Leica PowerDigger

With the new Leica PowerDigger Excavator Guidance System, Leica Geosystems (Switzerland) presents its latest in a line of site proven guidance systems. Increased operator and machine productivity leading to reduced labour and material costs and the solving of specific problems - such as digging underwater with full guidance - is the promise of Leica PowerDigger.

PowerDigger provides excavator operators with real-time depth, slope and reach information, in relation to any reference, on an easy-to-read graphical control panel mounted in the cab. A highly visible LED light-bar gives the operator a quick reference to the desired level. An audible tone also gives an ‘on-grade' or ‘near-grade' indication. All of the information necessary for an operator to do their job faster and more accurately is available in the cabin. With this real-time information, the productivity of the machine is increased by up to 50%. It's a reliable and flexible guidance solution that also meets future needs.

The sensors for the PowerDigger excavator system are gravitational reference sensors. These sensors are the most responsive and accurate excavator sensors on the market. All sensors are fully waterproof down to at least 20m (70') head of water - and so are the cables - so there is no need for expensive special equipment for backhoe dredgers. The hermetically sealed sensors will also withstand the stress and vibration on a hydraulic hammer.

Advanced CAN bus based accelerometers are used to measure the position of the boom, stick and bucket. The CAN bus system makes installation extremely simple. Minimizing downtime is important for the business. Therefore all sensors come with special welding plates or easy mounts to speed up the installation. The typical installation and calibration time for a basic system is less than three hours.

A Leica PowerDigger guidance system can be fitted on any machine ranging from 1 to 600 plus tons, dual booms or long reach machines with a reach of more than 25m (80') - the standard system will fit them all. And the installation is easy.

Adding on the MRS300 Sensor upgrades the system to dual grade. It gives the freedom of movement in any direction on a sloping surface as the system will compensate for machine, pitch, roll and rotation. Mounting a tilt bucket sensor adds a further dimension. PowerDigger can also be upgraded easily to a 3D capable system by adding the PowerDigger 3D computer as the control panel for RTK GNSS receiver.