Grade For Excavators

CAT GRADE WITH DEPTH & SLOPE

Cat® Grade with Depth and Slope integrates traditional machine control and guidance with machine hardware and software from the factory in order to improve productivity, usability, reliability, job site safety and machine value. It is another example of Caterpillar innovation and technology leading the way for our customers to be more successful. Cat Grade with Depth and Slope is a Cat Grade technology that provides the operator depth and slope guidance – like having a grade checker in the cab.

The 2D indicate-only system for excavators provides the operator with precise real-time bucket positioning relative to the desired grade. Using a combination of position sensing hydraulic cylinders and sensors on the stick and boom pins, the system calculates bucket tip position relative to a grade/survey stake or benchmark. When used with the included laser receiver, the machine can reference a benchmark and travel while maintaining the elevation reference, even on uneven terrain.

The laser receiver references the laser from a transmitter on the job site and calculates the desired grade for elevation changes, significantly increasing productivity. The factory integrated system uses the existing machine display, reducing the need for an additional display. Sensors are deeply integrated and protected from damage in rugged applications. Cat Grade with Depth and Slope is ideal for maintaining accurate grades and slopes in excavations and trenching applications.

CAT GRADE WITH ASSIST

Cat® Grade with Assist delivers breakthrough gains in customer productivity to help customers get more work done with greater accuracy, efficiency, safety, and profitability. The base Cat Grade system provides real-time 2D bucket tip elevation guidance to help operators work efficiently, confidently and productively and reach target grades and slopes fast. 2D control enables the operator to create simple designs in the cab, such as flat planes and slopes.

Cat Grade with Assist brings grading speed and accuracy to a new level by automating boom and bucket movements typically achieved by the operator. This significantly reduces manual inputs and fatigue, and improves grading consistency for operators at all experience levels.

CAT WITH 3D

Cat® Grade with 3D integrates traditional machine control and guidance with machine hardware and software from the factory in order to improve productivity, usability, reliability, job site safety and machine value. It is another example of Caterpillar innovation and technology leading the way for our customers to be more successful.

3D systems use Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellite technology to deliver precise blade positioning and location information to the operator in the cab. Using machine-mounted components, position sensing hydraulic cylinders, an off-board GNSS base station, and Real Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning accuracy, these systems provide the information necessary to determine precise blade positioning with centimeter level accuracy. The system computes the positioning information on the machine compared to the position of the cutting edge relative to the design plane and delivers the information to the operator via the standard in-cab display.

All the information the operator needs to complete a job is delivered to the cab display, resulting in a greater level of control. Cat Grade with 3D also provides overcut protection and linkage to additional Caterpillar exclusive features like AutoCarry™, Automatic Ripper Control and Load Assist. These systems are ideal for high production dozing and cutting complex 3D contours, such as highway projects.

CAT ACCUGRADE

The AccuGrade Grade Control System is a technology machine control and guidance system that allows operator to grade with increased accuracy, with less survey stakes. Digital design data, in-cab operator guidance features and automatic controls help the operator achieve grade faster, meaning higher productivity, lower operating costs, and greater profitability.

AccuGrade Grade Control System is a dealer installed technology that can be used to guide an operator to grade, manually using in-cab guidance, or automatically by controlling movements resulting in faster and more accurate grading. The system uses machine mounted sensors to calculate precise blade/ tool location, slope and/or elevation information. The integrated electrohydraulic valve control module uses the information received from the sensors to control the machine's hydraulic system and automatically adjust the blade/bucket's cutting edge to maintain grade on select machines.

Depending on the configuration, the operator can select which side of the blade/tool to control - right, left, or both sides. AccuGrade brings to the customer an increase in productivity by up to 40% while reducing their site costs dramatically.