Caterpillar's Cat Command Remote Control is now available for 374 and 395 crawler excavators and D5, D6 and D7 crawler bulldozers.
The system aims to keep operators away from potentially dangerous work sites by providing remote machine operations with a safe distance. This is to eliminate safety risks and reduce injuries caused by climbing up and down the machine.
For the excavator, the user can control the digging, lifting and tracking functions from outside the cab. Caterpillar said the technology has enhanced safety and increased machine productivity in a series of projects, such as operating under unstable ground conditions, brownfields, shore work, demolition and loading and unloading. It also allows production to be restarted immediately after interrupted processes, such as blasting in quarry applications.
The next-generation bulldozers are ready for remote shipment when they leave the factory, and can be quickly installed on site with just a few additional parts. The company said that Command is fully integrated with the machine's electronic and hydraulic systems, and remote operation provides fast response, smooth control and almost no delay.
Cat Command allows remote operation of the bulldozer in a variety of applications, such as covering/reclamation operations, tearing of covering or leach pads, mud pit bulldozing, and operation around hazardous materials or unstable surfaces.
The excavator Command console is a lightweight and compact console supported by a comfortable shoulder strap, which can quickly transition to the line of sight machine control on the job site. No on-site communication infrastructure is required, making it ideal for temporary or emergency remote operations. The console uses a 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz frequency communication protocol, provides a machine control range of up to 437 yards, and manages excavator functions with almost no response delay. If the remote shutdown switch is pressed, wireless communication is lost, or the console is tilted more than 45 degrees, the built-in safety function will stop all excavator movement.
The Bulldozer Command Console Field Line (LOS) system supports a variety of assistive technologies that the operator has in the cab, including traction control, AutoCarry, and stable blades. Using the electronic access card to unlock, the console can be configured to control another Command-equipped machine by replacing the RFID chip. Cat says its lithium-ion battery can provide fast charging and long-term operation at different ambient temperatures. If the remote shutdown switch is pressed, wireless communication is lost, or the console is tilted more than 45 degrees, the built-in safety function will stop all bulldozer movement.
Command stations for excavators and bulldozers can provide off-site operations in the comfortable environment of an air-conditioned office on site or miles away, because the distance is only limited by wireless network capabilities. According to the company, by eliminating fatigue vibrations caused by machine movements in the cab, operators can reduce work fatigue. The configurable station has a similar feel to the cab, with familiar controls, equipped with pedals, joysticks, adjustable seats, switches and storage devices. Multi-screen display provides important visual effects.