SPEED, SAFETY & FLEXIBILITY

Owen Gillard invested in his first tiltrotator, a second-hand model, in 2014, not long after he set up his own groundworks business and quickly realised the benefits as it turned his excavator into a versatile and flexible machine. Since then he has had nine Rototilt tiltrotators over the years and today he is operating with five of the units.

The latest addition, a Rototilt R4, was supplied by Dumfries and Galloway-based Solway Machinery Sales who were appointed Rototilt dealers just over two years ago, covering Cumbria, Southern and Central Scotland, and Argyll.

Owen’s work takes him throughout the Scottish Border region on a variety of projects that include housing developments, road crossings, foundations, landscaping and other groundswork schemes.

The latest Rototilt R4, fitted to one of his 14 tonne Liebherr’s, joins two other Rototilt R4’s, and an R1 and R3 in his excavator fleet which includes an 8 tonne Kobelco and several Bobcat machines; we saw some of them in action when we visited Milestone Garden & Leisure Centre at Newtown St Boswells near Melrose in South-East Scotland where they were working on a large car park extension.

When we asked Owen what appealed to him most about the Rototilt, he replied with just three words: Speed, Safety, and Flexibility. “Our operators absolutely love the Rototilt, they think they are brilliant,” says Owen. “They wouldn’t go back to a standard machine. Mastering the controls took a little time and some training, but now it comes as second nature to them, they don’t even have to think about it.”

The R4, which can handle breakout torques of up to 163 kNm despite its low weight and compact format, has been designed specifically for excavators weighing between 10-16 tonnes and with its proportional control system and pressure-compensated hydraulics, its functions can be used independently of each other in order to provide precise control of tilt and rotation.

OWEN GILLARD

OWNER Owen Gillard Groundworks

“Our operators absolutely love the Rototilt...

“With the Rototilt we can easily accomplish tasks that would be difficult to do without the tiltrotators. We use them with a variety of attachments like compactor plates and grabs,” says Owen. “It has been a significant investment for us, but we can get through tasks much quicker and safer, so they pay for themselves in no time. A lot of my projects are fixed price, so keeping to set budgets is vital, and using the Rototilts helps us to achieve that.”

The R4 was supplied with Rototilt’s QuickChange system which allows the operator to efficiently connect and reconnect various hydraulic and non hydraulic tool options. This results in savings in both time and fuel – and also safety as the operator doesn’t have to leave the comfort of his cab.

It also came with SecureLock, as standard; it is 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.

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.

Owen’s other four Rototilts, like the R4, were supplied with gripper modules, an efficient picking and handling tool which makes the excavator even more versatile, ideal for when you need an extra hand on tasks such as moving materials, pipe laying and stone paving.

“It’s a combination that means one man can accomplish so much during his working day, and because the excavator doesn’t have to move around or shift positions as much as a machine without a tiltrotator, it saves not only on track wear but also on fuel, which is another bonus,” explains Owen, “And, of course, it also eliminates any potential for damaging or disturbing the ground on which it is working.”

It has been a significant investment for us, but we can get through tasks much quicker and safer, so they pay for themselves in no time...

Because of the Rototilt’s design and build features, little maintenance is required. “All my Rototilts have proved super reliable; we have never had a problem with them,” comments Owen. “And the service and support we have received from the team at Solway Machinery Sales cannot be faulted, although we very rarely see them on site as there has been no need. That said, we know they are only ever a phone call away if an emergency arises and we are confident they will make every effort to quickly respond.”