Topcon Positioning Systems‘ recently introduced its 3D-MCMAX integrated 3D dozer system. Most notably, the new system has eliminated the GPS/GNSS receiver masts and associated cables, which are anchored to the machine’s grading blade.
Instead the Topcon system uses two inertial measurement units (IMUs). The IMUs are low-profile boxes about six inches square and two inches thick. One mounts on the backside of the blade, the other on the undercarriage frame. The antennas for the GNSS signal are built into another low-profile box that is mounted on top of the machine cab.
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As the company describes it, “3D-MCMAX provides high-accuracy elevation, slope, and blade rotation resulting in maximum speed, maximum control and maximum grading performance.
With the elimination of the mast and connecting cables on the top of the blade, there is time savings since the operator doesn’t need to install and remove masts and cable assemblies before and after a production shift. Plus, it can be unsafe when operators are climbing around on the dozer blade for set up and removal.
In addition to eliminating additional tasks that can cut into productivity, the cab-mounted receiver with the 3D-MCMAX system gives the dozer operator an unobstructed view of what’s ahead.
“We’ve been using 3D-MCMAX on our dozers for more than a year and have found it to be very user friendly—simple to install and operate,” said John Loudermilk, owner and president of Loudermilk Contracting. The cab-mounted GX-55 control box features integrated LED light bars, a graphical interface and data processor designed to guide the machine operator to maintain grade. The control-box software captures as-built data for volume and productivity reporting.
As part of the Topcon 3D-MCMAX system, the MC-R3 is an interchangeable receiver with integrated boards for GNSS, radio, and controller to receive RTK corrections, as well as drive valves of the machine.
