The first job was a river restoration project, where the 3D steering system was able to reduce the project time.
A New Holland E385C crawler excavator has demonstrated its precision capabilities when equipped with Trimble 3D steering for a contractor in Germany. Prior to delivery by the New Holland dealer, the E385C excavator was equipped with a Trimble positioning system by SITECH West, distribution partners of Trimble Systems in Germany.
With the combination of state-of-the-art excavator technology and precise 3D steering using GPS, the machine was expected to be a competitive performer in the fleet, with contractor Roth & Söhne having previously had positive experience using 3D steering systems for its excavators.
Its first job was a river restoration project, where the 3D steering system was able to reduce the project time. The aim was to restore a section of the natural course of a tributary of a river; as a part of the landscaping project, an area of 10,000 sqm had to be remodelled. With GPS system, the pegging out of the area by a surveyor could be minimised. For the contractor, this meant substantial cost savings, not only on fuel, but there was also less shifted material, more precise positioning, as well as reduced costs for the building surveyor. This was made possible because most of the details of the planned works were available on the display in the cab.
Because the machine operator has all the relevant data at his disposal on the colour display in the cab from the start of operations, he can check the position of the excavator and equipment to the exact millimetre. The driver can achieve the desired working height, digging depth and specified landform more quickly than with conventional methods. With approximately 7,000m³ of material having to be moved in the current project, the new E385C with its 3D steering system means smaller shortfall quantities and travelling motions, this in turn saves the company time, wages and machine costs.