A NEVER-ENDING STORY

When Ross Taylor invested in a second-hand Rototilt tiltrotator 21 years ago, at a time when this transformational work tool had yet to make its mark on the industry in this part of the world, it had an immediate and positive effect on his fledgling agricultural contracting business. Two decades on, it continues to do so, as Awesome Earthmovers recently discovered during a trip to Lockerbie in Scotland.

The Rototilt model in question is an Indexator RT80. Now fitted to its third excavator, it is still working perfectly alongside a more modern Rototilt R4 and one of the latest Rototilt R8 tiltrotators, supplied by dealers Solway Machinery Sales Ltd.

“I hadn’t long started out in business operating as R D Taylor Plant Hire when I invested in a second-hand 20-tonne Komatsu machine fitted with the RT80 from a gas pipeline contractor. I have it now working on a JCB 220X,” explains Ross.

“I was under the impression that these tiltrotators had a lifespan of around five years, but how wrong was I. Manufactured in 2001, it is still working every day – what a recommendation for Rototilt as a brand,” he adds. “Indeed, representatives from Rototilt have visited me on-site a couple of times now to see the RT80 for themselves; they believe it may be one of the oldest working models still in existence in the UK – I’d be happy to let them have it in return for a new Rototilt!”

We caught up with Ross on the family farm in Lockerbie, Scotland, while he was constructing a new cowshed to house a robotic milking system. He was operating a Doosan DX300LC, which had been fitted with the Rototilt R8 tiltrotator, being effectively utilised in excavating a slurry channel. It was working alongside a JCB JS145 fitted with an R4 Rototilt, also supplied by Solway Machinery Sales Ltd.

The Rototilt design incorporates a cast housing that 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 Rototilt tiltrotators have certainly made my life so much easier. You can accomplish jobs quicker and more efficiently…

SAVES TIME & LABOUR

“This latest R8 has really transformed the excavator, making it so much more versatile as we can easily use it with a variety of buckets, grabs, tree shears, and other attachments. One of the biggest benefits is that you can cut down on labour and its associated costs,” says Ross. “Our operators don’t have to get in and out of the machine as much, and you save time because you don’t have to be constantly maneuvring the excavator into position, which makes it far more enjoyable to drive.

“As it adds so much more flexibility to the machine, it gives you a lot of confidence to take on any challenging or difficult task that may be required on-site. The Rototilt tiltrotators have certainly made my life so much easier. You can accomplish jobs quicker and more efficiently, which is why I get a lot of repeat work, so the tiltrotator will pay for itself in no time.”

Initially, operators may find the controls a little complicated to master, but Ross says that after a few days it becomes second nature. “There’s no way I would drive a digger now with a fixed bucket,” he adds.

SECURELOCK FOR EXTRA SAFETY

It also came with SecureLock, which is standard across the Rototilt range; this is an active safety solution that utilises the power of sensors to reduce the risk of swinging and dropping work tools. This is 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.

Although Ross didn’t specify it for a number of operational reasons, Rototilt tiltrotators can also be supplied with QuickChange, which allows you to change hydraulic tools automatically without leaving the cab. When you work with QuickChange in both the attachment frame at the top and the quick coupler at the bottom, you can disconnect and connect the tiltrotator or switch between different hydraulic tools quickly, easily, and safely, depending on the task at hand. In addition to saving time, this results in a safer working environment for you as a machine operator.

“Oil-filled cast rotor housing sets Rototilt tiltrotators apart, making them more robust and reliable…”

SOLID WORKING RELATIONSHIP

Les Aitchison from Solway Machinery Sales Ltd, who were appointed Rototilt dealers three years ago to cover Cumbria, Southern and Central Scotland, and Argyll, says he has known Ross for many years, a working relationship that was further cemented when they took on the Rototilt franchise.

“We are delighted he is happy with the brand, and while we weren’t around to supply him with the RT80 all those years ago, it is a testament to the quality of the Rototilt range that it is still working strongly today; I think in all that time, he has had no major failures with it, apart from having a few seals replaced,” says Les.

And Ross adds: “Solway Machinery has been brilliant to deal with. I’m quite sporadic and last-minute by nature, but I can phone them up anytime, even at weekends, and they are always available. If we ever have any issues, we know they will be sorted quickly – and they are always very fair to do business with.”