Highlighting the role of digitised machines in the connected ecosystem.

Considering the overall industrial trend, it is just a matter of time before digitisation becomes a dominant factor in the way construction equipment are designed, operated and maintained. In many ways, various features have already been incorporated to enable the user take advantage of the digital empowerment. S K Jaruhar, Advisor – Support Services, Kobelco Construction Equipment India Pvt Ltd, says, “Selection of the suitable work mode, Telematics to track machine working on key parameters, self-diagnostic features, hybrid technology, fuel-saving devices, ability to excavate at pre-fixed angles, etc are already available on machines with contemporary technology.”

In the digital era!
Jayesh Vadukiya, MD, New Age Construction Equipment Engineering Company, says, “Equipment producer needs to figure out the best to successes in this new era you can say digital era. Now, its compulsion for us to digitise our machines so that we can connect to the whole digitised environment but running only with digitised machine is not enough we have to connect with our ecosystem, customers and costs. Hence, this whole digitises machinery strategies push us indirectly to pay such role towards transparency.”

He adds, “This part of business made “Smart Construction Site“ and this may include digitisation of machines up version of our knowledge to pay sufficient role to whole connected ecosystem. So much changing too fast, shifting environment in this companies have to struggle for whole underlying trends and we think that is only key in comprehending the digital eco system from any of vantage point whenever you disconnected with system you ultimately inviting conflicts so, main role is to have digitised machine is to connected good with ecosystem and this how ecosystem connected with digitised machines.”

JCB Livelink
According to Jasmeet Singh, Head – Corporate Communications and External Relations, JCB India Ltd, It is known that technology has revolutionised the CE industry. JCB’s story is based on the cornerstones of innovation and sustainability. Our persistent advancement in business, new and innovative products keeps us at the cutting edge of development. Advancement in technology has changed the scenario of the construction industry and will play a pivotal role in the coming times.

He adds, “Living up to our tagline ‘Expect More’ we have introduced a state-of-the-art telematics technology called JCB Livelink. It helps JCB customers remotely monitor and manage their machines. It maximises the productivity of the machines by providing real time alerts on service, operations and security to the machine’s owners. Both, the equipment owners and operators can look for information in real-time such as fuel consumption, idle time, machine location, fluid levels and service alerts on their mobile devices or laptops using the Internet.”

JCB’s objective is to ensure that a machine is always healthy and gives one an ace-level performance. Singh opines, “The JCB Livelink system helps in informing users via SMS alerts, the location and condition of their JCB machines. Geo-fencing and time-fencing features also give out SMS alerts whenever the machine moves out of the designated, pre-determined geographical areas. This feature also works when the machine is being operated beyond the time that the customer has preset.”

Volvo CE fully electric excavator: the EX2
Volvo CE is at the forefront of technological development and, each year, its parent company, the Volvo Group, invests billions of dollars in research and development to drive new innovations. Volvo’s pursuit of electrically-driven vehicles could be a game changer. Dimitrov Krishnan, Vice President and Head of Volvo CE India informs, “Recently, our company unveiled the world’s first fully-electric compact excavator, the EX2, which is equipped with electric drive systems and electromechanical linear actuators. While, it is too early to say if there will eventually be a shift towards electric engines in the market, Volvo CE believes that going electric is the future of our industry. The EX2 prototype shows our determination to provide zero-emissions machines in the future which will have the same power and force as conventional equipment.”

The EX2, however, is just one of a few electric initiatives that the company have. The LX1, while not fully electric like the EX2, is a prototype electric hybrid wheel loader. At a press event recently, Volvo CE presented results from hundreds of hours of testing that show an average improvement of 50 per cent in fuel efficiency compared to its conventional counterparts. This equates to a reduction of 35 per cent in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Krishnan adds, “We also showcased the HX1, a prototype autonomous, battery-electric load carrier. It is one element of a project that aims to electrify a transport stage in a quarry—from excavation to primary crushing and transport to secondary crushing. It has already picked up industry awards for innovation.”

Technological advancement: The need of the hour
Ajay Aneja, National Head of Sales, CASE India, says, “Technological advancement is the need of the hour and is happening in every sector. With technology coming into the picture there would be improvement in the quality of work and the cost savings and profitability would be more.”

He adds, “Realising the importance of technological upgradation and innovation, construction equipment companies are increasingly taking action and the results are fast and efficient equipment.”

Preparedness in terms of digitisation:
Key features in Kobelco excavators
Kobelco has been one of the major players in excavator design and manufacturing with many innovations and unique features giving unmatched value additions for the benefit of the customer.
Some of the key features in Kobelco excavators:
• Next generation electronic engine control for optimal performance and maximum fuel saving.
• Total tuning through ITCS (Intelligent Total Control System).
• Auto-Idle-Stop (AIS) for minimum fuel wastage.
• A highly intelligent hydraulic system with least energy losses.
• Auto acceleration or deceleration function, which reduces engine speed.
• Convenient multi-display in colour enabling the operator to manage machine parameters as per the work requirement. Also, it enables self-diagnosis of any issues with the engine.
• New generation machines are being equipped with grade assist – which allows the operator to excavate along pre-determined angles/slopes for considerable time saving and better finish.

Research and development at Kobelco is an in-house activity, through its dedicated R&D Centre in Japan, and the application of cutting edge technology in improving the owner’s experience and profitability is an on-going process.

Emergency needs and security ideas – A must!
Vadukiya from New Age Construction, states, “Construction field is full of risk, emergencies and some time disasters too injuries and illness always a side of it. In this situation any constructor or a person whomsoever connected to this area must be prepare with many security ideas.”

