Operator Scooby talks about the benefits of 3D Machine Control

In a recent visit to a site in Wales, Peter Haddock caught up again with operator Scooby, who he first met three years ago on a site with RMG Groundworks where he was using Leica Geosystems 3D Machine Control.

Since then, Scooby has been honing his skills and helping the business transform how it delivers projects, this time operating its Develon DX140 excavator.

He gets the whole site model from the engineering team, who also uses Leica Geosystems surveying equipment and the AGTEK earthworks software solution to deliver the project from the tender stage to an as-built model.

Scooby: “I am currently digging out the roads for the site, using the model the team has developed. In order to do this to get the material placement right I have to do a reduced dig. This ensures I am taking the right amount of earth out before putting the stone into place.

“So to do this for the section I am working on I will put an offset of 100mm into the tablet and then put in the stone, grading to the level. This makes sure we have the correct amount of stone in, and I can use the bucket to measure this and send that information through the GPS network.

“Having the total site model on the tablet, I am able to move onto different areas as I have the whole model in the machine. For example, we have had quite a lot of rain recently, so I have been operating in different areas as water is removed.

“Getting the right levels for drainage is even more important because we know exactly where pipes have been placed. So, when it comes to connecting new infrastructure sections into the project, like gas or electricity, it’s much simpler to locate different points, and you are not taking out too much material.”

Peter added: "It’s great to be able to see how operators like Scooby and teams like RMG Groundworks have progressed in their technology journey and the positive impact it is having for not just them but their clients as well."