Leica Geosystems introduces 3D machine control solution for compact excavators and backhoes with swing boom

(Heerbrugg, Switzerland, 22 June, 2021) Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, today announced to extend the Leica MC1 one-for-all software platform by offering its 3D machine control solution for compact excavators and backhoes with swing boom.

Contractors rely on efficient workflows for applications such as trenching for footings, grading ditches or digging out basements. As such, demand for technology enabled compact equipment is rapidly growing. Whenever applications require a consistent grade and sustained slope, 3D machine control solutions from Leica Geosystems excel on the job.

Leveraging the Leica MC1 – a unified platform for software and hardware – means compact equipment benefits from flexible dataflows, easy-to-use interfaces and increased productivity so operators can focus on the job. Operators also have the flexibility to use the MC1’s portable control panel across multiple machines and benefit from the cloud-based collaboration platform Leica ConX, to share and report as-built documentation with office and field stakeholders.

Operators can dig alongside obstacles with fewer restrictions and better visibility thanks to the new swing boom support of the 3D machine control solution for mini excavators.

Add machine control to your entire fleet

With a swing boom sensor or manually defined angles, Leica Geosystems’ solution is flexible and easy-to-use. Even prism and total station configurations are possible for high accuracy jobs, thus offering all the advantages of the Leica iXE3 3D excavator solution even for smaller machines specialised for trenching and cabling jobs.

“For smaller projects such as garden landscaping, I can now use 3D models for smaller machines as well”, explains Thomas Petersen, an operator at Fuglsanggård. “For larger projects, the compact excavators can now work on the same project as the larger machines. This will increase project productivity and help reduce errors.”

Expanding 3D machine control to mini excavators will now ensure even higher productivity of the machine when working on individual projects. Contractors with larger, more diverse projects and bigger fleets have new options to utilise technology-enabled compact equipment that easily plugs into their digitally integrated workflows.

“We look forward to including the mini excavators in our quality 3D offering for excavators,” says Kris Maas, Leica Geosystems Machine Control Director of Product Management. “Leica Geosystems has provided 3D machine control solutions for more than 20 years, and for our customers, it is an advantage to choose a supplier that can deliver 3D machine control for all machines on a connected construction site.”