BLACKWOOD Plant Hire has become the first contractor in the UK to deploy a dozer fleet equipped with Trimble Earthworks Horizontal Steering Control technology.
Supplied and supported by SITECH UK & Ireland, the automated steering system allows the dozer to follow 3D design alignments automatically during grading operations – improving pass consistency, reducing overlap, and allowing operators to focus on blade control and site surroundings.
The tech has been introduced as part of Blackwood Plant Hire’s continued investment in machine control and digital construction technologies, with the company working closely with SITECH to commission the systems and provide operator training and support.
While 3D machine control is increasingly used across earthmoving operations, steering accuracy and pass consistency can still depend heavily on operator experience. Trimble Earthworks Horizontal Steering Control automatically guides the machine along the design alignment using GNSS positioning, onboard sensors, and the project’s 3D model.
This helps reduce unnecessary overlap and rework and helps operators of all skill-levels and experience achieve more consistent grading. The system is said to reduce fatigue on longer grading runs by freeing up the operator from manual steering alignment, allowing them to focus on blade performance and their surroundings, SITECH explained.
Paul McCormack, MD at Blackwood Plant Hire Ltd, said: “We’re always looking at practical ways to improve consistency and productivity across the fleet, and this was a technology we felt could make a genuine difference on site. Being the first company in the UK to introduce Horizontal Steering Control was an important step for us because we can already see the potential it has to support operators, reduce overlap and improve grading performance on site.
“The technology is straightforward to use and the support from SITECH throughout installation and training has been excellent. It’s another example of how machine control technology is continuing to evolve to make operations more productive and repeatable.”
Blackwood Plant Hire operates two northern depots in Inverness and Aberdeen, along with its Ayrshire base, and a fleet of over 500 machines – 80 of which are GPS enabled, including 14-tonne to 50-tonne tracked excavators, 15-22m long reachers, and dozers.
Liam Payne, technical sales consultant at SITECH UK & Ireland, said, “This is an important deployment because it marks the first use of Horizontal Steering Control technology on UK dozers and demonstrates how machine control systems are continuing to evolve. The system helps contractors improve grading consistency while supporting operators by automating steering alignment to the 3D design.
“We’ve worked closely with Blackwood Plant Hire throughout installation, commissioning and training to help ensure the team gets the maximum benefit from the technology.”
