Swedish tiltrotator maker Rototilt says using a tiltrotator can improve an excavator’s energy efficiency. 

It’s an interesting claim.

The main reason is because a tiltrotator changes how operators perform tasks. The company also says early tests of its latest tiltrotator series indicate “significant” energy savings.

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“A tiltrotator makes it easier for you to work with an excavator, thanks to the increased flexibility of the work tool’s movements,” says product manager Sven-Roger Ekström. “It enables you to adjust the angle and rotation of the work tool, which in turn makes it easier to carry out tasks with fewer machine movements. This saves fuel, but it has even more advantages in the long run.

“We call this the tiltrotator effect,” Ekström says. “We have always known that there is a big difference between working with and without a tiltrotator. Not only do you need to use fewer machines, but you can also carry out the task at hand with fewer movements and changes of position. This saves both fuel and time, as well as reducing the impact on the ground where you are working.”

The new RC Tiltrotator series studied features proprietary pressure-compensated hydraulics that also can contribute to energy efficiency, the company says.

“We have taken measurements comparing our previous series with the new, pressure-compensated hydraulics in the RC4-RC9,” Ekström says. “The results are impressive, to say the least. We have managed to improve the efficiency of our product, enabling it to perform the same task with reduced energy consumption.”

How much fuel does a tiltrotator save?

“Our lab tests indicate a reduction in fuel consumption of between 1-2 liters per hour for a 20-ton machine, compared to our previous tiltrotator series,” Ekstrom says. “Out in the field, the savings are affected by a number of factors, such as the type of machine and the job in question. In terms of diesel per year, this could mean savings amounting to thousands.”