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These are key developments for the firm, boosting its range of tools in earthmoving and handling segments.
Integrating the LOADRITE load weighing system for excavators using the Earthworks Grade Control package will allow customers to boost productivity and efficiency for excavation work. Contractors will be able to track the load carried in each bucket and monitor mass haul progress. This can provide an accurate, real-time picture of earthworks progress using the Trimble Earthworks monitor fitted in the machine. This data will also be downloaded for back office use.
The firm says that the system can be installed on any hydraulic excavator already equipped with the Trimble Earthworks package. The company says that this system delivers a transition between grade control and payload management, maximising the return on investment for the user.
Scott Crozier, general manager for Trimble's Civil Engineering and Construction Division said, “Now we’re integrating LOADRITE into Earthworks, we can figure out the weight in the bucket.”
He explained that by combining the firm’s machine control package with the payload management system helps to increase the versatility and productivity of an excavator, allowing an operator to dig precisely to grade while also maximising each truck load, boosting productivity.
According to Trimble, this latest advance means it has the only aftermarket mixed fleet solution that integrates grade control with payload management. The firm says that combining machine control and payload management on its Earthworks platform helps increase the versatility and productivity of an excavator, allowing the operator to grade to specification and also maximise every truck haul to speed working.
The Earthworks for Excavators Grade Control Platform is said to be easy-to-learn software and runs on an Android operating system. It provides integrated 3D aftermarket grade control automatics, allowing excavators to work semi-automatically, so that operators deliver smooth, flat or sloped surfaces more easily.
Meanwhile, the introduction of the Earthworks for Motor Graders package offers a GNSS-based, 3D grade control system that makes fine grading more accurate, faster and easier. This utilises the same hardware as the firm’s existing excavator and dozer packages, with IMU units featuring inertial measurement technology fitted to key moving components on the machine. These provide three-axis tracking of operations
Crozier said, “It’s the third key machine,” adding that the system is already available for excavators and dozers.
The system allows the operator to carry out precision grading even while the machine is running in third gear. This is said to offer a 15% boost in productivity over graders equipped with Trimble’s already highly accurate and efficient GCS900 package. The package also uses the same intuitive, easy-to-use and learn Trimble Earthworks software already available for excavators and dozers. Trimble says that contractors can take advantage of the increased hardware portability available across a fleet for a quicker return on their machine control investment.
In addition, the Trimble Earthworks system now allows excavator operators using tiltrotators to use automatic machine control, which can help to boost productivity.
When tiltrotators are used with Trimble Earthworks for Excavators, the bucket position and orientation are visible regardless of bucket rotation. The operator can see the height and the rotation relative to the design, so the attachment can be more efficient. With this latest development, Trimble Earthworks can automate the tilt functions of a tiltrotator. This allows operators of all skill levels to be more productive when using these attachments.
