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AccuGrade® Systemsfor Hydraulic Excavators AccuGrade GPS

Machine CompatibilityMachine Model 320D, 324D, 325D, 330D,

345C, 365C, 385C

AccuGrade®

Grade ControlSystem forHydraulic Excavators

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AccuGrade® Grade Control System for Hydraulic ExcavatorsAccuGrade® Grade Control System simplifies digging, improves accuracy, increasesproductivity, minimizes material usage, and lowers operating costs.

Excavate with greater accuracy and controlusing AccuGrade technology solutions forhydraulic excavators. In-cab guidancefeatures allow operators to quickly excavatetrenches, slopes and complex designswithout traditional survey stakes.

AccuGrade® GPS

The GPS System uses GlobalPositioning System (GPS) satellitesto allow for precise digging and slopecontrol. An indicate only display andlight bars help guide the operator toachieve high accuracy bucketpositioning. pg. 6

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AccuGrade® Attachment Ready Option(ARO) Machine

The AccuGrade ARO machine simplifiessystem installation and reduces machinedowntime. The AccuGrade systemis designed and integrated into themachine system to optimize performanceand reliability. pg. 5

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Features and Benefits

AccuGrade delivers a wide range ofcustomer benefits designed to increaseoperator efficiency and productivity,improve accuracy, reduce materialcosts, reduce surveying and labor costs,and lower overall operating costs. pg. 4

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✔ New Feature

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AccuGrade Office Software

AccuGrade Office software managesand converts engineering and surveydata for use in the machine. It is theinterface between the machine system,site managers and design engineers.pg. 8

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Increases Productivity and Efficiency.

• Increases productivity

• Reduces guesswork and costly reworkby moving dirt right the first time

• Reduces survey costs up to 90%

• Increases material utilization

• Reduces operating costs

• Extends the work day

Worksite Safety.

• Reduces the need for groundpersonnel (survey stakers andcheckers) on the worksite, in thevicinity of working equipment.

Assists with Labor Shortage.

• Reduces labor requirements and costs

• Customers can get the job donemore quickly and efficiently

• Reduces need for staking andchecking

• Empowers operator and improvesoperator confidence by deliveringexcavation information to the cab

Improves Employee Satisfactionand Retention.

• In-cab display brings elevationcontrol to the cab

• Empowers operator with real-timeresults

• Real-time feedback on progressincreases job satisfaction, eliminatesguesswork and reduces operator stress

• Improves operator skills and takesperformance to the next level

• Investing in the latest technologyleads to a sense of value and trust inthe operator

Increases Equipment Versatility.

• Provides consistency and accuracy,turning your production machineinto a precision digging machine

Integrated into Cat® Machines.

• Proven, optimized on-boardelectronic system

• Components designed into machineto maximize reliability

• Integration into cab increases easeof use

• Cat Dealer Network providesunmatched service and support

Customer Support. The AccuGrade suiteof products is just one example of theCaterpillar commitment to raising thebar in the industry by making customers’work more productive and profitable.Your Cat® Dealer is ready to assist youwith matching machine systems to theapplication and offering responsive,knowledgeable support.

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Features and BenefitsThe AccuGrade® system is easy to use and delivers a wide range of customer benefits.

Traditional Excavating

Excavating with AccuGrade

AccuGrade for Hydraulic Excavators.Caterpillar is helping customersrevolutionize the way they movematerial with new technology solutionsfor earthmoving machines. Solutionsthat provide greater accuracy, higherproductivity, lower operating costs,and more profitability.

The AccuGrade System is designed andintegrated into the machine to create acontrol system that allows operatorsto excavate with complete accuracy.

The system uses two GPS receiversmounted on the rear of the machine,one pitch sensor and three angle sensors,mounted on the boom, stick and bucketto calculate precise bucket positioning.

An in-cab display shows the operatorreal-time 3D bucket positioning relativeto the design plan. The system usesinformation from the sensors to calculateand display precise cut/fill information.Light bars visually guide the operatorby indicating adjustments to bucket tipelevation and left/right bucket tippositioning. Immediate feedbackeliminates overcutting or undercuttingand helps the operator achieve complexdesigns and precise slope and depthcontrol in fewer cycles.

