According to recent reports, rapid growth is seen in the virtual construction market. The construction industry continues to adopt various new technologies. Many of those technologies involve virtual design and visualization. These include Building Information Modeling (BIM) to Construction Management Software.

One way to describe the growing use of virtual environments to engineer and visualize the construction of buildings before they are constructed is virtual design and construction (VDC). Virtual environments can readily be accessed by mobile devices, desktop computers and virtual reality and augmented hardware programs.

VDC is beneficial because it is estimated that 30% of all construction industry expenses are because of reworking faulty or incorrect builds. By incorporating VDC, one can reduce these faulty or incorrect builds and determine which approach is the best way to go when building in the physical world.

The most popular VDC tool is BIM because it allows various individuals, including architects, engineers and construction crews to see a virtual model of a structure or building before work commences or while work is underway. That way, any needed changes can be done before work continues or advances.

According to reports, the BIM market is worth $8.1 billion as of 2023 with North America leading the market – holding more than 30% of the current market. The market is continued to grow in the future as more construction companies are seeing the benefits of VDC and BIM and how it can help them with projects of all sizes.

Although many people assume technologies such as AI, analytics and the Internet of Things are the exclusive domain of high-tech industries, this is not the case. Even sectors traditionally defined by their reliance on good old-fashioned elbow grease — such as construction and energy exploration — have discovered the benefits these can bring.

By providing companies with greater control, actionable data, and faster communication, these advancements can yield greater efficiencies, increased production, and lower overhead. Advanced regulatory compliance software also can help enterprises maintain best practices automatically.

Implementing New Technology – Tips To Consider

However, realizing these advantages is not automatic. Implementing new technology in your organization needs to be on top of its game when it comes to integrating new technology into your existing operations. Otherwise, you won’t be able to enjoy everything it can deliver for you. The resources you spend on them could go to waste if you’re not careful, which is why it’s important to consider the following tips.

• Start by examining your current systems. Make sure what you already have in place can support any new system you choose to add. This is crucial for avoiding redundancies and budget overruns.

• Establish a governance group. Any key stakeholders who will be affected by the changes you propose need to be part of the decision-making process. Ensure that they have the opportunity to voice their concerns and offer suggestions as you proceed.

• Get everyone to buy into the procedure. Simply installing new tech into your operations isn’t enough. You need to get everyone impacted by it to see the advantages it will provide and understand why it is necessary. Without buy-in, your team members may not be invested in the idea.

• Provide proper training at all levels. No technology is useful unless it’s fully understood. Even simple systems require proper education to get the most out of their functionality. Always give your personnel everything they need to use it properly so you experience the most benefit from it.

• Keep watching. You can’t simply drop a new technology into your existing setup and expect that to be the end of it. Even after everyone becomes familiar with it, you’ll need to pay attention to how it impacts your workflow. It’s also a good idea to set aside time for any adjustments that may become necessary once you see how it’s put into practice.

Whether it’s cloud-based construction management software or GPS tracking on your fleet of vehicles, implementing new technology into your operations can make a tremendous difference. Before you do so, take the time and be certain that you have the support in place to get as much out of the technology as possible.

While you may think of remote-controlled equipment as being toys, there are actual pieces of working heavy equipment that is available for purchase. These pieces of machinery were designed with employee safety in mind and can perform jobs in areas where there is a greater risk of a rollover or an accident.

RC Crawler Remote-Controlled

As an example, the Komatsu D155AXi-8 RC crawler is a remote-controlled machine that features Intelligent Machine Control (IMC) technology. This machine is designed for applications in which the operator shouldn’t be in the cab because of safety concerns.

The machine description indicates that the “line of sight remote” allows for operation for up to 100 meters. Companies are offering remote-controlled excavating equipment. This helps with employee safety because the equipment can be used in areas where it isn’t safe to send an employee to operate the machine.

The crawler features the ability to sense and control the blade load, optimize the cut, and minimize the slipping track. It has an automated gearshift transmission and lock-up torque converter that selects the optimal gear range, which is dependent on the load and the conditions of the job site.

