Skip to main content

Grade control technology for compact machines

Caterpillar now offers Cat Grade technologies as an aftermarket option to owners of Cat next generation mini hydraulic excavators in the 6-10tonne class range. The systems are available through Cat and Sitech dealers and allow owners to equip machines with Cat Grade with Advanced 2D, or Cat Grade with 3D. The field kit’s modular components allow quick installation, while the technology integrates into the Cat excavator electronics infrastructure.
January 25, 2022 Read time: 2 mins
Caterpillar’s 6-10tonne machines can be fitted with Trimble machine control tools

Both aftermarket grade technologies share similar capabilities with larger Cat excavators operating Cat Grade with Advanced 2D or 3D systems. A separate, high-resolution touchscreen monitor allows operators to view, create and work site designs inside the cab. Automatics deliver simple, single-joystick control over the stick and bucket to maintain grade and avoid overcutting and undercutting.

Cat Grade with Advanced 2D uses onboard processors and sensors to deliver real-time bucket tip and elevation guidance on the touchscreen. This allows operators to create and work to basic site designs, while grade design edits can be made in the cab. Field installation of the technology includes the hardware, sensors and dedicated monitor for grade plan creation, editing and viewing.

Using GPS and GLONASS systems to pinpoint location, Cat Grade with 3D allows multiple machines to grade to complex jobsite designs. The monitor shows bucket position throughout the digging motion, while height and depth audio alerts indicate when desired grade has been reached to protect from overcutting or undercutting. Beyond the hardware and sensors, including monitor, required for Grade with Advanced 2D, installation of Grade with 3D also requires GNSS receivers and antennas.

Cat Grade technologies help operators reduce the number of passes and shortens the time it takes to complete cuts. Saving costs associated with time, labour, fuel and material consumption, Cat Grade technologies allow companies to reach target grade quickly and lower overall operating costs at the jobsite.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Big measuring from TinyMobileRobots
    February 27, 2017
    Small is beautiful, especially when it comes to robots, explains Jens Peder Kristensen, director of Danish company TinyMobileRobots With the increased functionality of outdoor robots, the market for autonomous robots as a replacement for human work has widened. The human touch is still needed when dealing with terrain that is difficult to navigate or with a crowded construction site.
  • Volvo CE is looking to the future for construction machines
    September 12, 2018
    Volvo CE is taking bold steps in developing technologies for the future of construction machines – Mike Woof writes Volvo CE is making serious innovations in construction machine technology, developing equipment that is smarter, safer, cleaner and more fuel-efficient. This innovation comes from a position of strength and from a financial perspective, Volvo CE is performing well. CEO Melker Jernberg said, “When it comes to performance we need to be good economically. We saw growth for 2018 in all region
  • Major innovations are coming to market in concrete slipforming
    March 6, 2017
    Tough competition is being seen in the specialised market for concrete slipforming machines, with new partnerships and new technology coming to market - Mike Woof writes GOMACO is boosting the versatility of its Commander slipformer further with the development of the new Three-Track Commander IIIx variant. This has been configured to cope with much tighter radii than previous versions of the Commander III, allowing it to slipform a radius of just 610mm. This suits the machine to applications such as sli
  • Weigh in motion technology reduces road damage
    February 8, 2012
    Overweight vehicles cause enormous damage to road structures but they can be caught, even at high speed. Weigh-in-motion or WIM devices are designed to capture and record axle weights and gross vehicle weights as vehicles drive over a measurement site.