Digger’s Plantworx 2017 highlights (Part Two)

Wed 14 Jun 2017

Digger’s Plantworx 2017 highlights (Part Two)

Tiltrotator take up in the UK continues to rise as more and more end users become aware of the benefits these game changing attachments can bring to a business. All the major brands were on display at Plantworx from a market that is dominated by 4 Swedish manufacturers. Steelwrist UK were keen to show JCB’s Hydradig on its demonstration plot with a Steelwrist X12, JCB factory approved tiltrotator fitted. Visitors to the stand were invited to try out the concept throughout the show.

Also demonstrating his own machine on the Steelwrist stand was Kent based contractor Anthony Ellis, who trades as Ellis Contract Services. Anthony runs an “all singing, all dancing” TAB boomed Wacker Neuson ET90 which is also fitted with a X12 model Steelwrist “tilty” as these attachments have affectionately become known as.

Representing the “red corner” Rototilt displayed a wide variety of its products on stand. The company’s oil-filled rotor housings are said to offer the best possible lifespan and economy and low fuel consumption with the market's lowest weight and low levels of power loss thanks to optimized hydraulics.

On the demonstration plot Rototilt had a more traditional Volvo EC140D tracked hydraulic excavator putting various attachments to work in addition to displaying the versatility of the tiltrotator’s integrated gripper.

Engcon UK also opted to display an example of JCB’s Hydradig with the machine that is currently being piloted by well known “rubber duck” specialist Aimee Pooley who is working for Bedfordshire based ECL Civil Engineering. The highly experienced operator also known as DuckGirl on You Tube was up to her usual antics on the stand displaying how a tiltrotator equipped excavator can be used in tight quarters to make a machine far more useful, versatile and ultimately more profitable.

Looking resplendent in their blue paintwork were the tiltrotator models from SMP Parts Ltd, the tiltrotator, bucket and attachment manufacturer from Ilsbo in Sweden who are sold in the UK by Quality Construction Equipment which is owned by Daniel and Caroline Sjodin who have many years of experience of selling and promoting tiltrotators and the concept here in the UK.

There were plenty of attachments to be seen around the showground too and one that caught everyone’s eye was the latest tool in owner/operator Ollie Kitchin’s arsenal. This Remu X0 2150 multi-purpose screening bucket from the Finnish manufacturer, has been supplied by UK dealer Worsley Plant, what makes this attachment different is the fact it’s been finished off in blue and white livery in keeping with Ollie’s blue Komatsu excavator, which is of course as we know inspired by the Swedish way of excavating. It also is a way of celebrating this special time for Finland which is its 100^th year since liberation. Ollie is seen pictured below receiving a handshake on the deal from Worsley Plant’s Managing Director Sean Heron.

Also on the Worsley Plant stand was the superbly engineered German Lehnhoff fully automatic quick coupler system which enables the operator to switch for tool to tool in just 15 seconds without having the leave the confines of the cab. This system is just part of the Lehnhoff range of equipment on offer from Worsley Plant.

The Mecalac stand and demo plot was a busy place over the course of the 3 day show. It’s exciting times for the French company having recently taken over the Terex business in Coventry and the UK staff I spoke to were absolutely buzzing about the future of the business under the Mecalac umbrella. The demonstration of the 6MCR by Mecalac’s experienced operator Michael Gruffaz was rewarded with the best demo operator award by myself and Graham Black on behalf of the sponsors Earthmovers Magazine. Michael truly displayed the versatility and functionality of these high speed tracked machines which offer the benefits of an excavator and tracked skid steer loader in one compact package.

Check out this great video from the award winning Mecalac team.

Just a short squelch away was the A&Y Equipment Ltd stand the Yanmar main dealer was demonstrating an example of the SV100-2PB model, a 10 tonne class midi excavator fitted with two piece boom and on this particular machine a hydraulic tilt bucket. This model has been well received by end users who have demoed it and is sure to appeal to the Yanmar faithful.

Also on stand were examples from a new addition to the A&Y Equipment portfolio of products in the shape of Italian built Dieci telescopic handlers.

Look out for more Plantworx highlights in the third and final part of this series of blog posts.

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