The electronically controlled transmission is capable of locking up the torque converter to transfer engine power directly to the transmission and eliminating the loss of horsepower and reducing fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent.

The D61EXi/PXi-24 Intelligent Machine Control Dozer

This second-generation Intelligent Machine Control dozer features a 6.8-liter engine with 168 horsepower. The system allows automated operation from fine grading to heavy dozing, which achieves as much as 8 percent greater efficiency in the moving of materials.

It lacks sensors mounted on the blades, so an operator will not have to climb onto the blade to remove or install antennas. There aren’t electrical connections or coiled cables.

Carbon emissions and the impact of our activities on the environment have become a hot topic in almost every industry, and the heavy machinery industry is no different. In fact, many of the buildings being constructed across the country, including some of the biggest developments of the decade are designed to be environmentally friendly buildings that use a variety of sustainable energy sources. Similarly, with mines, ways of reducing the environmental impact of the mining process itself are constantly being developed.

But until now, that focus had not really impacted the machinery used to carry out the construction or mining. Heavy equipment has developed significantly through technology, making an operator’s job safer and improving working conditions, but drivetrains have not changed too much over the same time.

Volvo, in partnership with Swedish construction company Skanska, is changing that, as they are trialing a complete mining transport solution, from excavators to trucks, all based on electric and hybrid power. The 15-ton truck, called the HX2, is a hybrid solution that uses a diesel engine in combination with electric motors to provide the power. In addition are the LX1, a hybrid wheel loader that has already been tested in California, and the EX1, which is a 70-ton excavator prototype that is perhaps the most interesting of the three.

The EX1 still uses a diesel engine to power the wheels for mobility, but once in position, it switches to an electric supply. In this prototype, this is not provided by batteries but is connected by cable to a wind-powered electric supply. In the mining application, all 3 machines are also operating autonomously, and they are fitted with a range of sensors to assess the world around them.

However, in the near future, it is the powertrains that are the most likely to make their way onto sites, with hybrid and potentially even all-electric drivetrains being an essential part of the need for reduced emissions. As we look at the Volvo prototypes as a sign of future heavy machinery, there seem to be several challenges that still need to be overcome. The major thing they all show is that battery technology is not yet at a stage where it can fully power site machines for an entire day without a recharge. That is why there are hybrid units, with the all-electric excavator using an external, connected power source to keep it going rather than internal batteries.

For heavy machinery owners and operators, hybrid machines offer a familiar operating and maintenance experience, so it’s better for the world around us without adding too much to the operator’s workload. With trials ongoing from Volvo, it is only a matter of time before hybrid machines begin appearing on sites from all manufacturers.

Advances in technology happen in almost every aspect of our lives today, it is no surprise that for heavy machinery operators, there have been several in the last decade or so. One such advance, GPS location technology, first appeared in dozers and motor graders and quickly became an integral part of the day-to-day operation of those machines. By combining that precision location data from satellites, and the latest 3D topographical plans of a site, operators could be sure they were taking just the right amount of soil or dirt away at exactly the right location. The technology enhanced the operator’s skills and delivered improved performance across the board.

While the technology is advanced and is able to use satellite data for precise measurement in real-time, the way the systems actually work is straightforward, making it a practical application on any site. For dozers or motor graders, a receiver antenna is placed on the blade, or more often today, built into the machine at suitable points, with the system getting real-time adjusted position data from base stations set up on site. A 3D topographical map of the site is loaded up and displayed on the machine’s monitor, and overlaid with the required cut data, or it can even allow the GPS to guide the blade to create the grade as required.

Future of GPS

What this means for operators is more accuracy, safer operation, and more efficiency. Operators cut where needed, to the right depth every time, saving time and money by adding efficiency. But not only that, because the operator has all the data required, having people around the machines guiding them is no longer necessary, and that itself is a safety benefit.

