CAT 289D "Accugrade" Question

So my dealer has no experience with Accugrade when it comes to the CTL/MTL machines. I was able to get a quote out of them to install AMICS & the software update. My question is this. What else do I need to run automatic laser control, other than the pole, laser receiver, cable & rotating laser/tripod? Will the AMICS screen operate the automatic controls? Or will there need to be a separate control box?

I don't believe that AMICS will interface with the laser like the BC system. You will need a separate control box.

What do you mean by BC?

By looking at the Accugrade Skidsteer brochure, all I need is a pole, laser receiver and a cable that plugs into the electrical at the auxiliary hydraulic quick couplers. I'm assuming that they haven't made it to where the system is able to run more than one hydraulic bank, since the machine isn't setup to run individual lift cylinders like a Motorgrader. I'm slowly grasping the black areas...

I'm assuming by BC he means Bobcat

I have a 299C and running a Bobcat box blade that was setup for Bobcat skid.There is lots of issue with a skid and grading box.One of the main things is that they are not deep cutting attachments ,just carry and fill loose material.Like if you have an area that need 5/10 cut then the box blade won't cut it off,especially if the cut in hard ground.The front wheel on box blade come up ,but the box won't cut.One reason it that once the lift arms are down on the stops you can get no down pressure.

If you tilt the box scraper ahead with the bucket cylinder it will try to deep,but then you override the laser and all the wheel on the box scraper raises higher trying to tell you that you need to go deeper.Yes i realize it trying to make adjustment,but it just doesn't cut,but the skid need to have the arms on stops and tilt locked also to do fine grading with the laser attachment.Clear as mud i know.

Where as with a dozer you don't have the limits of the stops on you depth like at skid has.

Skids are limited to there ability to cut because of the stops for the lift arms,compared to dozer where you don't have that limitations.

Are you planing on trying to run a dual grade box blade or a single slope.There lies some of you issues and accugrade on a CTL or skid.Mine i'm using external control box also to run the valving on the box blade.I by passed all Bobcats junk and hooked right into the hydraulic valve on the box blade,using the external control box to do the corrections,using the pole receiver,cable to control box and laser.If your just doing flat stuff you don't need power mast,but if doing slope with grade in them then you need a power mast with you receiver,mounted on it.

Will the AMICS and software do dual grade would be the question i would be asking Cat.I have AMIC on my machine but don't have Accugrade software,so can't answer that parts of your question.Good luck

I don't see how you could possibly have dual grade capability with Accugrade on a skid steer, but maybe they have updated it and I am just not aware of the changes. I still believe you will need an external control box.