NEW EQUIPMENT NEWS
Increased safety and
productivity
The remote control system aims to
increase safety, comfort and productivity by
12
AUGUST 2019
With the remote control solution, operators can work on hazardous applications.
Bobcat is launching a new remote control
system for Bobcat compact loaders that
allows operators to leave their seat in
the cab and control their Bobcat loader
remotely. It is compatible with Bobcat
skid-steer, compact track and all wheel
steer loader models equipped with the
company’s selectable joystick controls.
Bobcat is the first manufacturer to
introduce a remote control system as
original ‘plug-and-play’ equipment, rather
than offering it as an add-on development
from a third party. The new system will be
commercially available later this year.
Remote control solutions have proven
their ability to save lives in the toughest
environments around the world by
providing service during disasters like
floods, forest fires, mud or rockslides and
in other places where operators can be
subjected to dangerous situations.
“We first presented our remote
control prototype at Bobcat Demo
Days with excellent feedback from our
customers, then subjected it to further
improvements, testing and licensing,
before finally introducing it as an easy
‘plug-and-play’ solution for existing
machines for commercial launch,” says
Jiri Karmazin, loaders product manager,
Doosan Bobcat EMEA.
“The remote control system can
be used in many applications with the
focus on limitless visibility, the ability
to communicate with the surroundings
without the need to be present in
the cab, comfort enhancement for
applications with noise, vibration and
harshness or even in dangerous areas.
This was the voice of our customers and
the issues we observed on most job
sites,” says Karmazin.
This solution provides direct sight
of the progress of work with a range
of attachments, further increasing
the versatility of the loader and a
comprehensive range of attachments
including angle brooms, augers, breakers,
buckets, snow blowers or trenchers
and wheel saws, where the operator
specifically needs to drive backwards with
the loader. It also allows operators to talk
directly with project partners and manage
the surroundings (verbally or non-verbally)
at the same time.
Bobcat goes remote!
The remote control system gives the operator the ability to work from a distance free
from dirt, dust and danger.
distancing the operator from dust, noise,
vibrations and other hazards encountered
at the workface or on job sites that require
special safety precautions. Work can be
done faster with higher precision and, in
some applications, with fewer personnel on
site. For increased safety, the system also
features an emergency stop button and
drop and tilt detection.
Every remote control kit is protected
by a dedicated password, with two-way
communication providing all the important
information about the loader (such as fuel
and oil status and warnings) on a 3.5-inch
transflective colour backlit LCD display. The
system provides most of the functions
that can be performed via direct loader
operation1 including throttle, light, creep
and float controls. There is also speed
management control to ensure easier
operation in certain applications (such as
trenching, tilling, scarifying and so on).
The system in very intuitive to use and
the training for end users is provided by
Bobcat dealers.
With the remote control solution,
operators can work on hazardous
applications (such as detecting and
removing land mines) and also in areas
where more visibility is needed to do
the job properly (such as in some road
applications).
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