SCOTTISH EXPANSION

Rototilt extends partnership with Solway Machinery Sales Ltd to cover the whole of Scotland

Rototilt as a brand is already one of the market leaders in the country, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the team at Solway Machinery Sales Ltd who were appointed Rototilt dealers almost four years ago, initially covering Cumbria, Southern and Central Scotland, and Argyll.

This latest development in the growth of Solway Machinery Sales, headed up by Les Aitchison, along with Sales Manager Craig Robertson, means the company is now responsible for providing sales and product support throughout Scotland, including Aberdeenshire, Inverness and along the east coast.

The company will also actively work with AC Agri Sales Ltd who look after Rototilt customers in Orkney and Shetland. “That’s the great thing about the Rototilt network, we all work closely together rather than viewing each other as competitors,” says Les.

He adds: “We are investing heavily in making sure all Rototilt customers across Scotland will benefit from the same reliable service and support no matter where they are located in the region. This is a people industry, we depend on customers every bit as much as they should be able to depend on us as a product and service provider.”

Solway Machinery Sales have taken on extra staff and are in the process of appointing a team of strategically located service engineers to ensure all Rototilt operators in Scotland will benefit from a quick response to any issues that may arise.

“Since taking on the Rototilt dealership in 2021, service and support has always been our top priority and will remain so as we continue to expand our reach and grow our business,” says Les.

Additional service and support will also continue to be provided by TH Agricultural & Plant Engineers. “Tim Hirst and his team have acted as our service partner for many years, carrying out installations and warranty work on our behalf, and we are happy to continue that relationship going forward, although we are also putting other service partners in place to guarantee Rototilt customers blanket coverage across Scotland. We are also planning to recruit more sales people as and when the business grows.”

Rototilt’s story began in 1953, but it wasn’t until 1986 that the first Rototilt tiltrotator was launched on to the market and since then the brand has grown rapidly in popularity and today the Swedish manufacturer produces a comprehensive range designed for excavators from 1.5 tonne right up to 43 tonne, the largest having been launched in Spring 2022.

Attracted to Rototilt brand

Here at Awesome Earthmovers, we have spent some time to find out why operators like Scottish based Simon Richardson Contracting are increasingly attracted to the brand.

Founded in 2003, the business focuses on forestry ground prep, forest infrastructure and road construction, tree felling, drainage, and plant hire, as well as forestry and agricultural fencing. It is based in Dumfries in south west Scotland and covers all areas, including the Scottish Borders where we caught up with operator Mark Richardson (no relation to the company owner).

“WORKING WITH AROTOTILT TILTROTATORIMPROVES YOUR FLEXIBILITY AND PRODUCTIVITY. IT MAKES IT EASIER TO ACCESS DIFFICULT AREAS, AS WELL AS INCREASING YOUR REACH”

Craig Robertson Sales Manager Solway Machinery Sales Ltd. Mark Richardson Plant Operator S. Richardson Contracting

When we visited him, he was operating a Kobelco SK210 excavator fitted with an R6 Rototilt tiltrotator on the construction of a new 600 metre long road for forestry and agricultural use.

The Rototilt R6 is specifically designed for excavators that weigh between 15-24 tonnes and is made to cope with harsh conditions such as those that can be experienced in the Scottish Borders, especially during the winter months; it also handles breakout torques of up to 255 kNm and has an oil immersed rotation unit for smoother running, less friction and longevity. All of the Rototilt units have this design.

Rototilt’s oil-filled cast rotor housing sets the 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 tiltrotator 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, 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.

Working with a tiltrotator improves your flexibility and productivity. It makes it easier to access difficult areas, as well as increasing your reach and enabling you to accomplish more with fewer machine movements – and that’s exactly what Mark has experienced, having been using the R6 for almost a year now.

One man operation

“The Rototilt tiltrotator is brilliant, and has transformed the excavator into a much more versatile machine,” said Mark who has been a full time operator since 2007 and has been working with Richardson Contracting for the past seven years.

His interest in the industry has resulted in him – and his pet dog Jenson - having a big presence and following on a number of social media platforms, including Instagram - @mditch84 and YouTube - @mditch84 video clips to demonstrate what a one-man operation can easily accomplish with the tiltrotator.

“It has certainly made my life a lot easier,” he said. “I don’t have to move the excavator about very much as the Rototilt tiltrotator can reach most of my work area from the one position, whether it is digging out road foundations or landscaping. It speeds up my work considerably.”

Another bonus is that it saves not only on time and fuel but also on track wear, as well as preventing any undue damage to the ground on which it is working.

Gripper module

The R6 also came with a gripper module, which is an effective and 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. “I’d be lost without the gripper,” said Mark, who uses it for a variety of tasks, without ever having to leave the safety and comfort of his cab.

Incidentally, Rototilt tiltrotators can also be supplied with QuickChange, a function that allows the operator to change hydraulic tools automatically without leaving the cab. They can disconnect and connect the tiltrotator or switch between different hydraulic tools quickly, easily and safely, depending on which task the operator has in front of him, again saving time and resulting in a safer working environment for him, in addition to making his day more productive.

“I’ve been using the Rototilt R6 for some time now and it is excellent. Apart from a couple of very minor issues which were quickly sorted out by the team at Solway Machinery Sales, its performance has been faultless. I would definitely recommend Rototilt and Solway Machinery Sales whose Les Aitchison and Craig Robertson have been brilliant to deal with.”