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

  • Innovations in concrete paving with new technology
    June 22, 2016
    The start of 2016 has seen major developments in the concrete paving sector - Mike Woof writes So far in 2016 there have been several major developments in the concrete paving equipment market. Many of the key players have introduced new models, broadening their ranges of machines on offer. US firms continue to dominate this niche area of the construction equipment market, with one European company being the only other major international player. At least two Chinese manufacturers have unveiled concrete
  • Versatile machines offer improved efficiency
    April 28, 2015
    An array of versatile new machines from different segments is available for the rental sector - Mike Woof writes The rental machine market continues to develop in many countries around the world. Equipment rental has a long history in the UK and the US and in more recent years has developed well in France also, while other countries are also benefiting from growth in this sector. As with other machines, equipment for the European and US rental sector now has to meet tough exhaust and noise emissions legi
  • Commander shows versatility for GOMACO
    March 10, 2017
    GOMACO is offering a new solution for concrete slipforming at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017. The firm is increasing the versatility of its Commander III slipformer further with the development of the next generation machine and now offers it in three- as well as the original four-track configuration. The new three-track Commander IIIx has three tracks and can also be equipped with latest generation telematics technology.
  • Machine control technology evolving fast
    February 8, 2012
    The machine control market is evolving fast and is increasingly becoming part of a much wider construction site management concept, Mike Woof reports. Machine control technology has come a long way in the past 20 years and the development of 2D and 3D systems has been rapid in the construction sector.