One year on from launching the Mini-Tilt, we look back on this new product's success that has proudly been put to work on hundreds of new machines. To celebrate this occasion, we caught up with a couple of customers to see their experiences with these couplers and how they like to use them best.
Danny White - EquipmentShare
How long have you been using Mini-Tilt? 12 months
How many Mini-Tilt's do you have? Eight
What machines are the Mini-Tilts fitted to? Yanmar Vio17's
Danny White and the team at EquipmentShare received the first Mini-Tilt's as they could see early on how they would improve their machines' performance and therefore benefit their customers and in their large hire company.
Speaking with Danny about what he found best about the Mini-Tilts from a hire companies point of view, he said the fact that customers don't need to change hoses every time they change a bucket is a big thing for them. "Our customers have less downtime now; we don't need to go out on-site near as much to fix broken hoses that have been knocked about or to replace QRC's that have failed over time."
"It is a similar cost to fitting off a standard coupler and tilt bucket, but has saved costs over time due to fewer breakdowns and downtime."
"Our customers also love the ability to tilt all of their attachments - something operators of larger machines are generally used to, but not so common to operators of smaller machines. This has meant machines have tendered to stay out longer on some contracts - they find it so easy to operate."
Read the original customer profile with EquipmentShare here →
Lance Mothersole - Momack Ground Works Ltd
How long have you been using Mini-Tilt? 3 months
How many Mini-Tilt's do you have? One
What machine is the Mini-Tilt fitted to? Kubota U17-3
Coming from a large civil works background, Lance decided to step outside of his comfort zone and start a contracting company with a small truck and new Kubota U17. Since then his phone has been running hot. "Lot's of people are staying home and wanting to make more home improvements, so I am doing a lot of retaining walls, driveway prep and landscape work - generally anything groundwork."
When speaking with Lance, we found that he loved the way the Mini-Tilt gave him the ability to do more work with a better finish.
"It tilts all my buckets, most other machines have just a tilt bucket, but this setup means I can tilt my digging and trench buckets which is perfect for when I am trying to cut drainage or footings on unlevel ground."
"I also find the whole package is fantastic for fine detailed work right in close at my feet; this means I have been able to market myself as a tight space specialist – doing jobs that others can’t.
Another thing these setups do for the operator is to improve morale, which is often not realised by contractors until they have it.
"This package just makes my whole work more enjoyable – using something that is really well set up, and not needing to have to change hoses every time I change buckets is a bonus."
Ross Clark - R&M Clark Building
How long have you been using Mini-Tilt? 1 month
How many Mini-Tilt's do you have? One
What machine is the Mini-Tilt fitted to? Kobelco Sk17
Owning a company that builds residential houses in the greater Launceston area in Tasmania, Ross runs his company with a keen eye on completing projects at speed for his customers. Building residential homes for a range of clients Ross is always trying to complete projects faster – saving time and money – all the things that help keep his customers happy.
After purchasing his SK17 mini-digger back 18 months, Ross recently heard of the all-new Mini-Tilt couplers and thought he needed one!
Fitting the Mini-Tilt to his SK17 has been “fantastic” Ross tells us, “it’s a little machine, and with the Mini-Tilt hitch we can achieve so much more, that saves us time and really makes our clients happy”.