Awesome Earthmovers have spoken to a number of tiltrotator users over the past year and without exception they have all agreed on one thing: Once you begin using a tiltrotator you just wouldn’t go back to the old ways of working.
It is not a surprise then that tiltrotators are an integral part of an increasing number of excavator fleets across the industry with many operators regarding this innovative hydraulic attachment as a ‘must have’ investment.
Through rotation and tilt functionality, tiltrotators add significant flexibility and versatility to an excavator, reducing the need for machine repositioning and enabling faster, more precise work. Less movement means less fuel consumption, reduced wear on undercarriage components, and overall lower operating costs.
That means operators can become more efficient, more profitable, more productive and safer on the work site, and it also enables them to undertake tasks that would be otherwise more challenging.
While introducing tiltrotators to an excavator fleet can be expensive, and while it takes a little training to master the controls, all the operators we spoke to regarded that as a shrewd investment which over time will pay for itself in so many ways.
With an increasing number of different tiltrotator brands on the market, operators seeking to invest are clearly spoilt for choice, and there are many important factors to consider before deciding where to put their money. It’s not all about cost.
Sizes & Safety
Today, tiltrotators are available in a variety of sizes to fit excavators ranging from mini and compact machines to medium and large excavators – from 1.5 tonne right up to 40 tonne and beyond.
Tiltrotators are designed to be safe, with many fitted with safe couplers that prevent operators from moving an attachment before it’s properly locked into position.
With smaller excavators the weight of the tiltrotator is important for stability and driver comfort. It may be an advantage in keeping weight down to take the direct fit option; the build height of a direct fit can be a little higher than one with a standard top, although this is often relatively small but the big advantage will be a reduction in weight.
But if you are the type of operator that may use hydraulic breakers from time to time, then it might be advantageous to use a quick coupler and tiltrotator in a sandwich solution, enabling you to remove the tiltrotator easily and quickly when required.
If you have lots of older buckets or tools, for example, that you want to reuse or switch between different excavators it can be an advantage to use the same standard that you used previously. It is important you analyse how often you need to switch tools between different machines.
While a significant movement toward a standardised coupling system for tiltrotators began in 2020 with the creation of the Open-S Alliance, there are several safety systems on the market, each working slightly differently, so it’s important to ensure your tiltrotator’s safety features are compatible with the machine it will be fitted to.
Today, most excavators are equipped with central lubrication to reduce wear and extend the lifetime of the machine. Tiltrotators are no different. Some manufacturers recommend that if you have central lubrication on your excavator, add it also for the tiltrotator.
While a tiltrotator can significantly reduce machine movement, it’s still crucial to consider whether it will be fitted to a tracked or wheeled excavator. Wheeled machines must still comply with several ISO standards when modified. For instance, any tiltrotator steering system must function as a secondary control method and require a special activation key for use. Many manufacturers now design specific tiltrotator models optimised for either tracked or wheeled excavators, so it’s worth confirming compatibility early on.
Getting a Grip on Site
Some tiltrotators include built-in grippers, allowing operators to quickly switch from digging to handling materials. An in-built gripper is like an extra hand, enabling you to lift manhole covers, curb stones, pipes or other materials on site. It does add weight, but most operators we have spoken to regard a gripper as an invaluable tool, allowing you to move things around that would be harder to move with a bucket.
It is good to remember that when you invest in a new tiltrotator together with a new excavator, you may be able to get a better deal or package discount to include buckets, quick couplings, forks or connections buying from the same manufacturer. Besides the economic aspects, the advantage of a package deal is that the number of suppliers is reduced and therefore all support will be from one supplier.
In addition, pairing a new machine and tiltrotator from the outset can ensure perfect integration and better long-term performance, but even the most reliable equipment occasionally needs attention, which is why most manufacturers today work exclusively with dealers that provide full after-sales support, including parts, maintenance, and field assistance.
Moving on Up Made Easy
As you have probably now realised, there’s so much to take into account when deciding to invest in a tiltrotator. Over the following pages we hear from many of the major tiltrotator manufacturers and suppliers on how they can make your move easier towards acquiring what is, as we earlier mentioned, a ‘must have’ work tool to get more from your excavator to make your business more flexible, efficient, productive and ultimately more profitable.