Accurate and efficient payload management systems can save your quarrying business big money, while also helping to resolve weighing disputes and to identify and detect material theft issues.
Payload management software has multiple benefits and is evolving thanks to the growing use of cloud-based platforms.
Trimble’s LOADRITE business and Hyundai Construction Equipment have announced the availability of Trimble LOADRITE L3180 SmartScale as an option on Hyundai Construction Equipment (Hyundai CE) wheeled loaders across the European Union.
The Trimble LOADRITE L3180 SmartScale uses weighing intelligence and solid-state sensors for more accurate, precise and faster loading. It also connects machines and devices for the collection and syncing of data via the built-in WiFi to the InsightHQ reporting portal. InsightHQ consolidates live, operational information from Trimble LOADRITE devices on loaders, excavators and conveyors across the site, to provide near real-time productivity and performance reports for extraction, processing and load-out operations.
Reengineered from the ground up, Trimble’s innovative, next-generation loader scale platform features smarter weighing, smarter data management and a smarter interface. Intelligence in the weighing software and new hardware gives operators of all skill levels the ability to load faster and more productively than ever before.
“Payload measurement is a great way to ensure every truck load is optimised,” says Kevin Garcia, general manager of Trimble Civil Specialty Solutions. “Trimble LOADRITE onboard weighing technology on Hyundai loaders enables our customers to maximize productivity and efficiency on every bucket loaded.”
The Trimble LOADRITE L3180 offers more precise weighing than any previous LOADRITE system in a wide range of conditions including adjusting for rough terrain, operator technique and machine movement using new weighing intelligence. The system also features digital CAN-bus sensors for noise immunity and ground-slope compensation as standard.
The L3180 now offers in-cab key performance indicators (KPIs), including tonne/hour, tonnes and truck count to enable operators to monitor performance and achieve daily targets. When using Trimble’s cloud-based InsightHQ quarry reporting portal, personnel can gain access to site production and operator performance KPIs on desktop or mobile devices. Data is presented in dashboard or graphical formats, including a new loadout performance heatmap, powered by built-in GPS. The system caches data locally and then syncs it with InsightHQ.
The L3180 features a large touchscreen display, twice the size of previous generation displays. Colourful graphics, cleaner interface design and the new touchscreen allow for faster menu navigation and interaction. New loading information detail, including customer and product for each job, can be customized on the interface by each operator to match their workflow and make it easier to see the right information for maximum productivity.
The Trimble LOADRITE L3180 SmartScale is available now as an option from Hyundai Construction Equipment dealers across Europe.
Due to go into production at some stage in Q2 2020, Intercomp’s TS30 CPU (central processing unit) gives users the ability to easily process weight-related data for monitoring and controlling loads. It can interface with static or portable weigh-in-motion (WIM) scales, automatically classify vehicle WIM, and generate logs of all vehicles or selected datasets.
Sold in a self-contained, weather-resistant hardened case and featuring USB or Ethernet output, the TS30 CPU can communicate with a variety of devices including PCs and scoreboard displays, using RFX Wireless Weighing technology said to save time and improve safety. The solution can show the scale layout or list with weight units, total weight and centre of gravity. Additionally, gross, net and tare weights can all be viewed on the TS30 CPU’s large touchscreen display.
The TS30 CPU’s software allows five configurable user/session info fields and five optional vehicle info fields that are included on the ticket created by the built-in printer.
Command Alkon’s Apex software-compatible and web-accessible Scale Watcher system has been installed in 523 quarry and other work sites globally since its introduction in 2006.
The technology’s customers include Australian mining giant Boral; UK independent building materials supply giant Breedon; Lehigh Hanson of Canada, a HeidelbergCement company; Rudus in Finland; the Nigeria-based Azkiel Group and Cementos Progreso in Guatemala and several hundred customers in the United States.
The integrated and recently updated Scale Watcher provides photo verification of the weighing process. When Apex software sends a print signal to the printer, it activates the camera to take a digital still photo of the vehicle on the scale. The ticket information is then superimposed on the captured image which can later be moved to the central office using Apex Data Replication.
Among Scale Watcher’s many features are the easy retrieval of the photos by ticket number; the supply of ironclad proof of vehicle pickup without signatures; optional anti-theft module capturing anomalous events; the ability to print or e-mail photos to customers; single images along with raw video storage for a complete accounting of any incident; and customisable ticket information on the video image. Furthermore, Scale Watcher can utilise multiple cameras, with total site security possible with add-on cameras.
Command Alkon claims that return on investment with the Scale Watcher can be as short as just one year.
The base Scale Watcher system provides hardware, software and one-year software maintenance for one camera and one scale. The base system can accommodate up to four cameras without adding additional PC hardware. Software and hardware upgrades are required if more than four cameras are preferred.
Scale Watcher’s Theft Deterrent Module allows your NVR (network video recorder) to ‘listen’ for when the valve/gates open and close to release your product. If you release product from your silos and no ticket is generated from the software, then a valve alert will be captured with photos of the truck that was being loaded. You can also configure the system to automatically e-mail real-time alerts if desired.
Alert triggers include: No Ticket - Truck was on the scale and left but no ticket was generated; Tare Weight Contamination - Tare weight was above the threshold; Gross Ticket Mismatch - The maximum weight read from the scale was not within a reasonable difference from the actual ticket weight; Overweight - The weight read from the scale exceeds the vehicle’s designated GVW; and Scale Connection Lost/Restored - DVS cannot communicate with the scale indicator.
This article first appeared on our sister website www.aggbusiness.com
