Smart Technology to Address Shortage of Skilled Motor Grader Operators

For an operator, operating a motor grader on a worksite does not reflect one single job. It involves many jobs at the same time, ranging from steering and turning to adjusting the blade’s height and angle. It also involves overseeing the speed and power. All these tasks have to be managed at the same time. This means operating a motor grader is not an easy task. This is especially true for the less experienced operators.

With contractors and construction businesses facing a huge shortage of skilled workers, a solution needs to be found. The heavy equipment manufacturers are taking steps to address this challenge. They are introducing new automation technologies in the motor graders that would make this equipment easier to operate. This way the operators with any level of experience can complete tasks faster.

With finding skilled operators continuing to be one of the biggest challenges for contractors, new ways have to be found to make sure the most out of the motor grader equipment can be utilized.

This is why manufacturers are putting a lot of development efforts into equipping the road construction motor graders with the latest technology. This includes introducing a lot of upgrades that serve as one of the finishing tools in the motor grader equipment. The idea is to provide support to the operator to continue construction operations with ease.

Hence, innovation is the key. Many innovations have come to the fore and those are mostly happening in terms of new automation features. This includes coming up with simplified controls for common tasks. The idea is to reduce operator fatigue and improve accuracy. This reflects an opportunity to develop technology to assist operators and crew members in making the most out of the road graders.

Technological innovations related to machine control options

Technology focused on grade control is helping contractors and construction businesses complete jobs faster. It is also improving precision. However, this mandates a significant investment. By opting for flexibility and machine control options, construction companies have an opportunity to adopt smart equipment purchase decisions.

Contractors are looking for flexibility when selecting a supplier. They are also looking for options that offer the features of scaling up control system components over time. This allows them to buy a 2D solution and also to add upgrades to the different parts of the motor grader, allowing them to create a 3D system. This will aid a new operator and make him productive just like an experienced one.

Contractors want greater integration of innovation and machine control. This has prompted manufacturers to build the Smart Grade option. This is the equipment industry’s first grade control system designed specifically for grader equipment. This innovative technology integrates all components into the equipment, thereby eliminating the need to have additional masts and cables. These components from the moldboard remain vulnerable to sustaining damage or being lost to theft.

The feature of blade-control automation

As part of the operator’s responsibilities, it is challenging to maintain the height of the blade. This refers to the leading and trailing edge of the blade where the height must be appropriately maintained. This represents the most challenging skills that operators need to counter to make full use of motor graders. With the latest technology automating this challenging task, the major part of operating a grader is made easier for the operator.

There is a cross-slope system that ensures the cross-slope angle is maintained automatically, thereby exempting the operators from having to monitor both ends of the blade. This allows them to match an existing angle and maintain it while moving the blade up and down.

There are other added features like auto-articulation. This feature allows operators to combine front steering and rear articulation. This offers an important advantage of reducing the number of inputs that need to be managed. The operators no longer have to steer and articulate. Known as blade flip, this technology allows the operators to automatically rotate the blade to a set position. With the push of a single button, selected functions can now be performed.

With the introduction of options like stable blade and auto-articulation, now motor graders can be made to be more productive by the operators. This is now possible even if the operators are less experienced.

Taking advantage of new motor grader operating controls

The best part about the new technology is that it lets operators, both new and fresh, benefit from the advanced features of this new automated technology.

With features like reduced commands and performing many tasks with fewer functions, automation technology is helping operators focus more time on tasks other than controlling the machine. This will allow operators, regardless of the level of experience, to increase productivity.

This technology is helping the contractors address the shortage of skilled workers. It allows the operators to learn on the job site about how to manage construction operations.

Automation helps offer a solution to challenges posed by the shortage of skilled labor. It helps address these challenges by making the tasks of operating a motor grader easier. It reduces the complexity associated with handling repetitive tasks.

If you look at the new automation features, they offer a way out of the difficulties faced by the operators in enhancing their learning that would otherwise require a lot of time and effort. The new automated features are more focused on making it easier for the operator to operate the motor grader with ease. By addressing this issue, construction businesses can move a step closer to solving the issue of inexperienced operators.

Last word

So now it does not matter whether the operator is experienced or fresh, the important thing is to learn the new equipment functions. With the motor graders set to undergo further innovation and technological changes, the important part is learning how to operate the equipment with all of its new functions and features that are easier to control. This will allow the operators to make the best use of the equipment. This means construction businesses can now be more productive and efficient in their construction operations.