Excavators are widely used equipment at construction, mining, and landscaping sites. However, its maximum potential is still underappreciated. Gone are the days when manual grading measures were taken to excavate or grade the ground. The grade control technology has now taken over the job-site where it provides the most accurate and precise results. Very few are aware of using the right grade control tech coupled with the excavator to enhance the performance to its limit. The modern excavators come with built-in features that may elevate your excavator’s performance to the max. Whereas, choosing the right grade control system is the ultimate game changer in the whole process.
Exploring the 2D-grade control system
Before you get your hand down on the grade control system for your excavator, it is a must to know its variants and uses. The basic one is a 2D control system that helps you carry out the more precise work. It is the best go-to option if the project requires measuring excavation depth and distance while assisting operators.
In order to help operators reach the target grade more quickly, these devices are made to immediately transmit elevation and slope directions to the operator in the cab. Time is saved, and labour and fuel expenses are also decreased. The 2D-grade control is the most suitable tool for simple applications like excavating and grading basements, slopes, drainage ditches etc.
A glance at the benefits of using a 2D-grade control system
- Switch to a complex 2D system for more advanced design capabilities.
- Use improved 2D technology to create and modify basic site designs.
- This feature indicates the location of the bucket and sounds an alert when the target grade is attained.
- It Provides operators with easy control over depth and gradient modifications.
Application: Perfect for difficult tasks like site pads and septic systems. - Capable of managing more difficult jobs, it provides the same efficiency and cost reductions as conventional 2D systems.
Exploring the 3D-grade control system
A little advanced yet more sophisticated variant of the grading control system in the 3D grade control technology. As this is the advanced version of the tech, it provides some extra benefits with the extended performance of the excavators.
Compared to their 2D equivalents, these systems offer more design functionality and technology since they integrate real-time satellite location guidance.
Surprisingly, a 3D grade control system can pinpoint the precise location of each machine’s bucket using GPS and GNSS devices, guaranteeing that workers dig per the design. These precise locations help the operator to reduce human error and the completed project will be as similar as it is designed. The rework of the project gets reduced as well which might be highly probable in manual marking.
A glance at the benefits of using a 3D-grade control system
- Excellent for complex projects, this technique easily handles curves and complex contours to the maximum precision.
- Offers more design options compared to the 2D systems.
- Ensures precise excavation with fewer passes, increasing productivity all around.
- Perfect for work areas where several machines need to operate at the same time.
- Ideal for complex civil engineering projects, commercial sites, and huge infrastructure.
- Minimizes the possibility of human errors by providing the highest degree of precision.
- Minimizes manual adjustments and maximizes machine performance to advance project completion.
Automate Grading with Advanced Assistance
If you want further modification and precision in the excavation project, you might look up some more options. As the excavators coupled with these advanced techs are exorbitant and cost you a lot, coupling these techs may help you reduce the overall expenses.
Grade with Assist can be used in addition to any of the previously listed grade control options on a CAT excavator or any other CAT construction equipment. This semi-autonomous system uses operator-defined depth and slope parameters along with machine position sensors to automate the movements of the boom and bucket. As a result, there are fewer human inputs needed for more accurate cuts, fewer errors, and less operator tiredness.
Choosing the Best Operation Fit Can be a Game Changer
Regardless of the scale of your business or the intricacy of your projects, a grade control system may help you increase productivity, profitability, and efficiency. The benefits of putting the best system in place exceed the complications, even though the range of choices may seem overwhelming. According to studies, Cat Grade technologies can increase productivity by up to 50% and pay for itself in approximately six months. It’s obvious that the moment has come to invest in the appropriate grade control system for your excavators given its enormous influence on your project’s bottom line.
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