Grade control system improves machine guidance

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.
February 29, 2012 Read time: 3 mins
The new grade control package can be fitted in the factory to Caterpillar's latest graders, excavators dozers and scrapers

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.

The system reduces set up time and cuts the need for surveyors to check and reset grade markings. When installed on a D8T or D9T dozer, grade control offers blade automation in three basic modes. These include a rough grade control for initial cut, grade protection as the site develops and grade control to ensure consistent blade loads and to limit track slip.

The integrated auto carry feature ensures that the tilt function of the blade control remains with the operator. As long as the blade tips are above the site plan, the system will calculate blade load and adjust the blade.

The M Series 2 Cat motor graders have the cross slope grade control system, which provides automatic cross slope control capability and is compatible with all AccuGrade kits. Maintaining proper cross slope while grading ensures roads are built and maintained according to the intended design.

Grading a road to the desired cross slope requires grader operators to monitor both ends of the blade and blade position along with the grade in front of the blade and machine to anticipate where the cutting edge needs to be positioned. The cross slope system automatically controls one end of the blade and allows the operator to focus on the other side. The package also controls the blade slope, providing consistency.

The system uses factory installed sensors and standard machine components and a display in the cab allows the operator to set the target slope while displaying the current measured cross slope in real time. The system also indicates the direction of the blade slope.

178 Caterpillar is now offering new options for the 621H, 623H and 627H scrapers, which include sequence assist, load assist and grade control. Load assist automatically adjusts the cutting edge height to manage wheel slip, ensure a full, consistent and productive bowl. The grade control depth and slope package for E Series hydraulic excavators provides depth and slope information on the machine display.

The package can work as a stand-alone depth and slope system, while the laser receiver on the stick can be used with a contractor's laser transmitter for increased accuracy. The built-in warning feature provides audible and visual warnings.
Connected Construction Earthmoving & soil compaction

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • INTERMAT launch for more Cat E-series excavators
    April 11, 2012
    Caterpillar is introducing a revised line-up of 20-24 tonne E Series crawler excavators at Intermat 2012. The 320E, 323E and the reduced radius 320E RR adopt the EU Stage IIIB Cat C6.6 ACERTTM engine, providing reduced emissions and fuel consumption savings of up to 11% compared to other D Series models. A wider range of cab seating, including heating and cooling options, comes with the new E Series crawler excavators. Time delay lighting, additional safety handrails and improved serviceability are also sai
    Read More
  • Rapid adoption of GPS machine control
    February 10, 2012
    The high sophistication of GPS machine control systems has resulted in a fast pace of technological advancement. The three major players in the machine control sector, Leica Geosystems, Topcon and Trimble have all made major gains in recent years. The sophistication of the latest systems can combine satellite position data from the GPS and GLONASS networks with information from total stations to provide precise, high speed machine operation. Further more the firms have also prepared themselves for the intro
    Read More
  • GPS delivers accurate real time depth control
    July 13, 2012
    The novel EZ Dig Pro system offers real-time depth control for excavators and backhoe loaders. This package is said to provide precise grade control for digging a fixed depth or a slope and it boosts safety as there is no need for anyone going into the excavation to check depth. Applications include use in trenching and drainage ditches along roadways, as well as footings and foundation depths and cut-and-cover applications for a fixed depth for utilities.
    Read More
  • Intermat innovation for machine control systems
    June 23, 2015
    Improving technologies for machine control systems continue to deliver increases in efficiency for contractors - Mike Woof writes Machine control technologies have continued to develop as the specialist suppliers in this fiercely fought sector seek to find a competitive advantage over their rivals. The key players, Leica Geosystems, MOBA, Topcon and Trimble, have all been pushing the boundaries with their latest technologies. Although the systems these firms are introducing are aimed at a number of differen
    Read More

Highlighted Content