While initially this system was just used for dozers and graders, it is now appearing in many other heavy machines, including excavators, and while some industries are wary of technology-changing things, for the heavy machinery operator this is definitely a good thing. Having precise location control is not only useful for material removal, but it also enhances situational awareness for all operators, it is a tool that really gives operators the ability to deliver improved performance on any site.

With GPS appearing on more and more heavy machinery, operators need to become familiar with the technology to get the most out of it, but when they do, a safer, more efficient, and less stressful operating experience means that for operators all over the country, whether working with dozers, excavators or haul trucks, GPS technology is improving the working day. In a time where technological advances are often seen as a potential threat to workers, GPS stands out as an advanced tool that works with the operator, improving performance while increasing safety, and allowing the operator to really make the most of their own skills.

Technology has been a focus of exhibitions and industry shows for a few years now, bringing new capabilities and aids to all kinds of work and equipment. From accurate location to improved control and management, technology has brought new ways of operating and new levels of control. But one area of technology that has really come to the fore within the last year that could really change the way we all work is data.

Data collected from machines through telematics has been refined to the point where it can now become a key part of job site management operations, and a central component of optimizing site performance. The latest developments are central data hubs that collate the data coming from all machinery, which will initially aid in ensuring maintenance needs are taken care of correctly, but will swiftly expand into a much broader purpose.

The initial phase allows manufacturers to contact owners and dealers that work needs doing on a specific machine, to highlight issues before they lead to a breakdown, and allow for service continuity and forward planning, as the systems gain in capability, for operators it means reliable equipment and no nasty surprises on site.

However, the data being collected by manufacturers can do much more. While all are still in the process of establishing data levels and how they will approach the use of all of this information, some things are already being shown on a small scale that can transform site operations. One of these is idle-time data, where analysis of the data can allow a manufacturer to highlight areas where a machine job site path could be changed for more efficiency, or even suggest a different machine for the task if the data suggests under or overused.

For job site operations, this remote analysis can produce significant change, offering a broader, yet much more accurate, analysis of the working environment than has ever been available before. By having such detailed information and accurate analysis, the way a job site operates can be adjusted and changed by remote observation, allowing for better, cost-efficient, and safer operations over time.

For many, this reliance on data can seem a little strange, some may even see it as a threat as if they are being watched at all times while in their cabs. While it is easy to dismiss data collection in this way, as the systems mature and capabilities grow, the benefits for any driver or operator will be significant. The right machine for the job every time, accurate job site planning that makes the workday easier, and improved safety as a result of more accurate planning can all come from such systems.

How we work is always changing, that is one of the things that make the job so good, but this change should bring many benefits to everyone on any job site, the power of data will really drive us forward.

Moving earth and heavy debris around doesn’t seem like technology comes into play much, does it? After all, you are pushing dirt around far away from a computer on a desk. But today’s high-tech heavy equipment often has very sophisticated technological advantages the machinery of the past was not capable of accessing.

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) have been around for years. Most smartphones have them, and lots of people use their GPS to find the nearest restaurant or get directions to an unfamiliar address. Heavy equipment operators use a GPS to match the contours of the site to the designed plans. The system can be fairly simple, or incredibly intricate depending on what has been put into place.

GPS and related technology can track where machinery is located, tell a central monitor how fast it is going, monitor maintenance issues, and a host of other things. Many companies use high-tech stuff in their heavy equipment, and a good operator isn’t intimidated by it because it helps you do your job.

If your training school isn’t accredited by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) you probably will not be getting recognition for your efforts, even if you learn the latest technological advances in heavy equipment operation. This is because employers recognize NCCER and respect its standards.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training School holds National Credentials with NCCER and this gives our graduates that respect.

Whether it is the latest GPS technology or the latest thing being invented, ATS keeps up with what is happening in the industry and works that develop into our training. At the same time, we know that a lot of job sites will be using older equipment, so you get experience with the classics, too.

