Select Cat Dozers Get GRADE With 3D Automated Grade Control

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This Cat D5K2 is using GRADE with 3D to automatically tilt and lift its blade for just the right contour. (Photo courtesy of Caterpillar.)

Caterpillar says that its new GRADE with 3D technology is now a factory option for its D3K2, D4K2, and D5K2 crawler dozers. The grade control system automatically adjusts the dozer blade’s lift and tilt to the correct positions to make each cut without any help from the driver, from production applications down to fine detail work.

In fact, Cat says, GRADE with 3D can reduce operator input by up to 80 percent, because all he or she needs to do is steer. It can also make accurate, complex contours without requiring a highly skilled operator. And by doing the job right the first time, Cat says, you can save fuel, time, and machine hours spent fixing mistakes.

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The operator can use this built-in touchscreen to interact with GRADE with 3D’s virtual site map. (Photo courtesy of Caterpillar.)

Touch & Go

Of course, the driver has to know where to drive, so Cat builds a 10-inch touchscreen display into the dash. On its simulated color map, you’ll see your dozer in the center from a bird’s eye view.

You can swipe to rotate your point of view around the dozer, which also gives you a virtual look at the slope around you and where you’re supposed to make your passes. Cat even made the touchscreen easy to see when you’re wearing polarized glasses.

“If you can use a smartphone, you can use this system,” says an operator with Cat customer Simpson Trucking and Grading in a testimonial video.

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GRADE with 3D communicates with an on-site base-station satellite receiver to determine the dozer’s location. (Photo courtesy of Caterpillar.)

Grade-A Technology

GRADE with 3D uses the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) along with three inertial measurement units and a base-station receiver or similar device at the work site. Cat says that it’s accurate to within a tenth of a foot (3 centimeters).

The company also optimized the system to work well with Cat’s AutoCarry, which helps to keep you from trying to push too heavy a load when your tracks don’t have enough traction for it.

Source: Caterpillar

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