Looking to keep up with recent advances in machine-control systems, John Deere is adding GPS-based grade-control technology to some of the manufacturer's G-Series excavators. All 2019 model 210G LC will sport the technology, which allows the operator to see a real-time display of the ground and grade angle around its bucket in a cab-mounted LCD touch-screen. The system will be available on 350G and 470G models later in the year and John Deere says an actual grade guidance system will be added some time after that.
"You can make it to final grade more quickly and operators can eliminate over-digging,” says Trevor Pool, engineering supervisor for excavators at Deere during a recent media event where the new capabilities were announced. “Files of the cuts being made can be saved for as-builts and you can take reference points.”