AccuGrade Attachment Ready Option(ARO) Machine. The factory AccuGradeARO machine makes system installationand setup quick and easy and optimizesperformance and reliability.

• Wiring harnesses and cables arerouted during assembly for improvedwear protection and better reliability.

• System is designed to withstandvibration for long life in ruggedworking environments.

Plug and Play Capability. The systemuses a Controller Area Network (CAN)designed for plug-and-play capability.This allows components to be quicklyand easily added or removed. Simplymount the components, connect, calibrate,and the system is ready to operate.

Applications. The AccuGrade systemis designed for a wide range ofconstruction earthwork applications,from bulk earth moving with highproduction rates to excavating withtight tolerances. The three-dimensionalsystem is ideal for digging trenches,finishing slopes, and complex 3D designs,such as retention ponds, slopes andmass excavation. With the optionaltilt-bucket upgrade, operators receivebucket position information whendigging to a sloped plane perpendicularto the boom’s axis.

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AccuGrade® Attachment Ready Option (ARO) MachineThe AccuGrade ARO machine integrates the AccuGrade system into the machine systemto optimize performance, reliability and productivity.

Operation. AccuGrade GPS usesadvanced Global Positioning System(GPS) technology to deliver precisebucket positioning information tothe cab. Using machine-mountedcomponents, an off-board GPS basestation and Real Time Kinematic (RTK)positioning, GPS provides theinformation necessary for the systemto accurately determine bucketpositioning with high accuracy.

AccuGrade GPS computes thepositioning information on the machine,compares the position of the bucketrelative to the design plan and deliversthat information to the operator via anin-cab display. Information such as:bucket elevation, how much bucket tip

is necessary to achieve the appropriatedepths, visual indication of the bucket’sposition on the design surface and agraphical view of the design plan withmachine location.

AccuGrade GPS puts the informationthe operator needs to complete the jobin the cab, resulting in a greater levelof control. Light bars visually guide theoperator to desired depth.

The operator simply uses the light barsto see where to position the bucket forconsistent, accurate depths resulting inhigher productivity with less fatigue.

Dual GPS System. The dual GPS systemprovides precise elevation reference andposition of the bucket tip.

GPS Receivers – MS990C. The MS990Cis the next generation GPS receiverdesigned as a modular component inthe AccuGrade grade control system.Its rugged design includes features tomaximize the new modernized GPSsignal structure including L2C andL5 tracking capabilities. The MS990Cis able to use satellites in both theUS satellite constellation and theGLONASS satellite constellation toaugment the GPS solution and provideincreased availability and up time tothe operator. The MS990C includesimproved technology that providesfaster RTK initialization times, bettertracking and accuracy characteristicsover a broader range of operatingenvironments.

Masts. Rugged steel masts are used formounting the GPS receivers above themachine for optimum GPS satellitereception.

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Global Positioning System satellites provide precise location information for accuratedigging control.

AccuGrade® GPS

Radio. The communications radio ismounted on the cab of the machine toensure maximum signal reception.The radio receives real-time CompactMeasurement Record (CMR) datafrom the GPS base station radio forcalculating high-accuracy GPS positions.Radio broadcast frequencies work inall weather conditions. This allowsAccuGrade GPS to accurately monitorbucket tip position in fog, dust andat night.

In-Cab 3D Display. The display withkeypad allows the operator to interfacewith the system using push buttonsand a color monitor. As the machineoperates the operator can view real-timeinformation, such as machine location,bucket position and elevation relativeto the design plan. The system uses3D design files that are stored on acompact flash data card and insertedinto a slot next to the keypad. The newdisplay provides improved access to thedata card, with a quick-release door andenvironmentally sealed card slot.

Light Bars. Three light bars are mountedin the machine cab and provide verticaland horizontal guidance to the operator.

• The top vertical light bar providescut/fill guidance based on elevationof the bucket tip.

• The horizontal light bar indicates theleft or right alignment of the buckettip relative to the design plan.

