MACHINE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR ALL

Machine control systems remove the need to mark out excavation areas on site by displaying design information directly on a screen in the cab – and SMT GB, as an original equipment distributor, is supporting its customers to leverage this technology with both factory-fit and retrofit solutions.

Machine control systems have taken the UK by storm in recent years. They've changed the game for earthmoving and construction contractors, bringing new levels of productivity, efficiency, and precision, plus contributing to greater sustainability. While these systems may feel relatively new, however, the same technological principles have been around for a long time in site surveying.

“Back in the day, land surveying meant someone behind a tripod watching another person with a stick, moving about the site. Now, robotic optical instruments automate all the tracking. This shift means greater accuracy, fewer people on a potentially hazardous site, and fewer salaries to pay,” explains John Lawrence, SMT GB’s Site Solutions product manager, who spent a decade working with land surveying equipment before joining the dealer around four years ago.

“Machine control systems simply took that survey toolkit – GPS, a screen, and data – and brought it to construction equipment. So now, instead of a person pacing around with strings, lines, and spray paint, machine operators get all the site design information they need directly on a screen in the cab, preventing costly or dangerous mistakes like digging too deep.”

With machine control systems, projects wrap up faster and with less disturbance to the public…

Construction contractors are now beginning to experience the benefits of digitalisation and automation, and government is pushing for it, too, for two big reasons: safety and productivity. The government wants to reduce the risk of injury to workers on construction sites by having fewer staff on the ground, close to machinery. Plus, ONS statistics point to construction lagging behind other sectors in productivity. With machine control systems, projects wrap up faster and with less disturbance to the public.

Automation also contributes to mitigating environmental impact and the labour shortage and skills gap. As a human machine interface, machine control systems aren’t fully automated, but they are an important stepping stone as the sensors and processes that form part of machine control systems will be an enabler for further automation in the future. Volvo Active Control, for example, provides excavator operators with the ability to set depth and height limits and a swing fence, as well as automating certain movements.

As public bodies back these systems, there’s a trickledown effect from the Tier 1 contractors to the rest of the industry, which has led to an incredible surge in demand over the past year. SMT GB, as the authorised dealer for Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) in Great Britain, has been offering Volvo Co-Pilot with Dig Assist for a while. This is Volvo CE’s proprietary machine control system designed specifically for excavators. It is integrated into the machine in the Volvo factory and stays on the machine as it is sold.

“Dig Assist is an impressive system, offering so many customer benefits. However, we understand that it may not be suitable for everyone, particularly considering that Great Britain primarily operates as a hiring market,” John says. “Here, equipment is often rented for project durations, aligning with a focus on operational expenses. Given this preference to minimise upfront capital expenditures (CapEx), retrofit systems provide customers with the flexibility to move systems between machines and get more longer-term value from their investments.”

The retrofit market for machine control systems is also very well established in Great Britain. Retrofit machine control systems first appeared on bulldozers and motor graders about 20 years ago. Fast-forward to today, and contractors are running these systems on all sorts of equipment from different manufacturers. SMT GB recognises that many customers have mixed fleets and appreciate the convenience of standardisation in their systems.

"Unicontrol is a user-friendly 3D machine control system that seamlessly fits into contractors’ existing routines…"

Given this landscape, it comes as no surprise that customers buying a Volvo excavator from SMT GB have frequently asked the dealer if it could work with a third-party provider, such as Leica, Trimble, or Topcon to include a retrofit solution. So that is why SMT GB has become an official dealer for Unicontrol machine control systems.

Unicontrol is a fairly new player in the industry, founded in Denmark in 2018 with a mission to create a simple, user-friendly 3D machine control system that seamlessly fits into contractors’ existing routines. The technology is agnostic, using the same machine files and hardware, so it can work with any machine. Theoretically, it could even be moved between different types of machines within a fleet.

So if a customer decides to buy a Volvo excavator from SMT GB, the dealer can now deliver it ready to use with a Unicontrol machine control system. SMT GB will install the hardware, set up the software, ensure its precision and provide ongoing support, as well as a comprehensive warranty.

“In Great Britain, our competitors typically offer warranties only for parts, but our packages cover both parts and labour. That’s an important advantage,”

With a keen interest in finding smarter ways to work and ensuring that the full capabilities of both fleet and operators are harnessed, Bryan Contractors has taken one of the first Unicontrol3D machine control systems supplied by SMT GB. Bryan Contractors is a family-run business with over 50 years’ experience in agricultural, commercial, and domestic operated plant hire. Today, the company specialises in all aspects of demolition, drainage, groundworks, renewables, and road construction.

Fitted to a Volvo EC140E excavator equipped with a Steelwrist tiltrotator, the Unicontrol3D system has greatly enhanced the autonomy and versatility of Bryan Contractors’ operators, including Mark Anderson who is impressed with how much time and effort the Unicontrol3D system saves him.

“You need to get an image in your head of what the site will look like, and what the first task that you can undertake will be. Normally, it’s taking everything down to grade, which the Unicontrol system makes so much easier.

“You’re checking your datum and heights just to make sure everything’s right, and you’re walking around with a laser for maybe half a day, but as soon as you turn the system on, you’ve got your datum and you’re away – it’s unbelievable how much time it saves.”

Describing the need for companies to adopt machine control systems, SMT GB product manager John Lawrence explains: “While there is no one solution to the challenges the construction industry currently faces, making use of a cost-effective and easy-to-use 3D machine control system will certainly alleviate some of the pressure that companies are facing.

“Unicontrol3D provides exactly what the industry has been looking for – a simple and user-friendly 3D machine control solution. Its adaptability is key to what makes a great product, with Unicontrol providing full support throughout the fleet, regardless of machine type or manufacturer.”

When asked about the set-up process of the system, Mark explains: “With John’s help, we went through the basics. For the first job, I was setting batons out and grading on the 2D system and used it throughout that job. Now we’ve got the 3D system, and it’s crazy how much time we’re saving.”

SMT GB’s next step is to extend the use of machine control technology to smaller customers, including owner-operators, so they can also experience the productivity-boosting benefits.

“Our commitment to our customers is unwavering – we're dedicated to meeting their needs and assisting them in optimising their operations whether that’s with a factory-fit or retro-fit solution. Together, as we forge ahead, offering a choice of machine control systems backed by reliable service support, we're creating a safer, more productive, and more sustainable future for the construction industry in Great Britain,” John concludes.