Skip to main content

Trimble GCS900 makes dozers more responsive – and faster

Improved Trimble technology will enable contractors to reduce dozer time as much as 40%. The Trimble GCS900 Grade Control System has improved responsiveness, which provides a substantial benefit on jobsites. “It corrects faster,” said Dwayne Rosie, Software Sales Engineer in the Heavy Civil Construction Division.
January 6, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Dozers can maintain quality and move faster with the GCS900 system.

Improved Trimble technology will enable contractors to reduce dozer time as much as 40%. The Trimble GCS900 Grade Control System has improved responsiveness, which provides a substantial benefit on jobsites.

“It corrects faster,” said Dwayne Rosie, Software Sales Engineer in the Heavy Civil Construction Division. Because the correction is quicker, the machine itself is able to move faster without sacrificing quality. “You get it done faster with a consistent finish and less rework,” Rosie said. “It all means cash in contractors’ pockets.” The productivity gains are significant, with contractors able to grade between 35% and 40% faster on average, depending on the dozer type and the material being used, said Ryan Kunisch, marketing director for 2122 Trimble Heavy Civil Construction. GCS900 version 12.7 features GradeMax Plus, a new technology. The system uses the Trimble GS420 Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensor to detect the current rate of acceleration and changes in orientation. Trimble has also increased the rate at which the GCS900 system drives the valves on the dozer for smoother, more consistent control and rapid recovery of the dozer blade – which is what enables operators to grade higher quality surfaces at even faster speeds. With GradeMax Plus, operators can grade a wider range of complex surfaces without constraints.

Operators have the freedom to rotate the dozer blade on steep slopes while maintaining constant grading speeds. This enables performance whether working on mostly level surfaces, such as roadways, or uneven terrain including golf course projects. Rosie said the system is intuitive and features an interface nearly identical to previous products, with only a few cosmetic changes in the newer version. “It’s user friendly, and productive,” Rosie said.

“With the release of the latest version of the system we are taking machine control to a new level,” Kunisch concluded.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Machine control technology round table discussion with Leica Geosystems, Topcon and Trimble
    January 4, 2022
    In this, the first in a series of top-level roundtable discussions led by World Highways, editor Mike Woof and editorial director Geoff Hadwick talk machine control technology with three world-class experts from Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, Topcon and Trimble. Find out what these key opinion leaders are thinking on six vitally important topics. Let them help you stay ahead of the game.
  • Trimble launches Site Positioning System Essentials Kit
    February 20, 2014
    Trimble has introduced a Site Positioning System designed for owner operators, small site contractors or construction companies new to GPS. The Trimble Site Positioning System Essentials Kit gives contractors proven Trimble quality and accuracy in an affordable and easy-to-use solution. The Essentials Kit is comprised of the new Trimble Site Mobile controller, Trimble SCS900 Site Controller Software and Trimble SPS985L GNSS Smart Antenna for a complete GPS positioning solution. Using GPS, a grade checker
  • Cost-effective excavation
    February 15, 2012
    Trimble continues to broaden its range of machine control options with a new system aimed at the excavator market. The GCSFlex package is a cost-conscious system designed for use by small-medium sized contractors wanting high performance. Rugged and easy to install, this versatile system comes with an array of sensor options and is said to be fast to fit. The package suits use on small-medium sized excavators and can be used for jobs such as trenching for underground utilities, digging footers and building
  • Caterpillar demonstrates remote control capabilities
    March 7, 2017
    From its Gold Lot stand, Caterpillar is remotely operating a D8T dozer situated 1,700 miles away in Peoria, Illinois. The CAT Command remote control system offers a choice of two operator interfaces - a portable operator console designed for line-of-sight use and an ergonomically-designed operator station that can be located remotely.