August 2013
CONSTRUCTION WORLD
67
equipment
LOADER-MOUNTED BOBCAT
grader
attachments can now be combined not
only with a new comprehensive choice of
Bobcat laser grading equipment but also
the new Bobcat sonic tracer kit, the first
sonic tracer system of its kind for compact
loaders, to provide automatic grade con-
trol in applications where lasers may not
be suitable.
Laser grading requires the job site to
be on a plane, whereas the sonic tracer can
follownearly every terrain.The sonic tracer
also provides an advantage when grading
inside buildings with obstacles where the
laser beam could be interrupted.
The Bobcat sonic tracer kit is designed
for use with the new enhanced 274 mm
wide HD Grader 108 and 244 mmwide HD
Grader 96 heavy duty grader attachments
which will also be shown for the first time
at Bauma 2013.
New heavy duty graders
The newHDGrader 108 heavy duty attach-
ment is approved for use on the Bobcat
S770 and S850 skid-steer, T770 and T870
compact tracked and A770 all-wheel
steer loader models. The HD Grader 96
attachment covers the same models with
the addition of the smaller T650 compact
tracked loader.
The new graders feature a 6-way blade
plus hydraulic side-shift of up to 33 cm left or
right, both of which are fingertip controlled
so that the operator can grade nearly any
surface without needing to take their hands
off the control levers. There are four two-way
hydraulic functions including left side up/
down; right side up/down; blade rotation left/
right and blade side shift left/right.
The hydraulic side-shift allows the blade
to get further into corners when working in
confined areas.
Easy to convert to laser
The new graders can be converted from
standard units to laser graders quickly and
easily. The operator only needs to mount the
receiver poles, clamp the newly enhanced
Bobcat laser receivers onto thepoles andplug
in the harnesses. Designed to operate using
CAN-bus communication, the new Bobcat
laser receivers are easier to mount and dis-
mount andoffer several features andbenefits.
The receivers retain the indication ar-
rows that visually inform the operator if they
are above, below, or on grade. Single click
‘on/off’ of the automatic laser also remains
Expanded range of grading solutions
Bobcat is now offering a new wider range of grading solutions based
around the company’s compact loaders and grader attachments.
The newexpanded range of grading equipment is designed for use
by asphalt and concrete contractors for excavating and grading
work for new roads, pavements, concrete flatwork, tennis courts,
utilities and landscaping projects.
unchanged, and operators can still mo-
mentarily override the automatic system.
For compact loaders with Bobcat
Selectable Joystick Controls, there is an
added feature with additional buttons on
the joysticks. The grade can be changed
at the receiver by 2,5 mm increments, up
or down, +/- 50 mm in either direction.
This allows the operator to change grade
elevation from within the cab using fin-
gertip controls.
Complementing the laser receivers are
the laser transmitters from Bobcat – the
model GL412, a single-slope version, and
the GL422, a new dual-slope transmitter
which comes standard with a handheld
CR600 receiver. The latter forms a cost-
efficient alternative to Bobcat’s other dual-
slope transmitter, the GL722, which forms
the deluxe model in the range.
Sonic tracer grading system
Installed on the blades of the HD Grader
108 and HD Grader 96 heavy duty grader
attachments, the sonic tracer emits ultra-
sonic signals to maintain a set distance or
elevation from an object, surface or the
ground, allowing the graders to be used
to grade, level, and backfill on a multiple
slope terrain when following a string line,
kerb stone, the gutter or even a previous
pass as a grade control. Grade accuracy is
6,4 mm, and the detection range of the
sonic tracer is from 200 to 1300 mm.
The Bobcat system comprises a sonic
tracer, two slope sensors and one rotation
sensor, all of which are high qualityTrimble
components. The sensors communicate
directly with the Bobcat Attachments
Control Device (ACD).
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