Skip to main content

MOBA machine control tools help in asphalt paving

Machine control systems from MOBA are playing an important role in laying out a new street in the southern German village of Apfeldorf in Bavaria. New development in the village is seeing the construction of 14 new homes as well as a new street being built and the time savings and cost savings of machine control systems are proving highly beneficial. Although well proven in larger projects, these technologies are now being used in smaller construction projects also, with major advantages for the users. Loc
January 12, 2015 Read time: 3 mins
A German contractor is seeing the benefit of MOBA machine control systems for small construction works
Machine control systems from MOBA are playing an important role in laying out a new street in the southern German village of Apfeldorf in Bavaria. New development in the village is seeing the construction of 14 new homes as well as a new street being built and the time savings and cost savings of machine control systems are proving highly beneficial. Although well proven in larger projects, these technologies are now being used in smaller construction projects also, with major advantages for the users.

Local construction firm Georg Kölbl, is working on the construction of the new street, using 1228 MOBA's 2D excavation system, Xsite LINK. The system was bought by the firm originally for use in digging construction pits and carrying out other excavation work. However, realising the benefits of the machine control systems, the firm is now using this technology for a much wider range of tasks. These additional duties now include digging channels, building foundations, positioning manholes, and digging drainage to precise depths.

By employing the system the firm can carry out this work with a team of just two, instead of the three people required previously. There is no need for a surveyor to check levels constantly while the system allows machine operators greater accuracy than before, as the position of the excavator bucket is displayed constantly in real time on the unit’s screen. The working is also safer, as there is no need for surveyors to access danger areas such as trenches to take measurements.
The firm says that the Xsite system is also making it easier to install the frost protection layer.  An approximate 450m3 of gravel can be distributed quickly and precisely according to plan, along a trench of approximately 220m in length. Previously it would have been necessary to compact down the material twice to achieve exactly the right depth. The firm says that this job can now be carried out in a single operation: using the bucket to measure the level, firming down and then using the vibrating plate compactor directly, to check the depth.

The company says that it is open to using new technology and having seen the MOBA package being demonstrated at an exhibition, the company was keen to try it out. After tests with the equipment, the firm realised the cost savings the system would deliver and opted to buy two of the packages earlier this year. Notably, the firm adds that the equipment quickly paid for itself due to the substantial cost savings in terms of reduced working time and by eliminating the need for any reworking.

Managing director Georg Kölbl said, “With this system, we can work to a precision of plus or minus 2cm. In addition, we no longer have to continuously check our measurements, the system does it for us. This saves both excavator and man hours, as it allows us to work with a much more efficient workflow."

He added that the system also saves on material costs. For example, when a building contractor is putting down a 10cm bed specified on plans for a water conduit, the customer is only going to expect to pay for the exact amount of material needed for the depth of 10cm. "If we put in more, we absorb the cost. But because we can set the depth very precisely using this system, we lay only the exact depth specified and know that we won’t have a need for extra material," he said.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Trimble announces key technology developments
    January 24, 2019
    Trimble is expanding its range of machine control technology options for users of graders and excavators with key new releases. One is for the LOADRITE Payload Management system, which can now be utilised on excavators already equipped with the Trimble Earthworks Grade Control Platform. The other systems are new versions of the Trimble Earthworks Grade Control Platform that can be used with graders or deliver automatic guidance for tiltrotators. These are key developments for the firm, boosting its ran
  • Innovations in earthmoving
    May 13, 2024
    New innovations for the crawler excavator market will boost productivity as well as sustainability – Mike Woof writes
  • Sophisticated technology allows milling accuracy
    January 14, 2021
    Given the increase in vehicle numbers and that modern vehicles are heavier, it is more important for modern highways to be constructed to higher standards than previously.
  • The future of autonomy
    January 13, 2023
    The panel of experts from Trimble and Dynapac discussed where the construction industry is on the path to autonomy at present, where it is heading, and Trimble’s overall corporate vision for the future. Trimble’s philosophy is that machine autonomy is about more than just controlling the machine. To move the industry forward, autonomy solutions must also turn real-time data into real-time information to optimise and coordinate the jobsite of the future according to Trimble. Providing full access to that data presents a challenge, but can be achieved.