Quick couplers for the easy and swift changing of boom mounted attachments are for many contractors the very key to success. For contractors who work in demolition and recycling, the ability to quickly change hydraulic tools is a prerequisite for being competitive and delivering the right quality of the demolished and recycled material, with the systems being developed so that the operator does not have to leave the machine cab. 

It all started in the early 1990s

Fully automatic quick coupling systems were developed and launched in the early 1990s. The company that helped ensure that the daily work of demolition contractors became so much easier, safer and more environmentally friendly was OilQuick from Hudiksvall, Sweden. Since then, several other makes of fully automatic quick coupling systems have appeared on the market with other manufacturers including Steelwrist, Rototilt, engcon, Lehnhoff, Arden Equipment, VTN Europe, Caterpillar and more.  

PDi’s fully automatic quick coupling report is always published in the first edition of the year, with this year’s having some important developments and news. 

Arden's new quick hitches

To be launched at Intermat in April are three new quick hitches from French manufacturer Arden Equipment. The Arden quick hitch system (‘QA’) enables and simplifies the quick change of different attachments on a hydraulic excavator. These self-locking quick couplers e designed to fit all excavators from 0.8t to 12t and meet all current safety standards. The QA05H and QA Series 3 hydraulic quick couplers are equipped with a safety pad on the front axle. Benefits include compactness, removal of excess play, compatibility with reversible buckets and have lifting eyes. Worth mentioning is also Arden’s fully automatic quick coupler system, ‘AIO’, which were covered in PDi 1-2023 and are an all in one quick coupling system for excavators from 12t-30t. The range automatically connects all hydraulic and mechanical attachments from the cab, enabling safe and quick switches between different attachments.

www.arden-equipment.com

engcon simplifies the retrofitting of ‘EC-Oil ‘through a new machine bracket

engcon’s new improved machine mount for excavators in the 12t -19t size is available now. In addition to making the machine mount stronger, retrofitting with EC-Oil blocks will be easier because the new machine mount no longer contains hoses and minimises the risk of leaks and has bene designed to provide increased hydraulic flow. “Thanks to our innovation driven work with a focus on the end customer, our customers can trust that engcon always delivers state of the art technology. Our package must be the comprehensive solution and the premium product that our customers want, now and in the future,” says Martin Engström, product manager at engcon. Other news from engcon is that later this year the company will launch the S70 machine mount for machines between 20t and 30t.

www.engcon.com

Rototilt product development leads to minimised daily operational disruption

“When we develop new products, we always place the customer in the centre. Users’ ideas and wishes are both a source of inspiration and a driving force to develop new products. That’s how we worked during the project to develop ‘QuickChange’,” says Hampus Jonsson, Rototilt sales director Europe.  With this development, Rototilt now offers automatic tool changes that both reduces downtime and meets the growing need for flow capacity.  In the latest iteration of QuickChange, Rototilt states that it has minimised daily operational disruptions while boosting the product’s overall capacity. Innovations such as a specially developed nose seal, low heat generation in the hydraulic system, and an enclosed spring,  demonstrate the aim to minimise leakage and safeguard the hydraulic system from contamination. 

The system’s impressive capacity for high flows and low pressure drops has been substantiated through independent testing of machine couplers and tiltrotators of attachment size QC60-5 by Sweden’s research institute and innovation partner, RISE. “Our couplings deliver greatly improved flow performance, which is particularly valuable in heavy duty demolition tasks,” says Hampus. “Thanks to high flow rates and a halving of pressure drops, we are able to cater for demanding work tools, such as hammers, while at the same time saving fuel.”

Investing for the future

In an expansion initiative, Rototilt is introducing a new robotic welding facility that integrates handling robots and welding robots. This strategic investment aims to enhance customer value by improving delivery times and overall quality. The construction project includes a factory expansion spanning 1,080m2 over two floors, with the new welding section scheduled for final inspection in May 2024. “Despite current economic challenges, we prepare for future growth and the necessity for increased flexibility and capacity to meet customer demands. This investment reinforces Rototilt’s market position, enabling us to deliver with speed and precision; vital factors in our competitive market segment,” says Hampus.

Another important factor for Rototilt’s continued development of fully automatic quick coupling systems is the fact that the manufacturer is now expanding capacity at its factory in Vindeln, northern Sweden. “Although the current economic situation is challenging, we believe in continued growth and need increased flexibility and capacity to meet our customers’ high demands. This investment strengthens our position to deliver with speed and precision, which is crucial in our market segment,” says the company’s CEO Anders Jonsson.

Showing its environmental credentials, Rototilt’s production facility is powered by fossil free energy, and the expanded factory is built with an advanced system for energy recovery. The heat from the welding process is recovered via the ventilation system, thereby reducing energy use and climate pressure. The factory’s main heat source comes from local biofuel. “The new welding facility will also contribute to a lower proportion of freight transport. Every detail that contributes is important and we constantly carry with us thoughts on how we can lower our climate footprint,” says Ida Skaring, sustainability strategist at Rototilt.

www.rototilt.com

Steelwrist’s Hamburg inauguration

On 13 March 2024, Steelwrist will inaugurate Steelwrist Deutschland GmbH’s new facility in Hamburg and at the same time present the largest and most innovative product launch in the company’s history. At this point PDi cannot reveal exactly what will be new in terms of fully automatic quick couplings, but we have been told that there will be plenty of news. The centrepiece of the launch will be the first model in the third generation of Steelwrist tiltrotators that will have been developed to set the bar for future levels of fuel efficiency, safety and excavator versatility. Following the Hamburg event, all new products will be shown at the Intermat exhibition in Paris (24 to 27 April).

During the launch event Steelwrist will for the first time reveal its third generation tiltrotator which will demonstrate several innovative features, both from a hardware and software perspective. This will include new technologies for coupler locking safety and easy maintenance. As part of the ‘Quantum’ control platform, a combination of new hardware components and installation support guidance will be shown that aim to take easy installations and remote support to a new level.

Although the third generation tiltrotator will be the centrepiece at the launch, several new products will be revealed at the same time, including, but not limited to, a new range of lightweight grapples and a new range of hydraulic compactors, with what the company says is an unparalleled low oil flow to compaction power ratio, making it perfect under a tiltrotator. In addition to news related to the third generation tiltrotator, control systems, sensor technology, and work tools, Steelwrist will also launch a new product category further building its product portfolio targeting excavator efficiency.

The Steelwrist Deutschland GmbH subsidiary was established in 2023 to further strengthen the company’s presence and ability to respond to the growing demand in the German market. Recent expansions in Finland and France are also said to demonstrate the company’s dedication in meeting customer needs, with improved support for dealers and local stocks of products and spare parts.

OilQuick and Hagaberg in new partnership

News from OilQuick is that the manufacturer has announced a new partnership with Hagaberg to boost sales and expand product awareness throughout Europe. With this partnership, Hagaberg gains access to the entire OilQuick ‘OQT’ product range, a quick coupler system for forklifts. Hagaberg is known for its expertise in fork positioners and related system solutions, sharing OilQuick’s commitment to delivering exceptional value to customers. The company’s extensive network and dedication to customer satisfaction align perfectly with OilQuick’s core values. Johan Lindqvist, sales manager at OilQuick AB stated: “We are pleased to announce this strategic partnership with Hagaberg. Their focus on high quality and deep market understanding makes them an ideal partner as we continue to expand our reach. Together, we look forward to providing our customers with unparalleled products and services and driving innovation in the industry.”

www.oilquick.com