How Automation is Making Compact Equipment Safer and More Efficient

The construction industry has been slower to adopt automation than other sectors — but it’s catching up. Labor shortages, rising materials costs and other factors are pushing the need for safer, more efficient operation. The integration of awareness technologies into compact equipment is creating a more unified in-cab experience, helping operators better understand their surroundings and the conditions around the machine in real time. These advancements are also being developed with a wide range of operator experience levels in mind — supporting more consistent interaction with the machine across varying jobsite conditions and skill levels.

One Vision

As the next generation of operators enters the workforce, advanced technologies for compact equipment will play a vital role in jobsite safety. Andy Jeong, product manager at Develon, believes that enhanced visibility technologies are particularly important on busy jobsites, especially in work areas with limited space.

“When activated, camera systems can give operators more visibility around the machine to minimize collisions with structures and other equipment,” he says. “Operators can view their surroundings on the monitor, conveniently located in the top-right corner of the cab.”

New operators can be overwhelmed by trying to master compact track loader controls while simultaneously monitoring their surroundings. Optional ultrasonic sensors provide automated object detection and alert operators when objects are near the machine. Instead of relying solely on the operator’s reaction time, the camera systems and sensors can provide real-time visual alerts, changing safety from a reactive practice to a proactive one.

As is often the case with compact equipment, much of this technology first hit the full-size equipment market. Sometimes, that technology is borrowed from passenger vehicles. Emily Pagura, product marketing manager for John Deere, says that many operators have “gotten used to having a camera system in their on-the-road vehicle.” When new operators are unfamiliar with equipment in general and lack the overall awareness of the machine they’re in, the space it takes up and the flow of people, equipment and material on a jobsite, they may rely on cameras to provide visibility on the jobsite to “aid in successful, safe operation.”

Most compact equipment now has rear-view cameras available, Pagura notes. John Deere’s larger skid steers and compact track loaders have an optional Advanced Vision System, which starts with the rear-view camera, adds two more cameras (one on each side of the boom), and then provides a 270-degree view on a dedicated display in the cab. That always-on display can help keep an operator aware of their surroundings as they move about the jobsite.

Develon Packs in Safety Features

Develon’s DTL35 compact track loader is a great example of how the company is embracing new tech. The model integrates standard and optional technologies designed to maximize jobsite safety by protecting the operator and surrounding workers. These technologies include:

• Around View Monitor (AVM) Camera System: An optional feature, the AVM provides operators with up to 270 degrees of visibility around the machine.
• Object Detection via Ultrasonic Sensors: Tied directly to the AVM camera system, the DTL35 utilizes proximity sensors to detect nearby objects and hazards in order to warn operators of hidden dangers. It is an invaluable asset for newer operators navigating tight spaces.
• Standard Rear-view Camera: Every DTL35 comes equipped with a standard rear-view (backup) camera to ensure that operators always have a clear, unobstructed view directly behind the machine when reversing or maneuvering. The rear-view camera is available as an option for Develon mini excavators.
• Travel Alarm: A standard travel alarm alerts others working on the jobsite when the compact track loader is moving. The travel alarm is available as a standard feature for Develon mini excavators.
• MY DEVELON Fleet Management: This telematics tool monitors machine location with a digital geofence. If a machine crosses a virtual fence, it triggers an alert to the owner for theft prevention.

Operator Confidence and Support

In some cases, automation can take over repetitive or dangerous work. However, more often than not, automation assists operators rather than replaces them. When integrated into the overall in-cab experience, these inputs can contribute to a more complete and consolidated view of the jobsite, supporting operator awareness and responsiveness. For operators who may be newer to the equipment, certain configurations may provide guidance or reference points within the cab, helping them better understand how to use machine functions or attachments more effectively.