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Excavating a new angle
00:00 29 Aug 1996
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PowerTilt - an American manufactured unit which hydraulically
swings buckets and attachments up to 90¼ either side from
centre - is proving an asset for golf course construction
specialist, Whitnell Contracts.
The product, which is designed to improve the flexibility of buckets and other attachments, has been available in the UK from FH Plant for the last 18 months. Since then more than 60 units have been sold - many to the Environment Agency .
Six models are available, fitting anything from a 1t mini to a 35t excavator. Whitnell Contracts' unit, which is a TT8.5 with a list price of œ3,800, has been mounted on a CAT 312 excavator.
To install the unit, which fits between the end of the dipper and the bucket, the excavator required a low-flow double acting circuit to the end of the dipper. Once in position the bucket can rotate by up to 70¼ right or left thereby reducing the need to move the excavator.
A Whitnell Contracts operator who has been using the CAT/PowerTilt combination since its arrival at the site of the new 18 hole Merrist Wood golf course in May said: "It's one track in and one track out for green work."
Other benefits claimed for the unit, which is controlled from the cab via pedals and/or levers, are better finishing times, improved contouring and fewer problems with compaction.
Lionel Whitnell, company md explains: "Before there was too much pressure on greens. With this unit and 700mm tracks there is no fear of the excavator over- compacting the green." He adds that: "The unit has increased machine cost effectiveness by 20 per cent, and halved wear on tracks."
Doug Guest, who runs Worcestershire-based plant hire and sales specialist FH Plant, first spotted PowerTilt three years ago when he imported a Menzi walking excavator for a customer in Wales.
Attracted by the PowerTilt/ Menzi combination he subsequently became the UK's sole distributor and is already looking to broaden the company's sales base in the UK.
Reader enquiry no: 308
The product, which is designed to improve the flexibility of buckets and other attachments, has been available in the UK from FH Plant for the last 18 months. Since then more than 60 units have been sold - many to the Environment Agency .
Six models are available, fitting anything from a 1t mini to a 35t excavator. Whitnell Contracts' unit, which is a TT8.5 with a list price of œ3,800, has been mounted on a CAT 312 excavator.
To install the unit, which fits between the end of the dipper and the bucket, the excavator required a low-flow double acting circuit to the end of the dipper. Once in position the bucket can rotate by up to 70¼ right or left thereby reducing the need to move the excavator.
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A Whitnell Contracts operator who has been using the CAT/PowerTilt combination since its arrival at the site of the new 18 hole Merrist Wood golf course in May said: "It's one track in and one track out for green work."
Other benefits claimed for the unit, which is controlled from the cab via pedals and/or levers, are better finishing times, improved contouring and fewer problems with compaction.
Lionel Whitnell, company md explains: "Before there was too much pressure on greens. With this unit and 700mm tracks there is no fear of the excavator over- compacting the green." He adds that: "The unit has increased machine cost effectiveness by 20 per cent, and halved wear on tracks."
Doug Guest, who runs Worcestershire-based plant hire and sales specialist FH Plant, first spotted PowerTilt three years ago when he imported a Menzi walking excavator for a customer in Wales.
Attracted by the PowerTilt/ Menzi combination he subsequently became the UK's sole distributor and is already looking to broaden the company's sales base in the UK.
Reader enquiry no: 308
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