VERSATILE & EFFICIENT

Construction and Civil Engineering Contractors S. E. Hill Ltd invested in their first Rototilt tiltrotator almost 10 years ago. It represented a big investment for the family run business, but not only was it money well spent it was also the beginning of a long and beneficial working relationship with the manufacturer.

Over the years, S.E.Hill has built a reputation for delivering a professional and reliable service, taking pride in their high standard of workmanship which brings them repeat business from their many clients in Lincolnshire in the East Midlands area of England.

The company’s extensive portfolio of services ranges from agricultural and groundworks to constructing manèges and equestrian arenas - all areas where the Rototilt tiltrotator has proved to be invaluable.

The business was initially established in 1973 by Geoff Cooke, trading under the name Geoff Cooke JCB hire. It was his son-in-law Steve Hill who first suggested investing in a Rototilt system a few years after joining the company in 2004; he was later made a partner and in 2018 he took over the business when it was renamed S. E. Hill Ltd.

In the beginning, the company operated without even a hydraulic hitch, but Steve says he eventually managed to convince his father-in-law of the benefits of buying a Rototilt tiltrotator and since then no less than seven Rototilt units have passed through the hands of the company.

“INVESTING IN THE ROTOTILT TILTROTATORS REPRESENTED A BIG INVESTMENT, BUT THEY HAVE ADDED INCREDIBLE VERSATILITY TO THE EXCAVATORS…”

Today, three of them, an RC4 and two R4 tiltrotators, remain an integral part of the S. E. Hill fleet. They are fitted to two 14 tonne Volvo EC140EL excavators and a Volvo ECR145. “We simply wouldn’t be without the Rototilts,” said Steve when Awesome Earthmovers caught up with him and his team while working on the construction of three new culverts and a 1.2 kilometre access road to a local pumping station in the Lincolnshire countryside.

“Investing in the Rototilt tiltrotators represented a big investment, but they have added incredible versatility to the excavators, enabling us to be more flexible, efficient and productive, so they essentially pay for themselves over time.”

Saving on Time and Fuel

Fitted with a Rototilt, an excavator can reach places that a conventional digger might find difficult and because the machine doesn’t have to move around or shift position as much you are not only saving time but also fuel, as well as minimising track wear and eliminating any potential for damaging or disturbing the ground on which it is operating. Another bonus is that with the tiltrotator system from Rototilt, fewer machines are needed. With a tiltrotator, you can take on jobs that would otherwise require several different machines, saving on manpower.

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.

“WE MAKE GOOD USE OF THE GRIPPER MODULE. IT IS A BRILLIANT TOOL . WE CAN EASILY MOVE MATERIAL AROUND SAFELY AND WITHOUT ANY EFFORT…”

Although for operational reasons Steve opted not to include them on his three Rototilts, the tiltrotators could also have been supplied with QuickChange which allows you to change hydraulic tools safely and automatically without leaving the cab, again saving time and fuel.

“QuickChange is on my wish list. We might eventually end up with it, but for the time being we can operate effectively without it,” says Steve.

Gripper Module for Added Versatility

What he did invest in, though, is a gripper module for all three Rototilts. It is an efficient picking and handling tool which makes the excavator even more versatile, and can be used for most types of grapple tasks such as pipe laying, paving, light sorting and material handling.

The gripper has rounded prongs which close fully and are also removable. It’s been described as a “friend” that is always ready for action when you need an extra hand. “We make good use of the gripper. It is a brilliant tool,” adds Steve. “We can easily move material around safely and without any effort.”

All three Rototilts also have SecureLock, an active safety solution that means you can be sure that you have properly coupled your tools from the start and that the tool you are using will always be safely secured. With a built-in sensor in the quick coupler, you get a warning both on the display and with an audio signal if anything is wrong with the tool coupling. Continuous monitoring ensures that the tool remains locked in place.

For even better visibility when connecting tools, SecureLock has an LED lamp that automatically turns on when changing tools. The safety lock also lets you know when tools are worn and require attention.

“Having dealt with Rototilt for many years, we have never had any issues with the service and support they provide. They are very easy to deal with. The brand is top quality and we wouldn’t think of going anywhere else,” comments Steve.