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Application Stories
Recent customer successes highlighting the most demanding designs imaginable
Helac rotary actuators
L20 rotary actuator effectively positions navigation mast on fireboat
Customer:
Derecktor Shipyards
Application:
Position navigation mast 110 degrees from vertical to stowed
Challenge:
The navigation mast needed to be stowed so that the fireboat could travel underneath bridges as low as 18 feet
Solution:
Switched to Helac model L20-15-180 helical, hydraulic rotary actuators
Benefits:
- Helac's rotary actuator offered 110 degrees of smooth operation from stowed to vertical
- The compact configurations of Helac’s actuators offered better utilization of space than alternative fluid power solutions considered
- No external moving parts eliminated service and maintenance issues often associated with hydraulic cylinders in marine environments
- Substantial installation cost and times savings because the L20-15 rotary actuator serves as a rotation device, mounting bracket and bearing all in one.
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L30 rotary actuator dramatically increases slipform pavers turning radius
Customer:
Huron Manufacturing
Application:
Steer the front and rear tracks of a 4-tracked slipform paver
Challenge:
Overcome maintenance concerns and limited rotation of their prior generation cylinder and linkage steering assembly
Solution:
Switched to Helac model L30-95-180 helical, hydraulic rotary actuators
Benefits:
- Helac's rotary actuator operates as a complete steering and bearing system in a single rugged component allowing Huron to replace their cylinders and multiple external components
- Helac's rotary actuator increased the Easi-Pour Compact 880’s steering angle to 100 degrees for the rear tracks and 180 degrees for the front tracks versus the 60 degrees achieved previously with cylinders
- Compact configurations of Helac’s actuators have proven incredibly easy to design into any of their machines
- No external moving parts eliminated service and maintenance issues often associated with hydraulic cylinders
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L20 rotary actuator adds power and dexterity to firefighting vehicle
Customer:
Crash Rescue Equipment
Application:
Stow and deploy piercing nozzle through 180 degrees of rotation
Challenge:
Overcome maintenance concerns and poor performance of their prior generation electric motor nozzle positioning system
Solution:
Switched to Helac model L20-4.5-180 helical, hydraulic rotary actuator
Benefits:
- With the Helac rotary actuator, the piercing nozzle could receive higher torque loads and hold side loads during piercing operations
- Exceptionally compact configurations of actuator allowed telescopic nozzle to maneuver into tight spaces
- Greater durability and reliability due to the rotary actuator being directly mounted onto the telescopic boom to become a structural part of the boom
- Rotary actuator’s integral nylon composition bearings eliminated the need for auxiliary bearings – all external sources were supported solely by Helac’s actuator
- Rotary actuator allowed Crash Rescue Equipment to diversify into more applications and pierce tougher fiber materials
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L30 rotary actuator streamlines innovative steering design
Customer:
Agriweld Inc.
Application:
Steer front wheel of a 3-wheel of a flotation applicator tractor
Challenge:
Develop a 100° rotation steering system for a lightweight, 3-wheeled, multi-purpose agricultural tractor that provides bearing support and sufficient torque necessary to overcome the friction of a fully loaded wheel
Solution:
Switched to Helac model L30-65E-180/100 helical, hydraulic rotary actuator
Benefits:
- Actuator technology functioned as a steering device, mounting bracket and bearing in a single rugged component
- No external moving parts eliminated service and maintenance issues often associated with hydraulic cylinders
- Low maintenance and zero leakage from sealing which occurs against smooth cylindrical surfaces
- Exceptionally compact configurations blended well with the restricted space environment of their steering assembly design
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Rotary actuator simplifies vehicle steering
Customer:
Electrolux Construction Products - Dimas Division
Challenge:
Replace a complex steering system that consisted of numerous components on a self-propelled, three-wheeled concrete saw
Solution:
A Helac Model L10-3.0E-RF-180-SF-0-H hydraulic rotary actuator
Benefits:
A simple, elegant installation, the actuator bolts to the vehicle frame while the wheel bracket assembly bolts directly to the shaft flange (the actuator is indicated in orange in the photo). Additionally, the actuator provides:
- 180 degree rotation that gives the vehicle exceptional maneuverability
- A compact configuration that fits neatly into the confined space of the application
- Integral bearings that support the vehicle without the need for additional external bearings
- Resilience to shock loads
- Reduction in the number of parts required and simplified assembly for the OEM
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Rotary actuators improve aerial work platform's access to tasks
Customer:
JLG Industries, Inc.
