The vision of the Rotastar dates back almost 20 years to a brilliant man in England. More history of that later. A&D first introduced the Rotastar to the U.S. through our commercial excavating division in 2010. We were seeking ways to move away from the expense of conventional excavation methods and save time and costs – think transporting, dumping, and material purchasing. In just a short time we were saving money, tons of time, and recycling on every job site. We haven’t looked back.
The Innovation That Changed Portable Screening
Conventional vs. Onsite Processing
We all understand the obstacles of portable screening plants. As an attachment product, the Rotastar is as easy to transport as any other attachment with no set up time. Most importantly, it moves around the jobsite with you. The ability to screen directly into, or onto the areas where finished materials are needed is a huge plus. Consider digging a trench and screening the excavated material right back into the area needed. You just saved a tremendous amount of time and reduced your ‘conventional’ expenses.
Try tallying up the costs of loading unsuitable materials, transporting, dumping fees, purchasing suitable material, transporting back to the site, and unloading. A big expense for sure. The smartest thing to do is move toward onsite processing.
Yes, you can screen wet or dry material. The Rotastar screens in most soil conditions due to its unique rotation action, self-cleaning ability, and variable speed control.
And, yes, you can adjust the material output size from a standard setting of 3/4″ +/- to anywhere from 1/2″ to 5″.
Star Technology – Polyurethane, a Better Choice
1) The polyurethane stars on the Rotastar are mounted on shafts that turn in one direction. Their repelling finger profile tosses the bucket contents in a circular fashion. This prevents the materials from being crushed or pulled allowing for complete uncontaminated separation. We have found metal components to be unforgiving on both the materials in the bucket and the integrity of the attachment.
2) The stars are flexible. This also adds to the quality of screening and prevents crushing. But, there are 2 other important factors. First, they are lightweight and second, they are quiet. Those stars absorb a whole lot of energy, reducing not only noise, but the wear on the bucket’s framework and shafts.
3) The lightweight of the polyurethane has another important bonus – you get a bigger bucket capacity for the weight. The smallest Rotastar model RS2-4 can screen an average of 17 tons per hour with a base weight of 562 lbs. Our largest model will screen over 125 tons per hour with a base weight of 4,442 lbs.
Interested in seeing what revenue you could generate with a screening attachment? Try our Material Processing Calculator.
"HOW LONG DO THE STARS LAST?"
It is also important to note, the wear will occur on the bottom shafts first. Some operators choose to swap the bottom shafts with the center or top shafts to further extend the life of the stars.
Finally, it is quite easy to replace the stars by removing the shaft.
Our customers receive a comprehensive Welcome Kit which includes several in-depth How-To videos covering a myriad of topics: Best Screening Practices, Working with Stars & Collars, Shaft Removal, Transmission Overview, and more. If you are interested in watching any of these videos, please reach out to one of our team members.
"HOW DO I CHANGE THE OUTPUT SIZE?"
Output Reduction
All Rotastar models are manufactured to produce a material output of 3/4″ +/-. This is the most requested output size from customers. Any model can be easily adjusted from 1/2″ up to 5″.
The addition of a Reduction Kit will reduce your output to 1/2″ +/-. It works by reducing the space in-between each star. The smaller space yields the smaller output. The Reduction Kit is an operator-friendly, fast application, allowing you to adjust your screening from project to project. The kit is simple to install, requiring only a common oil wrench, and includes polyurethane split Collars. Simply place each side of the split Collar in-between the stars and snap closed. To remove, insert a flathead screwdriver in the clamped area and twist to unlock.
Output Expansion
An Expansion Kit requires the removal of the shafts. Depending on the desired output range of 1″-5″, polyurethane Spacers are added directly on the shaft in-between the stars. The wider the spacing of the Stars, the larger the output size. We offer many custom sizes. Please discuss your needs with your A&D Team member.
Neither expanding nor reducing the Rotastar’s output requires any carrier weight adjustments.
Rotastar screening output can be reduced using innovation split collar technology.
Multiple Coupling Options – Consider Your Fleet
Most Rotastar models are designed to accept a skid/loader bracket and a top hitch. This really opens up the door for your company as you go from project to project with varying needs. Your A&D team member will work with you to determine the weight classes of your carriers as they relate to the weight specifications of the Rotastar product line. We recommend you consider all your current and future carrier options to maximize the Rotastar’s use.
Excavator: Top Hitch
A&D will ship or deliver your Rotastar ready to use. Your top hitch, bracket, hoses, and fittings are all prepared specifically for your Rotastar model and carrier, and will be installed ready to plug and play when your bucket arrives.
Skid/Loader: Bracket
The skid and loader brackets are easy to remove and mount. If you choose to have a dual hitch and bracket setup, we will mount both on your bucket for shipping purposes, and provide you with various sets of hoses and fittings that will accommodate both functions.
"CAN I USE IT WITH A TILTROTATOR?"
We Offer Many Coupling Options
We love to use the Rotastar with Tiltrotators.! The addition of bucket rotation and high tilt takes this onsite screening ability to an even higher level.
