A REWARDING INVESTMENT

It is a fact that some operators think twice before deciding to invest in a tiltrotator, not least because of the costs involved, but once they take the plunge they quickly realise the many benefits of such a versatile tool. That has been the experience of Howard Greene who recently acquired a Rototilt R4 QuickChange (R4QC) from Irish based dealers Construction Plant Services (CPS).

Howard, who founded Erne Groundworks Ltd back in 2011, has been in the industry for over 30 years, having operated as a sole trader before setting up the company in County Cavan, close to the border with Northern Ireland. He says there were several reasons behind his decision to add the Rototilt R4 QuickChange which was also supplied with a Rototilt Quick Change machine coupler, Gripper module, Rototilt universal bucket and fully integrated joystick steering, axle locks, boom float and blade.

One influencing factor was the shortage of skilled operatives. “These days there are not that many young people coming into the industry, so it made perfect sense to invest in the tiltrotator as you can achieve so much work on site with just one operator. It has made my life a lot easier,” he says. “It was a big financial outlay, but I can see it will quickly pay for itself.”

Awesome Earthmovers caught up with Howard and his team working on a large housing development in the Clondalkin area of Dublin where they were preparing the ground works. The Rototilt R4 was fitted to a new Volvo EWR130E wheeled excavator, the first such model in Ireland. “It has proved to be an excellent combination,” confirms Howard.

...it is proving to be a really great combination and a rewarding investment...

Although the 13-tonne Volvo EWR130E is a multipurpose machine in its own right, it has been transformed into an even more flexible excavator with the addition of the Rototilt tiltrotator with QuickChange. The Rototilt QuickChange system allows the operator to efficiently connect and reconnect various hydraulic and nonhydraulic tool options. The operator has the choice of removing the tiltrotator in favour of another attachment. Or, as the R4QC has been supplied with QuickChange, he can pick up and operate other hydraulic attachments such as a compactor. This results in savings in both time and fuel – and also safety as the operator remains in the safest part of the machine – the cab!

The R4QC is supplied, as standard, with SecureLock, an active safety solution that reduces the risk of swinging and dropping work tools, achieved by ensuring that the work tool is correctly connected, securely locked and in good condition, even before you start work. The connection is monitored continuously and you are warned via the display and clear audible signals the moment a problem arises. SecureLock is based on a patented solution for electronic sensors in the safety lock and meets the high safety requirements set out in EN474.

Since using the Rototilt R4QC on site, we have become much more efficient and productive. It is saving us on labour costs...

Designed specifically for excavators weighing between 10-16 tonnes and despite its low weight and compact format, the R4QC can handle breakout torques of up to 163 kNm. With its proportional control system and pressure-compensated hydraulics, you can use the tiltrotator’s functions independently of each other in order to provide precise control of tilt and rotation, even if you want to operate these at different speeds. This becomes even clearer when you are using both functions at the same time.

The Rototilt design incorporates a cast housing which holds the rotation unit. This is an oil-filled rotor housing cast in a single piece resulting in a strong design at minimum weight. All of the Rototilt units have this design. All are oil-filled for ease of service and long life.

It is that oil-filled cast rotor housing that sets Rototilt tiltrotators apart, making them robust and reliable as well as stronger and lighter than welded alternatives.

The advantages of oil are numerous, including continuous lubrication, better heat dissipation, a much longer service life and particle removal, all simplifying maintenance and reducing wear on the key components.

The R4QC was supplied with a RG800 Gripper described as the tiltrotator’s best friend, a reliable “buddy” that is always by your side and that steps up when you need an extra hand on tasks such as moving manhole covers and kerbstones, pipe laying, stone paving and other basic sorting.

The Rototilt QuickChange system is part of Open-S. This gives greater opportunity to utilise attachments within in the Open-S suppler group. Open-S is a standard adopted by many manufacturers allowing the easy hire or exchange of attachments depending on the job at hand.

“Since using the Rototilt R4QC on site, we have become more efficient and productive. It is saving us on labour

costs and we are able to carry out tasks that would have been otherwise difficult, such is the versatility it has added to the Volvo EWR130E,” says Howard who also operates three other excavators, a Volvo EC235, a Volvo EC140, and a Doosan DX235, in addition to a number of 9-tonne dumpers.

Mastering the controls of a tiltrotator can be a steep learning curve for some, but Howard explains: “We had excellent support from the team at CPS and were able to quickly get to grips with the new system which has been smoothly integrated with the agile Volvo EWR130E.

Like I said, it is proving to be a really great combination and a rewarding investment.”

Adds CPS’s Declan McGowan: “In recent times we have seen a steady increase in the popularity of the Rototilt brand as more and more operators like Howard at Erne Groundworks have come to appreciate the benefits. We were delighted to set up the R4QC on his new Volvo excavator and guide him through the process of using it to achieve the best results from the product. We wish him every success in his business going forward.”