Men and Machines II

Every day, billions of goods are sent all over the world. Producers send goods to one another constantly, and in the end the product reaches the consumer. However, the fast dispatching of goods would not be possible without effective storage systems. The film shows how massive storage systems are designed, built, and put to use.

An airplane ignited in flames – every airport must be prepared for this scenario. In many airports, the fire fighters rely on the help of the “Panther.” This 1450 hp fire truck can hold a capacity of 12,500 litres of water. The training to handle the machine is carried out under realistic conditions, using a fire spitting container. Meanwhile in Rosenheim, production of the panther is running at full speed. But before each Panther can be delivered, it must pass a test drive.

Spanning 9 meters wide, the Lexion 780 is one of the most modern and powerful combine harvesters in the world. Its granary has a capacity of 128,000 liters, and the vehicle produces 626 hp while on the fields. We examine how the combine harvester is built on a 500 meter long production line and then brought to a nearby site to be tested.

The walking excavator M545x is the king of the rough terrain. The machine is a valuable asset when working on the mountains, harsh slopes are no problem as the M545x maintains a firm hold on the ground. Witness the “spider excavator” as it is put to work in two operations in the alps, as well as how the machine is created.

Where ordinary tractors fail, Titan must find a solution. The company gives Daimler’s already powerful tractors an impressive upgrade. The heavy-duty special designs allow towing loads of up to 250 tons. To achieve this, the mechanics install a fourth axle along with many other modificiations. The film shows the conversion of a heavy-duty transporter and showcases them while they are put to work.

Without them, nothing would go underground. Wherever mineral resources are mined, the bulldog-like machines from GHH are a necessity. This manufacturer of specialized vehicles produces extremely flat power packs that perform their job no matter the environmental conditions. We look at the production and dismantling of a truckloader, which can be broken down into pieces in order to reach its destination.

The TCC 7800 is one of the most powerful land-based heavy-duty cranes in the world. In the port of Rostock, the crane is able to lift loads up to 1600 tons. The film shows the construction of the 164 metre high crane, which is now a key characteristic of the the Baltic Port.

Faster, harder, more expensive – the Puma is regarded as the most modern infantry fighting vehicle in the world, and yet it is still under criticism. The technical aspects of the vehicle are as complex as an airplane. The film shows the production of the Pumas in Kassel and the deployment in the German military. We also investigate why it was twice as expensive as originally planned.