“This Thing is Just Unreal” - Review of X12 Steelwrist Tiltrotator

For a week, host Bryan Furnace and guest Rick Valko put an X12 Steelwrist tiltrotator through its paces clearing two and a half acres with an 8-metric-ton excavator.
On this episode of The Dirt, the two operators give their views on its performance as well as deliver insights on the attachment that twists and turns. You also get to see plenty of footage of the Steelwrist in action.
Their first concern was a common one heard among U.S. contractors, “Is it strong enough?”
The device answered that with a resounding “yes” and provided a host of other benefits beyond that of a traditional bucket and thumb.
“This thing is just unreal,” Rick says.
Bryan calls it “one of the most fun attachments” he’s ever run.
On the job, the device ripped out trees and moved boulders and dirt with outstanding efficiency, power and safety. The 8-ton excavator was performing like a 15-ton machine and also increasing production in the process. With an experienced operator, they estimate the tiltrotator can increase efficiency by 20% to 30%.
There are also a quite a few other benefits - and a few concerns - operators should be aware of that they explain.
So to find out why a tiltrotator will change the way you think about a job and why neither of these guys wanted to give the test model back, check out this episode of The Dirt.
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00:00 - Steelwrist Tiltrotator Comprehensive Review Overview
01:12 - Tree Work
02:09 - Safety
02:35 - Cleanup & Efficiency
04:06 - Power & Durability
06:19 - Pinchers
07:11 - Swapping Attachments
08:40 - Learning Curve
11:09 - Controls
11:36 - Room for Improvement
13:34 - Final Verdict

[@mitchstephen5491]

I’ve been running an EC 160 Volvo with a rototilt for 10 years. I rip trees right out of the ground with it. I made a shear for mine so I can cut trees up to 16” softwood and 10 “ hardwood. I couldn’t run an excavator without it.

[@henriholmsten638]

To relief the pressure on the grapple shut down the machine and start it in acc. Use the joystick rollers for tilt, rotation and grapple. Disconnect hoses. Disconnect the grapple.
Grapple should be mid-air while relieving pressure.

[@timberdoodles4647]

Even following the recommendation on bleeding off the hyd system before unhooking the tool it can still have pressure, via heat or loss of heat etc. I have a mock female and male quick couple with some pipe between and a T with a cap use this to release any excess pressure on the machine side and tool side, takes an extra minute but it makes hook up easy. You still have to clean the fittings and this is very little extra time. We run and X12 and Rototilt rt3 they both pin up to each others tools as well. I've heard even with the Quick Oil/Attachment system you still need to check the quick connects are clean for longevity of the fittings, this mean the operator is out of the cab. I would never go back to a regular bucket and thumb.

[@petter5721]

Engcon and Rototilt brands are really big in Sweden.

[@danielemanuelsson4233]

We have had rototilt for the past 30 years. in Sweden

[@fryklundstfr]

Most every digger in scandinavia uses either steelwrist or engcon tiltrotors, have done so since 20+ years ago, here the thumb doesent exist.

[@mitchstephen5491]

If you put the machine on hammer mode and turn the power off to the rotator you can flip the buttons a couple times and it will bleed the pressure off.

[@157-40_T]

Finally, Hollywood has a machine to take on the dinosaurs.

[@muntee33]

Now they need to make an excavator with two booms/arms. Put the cab in the middle like some kind of Jonny 5 x terminator.

[@BruteRazloga]

Knowing the world now, they'd probably say they'd need two operators to pilot it 💀

[@daverussell9627]

Add a saw cassette and really make time! I run a Holp tilty on my Kaiser S2-4 4x4 with Leica 2D grade control. Wished Leica would have sold me the Euro 3D....Run a tilty and you will never like a straight machine again!

[@kenbirkin7753]

Even as a demo there should be more Cab guarding, a stump came through my window and tore off the dash of my ex 120, STAY SAFE