bobcat depth check system

Hi Guys
Anyone have experience with Bobcat's Depth check system?
I will be replacing my E32 at end of year ... I have little patience for laborers doing grade work. I was looking at Bobcat's Depth check system.
it's about $4k option, but looks interesting

My dealer has not sold one and cannot even get me a demo??

Thxs for any info

With a white eight foot 2x2 and some colored markers, the typical laser level will allow the laborer to quickly go from here to there, and a clamp on piece of pipe allows to check ditch and then sans pipe allows checking top of pipe...the number line rod is the key to trouble IMO.
Dont have one and dont ever use one.
Example:
We set the laser in the same spot and clocked the same direction and about the same ht every day (every setup for that jobsite). The stick has a ear clamped to the bottom to adjust it to the bench mark, yesterday's marks now are ok for today.

A stick could have the following marks labeled with different color sharpies:
top of form
rough pad ht
prepped grade ht (subgrade for slab)
bottom of footing
pipe bed at high end*
pipe bed at low end*

*these two are marked so that the stick with the add on piece of pipe touches the trench bottom, when the pipe is removed they can check the top of the pipe.

The pipe has a fall? then I tell them how much per ten foot stick of pipe...2% 2-1/2 inches...they carry a tape and mark off tick marks for each joint....

Last job was parallel to the building foundation so it was one joint at a time, backfill and compact. The helpers ran the job and I worked for them and ran the tractor. Job final exam: pipe was hydro washed then camera'd...no ponds nor bellies, apparently the 2x2 stick works.

There's no way I can figure on digging foundation or sewer ditches using the excavator only, need a laborer helper....

What here said above ..way better than spending 4k....

Anybody use the tremble system?


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Thx Oceanbob, for pipe laying I totally agree.

But for simple pads.... I do small machine base inside factory (concrete slabs for press and cranes etc), I had 12 to do on the Tuesday after long weekend. GC supplied labourer/grade man. Labourer could not hold stick plumb or give me accurate shots. They would say I am high or low, not by how much..... I would jump out of machine and check and they were wrong!

Very long day with little production.

Normally these are very profitable jobs, as they are T&M.

But GC is mad at ME for taking too long to dig pads! Likely going to loose contract....

$4k system would be less than way less than weeks billing to GC.

I don't know what you pay labourers , but $4K would be quickly recouped if you did away with a labourer here. Not to mention the savings in speed and doing it right the first time. I know you said they supplied labourer, but by saving them money you should be able to increase your rate to cover it.
Graham

Take a look at a Cat mini with the Trimble GCS Flex system, looks like a much easier and competent system to me IMO

Labor questions aside as you will always need a pipe layer in the ditch, however I am really interested in this technology for a couple of reasons.

First and foremost it will speed production not having to check the bottom grade of the ditch every joint and reduce over digging and wasted bedding material.

Is there any connection /Reason to use Trimble GCS w Cat mini, local Cat dealer not great...

movindirt said:

Take a look at a Cat mini with the Trimble GCS Flex system, looks like a much easier and competent system to me IMO

Click to expand...

Trimble that they put on the Cat machines is around $10,000 to $16,000, depending on the system. I'll take a couple laborers over that any day of the week. Bobcat system looks like a generic version of the Trimble, and if its the same quality as Bobcat minis, you can keep it.

I've always had good success with the Trimble (Spectra) laser levels, and to me if Cat is supporting it its probably a good system. Dirt Ninja on youtube has a lot of videos of the system on his channel, might want to check them out. $16k for a system that will get me on grade every time over a laborer thats going to cost $30k a year at minimum, how is there a comparison there? Sure the laborer can do other things, but if I've got a couple guys as it is getting rid of one that just holds a grade rod would pay for that. See if you can demo a mini from your Cat dealer that has the GCS Flex system installed and give it a shot.

Most Cat dealers only have a handle full of machines(if any)with the trimble set up and they are typically bigger machines, all minis are only installed if ordered. Because of the sensor sizes and locations(and wiring), the smallest machine they put it on is a 304 and up. When I bought my 305.5e2 I thought about it, but it wouldn't be worth it for me(plumbing/piping), I can typically dig 1/8" or 1/4" pitch by myself as my guys work behind me. I can see using it on footings, stepped footings or slab work with one person, that would be ideal.

I do this. I have an Apache Plus 5 grade reader with a magnetic mount that I can mount on either my CX160 or my 6 ton Taki. Just follow the lights on the reader and it works well. The Plus 5 has angle compensation so the stick does not need to be straight up and down. Spectra took over Apache I believe, same reader except yellow now instead of red. You might look into that. Nice thing is you can put it on any excavator or skid steer.

I have been using a Trimble GCSflex for the last year or so.....excellent bit of kit...The Apache systems are very nice and easy to use and transfer to other machines with it magnetic mounting system. Gives you the ability to do grade and pitch from any stick location...

Thxs guys . I might have line on used Apache, will try and chase down this week.

Local cat mini dealer not great so...

John deere dealer suggesting "IDIG" System? Any comment / experience ?

Thxs again for your time.

I'm familiar with IDig and plan on start carrying it as a product.

I found out about the system in February. I have a ding on my mini excavator cab that I want to get fixed before I start videoing how the system works and its installation. I've got the claim filed with Kubota, but my local dealer sucks (taken the machine by once, stopped by once, and called/text them two more times).

We had a tornado at the end of March and my working company became too busy to worry with a new product for the equipment company or getting the excavator fixed. Now that the working company is slowing back down, I've been getting back to thinking of ordering my first system to install and promote.


I like:
It can be used on multiple machines and with multiple attachments. The cost to outfit another machine is less than a grand and the system can store up to 100 combinations of machines/attachments.
The sensors are wireless and charge via solar.
The sensors can be easily and quickly removed for doing heavy work like clearing or demo.
You can use it with or without a laser to set a benchmark.


I THINK this is inside the forum rules. I can't remember if it was this forum or another that I recently saw that posting a response to a solicitation was allowed (as opposed to soliciting/spamming).


Here are the actual sensors, touch screen, and display. MSRP in USD ranges from ~$6,400-$10,600, with the high end being what I would use for myself.

I ran a Bobcat 55 with this system, and my next machine will have it installed. It works great for digging flat, sacking out material and you can also set your slope%. It may seem spend but after the guys know how to run it, it's off to the races.
Kind regards, CD

I know this is an old thread but DC has been out for a while now. I really am thinking about adding it to my E42. For those that have it, is it working out for you?
Thanks