• The bottom vertical light bar showsthe operator what forward/backwardbucket movement is necessary toachieve grade.

GPS Satellites. Positioning informationfrom GPS satellites is received by theGPS base station and the machinemounted GPS receivers. The satellitesconstantly transmit their positions,identities and times of signal broadcasts.

GPS Base Station. The GPS base stationis located within radio range of thework site. It consists of a GPS receiver,GPS antenna and radio. The horizontalposition (latitude, longitude) and thevertical position (height) of the basestation are fixed to known referencepoints. The base station receivesinformation from the GPS satellites.This information, along with the basestation’s known position is sent to themachine via the communication radioand is used by the machine’s GPSreceivers to calculate high accuracypositioning.

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AccuGrade® Office Software.AccuGrade Office is a state of the artsoftware that allows the user to import3D design data, convert data for useon machines equipped with AccuGradeGPS, validate the data and then exportdata to AccuGrade machines using acompact flash card.

Data Import. Importing data intoAccuGrade Office software is the firststep in preparing data for use with theon-board machine control and guidancesystems. Imported files provide data forthe designs, site maps, avoidance zones,display configurations, background dataand coordinate systems exported to agrade control system. A number ofsurface, road, linework and fielddata/file formats can be imported intoAccuGrade Office software.

Create Designs. Although the majorityof design data is imported intoAccuGrade Office software, thesoftware also provides the capabilityto create new designs.

Organize Data. Once data has beenimported into AccuGrade Officesoftware, it is organized into thefollowing categories:

• Design surfaces

• Background site maps

• Avoidance zones

• Display and machineconfiguration files

• Coordinate system

• Data Cards

Data Validation. Validating the datais critical for machine control andguidance systems.

Data Export. Once data has beenimported, organized, and validated inAccuGrade Office software, the finalstep is to export the data for use withon-board machine control and guidancesystems. Exporting can be done directlyto a hard drive or to a compact flashcard, e-mailed to selected e-mailaddresses, or wirelessly to a machine.

AccuGrade Office Wireless Option.AccuGrade Office Wireless Optionfor 900 MHz communications radiospermits AccuGrade Office software tocommunicate wirelessly with excavatorsequipped with the AccuGrade GPSsystem. AccuGrade Office softwaresupports the following wirelesscommunication features for AccuGradeGPS equipped excavators:

• Export designs from AccuGradeOffice software to excavators withwireless communication enabled

• Display machine location in theAccuGrade Office plan view window

• Delete, rename and retrieve fileson-board excavators

• Send text message to the machinedisplay

• Retrieve screen snapshot fromthe display

• Retrieve diagnostic report frommachine display

Wireless capability between machinesand AccuGrade Office software isenabled through an optional add-oncomponent to the AccuGrade Officesoftware. The component is distributedon a separate CD, installed as an add-onto the base AccuGrade Office softwareand requires its own licensing andregistration. An add-on wireless optionkey is needed to enable wirelesscommunication on the machine.

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AccuGrade Office SoftwareAccuGrade Office software manages and converts engineering survey data for use in themachine as well as imports data from the machine.

9AccuGrade® Grade Control System for Hydraulic Excavators specifications

Communications Radio

Operating range Up to 10 km (6.2 miles)Technology Spread spectrumData rate High speedOperating temperature –40° C to 70° C

–40° F to 158° FStorage temperature –55° C to 70° C

–67° F to 158° FHumidity 100%Height 216 mm 8.5 inWidth 86 mm 3.4 inLength 260 mm 10.3 inWeight 0.9 kg 2 lb

Power Control Module

Electrical input 9 to 32V DCLoad dump protection ISO 7637 compliantOver-current protection 15 ampsOutput 3 circuits, 15-ampOperating temperature –40° C to 71° C

–40° F to 160° FStorage temperature –55° C to 85° C

–67° F to 185° FHumidity 100%Sealing IP68 sealed to

34.48 kPa (5 psi)Input connector 8-pinOutput connector 8-socketHeight 64 mm 2.5 inWidth 89 mm 3.5 inLength 213 mm 8.4 inWeight 1 kg 2.2 lb

