Exaro Contracting a cut above with new Topcon X53i

Nick Griffin from Exaro Contracting has been utilising Topcon GPS machine control for around nine months now and says he wouldn’t look back.

The company started out hiring the equipment but, after realising the benefits of it, purchased a Topcon machine control unit for its hire fleet.

“It’s a great plug-in for our rental fleet; it’s the sort of technology that is relatively simple to utilise but makes such a big difference in machine efficiency on the job site.”

With a growing ledger of clients – and sub-contracted machines deployed with a number of big players including Hicks Construction, Fletchers and McConnell Dowell – Nick has just overseen the install of Exaro’s latest Topcon machine control unit on their third excavator.

Exaro’s most recent investment in accurate and efficient machine control technology is the new Topcon X53i.

The latest evolution of Topcon’s comprehensive suite of 3D excavator control systems provides earthworks contractors like Exaro with a versatile system for digging and cutting, offering real-time tracking of every bucket movement and the ability to shape complex slope designs.

The elevation and location of the cutting edge is constantly tracked using a combination of GNSS receivers, antennas, tilt sensors and graphical 3D-MC software. Powered by the absolute precision of GNSS technology, the Topcon X53i directs the operator to centrelines and guides the bucket to the grade; an intuitive-to-use GX55 control box and touchscreen display in the cab ensures visual awareness at all times and eliminates over-excavation.

“To be able to say up front we’re going to ensure the job is done accurately and on time is a great thing for the business. We actually pride ourselves on using machine control now; it’s a benefit of the service that we’re quick to highlight to clients.”

Nick says that it isn’t just the consistency and performance of the product that keeps Exaro Contracting with the Topcon brand either.

“It helps that Topcon is distributed and backed-up in New Zealand by a great team. The Synergy Positioning guys are great to deal with and, because they really know the product, they can offer us great advice.

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“The other thing they excel at is turning around new GPS equipment quickly too,” he adds.

Recently Exaro needed a hire excavator on site for a client quickly. The machine needed GPS machine control fitted, so Nick required a quick turn-around on installation work. Nick says that the Topcon system was on the machine and the machine working in a very short space of time.

“We couldn’t have asked for better service to be honest. Thanks to Synergy, we actually managed to get that machine kitted out and deployed on-site with absolutely no downtime on the project.”

At the sprawling new extension to the Millwater development near Orewa, north of Auckland, Exaro’s Mark Eggers is equally happy with the back-up Synergy Positioning has provided, although suggests that the technology is so intuitive to use, operators don’t need much in the way of training.

“It’s really user-friendly and anyone who uses it will pick it up pretty quickly,” says Mark.

“You probably have a bit of reluctance initially from some of the older guys, but even they see the simplicity and accuracy of the technology after a short while.

“When they realise they can get everything completed so quickly and all in one hit – with no need for re-trimming – then they’re sold on the machine control system.

“It’s the way the whole industry is going, so it’s good to have our machines ready-fitted with it. We want to deliver the best service we can, straight out of the gate. Machine control technology certainly helps make that a reality.”

For more information contact Synergy Positioning Systems or visit www.synergypositioning.co.nz/products