ROTOBEC INC.
Head Office: 418.383.3002
Fax: 418.383.5334
rotobec@rotobec.com
www.rotobec.com
ROTOBEC USA INC.
Sales Northeast: 518.572.4646
Sales Lake States: 616.250.0405
Sales Southeast: 804.338.9100
Sales Midsouth: 936.675.5394
Parts & Service: 603.444.2103
Fax: 603.444.0327 sales@rotobecusa.com
ROTOBEC WEST
Western Canada & Western USA
250.548.0041
Fax.: 250.548.0043
mark@windward.ca
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Rotobec is the North-American leader in forestry grapples and in continuous rotation rotators. Its Elite XT A-Frame self-loader has gained a lot of popularity since its introduction in 2001, making Rotobec one of the major players in this class of loaders.
Rotators: It all started in 1972, after Marcel Cayouette, founder of Rotobec, developed and built the first reliable continuous rotator for a grapple in North America. Its reputation and popularity grew quickly, leading to the incorporation of Rotobec Inc. in 1975 and to the construction of a new 13,300 sq. ft. factory. Over the years, many different models were designed. Rotobec rotators are renowned for their sturdiness, durability and simplicity. In 2000, the RT series, a new line of dangling heavy-duty rotators was introduced. It includes several models of rotators for loaders with lifting capacities of 25,000 lb, 50,000 lb and 100,000 lb. Completely sealed, they were designed for the most demanding applications such as pull-thru delimbing, shovel logging and swamp logging. Their innovative characteristics were recently confirmed with the emission of US patent #7,066,076. A few years later, the RGP-252 (US patent #7,066,076 and #7,152,519) a positioned rotator for mini excavators was also introduced. It features a new type of hydraulic collector and a special holding valve on its motor. A new line of positioned rotators, the RGP series, was also recently released. It includes three different sizes with lift capacities of 90,000 lb, 130,000 and 190,000 lb. Rotobec is innovating again and has applied for a new patent. These rotators can be equipped with many different options such as a valve-in-head to facilitate its hydraulic installation on the carrier, a float valve on the motor and hydraulic collectors with different port configurations to feed various attachments and accessories. Valve-in-head units also include protection against excessive back pressure.
Log Grapples: In 2000, Rotobec also introduced its lines of New Generation heavy-duty and super heavy-duty log grapples. They were specifically designed for demanding applications such as pull-thru delimbing, shovel logging and swamp logging. They feature oversized pins and interlocked head construction for rigidity and sturdiness, cushioning high pressure cylinders and sealed pins and bushings for reduced maintenance. They are also ready to receive the RotoCut, an optional saw unit. They have become the preferred and most popular pull-thru delimbing grapple on the market.
Power Attachments: Over the last few years, Rotobec has been developing and progressively introducing its line of power attachments for excavators from 30,000 lb to 100,000 lb. Highly polyvalent tools, they can be configured in many different ways. They can be equipped with different types of jaws: rake type for logging and recycling, bucket type for landscaping and site preparation, demolition type with 3x2 or 4x3 tine configuration for demolition, scrap handling, rock and pipe handling, etc. They can be fitted with either a dangling RT rotator or a positioned RGP rotator for more performance and flexibility. Equipped with the optional RotoCut saw unit, they become a flexible high performance tool.
Grapple Saw / Saw Unit: In 2003, Rotobec introduced its RotoCut saw unit for grapples. It has since gained popularity thanks to its performance, reliability and simplicity. It is made of standard, easily available hydraulic components for easier servicing and minimal downtime. Its operation is completely hydraulic. It is available on the New Generation Rotobec heavy-duty or super heavy-duty log grapples to create a very reliable dangling grapple saw. The RotoCut can also be mounted on the new Rotobec power attachment where it can become either a dangling or positioned multi purpose attachment that excels in blow-down, merchandising and grinder feeding.
Pulpwood Grapples: The best attachment to handle short wood, specially in large volume, they are popular in mill yards to unload trucks, stack wood in the yard and feed the mill; but, they are also available in small sizes for self loaders. The recent advent of larger material handling loaders or pick and carry machines, raised a need for larger models. So, Rotobec just released three larger models, its 265P, 305P and 350P having a respective capacity of 1.5, 2 and 2.35 cords of 8 ft. wood. They feature hydraulic jaw synchronisation, high pressure heavy-duty cylinders and a carefully studied jaw shape that optimizes its wood rolling and handling characteristics.
Bunching Grapples: New lines of medium-duty and heavy-duty bunching grapples have also been progressively introduced in sizes from .26 to 1.25 square meters. The smaller models can be used on self-loaders and on forwarders. The larger heavy-duty models can be used in conjunction with a live heel boom to handle tree length. Their larger pin distance provides a larger grapple opening and excellent wood gathering characteristics.
Combination Grapples: They are appreciated by people having to handle a diversity of wood lengths or slippery wood with a dangling grapple. They have been the grapple of choice to work with a slasher. Recently, new models able to work in conjunction with our RGP positioned rotator have been introduced. They offer an improved grapple controllability.
Butt'n Top Grapples: Designed exclusively for tree length handling, they allow rotation of tree length being supported by one or two hydraulic stabilizers. These stabilizers are at?tached to the grapple structure. They are turning with the grapple, maintaining the balance of the load while rotating it. Contrary to the more conventional heel boom system, they allow loading and unloading of tree length with the loader position in between the truck and the wood pile.
Elite XT Loader: Introduced in 2001, the Rotobec Elite XT self loader has become one of the most preferred and popular self loaders in its class. Thanks to the use of high tensile strength steel, it is lighter than its competitors. Its choice of hydraulic components also makes it one of the smoothest and more precise loaders in its class. Its pin-on stabilizer legs make servicing them a pleasure compared to its competitors. Its continuous rotation uses one of RotobecÕs heavy-duty and highly reliable hydraulic port swivel that is virtually leak free. It provides 8800 lb of lifting capacity at 10 feet and various boom configurations with a reach up to 27 feet.
80 Elite SM Loader: Building on the features and characteristics of its A-Frame Elite XT loader, Rotobec recently developed a stationary version of this loader. Designed to be modular and adaptable to customer needs, it is available for direct or remote control. Adjustable angle of limited rotation or continu?ous rotation, various column height, optional cab and various boom configurations are among the most common options. An electric power unit is also available as part of the standard loader or as an option, depending on the loader configuration selected. They are very popular at the entrance of a mill, straightening logs on wood decks, clearing wood jams, cleaning vats, etc.
Industrial Attachments: Over the last few years, industrial attachments have been developed, among these, Clamshell buckets, Orange Peel grapples, Pipe and Post grapples, Rail grapples, Tie grapples and Waste grapples. The Clamshell buckets are available in light, medium and heavy-duty series. They can handle a diversity of materials such as wood chips, coal, sand and gravel. The Orange Peel grapples are available in 4 or 5 tine configuration and in a diver?sity of sizes. Typically used for scrap handling, some sizes and models are also available for 4-foot pulpwood handling.
The Company: Rotobec's head office is located in Ste-Justine, Quebec, where it employs close to 250 people in its 150,000 sqare foot factory. Its managers are shareholders of the company and its employees enjoy a nice profit sharing program. Rotobec USA, located in Littleton, NH, distributes and services Rotobec products for Eastern and Central USA. Rotobec West, established in Kelowna, BC, covers the Western US and Western Canadian markets. Rotobec products are also sold thru agents and distributors to many other countries such as Chile, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil, Indonesia and Mexico. The company also enjoys sales of its products through multiple agreements with major Original Equipment Manufacturers.