Topcon Positioning Systems has announced 2D-MC, an automatic grade control solution for compact track loaders. Now available in North America, 2D-MC is a 2D machine control system that is designed to be installed directly onto select grading attachments. Connecting directly to the machine’s controls and with a wireless display, the solution works along with common rotary laser technology to provide simplified operational visibility, with the information needed to hit target grade.
Designed for slope work, sidewalk grading, road base and drain rock replacement, parking lots, sports fields, landscaping, flat pads, indoor work, concrete site prep and more, 2D-MC is an automatic grade control solution capable of adapting to different grading attachments for compact equipment, leveraging the performance of machine control technology with laser positioning.
“Compact equipment has proven to be essential on job sites of all sizes, and these new functionalities are a testament to Topcon’s dedication to the evolving needs of today’s contractor,” said Murray Lodge, executive vice president. “Now that the benefits of machine control are available for compact equipment, these systems can provide the operational gains that help contractors get more work done in less time, allowing them to bid on more and/or larger jobs.”
Familiar Job Site Technology
The 2D-MC system utilizes laser receivers to work with rotary lasers. If a user is familiar with rotary lasers, no additional tooling or training is needed to determine the correct grade for the grading attachment.
The system may be customized by using either a dual laser receiver setup for elevation at both edges of the blade or a single laser receiver with a dual-axis tilt sensor for elevation and slope determination. The 2D-MC system offers the ability to use the software on Android devices like a CT8X2 tablet.
Software
Developed from Topcon’s 3D-MC software platform, 2D-MC has a simplified app that maintains a visual user interface.
The app has a simple user interface with a straightforward “progressive” grade arrow indication. This allows individuals to see “work completed” and “work remaining” information. The system offers adjustable increment and decrement elevation control from the machine’s joystick, setting or matching elevations or slopes, valve adjustment capabilities, automatic updates and accessible menus.