Your Rotastar can be set to accept most any manufacturer’s hydraulic quick coupling and tiltrotation systems. As the Rotastar has low hydraulic requirements and no case drain line needed, the bucket is an easy fit to most setups.
We prefer the Steelwrist product line of Tiltrotators and Quick Couplers. If you’ve been thinking of adding a tiltrotator, speak to one of our team members to learn the differences in product lines. You may visit our Pro Tips,10 Things to Ask When Before Purchasing a Tiltrotator.
"CAN I DIG WITH THE BUCKET?"
Best Screening Practices
The Rotastar is not a digging bucket for hard earth. The smooth cutting edge is best suited to peel materials.
To some degree you can dig, in certain circumstances. It is important to note the curved geometry of the bucket frame is designed to maximize screening capacity and efficiency. This arc situates the lower shaft near the bottom of the bucket. Use care with your screening method to not place undo stress on the bottom shaft. We will provide you either person or virtual training, along with our How-To video series to show you the best screening methods for years and years of bucket life.
Quality, Maintenance, Parts & Service
The Rotastar is built by the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of screening buckets using high-quality steel with a high percentage of robotic welding.
Frame & Fabrication
The key to the Rotastar’s handling and performance is the headstock and tube area. The arc geometry of the frame is designed to optimize screening at various angles, transmit force effectively from the cutting edge through the body of the bucket, and allows a continuous screening process throughout it’s cycle. Additional frame wear plates can be removed for cleaning, or replacement. Steel discs are placed at the end of each shaft to ensure the stars wear evenly along the shafts and maintain the integrity of the side panels. This also provides super easy access to bearing greasing locations.
The Shafts
Shafts are designed for a specific load with smaller models using a lighter weight shaft and larger models fabricated with solid high-strength steel. Because of our unique star mounting system, the shafts will never see any wear.
Transmission
Simplicity is key here. The Rotastar is driven by a standard heavy-duty chain drive system powered by a hydraulic motor. Larger Rotastar models have dual motors. The transmission area is protected by a sealed guard, easily removed for inspection and maintenance.
"DO YOU OFFER PARTS & SERVICE?"
Yes, A&D Equipment services customers across the country and we have a full parts department to facilitate orders. Your Welcome Kit will include a complete parts list and detailed schematic for your model.
On occasion, a customer will ship us the bucket for a complete refurb, tuneup, or to install an expansion kit or swap out stars. Honestly, only a small handful of folks need these services and usually those buckets have been out working for many years. Considering the maintenance-friendly design of the Rotastar, most customers do not request or need onsite service.
Commonly, our parts & service department receives calls or texts for advice about a specific screening job, or to clarify a setting for their machine. On occasion, a business retires, or completely changes their service operation, and they ask us to assist them in reselling their Rotastar. If we have any available used models in stock, you will find them on our website here: AandDEquipment.com/used-excavator-attachments.
"WHAT IS YOUR STOCK AVAILABILITY?"
Parts & Attachment Stock
A&D Equipment is the only Rotastar dealer in the United States. We strive to have a full inventory of Rotastar attachments and parts at all times. Upon the date of order, we will immediately begin to prepare your hitch, hoses, fittings, and any custom bucket specifications you have requested. Generally, if we do not have a top hitch suitable for your carrier in stock, it will require 2-3 weeks to fabricate. Unless otherwise requested, your product will be shipped with all the necessary components installed and ready for you to plug & screen.
THE HEART OF A MANUFACTURER
Back to the brilliant man in the UK. Matt Lloyd, Founder and President of M Lloyd Engineering, is an inspiration to the world of manufacturing. His vision and direction has not only created one of the best attachments on the global market, but a crew of dedicated, passionate, and service driven people. We had the opportunity to celebrate 15 years with his company in Leominster, UK, touring his newly expanded facility, and learning more about his history and future vision. More…
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More from: The Heart of a Manufacturer
The concept of portable attachment screening began in 2007.
“I had purchased an old railway line and embankment next to our works.” Matt explained, “We excavated the stone from the embankment for a new yard and workshop. The stone was generally clean enough to use but in some areas it had too much soil mixed in with it.” (Interesting twist here, he needed to clean the stone.) From his research and engineering ability, Matt turned to building a rotary screening bucket.
We asked Matt how the Rotastar star screening idea evolved from his rotary prototype. “The Rotastar was born from necessity. I was demonstrating the rotary bucket with a 20mm mesh. The prospective customers needed more productivity.” explained Matt.
With his agricultural knowledge in tow, the step of using polyurethane stars was a ‘natural choice’. “Mounting the shafts on an arc to replicate the material rotation of the trommel bucket was the main design feature. The first prototype needed a little modification and was sold within a couple of months. The bucket is still being used.”, smiled Matt.
When asked what the future holds, Matt has a lot of enthusiasm for custom solutions. “Customers with specific carriers and applications can often require a special screening bucket, which is designed and manufactured specifically for them.”
Here at A&D, we have worked with Matt on a few customizations, including an underwater Rotastar.
Matt continued, “The majority of changes to standard models through the years have been small. The core working principle has remained the same.”
Matt, we’re still using our first Rotastars, too. Thank you for one kick-ass screening product.
Team A&D
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