Light Bars

Input connector 4-pinOperating temperature –40° C to 85° C

–40° F to 185° FStorage temperature –40° C to 100° C

–40° F to 212° FSealing IP68, sealed to

34.48 kPa (5 psi)Height 174 mm 7 inWidth 53 mm 2 inDepth 32 mm 1.2 inWeight 0.22 kg 5 lb

AccuGrade® Systems

for Hydraulic Excavators AccuGrade GPSEmissions and susceptibility CE compliant

Machine Compatibility

Machine Model 320D, 324D, 325D, 330D,345C, 365C, 385C

3D Display – CD700

Display screen 177.8 mm (7 in) QVGA,480 X 234 pixel, LCD

Electrical input 9 to 32V DCNetwork connector 39-pinMemory drive Compact flashOperating temperature –20° C to 80° C

–4° F to 176° FStorage temperature –40° C to 85° C

–40° F to 185° FSealing IP68, sealed to

34.48 kPa (5 psi)Width 230 mm 9.06 inHeight 170 mm 6.69 inDepth 101 mm 3.98 inWeight 3 kg 6.61 lbLanguage capabilities Chinese, Danish, Dutch,

English (UK & US),Finnish, French,German, Italian,Norwegian, Portuguese,Spanish, Swedish

GPS Receiver – MS990C

Horizontal accuracy 10 mm 0.39 inVertical accuracy 20 mm 0.79 inOperating range Up to 10 km (6.2 miles)Network connector 16-pinElectrical input 9 to 32V DCOperating temperature –40° C to 70° C

–40° F to 158° FStorage temperature –50° C to 85° C

–67° F to 185° FHeight 147 mm 5.8 inWidth 232 mm 9.1 inDepth 251 mm 9.9 inWeight 3.8 kg 8.3 lb

10 AccuGrade® Grade Control System for Hydraulic Excavators specifications

Pitch Sensor

Working range ±160°Network connector 6-pin, bulkheadElectrical input 9 to 32V DCReverse voltage protection to 36V DCLoad dump protected ISO 7637 compliantHumidity 100%Sealing IP68 sealed to

34.48 kPa (5 psi)Operating temperature –40° C to 85° C

–40° F to 185° FStorage temperature –40° C to 100° C

–40° F to 212° FLength 120 mm 4.7 inWidth 135 mm 5.3 inDepth 49 mm 1.9 inWeight 1 kg 2.2 lb

Angle Sensor

Electrical input 9 to 32V DCOperating temperature –40° C to 85° C

–40° F to 185° FStorage temperature –40° C to 100° C

–40° F to 212° FNetwork connector 10-pinHeight 95 mm 3.7 inWidth 95 mm 3.7 inDepth 70 mm 2.8 inWeight 0.8 kg 1.8 lb

AccuGrade® System KitsStandard equipment may vary. Consult your Caterpillar ® dealer for details.

11AccuGrade® Grade Control System for Hydraulic Excavators specifications

AccuGrade Attachment Ready Option (ARO) Machine

Light Bars

AccuGrade® Systems

ARO Machine

Dual GPS System

Angle Sensors Tilt Bucket Angle Sensor(Optional)

Power Module

Masts(345C-385C only)

Masts(320D-330D only)

Pitch Sensor

3D Display – CD700

Communications Radio

GPS Receivers

3D Kit:AccuGrade Dual GPS Kit

CD700 Display, Carrying CaseGPS Receiver (2), Carrying CaseCommunications RadioPower Control ModuleLight Bars (3)Angle Sensor (3)Pitch SensorRigid Mast (2)Cable (2)BracketWiring HarnessTilt Bucket Angle Sensor (Optional)

AccuGrade Attachment Ready Option (ARO) MachineWeldmentsWiring Harness

R

For more complete information on Cat products, dealer services, and industry solutions, visit us on the web at www.cat.com

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Printed in U.S.A.

Materials and specifications are subject to change without notice.Featured machines in photos may include additional equipment.

See your Caterpillar dealer for available options.

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are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.AEHQ5704 (3-07)

AccuGrade® Grade Control System for Hydraulic Excavators