PRODUCT FOCUS
excavators released last year, which offers
guidance for depth, slope, and horizontal
distance to grade in the form of Cat Grade
Assist. With the standard 2-D system
(which can be upgraded to 2-D Advanced
or 3-D), the E-fence feature enables the
machine to work safely under structures
or near traffic by preventing any part of the
excavator from moving outside operator-
defined set points, increasing safety.
Standard Grade Assist also automates the
boom, stick, and bucket movements, while
the factory-integrated Cat Payload on-board
weighing delivers precise load targets and
increased loading efficiency with on-the-go
weighing and real-time payload estimates
without swinging to prevent truck over/
under-loading.
At CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017, Kobelco
announced that it had partnered with
Tri mble to offer Trimble automatics on its
Kobelco SK210-9 excavators, enabling
customers to more easily access and
implement construction technology for
improved competitiveness, efficiency, and
productivity. The Trimble Earthworks grade
control application is built on the Android
operating system and runs on a touch-
screen display. The Earthworks application’s
interface is optimised for productivity, with
colourful graphics and intuitive software
with a personalisable interface and a variety
of configurable views, all of which help
to achieve maximum productivity. Like
Cat Connect and similar software from
other companies, by automating excavator
operation, Trimble Earthworks allows
operators to achieve grade consistently,
with high accuracy and in less time.
Doosan’s e-POS system (Electronic
Power Optimising System) ensures
economy and smoothness of operation by
providing a synchronised communication
link between the engine’s electronic control
unit and the hydraulic system, ensuring
that power is delivered exactly as required.
The easy-to-operate system offers three
selectable user modes — including an
automatic auto-idle mode for maximum
fuel saving — for optimum power efficiency
under all conditions. Regulation and precise
flow rate control is standard, while a
self-diagnosis function enables technical
problems to be resolved quickly. Machine
settings and maintenance data are clearly
displayed on a new user-friendly LCD colour
monitor, which is conveniently positioned
and simple to read. New design features
also incorporate the latest ergonomics
for improved safety and greater comfort,
ensuring operators work in conditions
conducive to high productivity.
SiteControl from CASE is another
software package that offers improved
control over equipment on site as part of its
drive to lower operational and maintenance