E A RTHM OV I N G | By Curt Bennink
Crawler Dozer Technology
PUSHES THE ENVELOPE Integrated technologies provide increased automation while sharing real-time productivity data. Slope Control fills a need for less complex technology which doesn’t use a 3D model or external reference, such as a base station or laser, while still automatically controlling the blade for the operators.”
The Cat D7E proved the viability of the electric drive concept and the technology has now evolved with the introduction of the D6 XE. The electric drive system allows the diesel engine to run at the most optimized rpm to get the best efficiency.
26 EQUIPMEN T TOD AY | August 2021
Machine control of slope allows the operator to concentrate on efficiently moving the dirt instead of on maintaining grade. “The operation of slope control is extremely simple and gives the operator a choice between two operating modes: target and joystick mode,” notes Goedert. “Target mode allows operators to define a cross slope and main slope for the blade to automatically maintain, while joystick mode allows the operator to make manual blade corrections and
when turning the machine around.” This provides added flexibility. “This entry level technology puts another tool in the operator’s box, enabling simplified operation in many applications,” says Goedert. “Slope Control helps operators and jobsites maintain drainage throughout the job, whether you’re grading an area to stage equipment or quickly grading the site before a rainstorm arrives.” Slope Control can be easily upgraded to SmartGrade at any time. “SmartGrade is John Deere’s integrated mastless 3D grade control system and has added features, like Auto SmartGrade that allows operators to dial in specific settings like load levels, material types and dozing activities,” Goedert explains. “This system automatically controls the blade to reduce track
slip and boost productivity.”
Caterpillar
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oday’s crawler tractors have become technological marvels. Automated grade control functions simplify operation and allow novice operators to proficiently hit grade, while advanced drivetrain technology cuts fuel consumption, and production data is transmitted to the office in real time. “As technology evolves at a rapid pace, it is becoming more relevant in the construction industry, and dozers are no exception to this,” says Matt Goedert, solutions marketing manager, John Deere Construction & Forestry. “One of the biggest struggles facing contractors today is finding and retaining skilled operators. John Deere is developing several features to help overcome this challenge.” Simplified grading technologies help operators perform basic grading tasks. “While the adoption of 3D grade control systems has been significant over the last 5+ years, there is still a place for entrylevel grade control technology to grow adoption and simplify tasks,” says Goedert. “Over the last couple of years at John Deere, we have launched Slope Control on many of our dozers, including the 450K, 550K, 650K, 700L and 750L models.
THE ROAD TO AUTONOMY the system will maintain the slope of the last operator command. The slope can easily be flipped by the operator
The road to autonomy will start with semi-automated functions such as automated slope control. “Depending upon how you define semi-autonomous, I would argue that we are there
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today with grade control,” states Sam Meeker, market professional at Caterpillar. Caterpillar offers a suite of features on its current generation dozers including: ˜ Cat Grade with slope assist, which maintains a pre-established blade position without a GPS signal; ˜ Stable Blade, which works seamlessly with operator inputs to help produce a smoother surface; ˜ traction control to automatically reduce track slip; ˜ and AutoCarry, which automates blade lift to maintain a consistent blade load. “All of these features are designed to help the operator do his job a little bit easier, maybe a little bit faster, with a little higher quality output,” says Meeker. While these tools are beneficial to novice operators, they also bring your best operators to a new level. “The good operators are always going to be the ones that figure out how to use the tool the best,” says Meeker. “They’ll take grade control and figure out how to make it even better and make their life even better, make their job easier and at the same time be more productive.” One key to being able to utilize these new technologies is an intuitive user interface. Caterpillar currently uses a 10-in. touchscreen on many of its crawler dozers. “It’s not a two-line LCD display anymore,” says Meeker. The full graphical displays run on an Android OS platform. “It’s very similar to what a customer is using in their smartphone. It uses the same type of gestures — the pinch to zoom, push to select and push and hold to edit,” Meeker explains. “Just having a good, consistent menu structure that makes sense throughout the system helps operators as well.” By pushing the question mark on the screen, basic functions such as Slope Assist or traction control are explained in detail, with graphics, for the operator. Remote machine control has also been a focus for Caterpillar and is starting to gain traction. “I’ve been really impressed with the amount of interest there is on remote control,” says Meeker. The advantages include opening
