Steelwrist AB and Rototilt Group AB announce the launch of Open-S, a standard for fully automatic quick couplers for excavators. With the standard, machine operators can combine machine couplers, tiltrotators and tools from different manufacturers that are in compliance with the standard and be confident that they will be compatible. Products that comply with the standard will be marked "Open-S".
"Open standards make everyday life easier, whether it's plugs for electrical sockets, computer connectors or excavator quick couplers," says Stefan Stockhaus, CEO for Steelwrist AB. "Open-S also builds on the independent and established standard that already exists for quick couplers, the S Standard."
Steelwrist and Rototilt Group AB are the initiators of Open-S. "We believe in healthy competition, where the industry's players compete to have the best products," says Anders Jonsson, CEO, Rototilt Group AB. "We don't want to lock customers into a closed interface. When customers buy a tiltrotator from Rototilt, they should feel confident that any hydraulic tool that complies with the Open-S standard will fit the tiltrotator."
The standard is based on freedom for end-customers to choose the preferred equipment with reliable safety solutions and to benefit from continued technological development.
"Because we have agreed on how to connect the products, customers can freely choose from the product portfolio from the manufacturers that comply with the standard." explains Jonsson. "It becomes clearer what fits together and which warranty provisions apply." B
oth Steelwrist and Rototilt are seeing that more customers are adopting this type of solution. The Open-S standard makes it easier for contractors to take the first step towards a fully automatic quick coupler system.
Open-S is owned and managed by an independent organization, Open-S Alliance, which in turn is led by a council of engineers from the member companies, currently tiltrotator manufacturers Steelwrist and Rototilt. More members are welcome.
"Interchangeability is the point," says Stockhaus. "Any reputable manufacturer who believes in the usefulness of a common standard is welcome. We are already in talks with more manufacturers who want to join in the Open-S standard."
The standard has its own website with complete information at opens.org.
