Mastering new technology as it emerges in the construction industry is never straightforward. Adapting to change brings its own challenges and when Rototilt first introduced its branded tiltrotator back in 1986, excavator operators had to undergo specialist training on using the tiltrotator's functions to perform various tasks such as shaping as well as digging and grading. Using attachments such as pallet forks also gives the excavator even greater versatility.
However, some ‘old hands’ in the industry found the concept difficult to get their head around, but not 77 year old Fred Gilchrist who has worked for Northern Ireland based Lowry Building & Civil Engineering for almost three decades.
From Newtownstewart in County Tyrone, Fred is currently operating a new 24 tonne Liebherr 922 excavator featuring Rototilt’s latest RC6 QuickChange (RC6QC) tiltrotator, which was supplied and fitted by all Ireland distributors Construction Plant Services (CPS). “It’s unbelievable what you can accomplish with the Rototilt RC6,” he says.
With no plans to retire any time soon and having spent a lifetime in the industry, starting on tracked loaders in 1969, Fred’s first introduction to Rototilt tiltrotators was seven years ago when he unexpectedly found himself filling in for the operator of a 13 tonne machine. After a ‘crash’ course, he quickly adapted to the technology and he hasn’t looked back since.
Awesome Earthmovers caught up with Fred who was using the new RC6QC tiltrotator to prepare the ground for the foundations of a new school, one of five being built on the 125 acre Strule Shared Education Campus in Omagh, County Tyrone, which will also feature a sports centre, education centre, a sports pavilion and associated synthetic playing pitches.
Saving Time & Fuel
Fred Gilchrist, along with his fellow construction workers, is thrilled to be playing a pivotal role in helping to shape the future of those much younger than he. It is a task, he says, that is being made that much easier thanks to the Rototilt RC6QC. “It saves so much time – and fuel – on the work site, as I don’t have to reposition the Liebherr 922 excavator as often as I would have done with a conventional set up. With the tiltrotator, I can easily reach any awkward or difficult to access areas without having to move the machine around.
“When I first started using Rototilts I wasn’t sure if they would be robust enough to cope with heavy duty work that I was involved in, but how wrong I was.”
He says the new RC6QC has proven to be a perfect match for the Liebherr 922 excavator, which was supplied by Liebherr Ireland. “I have driven plenty of machines over the years, but the Liebherr 922 is the ‘Rolls Royce’ of excavators in my opinion.”
Efficient & Safe
Designed for excavators between 15-24 tonnes, the new RC6QC is a durable tiltrotator which, just like Rototilt’s other models, is designed to cope with harsh conditions, and can handle breakout torques of up to 255 kNm. Thanks to the RC System proportional control system, you can control all the functions in one excavation movement and with QuickChange Fred has the ability to rapidly and safely change hydraulic attachments without the need to leave the cab.
Around 15 excavators on Lowry Building & Civil Engineering’s fleet are currently fitted with tiltrotators and comments David Lowry, the company’s SHEQ Manager: “They help us operate more efficiently and contribute significantly to the overall safety on site as they also reduce a lot of the manual handling for operatives on the ground.”
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.
Uplift in Sales
Not surprisingly, more and more construction companies are investing in Rototilts. “Since we became sole distributors in Ireland, business has been very good,” says Declan McGowan, who along with his wife Donna, started CPS in August 2005 and today operates from extensive facilities at Creevy in Ballyshannon in County Donegal. “We have enjoyed a great uplift in Rototilt sales so far this year as we offer customers nationwide coverage thanks to our strategically placed service partners in Belfast, Monasterevin in County Kildare and recently in Cork.”
Adds David Lowry: “Rototilt and CPS have proven to be very reliable when it comes to servicing and supplying parts. They are always only a phone call away and respond promptly if they are needed on any of our work sites.”
Fred Gilchrist Operator Lowry Building & Civil Engineering Ltd.
“WITH THE
ROTOTILT RC6 TILTROTATOR
, I CAN EASILY REACH ANY AWKWARD OR DIFFICULT TO ACCESS AREAS WITHOUT HAVING TO MOVE THE MACHINE AROUND.”