Since its release over a year ago, Leica Geosystems’ iCON site excavator system has proven to be popular among businesses aiming to optimise the earthmoving jobs of compact excavators.
The innovative iCON solution expands the machine control of trenching and excavating tasks, and provides higher accuracy work with less over-digging, rework and fewer errors.
The one common software and hardware platform offers similar menus and workflow across application, while key hardware components can be moved on different machine applications.
The simple, easy-to-use application integrates easily to existing iCON site applications, so users can benefit from new workflows that combine measuring, stakeout, excavating, and reporting in one easy package.
The system builds upon the powerful iCON Site platform, allowing compact excavator operators to dig to designs easily and precisely, and is available for use both as a standalone option or can be combined with an ICON Site GNSS rover.
The solution introduced three new components to the existing iCON suite: the iCON Excavator application itself, a dual GNSS receiver (the Leica iCON gps 100) and an optional communication device for GNSS corrections (the Leica iCON CR50), encompassing a set-up that delivers versatility in tackling a range of applications.
Designed for simple ease of use, the system provides greater flexibility and underpins efficient and effective equipment and personnel deployment by enabling operators to optimise earthmoving tasks, with the versatility of on-machine and off-machine options in one software.
The Leica iCON site excavator also provides the unique capability to first measure an area, create a design, and then directly dig according to that design, by simply using the same field controller in the excavator cab.
The machine control solution guides the operator using reference models and GNSS in 3D.
Design information and real-time cut/fill indications are displayed in the cab on the control panel, allowing users to rapidly excavate to the reference design.
This ensures more uptime and operator satisfaction while increasing safety and productivity.
In effect, with this solution in place, compact excavators working on big projects, together with larger earthmoving machines equipped with other machine-control solutions, can now join the digital workspace.
The site software enables compact excavators to use the same digital designs as the big machines in the project ecosystem, meaning the same digital plans can be shared among all machines working on the same project.
And in case of design updates, the same updates can be communicated to the entire ‘connected’ fleet via Leica ConX, if installed.
Indeed, the Leica iCON portfolio is developed with its users’ pain points in mind.
The software offers construction-tailored workflows, which make the solutions easier for everyone to deploy within a few hours.
The iCON site excavator application follows the portfolio-wide philosophy of ‘dirt simple solutions’, with its map driven selection and navigation, traffic-light indication of work results and split-screen functionality that allows different viewing perspectives.
It combines all of the powerful features of these Leica iCON products:
- Leica iCON CC70, CC80 or CC200 field controllers
- Leica iCON site excavator application
- Leica iCON gps 100 GNSS receiver
- Leica iCON CR50 communication device (optional)
- Leica iCON CGA100 antennas
- SJB21 Smart Junction Box
- Leica iCON site software for more heavy construction applications (optional)
- Leica ConX cloud platform (optional)
The GNSS receiver and communication device are designed specifically for compact machines, allowing greater flexibility to adjust to different sites and project requirements.
Nationwide support
All iCON products are available through C.R. Kennedy, the sole and exclusive distributor for Leica Geosystems in Australia.
The company is focused on providing high-quality products and tailored solutions for industry, supported by its comprehensive national after-sales network, including training, service and repairs, technical support, hire equipment, and customer care agreements.
Based out of Port Melbourne, C.R. Kennedy’s national network spans major state offices in Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney, Hobart, Perth, and Cairns, with its workforce comprising over 260 staff, including product specialists, qualified surveyors, support staff, and factory-trained service technicians.
C.R. Kennedy is offering purchasers of an iCon site excavator system a chance to win a trip to attend next year’s edition of bauma, the world’s leading construction machinery trade fair. All buyers will go in the draw for a ticket.