A German contractor is seeing the benefit of MOBA machine control systems for small construction works
Machine control systems from MOBA are playing an important role in laying out a new street in the southern German village of Apfeldorf in Bavaria. New development in the village is seeing the construction of 14 new homes as well as a new street being built and the time savings and cost savings of machine control systems are proving highly beneficial. Although well proven in larger projects, these technologies are now being used in smaller construction projects also, with major advantages for the users.
Local construction firm Georg Kölbl, is working on the construction of the new street, using1228 MOBA's 2D excavation system, Xsite LINK. The system was bought by the firm originally for use in digging construction pits and carrying out other excavation work. However, realising the benefits of the machine control systems, the firm is now using this technology for a much wider range of tasks. These additional duties now include digging channels, building foundations, positioning manholes, and digging drainage to precise depths.
By employing the system the firm can carry out this work with a team of just two, instead of the three people required previously. There is no need for a surveyor to check levels constantly while the system allows machine operators greater accuracy than before, as the position of the excavator bucket is displayed constantly in real time on the unit’s screen. The working is also safer, as there is no need for surveyors to access danger areas such as trenches to take measurements.
The firm says that the Xsite system is also making it easier to install the frost protection layer. An approximate 450m3 of gravel can be distributed quickly and precisely according to plan, along a trench of approximately 220m in length. Previously it would have been necessary to compact down the material twice to achieve exactly the right depth. The firm says that this job can now be carried out in a single operation: using the bucket to measure the level, firming down and then using the vibrating plate compactor directly, to check the depth.
The company says that it is open to using new technology and having seen the MOBA package being demonstrated at an exhibition, the company was keen to try it out. After tests with the equipment, the firm realised the cost savings the system would deliver and opted to buy two of the packages earlier this year. Notably, the firm adds that the equipment quickly paid for itself due to the substantial cost savings in terms of reduced working time and by eliminating the need for any reworking.
Managing director Georg Kölbl said, “With this system, we can work to a precision of plus or minus 2cm. In addition, we no longer have to continuously check our measurements, the system does it for us. This saves both excavator and man hours, as it allows us to work with a much more efficient workflow."
He added that the system also saves on material costs. For example, when a building contractor is putting down a 10cm bed specified on plans for a water conduit, the customer is only going to expect to pay for the exact amount of material needed for the depth of 10cm. "If we put in more, we absorb the cost. But because we can set the depth very precisely using this system, we lay only the exact depth specified and know that we won’t have a need for extra material," he said.
Local construction firm Georg Kölbl, is working on the construction of the new street, using
By employing the system the firm can carry out this work with a team of just two, instead of the three people required previously. There is no need for a surveyor to check levels constantly while the system allows machine operators greater accuracy than before, as the position of the excavator bucket is displayed constantly in real time on the unit’s screen. The working is also safer, as there is no need for surveyors to access danger areas such as trenches to take measurements.
The firm says that the Xsite system is also making it easier to install the frost protection layer. An approximate 450m3 of gravel can be distributed quickly and precisely according to plan, along a trench of approximately 220m in length. Previously it would have been necessary to compact down the material twice to achieve exactly the right depth. The firm says that this job can now be carried out in a single operation: using the bucket to measure the level, firming down and then using the vibrating plate compactor directly, to check the depth.
The company says that it is open to using new technology and having seen the MOBA package being demonstrated at an exhibition, the company was keen to try it out. After tests with the equipment, the firm realised the cost savings the system would deliver and opted to buy two of the packages earlier this year. Notably, the firm adds that the equipment quickly paid for itself due to the substantial cost savings in terms of reduced working time and by eliminating the need for any reworking.
Managing director Georg Kölbl said, “With this system, we can work to a precision of plus or minus 2cm. In addition, we no longer have to continuously check our measurements, the system does it for us. This saves both excavator and man hours, as it allows us to work with a much more efficient workflow."
He added that the system also saves on material costs. For example, when a building contractor is putting down a 10cm bed specified on plans for a water conduit, the customer is only going to expect to pay for the exact amount of material needed for the depth of 10cm. "If we put in more, we absorb the cost. But because we can set the depth very precisely using this system, we lay only the exact depth specified and know that we won’t have a need for extra material," he said.
