Grade Control Guidance: Experts Share Buying and Product Advice for Mini Ex Operation
Interested in grade control for your mini excavator operations? Check out the advice and offerings below.
Trimble
Jack Young, Machine Control Product Manager, Civil Construction Field Solutions
Advice: Navigating the best way to get started with technology can feel overwhelming and expensive, especially for owner-operators and small site contractors. The most important thing we want people to know is that there are entry-level options on the market today that are easy to install, learn and use, don’t break the bank and can start delivering real value right away. The best first step to explore options from Trimble is to talk to a local Sitech dealer. Sitech dealers are exceptionally knowledgeable about both the technology available and the business needs of construction companies, and they can help guide a contractor of any size through their technology journey. Ask about technology subscriptions, which are gaining momentum especially among owner-operators as a way to invest in technology while keeping costs low and predictable.
Product Spotlight: The Trimble Siteworks Machine Guidance Module is Trimble’s newest technology for mini excavators. Designed specifically for small site and utility contractors, the Siteworks Machine Guidance module provides both surveying and on-machine excavator guidance and operator assistance functionality. With the addition of the new software module, contractors can use the same rugged Site Positioning Systems hardware and software to perform a variety of tasks on the jobsite, including surveying, machine guidance, in-field design and reporting. The system is easy to install and can be moved between multiple excavators and jobsites, providing an accessible, entry-level combination machine guidance and construction surveying solution. Current Siteworks users can utilize their existing technology on-machine quickly and easily, with the addition of a simple-to-install machine kit and the software module.
Leica Geosystems
Evangelia Sakka, Product Manager Field and Controller, Machine Control Division
Advice: When selecting a grade control product for a mini excavator, prioritize ease of use, optimized design, versatility and connectivity. A grade control product with quick and straightforward setup and intuitive control will maximize efficiency and minimize frustrations for operators. In terms of design, look for hardware with minimal cables and a compact form suited for smaller cabins. Some products are designed specifically for buckets or blades, so ensure that the selected product can be integrated with the appropriate excavators in the fleet. Grade control products can offer a wide range of benefits beyond moving dirt. Seek out versatile systems with surveying, design and excavation capabilities within one workflow. Connectivity with other machines and office software is also valuable for improving autonomy and collaboration across the jobsite. Consider how well a product integrates with your existing hardware and software ecosystems to maximize your current investments.
Product Spotlight: The Leica iCON site excavator is an innovative grade control system for mini excavators that optimizes earthmoving and excavation work. It supports the swing boom, tilt bucket and tilt rotator. The machine control system simplifies executing excavations efficiently and accurately. The site excavator can integrate with the iCON suite of software and hardware solutions for heavy construction and civil engineering, including the ConX cloud platform. This provides a holistic offering of surveying, design, digging and reporting capabilities within one workflow, supporting the advancement towards an autonomous jobsite. Key benefits are increased productivity, flexible and autonomous operations and real-time collaboration through digital workflows. The intuitive interface has construction-focused features like split-screen viewing, traffic light work results and map driven selection and navigation for usability. The hardware is expertly streamlined for easy installation in limited space with add-on options to maximize investment.
