Page 62 • February 16, 2022 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Excavators & Attachments Section • Construction Equipment Guide
Automation to Spur Many to Buy Excavators in 2022 By Scott Schumacher SPECIAL TO CEG
A growing area of opportunity for many companies lies in an exciting form of technology: excavator automation. One of the reasons excavator automation is becoming more popular is because excavators themselves continue to grow in popularity. In EquipmentWatch’s State of the Construction Equipment Economy whitepaper, done in partnership with the Association of Equipment Management Professionals, excavators are noted as the top machine on fleet owners’ minds coming into 2022, with 63 percent of those surveyed saying they intend to purchase one. The advantages that can be gained with excavator automation are realized in several ways, including overall productivity and better performance from novice operators. Ready to get up to speed on excavator automation? These FAQs cover five popular auto-excavator questions, and offer answers and basic info about this exciting excavator technology. What all is automated on an excavator with Excavator automation is a growing area of opportunity for the construction industry. automation technology? With an excavator automation yet perhaps not an expert, can elesystem, the machine’s boom, buckvate their performance to exceptionet, and arm are automated to follow al with the help of an excavator the set grade. Newer models of the automation system. John Deere SmartGrade auto-excaLook for an equipment dealer vator also offer automated swing partner that offers good training and and height protection. ongoing support. Initial training, Not considered fully automated whether in person or virtual, ensures like the boom and bucket, these two everyone is comfortable with the functions are primarily designed for system. Ongoing support can mean safety. They engage when an operaa technology expert is available for tor could move into a dangerous sita quick troubleshooting call or in uation, like near traffic or overhead tougher cases, that expert can powerlines, and to prevent hitting remote into the excavator and walk the machine cab or tracks. Both also the operator through everything are soon coming on new Topcon they’re seeing on the screen. systems. One piece to the overall excavaCan some excavator automator automation puzzle that does tion be turned off while keeping require a level of skill is building the others on? 3D model. This again is where a Yes, an operator who just wants knowledgeable dealer partner can the excavator boom automated can offer 3D modeling as a service and turn off the bucket automation. The can help companies with this crucial swing and height excavator automastep in the process. tions also can be turned on and off Is it better to add an excavator as desired by the operator. automation system to a machine What bottom-line benefits does With an excavator automation system, the machine’s boom, bucket, and arm are automated to or have one with integrated excaexcavator automation provide? follow the set grade. vator technology? The improved efficiency and proThere are upsides to both inteduction are among the most exciting How skilled do I need to be to use excavator automagrated systems, like Deere’s SmartGrade excavator as well benefits of using auto-excavator technology. Automation for tion technology? as systems that can be retrofitted onto an existing machine, excavators has shown to deliver a 30 percent increase in proA great benefit to companies that implement auto-excava- like the Topcon X-53x. duction and many companies also report significant material tor technology is that it helps novice operators perform at a An advantage of an integrated system is it comes directly savings. higher skill level. Essentially, an operator does not need to be from the factory, installed. No work is needed. The John Another efficiency factor that is tough to measure but very skilled with an excavator or the excavator technology system Deere SmartGrade system also includes added features like real is operator productivity. The excavator technology takes virtual alerts. The system can set parameters like a virtual some of the mental and physical load off the operator. Many to quickly learn it and be able to use it well. How about operators who have had some time in the seat? ceiling, floor, and swing to give operators more flexibility on operators report feeling less fatigued and more energized, Those who are familiar and comfortable with an excavator, allowing them to accomplish more in a day. see EXCAVATOR page 90