New 3D machine control for compact excavators Leica Geosystems showcase iCON Site Excavator

Peter Haddock goes onsite at its Whitchurch Training School in Shropshire to learn more from expert Steve Claybrook as he operates the latest Cat 302.7 fitted with the iCON Site Excavator solution in the sandpit.  The new solution supports the swing boom, tilt rotator and tilt bucket functionalities of compact excavators, turning them into 3D enabled machines, as Steve explains in this video. 

Steve: “Over the last few years, compact excavators have been getting more powerful and capable, and you now often see 8 tonne and even smaller machines using attachments like tiltrotators. So this solution really supports those operators and owner operators to get the job done quicker and safer.

“I have recently been doing a series of tutorials that are available on my Linkedin (Steve Claybrook) and Instagram (@leica_claybrook) pages, showing all of the functionality and explaining how it works for different types of jobs. 

“For example, owner operators will often turn up to a job where they have limited data but are maybe provided with a PDF of the site, showing levels and the radius of the curbs. With iCON Site Excavator, you can very quickly create a 3D model of this layout on the tablet and go to work by just doing basic measurements with the bucket. 

“This means you can use it to its full potential without setting up lasers in multiple positions and having somebody there constantly moving them throughout the day. I think operators that are confident with basic setting out already will really make this solution sing.”

Having walked through the solution with Steve, Peter added: “I really like how iCON Site Excavator has the same DNA as the proven Leica Geosystems MC1 system, which is now familiar to many operators. 

“This smaller version also uses proven sensors and a mini tough tablet replicating the levels of accuracy needed to work successfully with 3D models. 

“It comes with a more compact Leica iCON GPS 100 GNSS receiver which is hard wired and mounted in the cab, and there is a ‘wire free’ Bluetooth connection made from this to the in-cab tablet.”