The last line of defence against utility strikes LDR

The last line of defence against utility strikes: experienced operator demonstrator Peter Barrett tests RodRadar’s Live Dig Radar (LDR). 

Having first begun operating equipment in 1974, Peter has travelled the world as a demonstrator operator, recently operating equipment at Intermat with Komatsu Europe.

Peter Haddock caught up with him at an operator training ground, where he was trying out the RodRadar bucket, which incorporates an LDR system and is now supplied by MDiG in the UK.

This bucket aims to be the last line of defence for operators who have to dig in areas where utilities exist and where the proper surveys have already been carried out. 

After a 15 minute practice session, Peter used the bucket and in-cab tablet to identify examples of hidden non-live test utilities like cables and pipes using a single and double pass of the bucket.

The double pass performs a more detailed scan. He was then able to dig down, with the final reveal being done by hand using a shovel.

Having had his own personal experience with utility strikes, Peter said: “In my experience, it’s not an exact science to find utilities. This system does exactly what it says on the tin.

“It finds what you’re looking for in the ground and gives you a reading on the screen to show how deep it is below you. For me, as an operator, it also keeps the groundworker out of the trench for longer, which is safer.”