For 6-29 Tonne machines:

The service proven Nimrod Rotoloc Hitch is built around a number of innovative concepts.

Central to the design is the strikingly simple rotor locking mechanism. This rotor, which rotates in the hitch body, has an inner bore which is eccentric to the outer diameter. As the rotor turns into the lock position the distance between the half bush and the rotor is ever increasing. The rotor turns until one bucket pin is fully engaged in the half bush and the other is locked in the rotor.

With this unique system one of the advantages is that when digging all reverse forces are applied to the rotor and absorbed directly by the hitch, in a radial fashion around the rotor. The rotor-activating cylinder feels none of these forces.

Another major advantage is that because the design holds the implement pins tight during all operations, pin wear is virtually nil. Some Rotoloc hitches have now done over 20,000 hours of service.

Safety is built into the design.    

• Pilot pressure is used to continually turn the rotor around the pin. This is important as if pilot pressure is lost due to a hose failure or the like the machine instantly becomes non-operable.
• As the reverse digging forces tend to tighten the rotor’s grip on the bucket pin, full mains pressure is needed to break the rotor’s grip.
• Also incorporated as an added level of safety, is a valve fitted to the rotor cylinder that won’t allow the rotor to loosen unless mains pressure is applied.

Other features:

• The distinctive body design. The components are all fabricated in medium tensile steel and the chassis itself has a unique folded design. These features mean that the hitch is lighter than a lot of conventional designs yet is very strong, compact and durable, at a very cost-effective price.
  
• The gooseneck of the hitch is fully machined giving excellent support to the pin.
• The bucket can be turned on the hitch to be used as a face shovel.
• The hitch has been stress analysed (FEA) to ensure that it will take the loads yet is not heaver than need be.