Hitachi has introduced a new machine control system for excavators developed with Topcon.
The company calls Hitachi Grade Guidance a “one-stop shop solution” for grade guidance, offering fingertip control and real-time distance-to-grade indication on everything from trenching and shaping ditches to slopes and digging foundations.
“Instead of spending time on the guesswork that goes into achieving the right grade, Grade Guidance monitors it in real time, so our customers can get the job done quickly,” says Jonny Spendlove, product marketing manager for excavators at Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas.
2D and 3D Grade Guidance are available. The 2D system is available with an optional laser receiver to display the elevation of the cutting edge in relation to a reference plane. The 3D system is outfitted with GNSS and display position and elevation with respect to a global reference. All system data can be sent to Hitachi’s ZXLink telematics for machine health monitoring.
Grade Guidance is installed and calibrated at the factory and supported by Hitachi’s dealer network. Hitachi also offers an open architecture option that includes sensor mounting brackets to enable installation of a Trimble, Topcon or Leica aftermarket kit.
Because the system is fully integrated into the machine’s cab and structures, all the wiring and sensors are shielded from damage.
The system is available now on ZX210-6, ZX210LC-6 and ZX350LC-6 excavators. The option will be offered on additional Dash-6 models in the future.
