Caterpillar: Master productivity

Caterpillar is introducing the latest construction machinery technology, designed to increase performance and accuracy.

Caterpillar has revolutionised the operation of motor graders with the introduction of joystick controls and a suite of advanced machine control solutions, delivering enhanced operability and boosting productivity.

More than a decade ago, Cat introduced three-axis joystick control for steering, blade and transmission control on its all-new M Series. The new technology machine with electro over hydraulic (EH) joysticks has proven to reduce operator fatigue, allowing easier multi-function work compared to traditional lever controlled hydraulic systems. This new EH control system was the enabler for greater machine control automated technologies, but Caterpillar’s legacy in advanced technologies started way before this.

Back in the mid-1960s Cat Motor Graders developed a grade control option called ABC (Automatic Blade Control) that included a simple stringline follower to control blade elevation. A very basic system compared to today’s digital computing systems that include high-powered electronic control modules.

Cat Motor Graders design have had significant developments over the years with integrated systems much desired by its customers instead of bolt-on aftermarket attachments. The EH controls introduced with the M Series allowed for advancements in integrated Grade control technology with the 2D Cross Slope option available factory installed.

Cat Grade 3D Mastless technology provides greater automation and accuracy for operators.

With 2D Cross Slope, operators benefit in having autonomy in maintaining the desired cross slope in a road without the need of external grade slope checkers. This feature, although an option, was found to be accepted by over 90 per cent of Cat’s customers as a minimum requirement.

The Cat Grade 2D Cross Slope gives the operator guidance or automatic control to maintain road slope to design on one side of the blade. For road maintenance applications this results in greater accuracy, and more timely completion of the job, without relying on support personnel to check grade.

For more complex road and infrastructure designs with curves, slopes and contours, customers typically install aftermarket 3D Grade control technology. This higher technology automatically controls blade height and horizontal positioning, all accurate to the millimetre.

Whilst these aftermarket 3D Control systems can grade to design with millimetre accuracy, its recommended to limit steering, drawbar, circle and moldboard operation to stay accurate to grade.

The 3D aftermarket systems include long masts attached to the blade with GPS receivers mounted to the top. Caution needs to be exercised to prevent masts damaging the cab or impact to masts from overhead obstructions.

These heavy masts and antennas are typically removed at the end of the shift for security and transport.

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Start of something great

With this knowledge of machine operation limitations and issues associated with long blade masts, Caterpillar has developed Grade 3D without mast mounted GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) antennas. More than four years ago, the Cat 3D GNSS Mastless option was introduced to the market on the T4f emissions-built Motor Grader product, with the take-up of this option significantly exceeding Cat’s expectations. This new mastless grade technology has recently been introduced to the T3 emissions versions also.

With no masts to interfere with visibility, and the ability to use full machine functionality without compromise to grade tolerance, greater productivity and more applications can be achieved. Wheel lean, drawbar offsets and frame articulation can be positioned without restriction from masts or cables, expanding the use of the grader in many new applications that were difficult with blade mounted masts. This is particularly useful in environments such as side slopes and drains, where guidance was not previously effective due to the mast restrictions.

Operators can benefit from a new 10 inch intuitive touch screen display.

The Cat 3D GNSS Mastless technology reduces operator inputs and, due to its high accuracy, reduces the number of passes to finish the job – saving time and money. The operator also benefits from a new 10 inch touch screen display with fast performance.

The Grade display puts the design plan clearly in front of the operator, giving them greater autonomy with the ability to create in-field design and modify existing plans on the go, directly on the screen, without reliance on electronic design file transfer.

The grade technology is operated via control switches integrated with advanced control joysticks, meaning there’s no need for the operator to remove their hand from the controls, allowing for seamless operation.

E-fence is included as standard, and when activated, the E-fence system sets automatic boundaries to prevent the moldboard from contacting the tyres and ladder. Plus, it prevents contact between the linkbar and top drawbar. The machine protects itself, freeing the operator to devote full attention to the tasks at hand.

Cat 3D GNSS Mastless is factory fitted and fully calibrated for optimal performance, and all supported with factory warranty and backing of the CAT dealer network.

The integration of 3D antennas into the cab roof and front frame gives a better line of sight, and with ease of transport, Cat’s new Mastless Grade 3D option is leading the way; setting a course for its customers to be more successful.