Skip to main content

Topcon delivers dozer blade control

Topcon Positioning Group has launched a 3D dozer machine control system, the 3D-MCMAX, for Caterpillar machines. The system is designed to let operators work confidently in rough or fine grade applications, slope conditions, and in restricted sight environments without the visual obstruction of masts or risks to hanging cables. Gone is the need for daily installation and removal of antenna, cables and mast; the operator just climbs on and gets to work. Downtime is minimised, said Jamie Williamson, exe
April 5, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Topcon's sophisticated blade control package
342 Topcon Positioning Group has launched a 3D dozer machine control system, the 3D-MCMAX, for 178 Caterpillar machines.

The system is designed to let operators work confidently in rough or fine grade applications, slope conditions, and in restricted sight environments without the visual obstruction of masts or risks to hanging cables.

Gone is the need for daily installation and removal of antenna, cables and mast; the operator just climbs on and gets to work. Downtime is minimised, said Jamie Williamson, executive vice president and general manager of the Topcon Precision Automation Group. “It provides high-accuracy elevation, slope, and blade rotation sensing in an integrated configuration resulting in maximum speed, maximum control and maximum grading performance.”

It uses Topcon 3D-MC2 technology with the dual IMU (inertial measurement unit) sensors and algorithms located with the sensitive GNSS technology safely inside the cab instead of out on the harsh environment of the blade. There is no need for a mast.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Efficient dozing with Liebherr
    May 6, 2022
    Bulldozers were amongst the first items of construction equipment to benefit from the use of machine control technology.
  • Grade control system improves machine guidance
    April 5, 2012
    A new Caterpillar grade control system can be installed at the factory to certain Tier 4 Interim/ Stage IIIB emission compliant dozers, graders, scrapers and excavators. The technology improves operator efficiency and equipment performance while reducing the overall cost of a machine guidance system on site.
  • Positioning tools continue to improve
    July 16, 2012
    Topcon says that its new IP-S2 package combines GNNS positioning capabilities with inertial sensors, while the firm also has a solution for customers wanting to mix and match receiver components. The IP-S2 is a vehicle-mounted, mobile 3D tool that offers precision mapping and surveying capabilities. The package collects data using 3D laser scanners, LIDAR, and/or cameras, and this is then integrated, time-stamped and geo-referenced. The customer can use this assembled data to combine LIDAR point cloud and d
  • Ground control to mining truck offers efficiency gains
    June 19, 2015
    Autonomous and remote control machines are not about to take over the world, but they can provide efficiency gains and savings in some operations – Colin Sowman writes The thought of autonomous machines may conjure up visions of an Orwellian future where society works for the ‘common good’ defined by an all-powerful being and in which people are insignificant in terms of their needs, aspirations and physical wellbeing; of machines that relentlessly carry out their task regardless of anybody or anything that