He adds, “In this area we as an equipment producer we always take this point as first. As if we gave safety features in our product in to planning of emergency needs and security. Emergencies may be natural or manmade but there should be a prepared mind to take everything on secure path which we can provide by our safety featured machines. So, to be prepared or to carry prepared equipment both are helping solution or the not so welcomed emergencies.”

First learn, and then test!
Jasmeet from JCB, informs, “JCB Livelink is designed to work in the remotest of areas. JCB Livelink is the quickest way to confirm that the machines are well maintained and in good condition, without having to travel around work sites inspecting the machines.”

Jasmeet feels that construction professionals need to first learn about these technologies and then test them thoroughly prior to adoption. It is also noteworthy to mention that the adoption process often takes a considerable amount of investment of time.

Operators’ safety – A matter of concern
With technological advancements, operators’ safety has also become a matter of concern. To give an example, JCB’s skid steer loader is a combination of technological advancement and safety. The side door entry was introduced with a view for operator safety. This unique feature labels it as the world’s safest skid steer loader.

JCB’s keep in mind operator’s comfort and provide spacious cabin with large internal space along with air conditioning. It ensures that operators can work comfortably in severe conditions.

Customers nowadays have become much more aware and knowledgeable. They are now equally concerned, starting from productivity to versatility to value for money. In this age of technological advancement, delivering to customer demands and needs is imperative. JCB has always ensured delivery of products in terms of innovation, cutting-edge technology, quality, reliability and value for money.

The benefits of JCB Livelink can be summed-up as:
• Service – Accurate monitoring of operations leads to improved maintenance planning as machines can be maintained at the most convenient time, according to operational needs.
• Operation: The ‘Fuel Reporting System’ enables operators to see actual fuel consumption, improving control of fuel stocks and planning of fuel orders.
• Security: Enables the user to track the location of the machine and also receive tow away alerts.
• Identify and remove wasteful idle time, improving utilisation and cutting fuel costs.

CareTrack, a telematics system
Volvo CE offers CareTrack, a telematics system that gives equipment owners access to a wide range of machine monitoring information that can help save time and money. Krishnan from Volvo CE informs, “The system generates a wide range of reports with data on aspects such as fuel consumption, operational hours, geographical location and more. These reports are available via a web portal or can be received via SMS or email alerts.”

Krishnan adds, “CareTrack can also be used to manage machine servicing and wear parts. This allows fleet managers to reduce fuel costs, optimise machine and operator performance, as well as proactively manage service and maintenance to maximise uptime.”

CareTrack is offered not as a standard practice but as specialised packages designed to enhance customers’ businesses. The CareTrack packages Volvo CE offers include:
• CareTrack standard: Access machine hours and location and manage service plans and wear parts via the web portal.
• Tracking and status: Notifications tells one when a machine goes outside pre-set location and time boundaries. A status report supplies fuel level, machine location and machine hours.
• Operation: Reports highlight how each machine is used and if operators are working efficiently.
• Production: On board weighing technology shows a machine’s true productivity. Accessible information – including load efficiency and number of cycles – reduce fuel consumption and improve component life.
• Anti-theft: Volvo crawler excavators can be fitted with an antitheft tracking system.
• Communication: Satellite comm- unication is provided in areas where no/weak cell phone connection is available.
• API: API enables CareTrack data to be incorporated into one’s management system.

Customers say they like the insight CareTrack provides, which supports them with maintenance, invoicing, fleet management and operator training. Krishnan observed “With CareTrack, customers can monitor load efficiency, number of cycles, overload percentages and identify operator training needs. For example, CareTrack can tell owners what time the machine operation starts, takes a break, and ends. What’s more, CareTrack allows owners to tap into a wealth of actionable data including fuel consumption, idle time, machine location, fluid levels and service alerts. With the time and labour savings CareTrack offers, customers say they view it as an investment rather than extra costs.”

As owners are pushed to deliver more with less, CareTrack is a great way to proactively manage machines and increase uptime by planning service and maintenance requirement in advance, avoiding potential problems. It’s also possible for Volvo CE dealers to troubleshoot faults remotely—minimising service and downtime.

Telematics for EX Series Backhoe loader
CASE India is a well-known for its quality products, innovative technology and customer service in India and offer smart solutions like Telematics for EX Series Backhoe loader and compaction meter for soil compactor. Aneja from CASE, informs, “Telematics is in huge demand these days. It provides real-time access to machines and results in enhancing the performance and efficiency of the machine. This asset monitoring system gives the freedom of machine monitoring and remote diagnostics alerts at the click of a button on a mobile or desktop computer. In fact, there are some states which have made it mandatory to have the telematics in the construction equipment.”

Compaction meter for soil compactor
Compaction meter where on screen operator can check amplitude, frequency and ICV (Intelligence Compaction Value) which is related to density of soil compacted. Aneja explains, “This ICV value will be different for difference surface. Once desired density is achieved, there will be green signal on screen so that operator can stop compaction and avoid over compaction. Hence, there will be saving of fuel, time and can avoid damage of surface.”

New generation machines are being equipped with grade assist – which allows the operator to excavate along pre-determined angles/slopes for considerable time saving and better finish.
S K Jaruhar, Advisor – Support Services, Kobelco Construction Equipment India Pvt Ltd

Construction field is full of risk, emergencies and some time disasters too injuries and illness always a side of it.
Jayesh Vadukiya, MD, New Age Construction Equipment Engineering Company

JCB Livelink is the quickest way to confirm that the machines are well maintained and in good condition.
Jasmeet Singh, Head – Corporate Communications and External Relations, JCB India Ltd

Volvo CE believes that going electric is the future of our industry.
Dimitrov Krishnan, Vice President and Head of Volvo CE India

Technological advancement is the need of the hour and is happening in every sector.
Ajay Aneja, National Head of Sales, CASE India