Blade Runner

Published 23/6, 2016 at 17:00

Self-confessed maverick Tim Spillane is a man on a mission. An owner-operator of road and floor saws, he believes the six-wheeler concept has been overlooked for far too long. He spoke to Chris Webb about a passion, which, he admits, has turned into an obsession.

The name alone gives much away: ‘Spillane’ is of Irish origin meaning ‘man with scythe,’ or ‘man with sword’. So Tim Spillane is comfortable with his roots, and his chosen career as a concrete cutter.

He is also passionate about making a difference in six-wheeler technology, which, he believes, offers higher productivity, longer blade life, significant and tangible ergonomic benefits and overall subsequent profitability for owner-operators.

Spillan owns Holemasters Australia, based in Melbourne and has little sympathy with the large volume manufacturers in Europe and elsewhere. Despite, that is, his claims that a relatively simple modification to the undercarriage of readily available machines can deliver considerable operational benefits.

Spillane operates three machines specially modified for his own business, and is adamant that those few who have seen them in operation can immediately recognize what he claims are the many benefits. “On the modified machines, there are significant improvements in manoeuvrability, blade life and productivity,” said Spillane. “ Operators that have seen them in action are impressed and wonder why they can’t be bought off the shelf.”

There is nothing new about this concept. David Vitiello, managing director of Dia-tool Australia, said that he was supplying blades to similar machines as long ago as 1988. He added that in the past thirty years, this engineering concept has been ahead of the industry. Six-wheelers were the first multi speed saws available in Australia.

Spillane and Vitiello got together rather later. The saws in question were modified in Vitiello’s workshop two years ago. “I sent Tim some photographs of the machine and he wanted to bring this concept forward”. Spillane said that Vitiello wanted the inventor, Peter Campbell, to settle in Melbourne and work directly for him to develop the concept further.

What Campbell did, was to modify a well-known brand, with additional wheels to the undercarriage, which improved the centre of gravity, manoeuvrability, productivity and blade life. “Each time the saw out-performed the standard in terms of blade speed and life. The six-wheel undercarriage is that good,” said Spillane. “But there is bias and prejudice towards a market driven idea. Many features of the six-wheeler have been adopted, for example multi-speed central drive belts. What is lost on these volume manufacturers is the water-cooling systems and the stable undercarriage. My view is they sell more blades on their standard saws.

“Anyone who had used one of these saws for a week, has loathed going back to a standard saw. They cut straight and perpendicular. They are balanced. At the end of a week a novice operator on a six-wheeler would cut better than an experienced cutter. The machine makes the difference.

“To sell this machine is easy. Demonstrate it to someone who has never used a saw and then get them to use a standard saw. Volume manufacturers spend a fortune on compliance of the motor. They spend nothing on the undercarriage.”

Spillane said that he has converted three machines resulting in increases in production of between 30% to 40%. “I’m currently working with an engineer which will realise gains in the manoeuvrability of this model regarding lift requirement,” said Spillane. “This will reduce operator fatigue by repositioning the pivot wheel closer to the centre of gravity. The six-wheeler provides a 50% longer wheelbase. The inset front wheels create a trike affect which provides constant traction on uneven surfaces that are commonplace on most job sites.

“The six-wheeler delivers optimum wheel position for manoeuvring and optimum wheelbase extension when in cutting modes. The extended wheel/trike effect reduces blade flex and friction over the longer wheelbase in cutting mode. This leads to smoother cutting as well as maintaining a straighter plane therefore less friction and longer blade life”.

Aside from running a successful sawing business, Spillane has been attempting to obtain backing to put the six-wheeler, originally patented in 1995, as a complete machine, but so far without success. “Retrofitting a six-wheeler hydraulically requires a lot of additional components, as well as far greater expertise to install rendering it an uneconomical option,” said Spillane. “I have time trialled six-wheelers against standard machines which have proved to be 50% faster, easier to shift and move. The original six-wheelers of the 80s and 90s had adjustable handles, variable speed shaft and a braked drive system far superior to what is available 25-30 years on.

“Time will tell if I can get it to market as my contracting business remains my priority. Any experienced operator instantly realizes its advantage once behind the controls.  The six-wheeler addresses the shortcomings of the four-wheel flat saws of today. The dual platform provides perfect balance as well as optimal performance uncompromised. The current machines are being offered with corrective devices to overcome their deficiencies.

“I am determined to see the technology adopted, and I hope to continue the development of the six-wheeler, finances permitting. I am actively pursuing this with some additional engineering input and hopefully it will provide an affordable option to my fellow cutters.

“It will have to be done according to my time-frame and available resources. One well-known manufacturer has expressed an interest and requested a six-wheeler that can be fitted to their machines without major alteration.

“I am confident I can meet their high expectations. But going it alone is a difficult path. There is a market out there, and I am pursuing sponsorship”.

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