The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 58 Leadership Inspection [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

Inside the workshop of Dafeng Machinery Factory, a group of people surrounded Zhou Zhiqiang, listening intently as he explained the key points to note when operating a small hand-held tractor.

"The power principle of the small hand-held tractor we are developing and manufacturing is mainly based on four strokes and compression ignition, so this plunger-type fuel injection pump is the core mechanical component."

There must be absolutely no leaks between these core components.

"If the gap is too large, it will cause a drop in pressure, and the engine will stall. But Team Leader Zhou, I'm afraid it's difficult to process such a complex surface manually, right?"

Ge Zhiyu spoke to Zhou Zhiqiang, who quickly realized the difficulties of the project after listening to him.

If it's done by hand by a skilled craftsman, the result should be fine, but the efficiency will be low.

A skilled worker can produce about fifteen pieces a day, and with practice, they can produce around thirty, but that still doesn't meet the needs of 'large-scale' production.

How many highly skilled workers can they have? Moreover, the gaps between these core components must be very small, so small that the internal pressure cannot drop.

This places very high tolerance requirements on the parts.

After listening to Ge Zhiyu's words, the senior engineers standing around shook their heads with troubled expressions after examining some of the mechanical pump's components.

It's true that they are skilled, but even the most skilled person only has two hands. These parts are obviously the kind that are difficult to make and require high precision. It's okay to let them take their time, but they can't be processed and produced quickly.

Some senior workers were already sighing inwardly. They had dealt with Zhou Zhiqiang before, and when they heard that they would be transferred to Zhou Zhiqiang's team again, their hearts sank.

Now that I look, it's true.

For these highly skilled workers, it certainly wasn't a simple or easy job.

"That's right. Purely manual production is definitely not feasible. If we want industrialized production, we can't do without machine tools."

Zhou Zhiqiang paused for a moment, then continued, "First, we'll manually manufacture a prototype of a small hand-held tractor to ensure it works flawlessly in the fields before considering large-scale industrial production."

I plan to modify the machine tools, expanding and altering the existing main machine tools to enable specific multi-process machining.

After listening to Zhou Zhiqiang's words, some senior workers felt that they were somewhat unreliable.

Most of the machine tools they use now are from abroad, and the models and specifications are not standardized. If they are modified haphazardly, it will cause chaos.

A senior fitter certainly understands machine tool repair, after all, he deals with machine tools all day long. However, repair is repair, but asking them to make modifications is definitely not something they can do.

However, upon hearing this, the five students from the Industrial University showed a hint of excitement on their faces. Then, Miao Hongyu asked, "Team Leader Zhou, do you have any ideas?"

Zhou Zhiqiang nodded and said, "Yes, we already have it, but for now, we should focus on manufacturing the small hand tractor."

Without a single qualified finished product, our project team cannot convince the leadership to make large-scale modifications to the factory's machine tools.

"Once we have our own flagship product, Dafeng Machinery Factory's agricultural machinery will be sold all over the country, and we can even export it to earn foreign exchange!"

"well said!"

Just as Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, a cheer came from behind him.

Turning around, I saw Factory Director Zhao and Deputy Factory Director Liu leading several other unfamiliar people into the workshop.

The one who just spoke must be the one walking at the very front. Zhou Zhiqiang didn't know who he was, but seeing him walking in front of Director Zhao, he guessed that his rank was probably much higher than Director Zhao's.

Deputy Factory Director Liu took the initiative to introduce, "Zhiqiang, come and get acquainted; this is Deputy Director Cai from our Sijiu City Industrial Bureau and Director Chen from the Technical Department. This time, Deputy Director Cai and Director Chen are here specifically to inspect our factory's small hand-held tractor project, so you'd better do your best."

Although their factory could set up its own project team for hand tractors, if they performed well, they could get support from the Industrial Bureau.

The Industrial Bureau of Beijing has far more resources that it can control than their factory.

"Comrade Zhiqiang, I've heard a lot about you before."

Deputy Director Cai approached with a smile and shook hands, saying, "Your improved production process for new alloy steel has been highly praised by Leader Wang, directly reversing our country's reputation for being unable to produce high-quality steel."

While chatting idly, Director Cai and Zhou Zhiqiang walked to the other side and continued...
"Based on the current progress of technological improvements, in three years, our country's refined steel production will be able to increase fourfold, and the standards for alloy steel will be comparable to the world's top standards."

Oh, and there's something else you might not know: the Russians know we can produce alloy steel, and after learning about the quality of the new alloy steel, they're even considering adopting our technology.

"That won't do."

Zhou Zhiqiang swallowed back what he was about to say.

Deputy Director Cai asked curiously, "Can't what?"

Zhou Zhiqiang waved his hand and said, "It's nothing, boss. I misunderstood something."

He almost blurted out that he couldn't just give it to the Russians for nothing; he had to at least get something in return.

However, the Russians have provided them with a lot of technology, and the aid is still ongoing. If he were to say that out loud, he would be in trouble.

It won't be until next year or the year after that their relationship with the Russians will rapidly improve. In 1962 and 1965, they were practically on the verge of war.

Without much thought, Deputy Director Cai asked, "Comrade Zhiqiang, I have reviewed the information about your project in detail."

To be honest, I also consulted the Ministry of Agriculture, and the situation is indeed as stated in the materials; compared to large agricultural machinery, small agricultural machines are more suitable for our country.

"That's why I'm very optimistic about the project your factory submitted. I heard everything you just said, and I'm full of confidence."

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "Leader, it is the reality that gives me so much confidence. Our country is a developing country, and there are quite a few developing countries in the world."

They are certainly like us, unable to concentrate their agricultural resources, relying on a decentralized farming model for production. After meeting domestic demand, exporting our small hand-held tractors to earn foreign exchange is an inevitable path for us.

Deputy Director Cai nodded with satisfaction. He liked confident subordinates; their spirit and energy showed that they were sure to complete the task.

However, Deputy Director Cai still asked, "Comrade Zhiqiang, can you guarantee that you will definitely complete it?"

"Don't worry, sir. I already have a well-developed plan in mind, and I will definitely complete the task."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking with great confidence, his expression changed and he said, "Leader, we still need a little help."

We can definitely manufacture small hand-held tractors and other small agricultural machinery now; however, large-scale production is a bit difficult. But if the bureau can give us some assistance, I'm willing to make a solemn promise.

Modifying a machine tool is no simple task. If it were just the project team of a few people, they probably wouldn't finish modifying it even after a year of hard work.

The Municipal Bureau of Industry must step in to help coordinate and mobilize the resources of the machine tool factory so that the machine tool renovation can be completed within two or three months.

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(End of this chapter)