PRODUCT FOCUS
To be fully operational, the Bobcat loader must be equipped with the Deluxe control panel,
allowing the operator to control the grade from within the cab.”
controlled so that the operator can grade
nearly any surface without needing to
take their hands off the control levers.
There are four two-way hydraulic
functions, including left side up/down;
right side up/down; blade rotation left/
right, and blade side-shift left/right.
The hydraulic side-shift allows
the blade to get further into corners
when working in confined areas. It
also allows grading right up to an
obstacle (such as a pole or structure
inside a building), side-shifting to get
around it, and then side-shifting back
to continue working. This minimises
hand labour to clear the area around
these objects.
The oscillating front bolster provides
12 degrees of oscillation to either
side, minimising the effect of dips and
bumps on how quickly or how much
the blade needs to respond in these
circumstances. Wide flotation tyres on
the grader ensure the attachment rolls
smoothly across the site.
operators can still momentarily
override the automatic system.
For compact loaders with Bobcat
selectable joystick controls, there is an
added feature with additional buttons on
the joysticks. The grade can be changed
at the receiver by 2.5mm increments,
up or down, ± 50mm in either direction.
This allows the operator to change grade
elevation from within the cab using
fingertip controls.
Complementing the laser receivers
are the laser transmitters from Bobcat:
the model GL412, a single-slope version;
and the GL422, a dual-slope transmitter
that comes standard with a handheld
CR600 receiver. The latter forms a cost-
efficient alternative to Bobcat’s other
dual-slope transmitter, the GL722, which
forms the deluxe model in the range.
Sonic tracer grading system
Installed on the blades of the 244mm
and 274mm 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 200mm to 1 300mm.
The Bobcat system comprises a
sonic tracer, two slope sensors, and one
rotation sensor, all of which are high-
quality Trimble components. The sensors
communicate directly with the Bobcat
attachments control device (ACD). To be
fully operational, the Bobcat loader must
be equipped with the Deluxe control
panel, allowing the operator to control
the grade from within the cab. The
operator can set the desired grade and
tracer offset, while getting a readout of
the actual grade and graphical feedback
on both grade and tracer offset.
The graders can be converted from
standard units to laser graders quickly
and easily. The operator only needs to
mount the receiver poles, clamp the
newly enhanced Bobcat laser receivers
onto the poles, and plug in the
harnesses. Designed to operate using
CAN-bus communication, the Bobcat
laser receivers are easier to mount and
dismount and offer several features
and benefits.
For example, the receivers have a
longer photocell to follow the laser
signal for a longer distance from
grade. A super-bright grade display
with green ‘on-grade’ LEDs provides
superior depth/elevation indication, and
a built-in anti-strobe feature reduces
the influence from unintended signals
that can be caused by strobe lights on
construction equipment.
The receivers retain the indication
arrows that visually inform the operator
if they are above, below, or on grade.
Single click ‘on/off’ of the automatic
laser also remains unchanged, and
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Easy-to-convert to laser
The T770 grader features a six-way blade plus hydraulic side-shift of up to 33cm left or
right, both of which are fingertip controlled so that the operator can grade nearly any
surface without needing to take their hands off the control levers.
APRIL 2019
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