Challenge:
Give workers better access to tasks by articulating the work platform and jib boom of self-propelled aerial lift
Solution:
Two Helac rotary actuators, both with 180 degree rotation: a Model L20-4.5E mounted between the 4-foot jib boom and work platform rotates the platform; a Model L20-15E mounted between the jib and main booms rotates the entire jib boom/platform assembly (actuators are highlighted in yellow in the photo)
Benefits:
The actuators give the lift extraordinary articulation ability, enabling workers to get over, under, around, and up into obstacles. With their unique combination of features, Helac actuators provide the ideal solution:
- Light, strong and compact, the actuators are an integral part of the structure and perform multiple functions: mounting bracket, bearing support, and rotation device
- Leak-free performance enables selected positions to be held indefinitely without drift
- Tie rods passed through the hollow shaft bores create second load paths for added safety
- Integral counterbalance valves are mounted directly to the actuators
- OEM run quantities justified custom designs for both actuators
Helac actuators have become the standard for work platform rotation and are used by all major OEMs of self-propelled aerial work platforms in the U.S. today.
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Davit uses rotary actuator for positioning
Customer:
Nautical Acquisitions, Inc.
Challenge:
Provide rotation for a davit used to move a small pleasure craft from the deck of a larger vessel in and out of the water
Solution:
A Helac Model HP-220K-RF-360-SF-0-H hydraulic rotary actuator
Benefits:
With its long, slender configuration, the actuator fits neatly into the davit base assembly. In addition to the quiet operation aesthetic required by the application, the actuator provides:
- 360 degree davit rotation
- Accurate positioning
- Leak-free operation assures selected positions are held indefinitely without drift
- Resilience to shock loads
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Rotary actuator provides simple, efficient shipboard steering control
Customer:
Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc.
Challenge:
Provide propeller steering for a deck-mounted, outboard hydraulic propulsion system used on marine vessels such as barges
Solution:
A Helac Model HBI-42KS-FF-L180-LF-0-H hydraulic rotary actuator
Benefits:
The actuator, mounted at the rear of the vessel above the waterline (indicated in orange in the photo), provides:
- 180 degree left and right steering ability gives the vessel exceptional maneuverability
- Becomes an integral part of the structure functioning as power hinge, mounting bracket, bearing support, and mounting bracket, all-in-one
- Elimination of rudder
- A compact configuration that fits neatly into the confined space of the application yet provides tremendous torque
- Leak-free performance provides positive steering and the ability to hold selected positions without drift
- Highly resilient to shock loads should an underwater obstacle be struck
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Construction equipment attachments
PowerGrip efficiently accomplishes a wide variety of site preparation tasks
Customer:
Customer: B and B Excavating
Challenge:
Maintain overall productivity while reducing excavator size from 12-ton to 7-ton
Solution:
Installed PowerGrip on a smaller 7-ton machine which reduced capital and fuel expenses, while the productivity enhancements offered by PowerGrip ensured that the operator was just as productive as with the former 12-ton machine (Complete Story)
Benefits:
- The PowerGrip allowed the operator to maintain productivity after slashing his machine size in half
- The PowerGrip is extremely versatile, seamlessly transitioning between tasks like boulder removal, tree clearing, general excavating, concrete loading and grading
- The PowerGrip is very durable relative to the cylinder-style jaw bucket used previously. The operator often damaged cylinder rods and plates, but with PowerGrip's fully-enclosed rotary hinge design, downtime has been eliminated
- The PowerGrip is a lighter-weight solution than a bucket and thumb. The operator grew frustrated with the bucket and thumb configurations weight penalty on the end of the boom. With PowerGrip the operator experienced enhanced versatility and productivity in a lighter more durable solution.
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PowerTilt and PowerGrip increase productivity and enhance appearance of finished projects for highway district
Customer:
North Latah County Highway District
Challenge:
Replace swing style coupler and thumb combination with more efficient tilting and grabbing system.