Some folks have been playing video games where they “operate” heavy equipment to build their own house or create a town. Others point to actual high-tech simulators built by manufacturers of heavy equipment for training purposes and wonder if it’s the same thing as the video game, only more expensive. Then there’s the old-fashioned guys saying, “ya gotta learn it by the seat of yer pants or it ain’t gonna work.”

The truth about simulators?

Well, a video game is going to be like a video game. You will get some head knowledge if it is created to be educational, and it has a value in that way. It’s also fun. If you like big machinery of course a game where you use it will be fun. But it won’t give you a sense of what you are actually doing when you get in the seat of that grader or backhoe.

Simulators built by the manufacturer are designed for training to use a specific type of equipment. You will be sitting at controls like the crane or whatever and be looking at a screen that shows you the effects of what you are doing with those controls. Some even will have a few effects like seat tilting. They are not designed to be entertainment; they are designed to be a safe and effective way to begin the training process so your mistakes don’t have real-life consequences.

In-the-seat training is best done after you have a good idea of what you are doing, just like it’s a good idea to know a lot about driving before you get on the road. And, like driving a car, you develop reactions that become automatic as you spend time in real life doing it. It takes time and experience out in the weather, in the seat, to really get the hang of operating heavy equipment.

At ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training School, we make sure you are ready to be in the seat before you are expected to operate big machinery. Then you get that in-the-seat experience which only comes from operating many kinds of machinery in real life, and that gets you trained and certified to be a valuable employee worth hiring.

Heavy equipment moves mountains — and even though the bulldozers, scrapers, and other machines are made of strong metals, they use a network of hardfacing material, a wear-resistant layer of metal ridges, to protect the parts that contact the ground. It extends the life of the machine by adding a renewable surface.

Usually, hardfacing, or hard surfacing, is done by welders in patterns or ridges to reduce the weight, save money, and save time. Typically a welder lays down lines two beads wide and one bead high — about 0.25 inches by 0.125 inches. Covering the surface instead of these lines would certainly be good protection, but that would also be overkill. There’s a couple of different techniques, depending on the type of soil being worked.

Loamy soils, which are softer, generally will benefit from a grid pattern that traps the soil on the surface of the metal and protects it from abrasion. Usually, a good welder will lay down parallel ridges about 2 inches apart and at a ninety-degree angle. Rockier soils are different because you don’t want the rocks moving over the steel surface. In those cases, a welder will lay down a hardfacing that creates a flow of soil over the top of the pattern, like rails or even dots.

When you train at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training School, you learn a lot about heavy equipment, including the maintenance that goes into keeping it in top working condition. As the industry changes, the technologies change, but the job stays the same: you are operating the machines that move mountains.

It’s amazing how brazen some people can be. The construction industry is full of technology stories related to workers turning up for work and finding that someone had, overnight, stolen equipment, tools, and building materials. Imagine turning up for work and finding a large bulldozer was missing. That requires a truck to transport it away from the construction site, and let’s face it, moving a bulldozer is not a quiet job – yet people do it. More importantly, they steal large heavy equipment and they are often never found – at least, until now.

The introduction of GPS units into modern heavy equipment has had an upside, GPS units can be used to track vehicles if and when they are stolen. Recent news stories highlight how effective this technology is. I remember reading one news story that reported the successful location of stolen heavy equipment just one hour after it was reported stolen, all because of the GPS unit located inside the equipment.

GPS is just one of the new technologies that are being used to make life easier for heavy equipment operators. Computer-aided systems are everywhere now – from those designed to ensure the smooth and economical running of an engine to complex units designed to help operators finely adjust the settings on their blades.

New heavy equipment operators have it easy. They learn to operate heavy equipment using this new technology and can then update their skills on the job as new technology is introduced. Older drivers who return to the industry after a lengthy lay-off are often amazed at the changes in heavy equipment and sometimes struggle to come to terms with these changes.  Heavy equipment technology is making life easier for operators, safer for workers, and protecting equipment from theft – all positive for those involved in the field of heavy equipment operations.