Equipment controls: Page 13

Machine control
Technology: Found in translation
The onboard computers that guide GPS-enabled construction machines require CAD files that have been converted to a format the machine can read. Until recently most of these conversions were done by engineering firms, or in-house engineers in larger construction firms. But the vendors of GPS equipment have all recently begun offering what’s called “translation programs” […]
January 7, 2007
Machine control
Laser system controls blade lift and tilt
Trimble’s new laser-based GCS400 machine control system offers simultaneous lift and tilt control of a dozer blade from a single box. The unit allows the operator to choose the independent mode to control lift and tilt separately or the linked mode, which ties the lift and tilt functions together and maintains the blade parallel to […]
October 16, 2006
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Business
Cover Story/Productivity Guide: Skid-steer loaders
Skid steers first eked out a role on construction jobsites as inexpensive workhorses used primarily in site prep and cleanup roles, applications they still excel in today. But skid steers have evolved to take on a multitude of different jobs, the result of advances in hydraulic systems and attachment technologies. Now contractors can fit a […]
August 6, 2006
Business
Cover Story: Attachments
EARTHMOVING Six-way blade brings versatility to compact track loader At 7 feet wide and 24 inches high, the six-way dozer blade from ASV offers precision control and visibility. The blade mounts to the company’s All Surface Loader hydraulic quick attach. Quick-disconnect fittings speed the hydraulic connections. Power, tilt and angle functions are controlled by switches […]
May 31, 2006
Machine control
Rugged laser can take a licking, keep on ticking
From basic leveling to long range measurements and machine control applications the Spectra Precision LL400 laser level from Trimble can handle a variety of general construction applications. The LL400 can be operated in the rain and withstand drops of up to 3.28 feet onto concrete and a tripod tip over up to 4.92 feet. Custom […]
February 6, 2006
Machine control
Topcon names international sales, marketing director
Topcon has promoted Mark Contino from marketing manager to director of international sales and marketing. He is charged with overseeing GPS and machine control product marketing worldwide, and sales for these products outside the Western Hemisphere. He will also manage marketing activities for optical and laser products in the Western Hemisphere.
October 10, 2005
Machine control
Deere backhoes deliver precise control
John Deere’s new 410H backhoe offers Total Machine Control, which integrates the control of every system in the machine, including the engine, transmission, hydraulics and brakes. With cycle times estimated to be 10 to 30 percent faster than previous models, the machine offers three-speed hydraulics that let you choose between three dig speeds. When the […]
May 2, 2005
Machine control
Topcon names product sales manager
Topcon has appointed Randy Noland 3D machine control product sales manager for the United States and Canada. Noland will provide on-site technical support and training for machine control products designed for earthmoving, excavating and grading operations. Noland has 20 years of experience in the sales and distribution of survey instruments and three recent years of […]
May 2, 2005
Machine control
Komatsu forms alliances with Topcon, Neff Rental
Komatsu America has announced agreements with Topcon Positioning Systems and Neff Rental. Through the Topcon alliance, Komatsu is offering its motor graders and bulldozers with optional automated machine control systems. The agreement covers all North American Komatsu distributors and involves Topcon’s two-dimensional and three-dimensional machine controls. New, integrated hydraulic kits allow dealers to easily install […]
April 4, 2005
Machine control
New total stations designed for tough field conditions
Leica Geosystems’ new System 2000 total stations are designed for applications such as bridge and tunnel building, structural work above and below ground, deformation monitoring of dams and other structures and real-time 3D machine control. There are three units in the series. The TC2003 and TCA2003 provide angle-measuring accuracy of 0.5 inches and distance measuring […]
December 15, 2004
Machine control
Plug and pave with new asphalt paver machine control systems
Leica Geosystems has introduced a new series of 2D and 3D machine control systems for asphalt pavers and road planers. The company has a variety of sensor systems available for specific applications, including ultra sonic, stringline and slope sensors, as well as high-precision laser receivers. The modular designs mean you can mix and match single […]
September 3, 2004
Machine control
Updated machine control system features low-cost functionality
The new Version 4.5 of Leica Geosystems GradeStar 3D automatic machine control system for dozers and motor graders offers a low-cost, indicate-only system for applications such as bulk earthmoving jobs. The new version’s automatic side shift functionality allows you to pick any polyline from the plan view window and select it as a horizontal reference […]
August 5, 2004
Machine control
Komatsu to use Topcon automated control systems
New Komatsu motor graders and bulldozers can be purchased with Topcon automated machine control systems as factory-installed options under an agreement the two companies announced March 26. The agreement covers the Komatsu distribution network worldwide and Topcon three- and two-dimensional control systems. The companies say they will share information to assure the Topcon control platform […]
April 5, 2004
Machine control
Four Trimble distributors merge to form GeoShack
Four distributors serving the construction laser, machine control, GPS and survey instruments markets merged Oct. 14, creating GeoShack North America. The companies involved in the merger are: Ohio Beam, with operations in Ohio and Michigan; Spectra Laser & Precision, with locations in Texas; Laserline Ontario, with operations in Ontario; and Construction & Survey Instruments, with […]
October 26, 2003
Business
Topcon roadshow exhibits latest in GPS
If you are thinking about investing in a GPS system for your survey crew or dirt-pushing machines, but are worried you can’t justify spending $50,000 to $200,000 on that kind of equipment, maybe you should reconsider. Today’s GPS systems can make your machines and stake-out crews 50 percent to 100 percent more effective, says John […]
October 15, 2003
Machine control
Gradestar controls motor grader hydraulics automatically
Leica Geosystems GradeStar 3D motor grader machine control system allows you to complete many grading jobs without staking out hubs and stringlines. The 3D position of the blade is measured either by a mast-mounted GPS antenna or a precise 360-degree prism. Position data from the GPS or TPS sensor is transmitted via a radio data […]
May 23, 2003
Machine control
Trimble intros laser-based control system at INTERMAT
At the INTERMAT exhibition last week in Paris, Trimble unveiled a laser-based machine control system, the GCS400, which simultaneously controls dozer blade lift and tilt through a single box. Developed by a joint venture between Trimble and Caterpillar, the GCS400 has two elevation control modes, the “independent mode” and the “linked mode.” While the “independent […]
May 23, 2003
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