Skip to main content

Increased working accuracy for compact graders

Bobcat is offering improved working precision for grading operations with its compact loaders and grader attachments. The new grading equipment is designed for use by asphalt and concrete contractors for excavating and grading work for new roads. Loader-mounted Bobcat grader attachments can now be combined not only with a new sonic tracer kit. This is the first sonic tracer system aimed at use with compact loaders, providing automatic grade control in applications where lasers may not be suitable.
November 29, 2013 Read time: 3 mins
Bobcat is offering new machine control packages for its compact graders
Bobcat is offering improved working precision for grading operations with its compact loaders and grader attachments. The new grading equipment is designed for use by asphalt and concrete contractors for excavating and grading work for new roads. 

Loader-mounted 1130 Bobcat grader attachments can now be combined not only with a new sonic tracer kit. This is the first sonic tracer system aimed at use with compact loaders, providing automatic grade control in applications where lasers may not be suitable. 

A sonic tracer is versatile as it can follow undulations in terrain and can also be used in parallel with laser equipment. Users can mount the sonic tracer on a grader blade, allowing the operator to switch between using the sonic tracer or the laser system.

The Bobcat sonic tracer kit is designed for use with the new enhanced 274mm wide HD Grader 108 and 244mm wide HD Grader 96 heavy duty attachments.

The HD Grader 108 heavy duty attachment is approved for use on the Bobcat S770 and S850 skid steers, T770 and T870 compact tracked and A770 all-wheel steer loader models. The HD Grader 96 attachment covers the same models as well as the smaller T650 compact tracked loader.     

The grader blades feature a six way blade with hydraulic side-shift of up to 330mm left or right. The hydraulic side-shift allows the blade to get into corners when working in confined areas, as well as grading right up to an obstacle.
The new graders can also be converted from standard units to laser graders quickly and easily. The operator only needs to mount the receiver poles, clamp the laser receivers onto the poles and plug in the harnesses. 

In addition to the laser receivers are the laser transmitters; the model GL412, a single-slope version, and the GL422, a new dual-slope transmitter which comes standard with a Handheld CR600 receiver.

Installed on the blades of the HD Grader 108 and HD Grader 96 heavy duty grader attachments, the sonic tracer emits ultrasonic signals to maintain a set distance or elevation from an object, surface or the ground, allowing the graders to be used to grade, level, and backfill on a multiple slope terrain when following a string line, kerb Stone, the gutter or even a previous pass as a grade control.  Grade accuracy is 6.4mm, and the detection range of the sonic tracer is from 200-1300mm.

The Bobcat system comprises a sonic tracer, two slope sensors and one rotation sensor, all of which are 2122 Trimble components.

To be fully operational, the Bobcat loader must be equipped with the control panel. The operator can set the desired grade and tracer offset, while getting a read out of the actual grade and graphical feedback on both grade and tracer offset.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • US asphalt and quarry show highlights new technology
    May 8, 2015
    New technology was one key focus area for the World of Asphalt/AGG1 event run recently in the US city of Baltimore - Mike Woof writes Technology has been a major focus for the combined World of Asphalt and AGG1 2015 exhibition and conference held in Baltimore. The exhibition area attracted 450 exhibitors and covered a larger area than for previous events, while over 10,000 education season tickets were bought by those wanting to attend the presentation sessions. The event was held from March 17th- March
  • Defining the standards for asphalt road surfaces
    February 20, 2012
    Materials used to construct roads must meet defined standards to offer a variety of solutions including durability, smoothness and long life. The need for the regular testing of materials used in highway construction is now a must on all projects. It is essential to make sure that the materials used in producing roads meet defined standards and offer durability, smoothness and long life.
  • Material transfer vehicles see advances
    July 9, 2020
    Material transfer vehicles offer a buffer between asphalt trucks and pavers, optimising flow, and new models coming to market offer improved performance
  • Innovative machine control systems for Canadian slipforming work
    November 29, 2013
    Advanced machine control technologies are speeding site layout and construction operations Canadian house building firm Mattamy Homes has brought in a contractor that has used sophisticated equipment to build the roads around its new development in Oakville, Ontario. The site is just 30 minutes drive from Toronto. Phase 1-A of the project is under construction and nearly every one of the 550 homes that will be built there has been sold already. Additional phases will bring the total number of homes to 1,800