Without question, technology is revolutionizing the way companies in all industries conduct business. Over the years, the evolution of technology in the construction industry has changed the way we build.
From bidding processes, to inventory tracking, to jobsite communication, technology has improved the way the construction industry approaches and completes projects effectively and efficiently. These technological advances stretch into the operational aspects of the machines we use. The most recently released technologies from Caterpillar, namely Grade with Assist and Grade with Slope Assist, enable automated grading and provide assistance when working on jobsites where operators must work on slopes.
Grade with Assist is available on hydraulic excavators and automates boom and bucket movements, reducing manual inputs, errors and operator fatigue, and effectively improving grading consistency for operators of all experience levels. Grade with Slope Assist is a system for crawler dozers and helps an operator quickly reach the target grade by automatically maintaining the dozer blade angles. The wide range of benefits these technologies provide fall within three main categories:
PRODUCTIVITY
Fewer passes, improved operator technique, and reduced idle time contribute to an unparalleled 45 percent improvement in total productivity. An improvement in quality and consistency is achieved by the system automatically aligning blade mainfall and blade slope angles.
With these technologies in place, projects can be completed up to 30 percent more quickly, largely due to more efficient use of equipment and materials.
Grade with Assist and Grade with Slope Assist simplify the overall operation of the machines. Once the parameters are set, operators can spend less time maintaining grades and trench depths, and they can concentrate on other hands-on aspects of the job that can add more value.
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Featured Image: Cat D5K2 using Grade Control
Above: Cat Slope Assist display
EFFICIENCY
Fuel is a major consideration when it comes to the cost of doing business, and one of the biggest fuel wasters on a jobsite is idle time. These technologies provide for more efficiency, which means less fuel consumption. Fewer passes are needed to complete work; less time is needed to complete the project; and an associated reduction in idle time is achieved because operators don’t need to check grades or verify work.
Construction companies can significantly reduce the cost of laying out a job by letting the machine follow programs or existing benchmarks. The technology drastically reduces the need for placing survey stakes.
Machine replacement can be a serious burden on the bottom line. When technology enables less machine wear due to fewer passes and less rework, machines last longer. That’s a welcome benefit for anyone who is responsible for overseeing a fleet.
Second to machine replacement is the cost of materials for getting a job done. These technologies promote accurate material use and placement, thereby reducing time spent and minimizing use of materials.
SAFETY
More bodies moving around on a jobsite lead to greater potential for an incident to occur. Grade with Assist and Grade with Slope Assist greatly reduce the need for grade checking and work verification personnel on-site, automatically reducing the exposure of humans to potential hazards.
These technologies enable automated spatial awareness, providing for ceiling and floor protection. This safeguards excavator operators by allowing them to set pre-determined levels the hydraulic excavator isn’t allowed to raise above or dig below.
As the most tech-forward construction companies continue to adopt these types of technologies, others will need to embrace them in order to enjoy the benefits they can deliver and to remain competitive. Making machines easier to operate improves productivity, efficiency, and safety, which are benefits any construction company manager will appreciate. ■
About the Author:  Jason Hurdis is a senior market professional, Global Construction & Infrastructure, with Caterpillar Inc. For more information about Cat products and services, visit www.caterpillar.com.
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Modern Contractor Solutions – June 2016
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