? can seasoned dozer operators keep up with GPS ?
-just wondering...

Better question is can a GPS operator keep up with a seasoned dozer operator.

i don't know anything about GPS pertaining to dozers.. but i suppose there's tons of factors to consider, and a lot of depends...
-but i get the impression with GPS the operator is not doing much...

-here in BC, it's very painful witnessing a highway project, takes forever...probably other factors involved as well

I fabricated a GPS screen mount on my D2, and I plant grain using the GPS for guidelines.
Nice straight rows with very little holidays.,,talk about melding the old with the new!

yes, almost all grain farmers are using GPS technology, not just seeding....harvesting, yield results, fertilizing, spraying etc...

-but mostly i was wondering how effective it is when moving dirt etc...and how much input the operator actually has..?

There are all sorts of GPS in use for construction projects. Cat, Kubota, Komatsu, John Deere each have their own GPS system. The simpler ones give location data with manual operation while the more expensive auto types actually control the machine. Excavators are a popular machine to add GPS as they are so versatile and can recoup the costs quicker.

Some of my neighbor farmers have the fancy rigs that shut off certain planting rows so as not to double plant. Another neighbor controls two combines working together in the same field. Way beyond what I have. I am amazed at the 3-D accuracy from GPS.

trimble is the main aftermarket gps supplier. and the others often use trimble gear with their branding on it.

the uncle just for laughs on day had a JD tractor programmed to drive itself back from the field and park in the shed they sat a sack of potatoes on the seat so it would work they had it running at a leisurely walking pace of around 5 km/h.

laser guideance would be of more use although in civil work they use both laser to get the grade and gps to get the position. really more use for graders and scrapers than dozers as they are more of a blunt instrument.

the tech exist now to allow autonomous machines to work the fields. a young Queensland entrepreneur built his first prototype farm-bot when he was in high school the uncle has met him as he worked on his parent's farm. his prototype was a old toyota landcruiser.

Hi, Folks.
A seasoned operator with good working 3D GPS system will leave even a seasoned operator without GPS behind when cutting grade with a blade, a scraper, an excavator, a dozer pr pretty much anything else that you can fit a 3D GPS system to. It takes all the guesswork out of the equation and goes straight to the finished product.

I am handy with a grader although not one of the really good ones and better than average with a dozer or a track or wheel loader and I can't keep up with a good operator with 3D GPS control.

I have done a LOTTTT of house site levelling with track loaders and dozers using laser MONITORING equipment which did not control the cut and I was/am pretty good at it, even if I do say so myself. A good operator with a laser system which does control the cut would beat me every time.

Just my 0.02.

thanks Deas...

that's a great answer to what i was thinking and asking about...pretty hard to beat a computer that has enough data and sensors to read and operate a system...or whatever...

-couple years ago the ditches were cleaned up out front of my place in the country, kinda of rolling terrain...and the excavator had some kind of GPS controlling the bucket and cut...it was flawless, very accurate job...almost a work of art...

Hi, kittylover123.
With all of that said, you still have to travel atta ground speed slow enough for the system to react. It'z pretty pointless travelling at 10 MPH if the system can only keep up at 4 MPH.

On another note, I was once told by an 'ex-spurt' who worked for the local distributors of Spectraphysics, that you could not fit a 3D GPS system to a track loader 'cos there are too many variables, bucket tilt, etc ............................................................. More than a grader or an excavator???????????????????????????????????????????

I don't think I was supposed to ask that question. LOL.

Just my 0.02.