Machine control explained and why it’s the new “must have” technology for contractors

June 2014 – Utilising satellite positioning and digital 3D modelling to ensure dozer, grader and excavator operators can see where they are on any site in real-time, Topcon’s machine control technology effectively ensures every project is a stakeless project.

The resultant cut/fill information appearing on the system’s in-cab screen instantaneously and consistently means that every operator has all the information they need right at their fingertips, and without the need for stakes.

Speeding up processes in this way leads to calculable savings in both project costs and task time, as Cameron Civil Ltd owner/manager Tony Wilson has discovered.

“The technology has definitely improved our productivity,” says Tony. “In some instances I would say we’re working five times faster with the Topcon machine control technology than we would be with manual pegs and string-lines. But there’s more to it than that.

“Our labour costs have dropped too because we’re giving our guys on the ground the tools to do their jobs faster. It also means we’re better utilisation of our plant; we use our D7H bulldozer to trim up to 50mm, simply because Topcon machine control gear can get tolerances up that far before we need to hand over to the grader to complete the final trimming work.”

Tony says he sees Topcon’s 3D-MC² GPS machine control system as a way of giving his company an innovative edge across the board.

With Cameron Civil Ltd having a variety of projects on the go – including residential subdivision work, roading projects for Councils, school playing fields, Housing New Zealand development work, drainage projects and bulk earthworks – and different plant required to complete these projects; Tony says Topcon’s machine control systems provide comprehensive software to suit anything he can throw at it.

“It’s all about innovating and finding smarter ways of doing things. Topcon machine control really does give you the ability to think outside the square.”

Chad Slater, Machine Control Manager for Topcon importer Synergy Positioning Systems, says that machine control technology has gotten so accurate, many contractors overseas are using dozers running machine control systems to complete the sort of finishing work a motor grader might usually be tasked with.

“Topcon’s 3D-MC² sensor tracks and predicts blade movement in every direction, making cut adjustments much faster than any other GPS-based system,” says Chad, who heads up Synergy Positioning Systems’ Christchurch office.

“With dirt works the tolerances are precise; we’re talking 10 to 15mm tolerances, and a system like 3D-MC² machine control allows a dozer to achieve that.

“These systems don’t reinvent the wheel, but they certainly make sure those wheels turn more productively. The speed and accuracy a system like Topcon’s 3D-MC² machine control gives the operator really has to be seen to be believed.”

Chad believes companies have the potential to save up to 15 or 20 percent on bottom line costs across a project; an estimate he considers conservative.

“There’s an investment cost, naturally, but one decent job will pay for the technology and then there is also a positive spin-off from becoming known as a company that utilises machine control technology which helps companies secure more work”.

More information on Topcon’s range of specialised 3D machine control systems can be found at /products/machine-control/3d