Machine control for excavators: the possibilities are endless

A little over a year ago, we introduced the Topcon X63i excavator system to the Australian Market. Unlike the X63 system, which continues in parallel, the X63i is designed specifically for excavators – and is cheaper! The reason for this is that an excavator GPS system is used for guidance rather than machine control, so there is no need to hook into the hydraulic system – saving around $20k in system cost. A further upside is that being significantly more compact, the X63i can often be integrated into the excavator whereas the bulkier machine control systems are generally removed from a machine at night. The downside is that the system can only be used on other excavators or