In machine control, complexity is the enemy of productivity. While other contractors struggle with convoluted setups and fragmented workflows, Joe Wagner Group has found their competitive edge in Topcon’s elegant simplicity.
“Out of all of the options on the market today, Topcon’s 3D-MC is the easiest to set up,” states Kobus Viljoen, Survey and Control Manager. “From file generation to data flow, nothing else comes close.”
That simplicity starts in the design phase and extends all the way to the operator’s cab. “It all starts in the office with the 3D design,” Mr Viljoen explains. “With Topcon, the flow of data from the designer to the operator is just ahead and above all else – easy for everyone in the chain.”
Joe Wagner Group’s machines regularly work with different control systems, but Topcon’s flexibility and user-friendly design makes it the clear favourite across their fleet.
“Topcon’s project files are so much easier,” notes Mr Viljoen. “We just put a single project file on any USB stick and upload it into the machine. No subfolders, no special formatting. In remote areas with no internet, that simplicity is gold.”
The team leverages Aptella’s award-winning Tokara service for seamless remote file management and troubleshooting.
“With Tokara, I can upload a file to any machine in our fleet from my laptop,” explains Mr Viljoen. “You can train someone who’s never used machine control in 20 minutes – that’s how intuitive it is. If an operator calls needing a quick surface model, I can help them over the phone and get it done instantly.”
In construction, project demands shift fast. The ability to adapt quickly often determines project success. Topcon’s system architecture delivers the agility Joe Wagner Group needs.
“With Topcon, we can change individual project components – localisation, linework, control points – on the fly,” says Mr Viljoen. “With other software, we’d have to republish the whole project. This flexibility increases our productivity dramatically.”
Hardware performance directly impacts field productivity. Joe Wagner Group was the first in Australia to deploy the new GX-90 control box for graders, and the results speak for themselves.
“The GX-90’s processing power is just… amazing,” Mr Viljoen enthuses. “We’re running dense triangulated models with polylines every metre – and it handles that data without any lag or distortion. Just smooth performance.”
Ashley, a grader operator with over a decade of experience at Joe Wagner Group, confirms the real-world impact.
“Honestly, I’ve used the old system for most of my 11 years. Since we got the GX-90, it’s chalk and cheese. The speed, the responsiveness – now that it’s touchscreen, you just pinch and zoom like an iPhone. It’s perfect.”
Accuracy isn’t just about meeting specifications – it’s about maintaining productivity while delivering precision. The Topcon MC-Max grader system gives contractors the flexibility to switch between millimetre GPS and LPS (local positioning system) for pinpoint accuracy, to handle the most challenging environments where other systems falter.
“The millimetre system gives us 10mm accuracy, no problem,” explains Mr Viljoen. “It uses a high-powered laser to cover elevation ranges far beyond a Total Station – and it keeps working even if something obstructs the line of sight.”
This hybrid approach eliminates the productivity killing delays that plague other systems. “Our competitors are still running around trying to set up their Total Stations. We’re working.”
The latest iteration of Topcon’s system puts unprecedented capability directly in operators’ hands. Version 15 of 3D-MC enables operators to create custom surface models and designs on the fly – no formal training required.
“The operator can create verge models or custom designs on the fly,” says Mr Viljoen. “A few keystrokes and it’s done. It’s just so user friendly.”
This capability transforms operators from equipment users into project contributors, enabling real-time adaptations that keep projects moving forward.
From faster setups and real-time model updates to industry leading accuracy and operator-friendly interfaces, Joe Wagner Group sees Topcon’s system as more than just the best on the market – it’s the foundation of their competitive advantage.
“We’ve had operators who’ve used other brands. Once they get a taste of Topcon, they don’t want to go back,” confirms Mr Viljoen. “The feedback I get from the field? They love it.”
With Aptella providing responsive, knowledgeable support behind every product, Joe Wagner Group’s investment in Topcon technology delivers measurable returns in productivity, precision, and performance.
“Whether it’s the technology or the people, Topcon and Aptella are the best in the business,” concludes Mr Viljoen. “And we’re proud to be part of proving that every day in the field.”
For Joe Wagner Group, the combination of Topcon’s innovative technology and Aptella’s unwavering support doesn’t just meet their operational needs – it enables them to consistently exceed client expectations while building Australia’s critical infrastructure for the future.
