Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/732903
October 2016 | EquipmentWorld.com 20 marketplace | continued SmartGrade mast-free GPS extended to larger dozers The SmartGrade system used on John Deere's 750K and 850K doz- ers uses digital site plans and GPS to automatically adjust blade height to the correct grade, thus eliminating most survey stakes and grade checks. Compared with conventional machine control GPS systems, SmartGrade doesn't require the use of a blade-mounted GPS receiver, nor cables running back from the blade to the machine. Instead, Deere uses Topcon's fully integrated 3D-MC2 grade control system. Rather than using traditional masts, the 3D-MC2 incorporates two cab-mounted GPS receivers and two inertial measurement units (IMUs), placed on the body of the machine and the back of the blade. The GPS receivers locate the machine on the site relative to the site plan, and the IMUs calculate the dozer's orientation. Algorithms combine the two sets of data to deter- mine in real time the exact depth, position and orientation of the blade. The data is compared to a 3D digital plan of the site stored on the moni- tor in the cab and when the dozer is put in the fully automatic mode, the computer takes over the blade hydraulics, and will lower or raise the blade to the exact level of grade called for in the plan. Produce concrete in the back of a pickup The Creteformer CS-6G from Richway fi ts in most 3/4-ton sized pickups and can produce up to 40 yards of cellular concrete per day. Designed for continuous cellular concrete jobs, it has a production range of 30-100 pounds per cubic foot (pcf). The company says it can be used for culvert abandonment, sewer pipe and utility trench fi lling, or on larger projects such as fi ll areas on bridge approaches. The Creteformer has all electric drives and is powered by a Honda gas engine, which runs a 150-amp alternator. The 65-gallon water tank allows for the production of up to 30 pcf of cellular concrete between refi lls. It can be operated as a standalone grout pump, with a capacity of 2 cubic yards per hour. Maximum power out of the hole The new ANSI 10.31 D105 digger derrick from Elliot Equipment has 20,000 pounds-feet of avail- able torque. The D105 uses a four-section steel boom with a 107-foot sheave height, with a 16-foot dig depth and auger spin speeds of 35 rpm in low, and 80 rpm in high. Elliot says that the high boom pin point geom- etry allows for maximum power out of the hole, and is equipped with a variable displacement piston pump and an ergonomic seated control console. The D105 can handle augers up to 48 inches in diameter, and has a 30,000-pound maximum lift capacity at a 10-foot radius.