Hitachi previews excavator grade control technology

First published at CONEXPO-CON/AGG - March 13, 2020

The new solution lets an excavator operator set a grade and hold it

Hitachi is previewing its Linkage Integrated Grade Control with Topcon solution – a new excavator technology developed in cooperation with Topcon that allows an operator to set a grade and hold it.

The company says the new integrated technology – which will be available in the US and Canada – increases efficiency while also lowering daily operating costs.

“With Solution Linkage Integrated Grade Control with Topcon, our customers will combine the smooth hydraulics and fast cycle times of Hitachi excavators with advanced grade technology in one package,” said Jonny Spendlove, product marketing manager, excavators, Hitachi Construction Machinery – Americas. “This technology is all about saving time and making good operators great.”

The new grade control option will be offered on additional Hitachi Dash-6 construction excavators in the future.

The grade control solution works with the machine controlling the boom and bucket as the operator handles the arm. Hitachi says this is especially useful as it reduces the need for multiple passes to achieve the correct grade. The company says that, in addition, less experienced operators are able to achieve the correct grade more efficiently while crew members who previously had to check for the grade can now be assigned elsewhere on the worksite.

The new technology is also claimed to reduce the need for grade stakes while lowering the likelihood of over-excavation by preventing the machine from digging past a defined surface or elevation. With the prevention of over digging, Hitachi says that operators can finish jobs more quickly, reduce material cost and save fuel costs.

Hitachi Solution Linkage Integrated Grade Control with Topcon arrives ready to work thanks to installation and calibration at the factory. The new system is fully supported by Hitachi dealers.

Customers will have two options – 2D Grade Control or 3D Grade Control. The 2D Grade Control controls the elevation of the cutting edge in relation to a benchmark while the 3D Grade Control with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) controls position and elevation with respect to a global reference. The 2D Grade Control solutions can also be upgraded to 3D solutions through Hitachi dealers. System data from both options works with ZXLink for analysis, and Hitachi says this means that the machine’s health can be monitored to keep projects on track.

Stand N12525