Machine safety systems from GKD

UK-based firm GKD Technologies has developed a new range of electronic sensor technology and software for use as safety warning devices to protect people, machines and equipment in construction and earthmoving machines. The latest unit is the upgraded GKD 2RCi rated capacity load indicator, which is designed to be retrofitted onto hydraulic excavators. The indicator is said to boost safety during lifting operations. All lifting equipment and excavators have a specified safe working load, stated by the man
May 30, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
UK-based firm 8740 GKD Technologies has developed a new range of electronic sensor technology and software for use as safety warning devices to protect people, machines and equipment in construction and earthmoving machines.


The latest unit is the upgraded GKD 2RCi rated capacity load indicator, which is designed to be retrofitted onto hydraulic excavators. The indicator is said to boost safety during lifting operations. All lifting equipment and excavators have a specified safe working load, stated by the manufacturer, to safeguard both the operator and the machine. The system can be fitted to single or two-piece boom machines and is designed to satisfy regulations regarding the use of excavators as a crane.

The 2RCi is versatile and in its basic form is a simple load indicator but can be configured to incorporate height and slew monitoring. The 2RCi is also available with intelligent motion cut facilities to control the safe movement of height, slew and or load. The unit has been developed in response to changing requirements, especially for highway construction. This latest version offers the option of a virtual wall function that can be programmed to the safe parameters of the machine’s required working area, working in conjunction with the slew and height control.

The firm says that this prevents the excavator's boom operating outside its safe zone. The function increases the usability of the machine and allows for optimisation of the working area.  Should the machine approach its preset limit an external audible alarm will warn the operator. The optional intelligent motion-cut, if installed, will stop the machine and only allow safe movement.

In addition to the rated capacity indicator functions and the virtual wall, the 2RCi provides digging depth indication, which helps to reduce over-digging of trenches. Height limiting also allows the operator to operate in restricted headroom areas.

The 2RCi uses a compact fully responsive touchscreen display which is operator friendly and less complicated than other load capacity indicators on the market.  The high brightness LCD touch- screen provides the operator with an easy-to-read graphical interface.

Connected Construction

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Eradicating work zone danger
    June 26, 2013
    New safety systems for highway work zones are helping to reduce deaths and injuries in the United States, while much work is being done in Europe to improve work zone safety. Guy Woodford reports. With more road building underway than at any one time in Texas history, the US Lone Star state’s Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is introducing its first highway safety system with queue-warning technology and temporary rumble strips to cut work zone collisions. Debuting along a central Texas stretch of the
    Read More
  • 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
    Read More
  • Advances in earthmoving machines
    May 25, 2016
    New levels of efficiency and sophistication are being seen in the latest earthmoving machines coming to market - Mike Woof writes The earthmoving equipment segment accounts for one of the largest parts of the total market for construction machines. All around the world excavators and articulated dumptrucks (ADTs) can be seen operating on construction sites. With a massive array of manufacturers offering these machines, it is no surprise that the segment is hotly contested. In developed markets firms are
    Read More
  • Moving the earth with improved environmental credentials
    August 9, 2018
    Driver comfort, more power and improved environmental credentials highlight some of the latest earthmoving equipment Doosan Construction Equipment has launched a new version of the company’s DA30 30tonne class articulated dump truck (ADT), now in a new colour scheme. Most of the changes are for better operator comfort and controllability of the machine. But there are also changes in the driveline and electrical systems. The most important development is an upgrade of the suspension to a hydro-gas self-lev
    Read More

Highlighted Content