EASY DOES IT WITH

“USING THE GRIPPER MODULE I CAN SAFELY LIFT AND MOVE MATERIALS ON SITE WITHOUT HAVING TO LEAVE THE CAB…”

When building contractor William McKee got an opportunity to work on an excavator fitted with an engcon tiltrotator, he had no hesitation in investing in the latest engcon EC204 model, launched just a few months ago, for his own use, becoming the first customer in the UK and Ireland to do so.

Founded by his father, the family run business, David McKee Building Contractors, based at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland, has established itself over the last quarter of a century as a well respected and reputable company operating in the home and commercial building sectors, having successfully completed many projects, including restorations and renovations, across the region.

Awesome Earthmovers recently caught up with William McKee who was working on one of the company’s latest high-end private housing developments at College Green in Kilkeel. He had nothing but praise for the engcon EC204, which was supplied and fitted by Ballyward Plant Services to his new four tone Takeuchi TB240 supplied by Alan Milne Tractors.

This improved and updated groundbreaking engcon EC204 is designed specifically for excavators in the two to four tonne class, and comes with the same innovative safety features and functionality as engcon’s larger models.

Those features include engcon's EC-Oil quick coupler system both above and below the tiltrotator, which is unique on smaller machines. This makes it easier to change attachments or to disconnect the tiltrotator if necessary.

It offers a 45-degree tilt angle, infinite rotation and the ability to easily mount different attachments, contributing to versatility and flexibility in excavation work. The model is also prepared for EPS, engcon's innovative positioning system. It also comes fitted with tilt and rotation sensors, so can be integrated with a dig system or machine control.

“I first encountered an engcon tiltrotator when a fellow operator arrived on site with his 14 tonne Hyundai excavator to help me out; I was really impressed by what he could accomplish with the engcon and thought to myself ‘I need one of those’,” says William, who was able to familiarise himself with the tiltrotator controls when given the opportunity to use the 14 tonner.

Best Decision Ever

To cut a long story short, when he later invested in the Takeuchi excavator he approached local engcon dealer Robert McAlerney from Ballyward Plant Services to supply the EC204 tiltrotator and he hasn’t looked back since.

“It’s been the best decision ever. In the few months I have been using the engcon on the Takeuchi I have come to appreciate even more how it has turned the excavator into a more versatile machine; it really is a multipurpose work tool,” adds William.

“Because I don’t have to reposition or move the machine around as much as I would do without the tiltrotator, there’s less stress on the undercarriage and my working day is more efficient and more productive. To be honest, I would struggle to operate without it. It would be like working with one hand tied behind your back.”

He has been particularly impressed by the gripper module which has been described as an extra pair of hands. “Using the gripper I can safely lift and move materials on site without having to leave the cab,” says William. The gripper can also be removed or dropped off from the tiltrotator when it’s not needed, thereby reducing the weight of the excavator, which is an important factor in the 2-4 tonne weight class.

Another notable feature for William is engcon’s EC-Oil quick coupler which enables hydraulic attachments to be connected or disconnected, again without leaving the cab, saving time, energy and fuel, while also significantly contributing to safety on site.

“I WOULD STRUGGLE TO OPERATE WITHOUT THE ENGCON TILTROTATOR. IT WOULD BE LIKE WORKING WITH ONE HAND TIED BEHIND YOUR BACK…”

Making Life Easier

“Because I had that earlier experience working with an engcon tiltrotator, it has been easy to master the controls which I can do now with confidence,” comments William. “Although I am the main driver of the Takeuchi excavator, two of my other operators have occasion to get behind the controls and they have no problem, either, working with the engcon – and that’s a bonus because getting skilled labour can be difficult to find and anything that makes life easier on site for them has got to be worthwhile.”

While it has been a significant investment for the building contractor, William believes it will soon pay for itself. “I can take on work that I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to do – and I can also handle work that would have taken two machines to carry out, and do it so much quicker.”

He also appreciates the service and support provided by Ballyward Plant Services who began supplying engcon tiltrotators in 2021 after owner Robert McAlerney invested in a unit as a demonstration model. He has seen a steady demand for the engcon range ever since, especially from operators like William McKee who hadn’t used them before, and are quick to see the benefits of this versatile and flexible work tool.