5000th Erkat drum cutter unit: German company Beutlhauser receives th

The cutter unit shines even from afar at the Beutlhauser site. But the golden colour with red ribbon is not intended as a distraction. Quite the opposite: The customer knows exactly why this model was chosen. “Due to the high quality standards and the resulting reliability of the machines, the Erkat cutter units and many other Epiroc attachment products fit perfectly in our sales and rental portfolio! Through the broad product range constantly adapted to the market requirements, Epiroc has been an important and reliable partner for many years!”, states Günther Wallner from Beutlhauser.

The ER 650-3 for the excavator weight classes from 15 to 28 tons and with a nominal power output of 80kW is a real all-rounder cutter unit. It is used in channel construction, for demolition work, in tunnel construction and special civil engineering, as well as underwater work. Its supporting bracket can be mechanically rotated. It can also be used under water to depths of up to 30m - completely without modifications. It can tear up individual iron reinforcements up to a thickness of 12mm and has a rock strength of up to 60MPa. The pick box comes complete with wear-resistant and replaceable wear bushing. The easy replacement of the cutting heads means that conversion to a stump grinder or profiling cutter is possible.

In addition to the ER 650-3, the ER 1500, ER 50 and a wide range of Epiroc attachments, in particular hydraulic hammers, demolition shears and grippers, are a fixed part of the Beutlhauser product range. Beutlhauser also offers the round shank picks for the Erkat cutter units. Epiroc Sales Consultant Manfred Weppert has been supporting the Beutlhauser Group for 25 years. The Erkat brand has also been a fixed part of the portfolio since 2005. Both colleagues work hand-in-hand when supporting their partner Beutlhauser:

“We have held many trainings across all products together at Beutlhauser.”, explains Erkat specialist Ralf Schumann. “This has meant that Beutlhauser has been able to consistently pass on the specialist knowledge we have gained in the use and specific application of our products to the end customer. A partnership based on trust and extensive exchange of experiences has developed over the years.” 

Epiroc was able to expand its Construction Tools division in January 2017 with the incorporation of the company Erkat. A successful brand, whose know-how is still based at the Hämbach site and with a product range including high-quality transverse and longitudinal drum cutters for demolition, trenching, tunnelling and rock excavation, that make the perfect addition to the previous product range of Epiroc.

The takeover has also had positive impacts for Erkat. There is now increased awareness for the innovative products and new customer groups have been added. There are also ideal combination options, for example carrying out the main removal with an Epiroc breaker, followed by polishing with the Erkat cutter unit during tunnelling work. Erkat celebrated its 20th anniversary in November 2019. Founded as a two-man operation, the brand is now respected all over the world.

In the near future, further joint customer events and in-house exhibitions are planned at the Beutlhauser site, where the dealer will present its Epiroc and Erkat products. The ER650-3 will be available in the Beutlhauser rental park first. Erkat has recently launched numerous new innovations on the market: reinforced cutter units for demolition and tunnel construction, specially developed rotator systems, cutting wheels for mounting on existing transverse drum cutters, brush heads with and without dry aspiration, wood cutting heads and much more. The focus is mainly on sustainable work areas such as the renovation market, explosive-free reverse construction in inner city areas or the removal of contaminated surfaces.

“With the Erkat brand, the Beutlhauser Group has a longstanding, innovative and reliable partner in the field of hydraulic drum cutters, so that we can continue to offer our customers optimal solutions for this application.”, says a satisfied Günther Wallner.