jiang Fan shook his head and said, "The higher-ups are making demands; this is cooperation!"

Upon hearing the word "cooperation," Wu Nian even paused in her translation.

At this moment, Shen Chun also abandoned his restraint towards a major power and asked urgently in a low voice, "Comrade Jiang Fan, cooperation? What kind of cooperation? We don't know anything about the situation, don't do anything rash."

Li Wanshu frowned, his tone gentle but his attitude firm: "Comrade Jiang Fan, you should communicate with us about anything. Don't act on your own. We are a team."

Jiang Fan smiled wryly to himself. He had also wanted to communicate in advance, but this matter was purely a flash of inspiration, and there was no time to discuss it. Therefore, he did not reply to the two of them and directly let Wu Nian continue.

"Manager Vega, I can definitely make you a forest logging machine."

"Of course, we need to sign a technology cooperation agreement. We will charge a reasonable patent licensing fee, and Ansteel will provide the core components. You will be responsible for final assembly and sales."

"This will not only solve your factory's backlog problem, but also help you meet Moscow's civilian product targets, and allow you to obtain a reliable civilian machine."

"How was it?"

This passage was quite long, and Wu Nian struggled to translate it, but ultimately managed to relay it completely.

After listening, Vega remained silent for a long time.

This condition is not excessive; in fact, it is entirely advantageous to him.

"Comrade, your proposal is very interesting, but I need to confirm one thing: how can you prove that your plan is true?"

Jiang Fan understood his doubts and nodded.

"Manager Vega, we can stay here for another week anyway."

"I can compile the preliminary modification plan into a written document. After you confirm the feasibility of the plan, we can sign a formal technical cooperation agreement. The contract can be discussed clause by clause, including the method of collecting patent licensing fees and the general terms of subsequent parts supply, as long as the cooperation framework is determined."

"Then all of this is no longer a problem, right?"

Upon hearing this, Vega extended his right hand and said, "If you can produce documents that convince my technical team, then we'll do as you say, sign a contract, discuss the details, and take it one step at a time. We Soviets don't like empty talk."

Jiang Fan immediately reached out and shook hands, secretly relieved.

Wu Nian stood to the side watching this scene, her face still showing a hint of disbelief.

Things seem to have developed in an unexpected way. Weren't we here to buy a punching machine?

Shen Chun and Li Wanshu stood a few steps away, their brows furrowed, but they did not make a move on the spot.

Only after this matter is over can we ask Jiang Fan about his intentions.

Therefore, there was no point in coming here to pick out the perforation machine today. Under Vega's guidance, Jiang Fan and his three colleagues and their technical team got to know each other and visited the remaining tank parts.

Jiang Fan quickly came up with a modification plan in his mind.