Attachments: Specific and versatile tools

Similar to the multi-tool that some people keep in their pocket or equipment belt, equipment attachments for construction machinery are only as good as their real-world, everyday usefulness and, perhaps more importantly, the ease with which they can be employed.

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are making great strides in simplifying attachment use. Many ‘smart’ attachments on the market today can sense the machine they’re being linked to and adjust accordingly. Among other benefits, this allows one work tool to be used across a fleet of different tool carriers.

Coupler systems have improved greatly as well. Standardisation efforts began decades ago but new efforts are being made all the time to further simplify the use of attachments across carriers.

Machine recognition in today’s attachments

The ability of today’s attachments to intelligently know the type of carrier they’re linking up with is a game changer. This is because it relieves the operator of a great deal of time-consuming guesswork and potential error.

Three new Cat SMART attachments – the Dozer Blade, Grader Blade, and Backhoe – are designed to increase the versatility of D3 Series Cat skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, and multi terrain loaders. The control systems for the new attachments allow adaption of the machine’s standard controls to match the recognized SMART Attachments’ control needs.

The D3 Series host machine recognises the attachment and unlocks special display screens that allow the operator to select how the blade is controlled. Selecting the attachment-control mode changes the standard joystick functions and allows the left joystick to control travel, while the right joystick operates blade functions.

The new Cat GB120 and GB124 SMART Grader Blade attachments are available for Cat D3- Series Skid Steer Loaders and Compact Track Loaders. Like the SMART Dozer Blade attachment, the D3 host machine recognizes the grader blade and unlocks special display screens that provide options for attachment control, allowing the joysticks to be repurposed to perform attachment functions.

Finally, the new Cat BH130 SMART Backhoe Attachment is compatible with Cat 3-ton excavator attachments, and its auxiliary-hydraulic system allows pairing with hydro-mechanical work tools, including hammers, thumbs, augers, and vibratory compactors. The backhoe also hydraulically shifts side-to-side to allow digging adjacent to buildings and footers, and integrated stabilisers provide a solid digging platform.

The backhoe features integrated electro-hydraulic controls, which are operated using the host machine’s joysticks.

Industry standards for attachments

Open-S is a new standard for fully automatic quick couplers for excavators. Launched on 1 October 2020, it aims to allow machine operators to combine machine couplers, tiltrotators and tools from different manufacturers who are in compliance with the standard and be confident that they will be compatible with each other. Products that comply with the standard are marked ‘Open-S.’

“Open standards make everyday life easier, whether it’s plugs for electrical sockets, computer connectors or excavator quick couplers,” states Stefan Stockhaus, CEO for Steelwrist AB. “Open-S also builds on the independent and established standard that already exists for quick couplers, the S Standard.”

Together with Anders Jonsson, CEO for Rototilt Group AB, these rival companies are the initiators of Open-S.

“We believe in healthy competition, where the industry’s players compete to have the best products,” says Jonsson. “We don’t want to lock customers into a closed interface. When customers buy a tiltrotator from Rototilt, they should feel confident that any hydraulic tool that complies with the Open-S standard will fit the tiltrotator.”

The standard is based on the idea of giving freedom to end-customers to choose their preferred equipment, with reliable safety solutions, and to enable them to benefit from continued technological development.

“Because we have agreed on how to connect the products, customers can freely choose from the product portfolio from the manufacturers that comply with the standard,” explains Jonsson from Rototilt. “It clearer what fits together and which warranty provisions apply.”

Open-S is owned and managed by an independent organisation, Open-S Alliance, which is led by a council of engineers from the member companies, currently tiltrotator manufacturers Steelwrist and Rototilt.

“Interchangeability is the point,” says Stockhaus. “Any reputable manufacturer who believes in the usefulness of a common standard is welcome. We are already in talks with more manufacturers who want to join in the Open-S standard.”

Stay in your seat

Having to repeatedly climb in and out of a machine’s cab throughout the regular work day is a significant cause of fatigue, which can lead to productivity losses and hazards. With this in mind, OEMs aim to mitigate this issue.

“Leaving the cab to switch out hydraulic attachments can eat up the most productive times of operators’ days,” notes Britta Kopp, marketing manager, attachments, Bobcat. The company make more than 80 tools for equipment such as compact loaders, compact and large excavators, compact tractors, utility products and telehandlers.

“By using the Bob-Dock attachment mounting system to quickly change out hydraulic attachments by pressing a switch, they can keep their productivity high. Operators can change most hydraulic attachments without having to step outside of the cab to remove or connect hoses.”

When utilising the Bob-Dock system to connect an attachment, an operator must line up their loader with the attachment’s Bob-Dock adapter plate.

The operator then presses the Power Bob-Tach switch inside the cab. The Bob-Tach system then secures the attachment, while the Bob-Dock system automatically connects the hydraulics. The attachment is then ready to use.

“The Bob-Dock attachment mounting system is made up of two primary parts: The adapter plate that is mounted to the attachment, and the patented floating coupler block that is built into the Bob-Tach element,” Kopp explains. “The Bob-Dock system connects operators’ auxiliary hydraulics while the Bob-Tach system secures the attachment – all with the flip of a switch.”

It’s cold outside

John Deere unveiled its new CP18E, CP24E and CP30E cold planers to assist operators who work on street repairs, leveling uneven pavement, texturing pavement and cleaning around larger milling machines. The new tools are compatible with John Deere skid steers and compact track loaders, as well as equipment offered by competitors.

“The E-Series cold planers are new solutions for our customers seeking more efficiency on the job by enabling all cold planer functions to be controlled from within the machine’s cab,” says Jessica Hill, program manager, global attachments at John Deere.

“The attachments deliver value to our customers through increased productivity and uptime, while maintaining low daily operating costs.”

The cold planers are equipped with a heavy-duty planetary drive system that delivers high torque speed for the most demanding jobs. The planetary drive system is a wheel drive, which allows the operator to remove the side plate when the attachment works next to a curb, making it suitable for use in tight spaces.

Through complete in-cab controls, operators can maneuver the cold planer depth, tilt and side shift to increase overall productivity. Rear spoil clearance that reaches up to 9 inches (229mm) helps minimise material that is pushed back into the cut.

A visible case pressure reservoir was added to the three models to provide a visual indicator of high case pressure. If there is high case pressure, the reservoir will fill with oil and will give an indication to shut down the system.

Like all aspects of the construction industry, the segment of attachments is constantly evolving. This includes the attachments themselves and how they are used, the technology embedded into them and even the standardisation between different companies that is beginning to emerge.