Solution:
Added two PowerTilt Versatile Swing Attachments and two PowerGrip Multi-Purpose Jaw Buckets to expand the versatility and capabilities of their fleet (Complete Story)
Benefits:
- The PowerTilt and PowerGrip combination dramatically simplified culvert maintenance and replacement by allowing the equipment operator to remove and replace culverts without leaving the cab
- The PowerTilt and PowerGrip combination streamlined road widening and brush removal projects allowing the equipment operator to complete the projects faster and with a better finished appearance
- PowerTilt and PowerGrip’s fully enclosed rotary actuator hinge design proved much more durable than the cylinder-style tilting buckets used previously, which has virtually eliminated costly downtime
- PowerTilt and PowerGrip are used in a multitude of tasks ranging from ditching, culvert maintenance, placing rip-rap, brush removal, demolition, sloping, road widening and more
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PowerTilt and PowerGrip add efficiency and increase productivity for public works department
Customer:
Whitman County Public Works Department
Challenge:
Efficiently maintain over 1,900 miles of roads and 360 bridges and other large structures in Southeastern Washington
Solution:
Added seven PowerTilt Versatile Swing Attachments and a PowerGrip Multi-Purpose Jaw Bucket to expand the versatility and capabilities of their fleet (Complete Story)
Benefits:
- PowerTilt increased the angle of rotation available to equipment operators allowing them to accomplish more tasks without repositioning the machine
- PowerTilt’s fully enclosed rotary actuator hinge design proved much more durable than the cylinder-style tilting buckets used previously, which has virtually eliminated costly downtime
- PowerGrip has simplified the process of reinforcing banks by allowing the equipment operator to place rip-rap from the road surface, with precision, to the bank below
- PowerGrip also has removed the manual labor component of removing old pilings – now the equipment operator just reaches down with PowerGrip, clamps the piling in the hinged jaw and plucks it out of the ground
- Helac attachments are used in a multitude of tasks ranging from ditching, culvert maintenance, placing rip-rap, brush removal, demolition, sloping, gabion basket installation and more
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PowerTilt increases job-site safety and efficiency
Customer:
Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc.
Challenge:
Increase job site safety and efficiency by reducing the number of machines shuffled between job sites.
Solution:
Installed PowerTilt on their CASE backhoes to save on labor and complete tasks faster while enhancing the appearance of the end product (Complete Story)
Benefits:
- PowerTilt allows Hawbaker to tilt the attachment instead of repositioning the entire machine – resulting in a safer working environment
- PowerTilt saves Hawbaker a lot of hand work – touching up soil and raking stone off. Now they just grade with the PowerTilt and they’re done
- PowerTilt allows Hawbaker to use fewer machines on the job site, increasing the speed at which they accomplish tasks, which boosts productivity and the bottom line
- Hawbaker uses PowerTilt with grading buckets, ripper shanks, compactors and hammers to get the most out of their backhoes
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PowerTilt replaces cylinder-style tilting bucket for doubled productivity
Customer:
Thomas Construction
Challenge:
Replace cylinder-style tilting bucket which suffered from inadequate range and rotation.
Solution:
Switched to PowerTilt which offered a total of 134 degrees side-to-side swing rotation to double Thomas Construction’s productivity (Complete Story)
Benefits:
- PowerTilt allows Thomas to simply reposition their bucket instead of moving the entire machine – cutting the time it takes to complete jobs in half
- PowerTilt helps Thomas build the smooth, consistent 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 slopes their customers require
- PowerTilt has proven to be durable and versatile, staying on their machine 100 percent of the time, year round
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PowerTilt maximizes mini-excavator utilization
Customer:
Enumclaw Landscape
Challenge:
Increase versatility and profitability of mini exacavator.
