UNDER REMOTE CONTROL H


aving recently completed the conversion of two remote controlled Cat 316E Excavators for a steel mill application,


Finning excavator specialist Richard Carless talks about the rise of remote controlled plant.


For years, remote control has been talked about by the industry as a ‘nice to have’ and an answer to safety concerns for specific applications like arctic mining and demolition. But with new technology reducing the cost of conversion and a greater focus on removing operators from higher risk environments, the long awaited age of affordable remote control is now here.


By the nature of remote control applications, the key things to remember when specifying a machine relate to the combination of power, control and


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flexibility it can offer. It is also important to consider the overall build quality and reliability of the machine, as invariably they are operating in more hazardous conditions.


REMOTE MONITORING This is where the use of other remote


technology really comes into play. By understanding the application, the machine, the information coming back from GPS and the service data, preventative maintenance can be enhanced significantly for remote controlled plant.


Equally, through the setting of key parameters relating to the machines’ performance, more immediate warnings can be flagged up and sent straight to the operator, allowing them to act quickly to extract the machine from the application.


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