Solution:
Added PowerTilt to increase their scope of biddable projects and dramatically reduce the manual labor requirements on the job site (Complete Story)
Benefits:
- PowerTilt enhances the flexibility of Enumclaw Landscape’s mini-excavator allowing them to use their machine to its fullest potential
- PowerTilt allows Enumclaw Landscape to build perfect grades and slopes with little or no manual labor
- With PowerTilt Enumclaw Landscape works efficiently in tight residential quarters by repositioning their attachment instead of the excavator
- PowerTilt offers Enumclaw Landscape the flexibility to cross-purpose their 48” bucket by tilting it and using the corner to dig a trench for conduit or irrigation lines
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PowerGrip replaces cylinder-style jaw bucket for increased safety, reliability and durability
Customer:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Challenge:
Overcome down time associated with cylinder-style jaw bucket while improving trout stream habitats
Solution:
Switched to PowerGrip multi-purpose bucket with enclosed rotary actuator hinge design (Complete Story)
Benefits:
- Eliminates service and maintenance issues and increases safety through use of multi-purpose bucket with durable, enclosed rotary actuator hinge
- Multi-purpose functionality allows machine operators to slope and restructure banks, grab and place rocks, and remove trees without switching machines or attachments
- Receives better control in gripping, handling and placing material
- PowerGrip primarily remains attached to the machine allowing for more work to be done in less time
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Overall versatility puts PowerGrip far ahead of a hydraulic thumb
Customer:
Williams Loader Service
Challenge:
Accomplish a wider variety of tasks in less time with a lighter weight, multi-purpose bucket alternative
Solution:
Selected PowerGrip in combination with PowerTilt for unmatched work-site flexibility and efficiency. Never plan on purchasing another hydraulic thumb
Benefits:
- PowerGrip accomplishes all planned tasks, yet completes them more efficiently than expected. This innovative bucket also allows machine operators to perform tasks they hadn’t thought of doing
- Overall versatility of PowerGrip/PowerTilt combination allows for a broad variety of tasks to be performed, including clearing lots, digging basements, ripping trees apart, separating materials, cutting a swale and picking up and placing brittle soap stone without breaking it
- PowerGrip/PowerTilt combination can be 30 percent faster than conventional buckets and thumbs for certain jobs
- Weight savings is a significant advantage over a hydraulic thumb
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PowerGrip yields immediate time-savings in restoring damaged road banks and streams
Customer:
JJ Welch Contracting
Challenge:
Rebuild roads and streams severely damaged by record rainfalls in the Pacific Northwest.
Solution:
Selected PowerGrip for ultimate precision and control in placement of materials. Now saving 1.5 hours per day compared to conventional cylinder-style buckets and hydraulic thumbs. (Complete Story)
Benefits:
- PowerGrip's combination of features yield time-saving results every day on the job site
- The constant clamping force of the PowerGrip allows for precise distribution of material and placement of rock
- PowerGrip is easy to maintain with just two zerks to worry about. With PowerGrip’s fully enclosed rotary actuator hinge, nicks, dings or debris contamination to exposed cylinders and rods is a thing of the past
- The PowerGrip's smooth lip and clam functionality prevents excess dirt being picked up with the rock, resulting in improved material utilization
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PowerTilt reduces trench cave-ins
Challenge:
Dig a narrow trench in unstable soil without sidewall collapse
Solution:
PowerTilt used with a narrow trenching bucket
Benefits:
- Trench side walls beveled to minimize possibility of cave-ins
- Bottom of trench is flat
- Minimal repositioning of excavator required
- The same technique in deeper trenches can eliminate the need for trench liners
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PowerTilt eliminates need for dozer
Challenge:
Use an excavator for site preparation with considerable sloping and grading
Solution:
PowerTilt used with a wide bucket
Benefits:
- Reduced number of machines required for job. Excavator with a PowerTilt was used to perform work that was previously done by a dozer
- Extensive grading and sloping with different angles effectively performed with a finished look
- Retention ponds and water drainage channels precisely sculpted and contoured
- Minimal repositioning of excavator required to perform job
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PowerTilt efficiently digs beveled trench
Challenge:
Dig water channel with beveled sides
Solution:
PowerTilt used with a wide bucket
Benefits:
- Left and right swing capability effectively digs a flat bottom trench with beveled sides
- Consistent, finished look with minimal hand smoothing
- Minimal repositioning of excavator required
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PowerTilt meters spoil
Challenge:
A wide bucket is used for digging, but only a narrow, confined area is available for spoil
Solution:
PowerTilt used with a wide bucket
Benefits:
- PowerTilt's swing capability can accurately meter bucket discharge by reducing the width of the stockpile
- Improved accuracy of spoil placement
- Size of cleanup area reduced
- Saved time by enabling the job to be performed more efficiently
- PowerTilt's ability to meter material is also beneficial when loading trucks
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Rotary Actuators
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