Best Practices When Using Tilt Autos

NOTE – For Trimble Autos on Cat NGH series 07 machines or Cat NGH mini/micro machines, see Using Autos on other machine models.

Observe the following best practices to obtain optimal results when using Tilt Autos.

WARNING – When Tilt Autos is engaged, the system will control movement of the attachment tilt. These movements could cause injury to anyone near the attachment, or damage to the machine. Always put the attachment on the ground and engage the hydraulic lockout before you leave the machine.
Do not use Tilt Autos when somebody is working near the attachment or if the ground conditions are unstable. Only use Tilt Autos to grade a finish surface. Disarm Tilt Autos when you perform other applications, such as lifting.

TIP – For optimum performance when using Autos features, avoid connecting the Operator App device to the system via Wi-Fi. Ensure that you use a wired connection.

Prepare the machine

Before you use Tilt Autos, your technician or installer should check that:

  • The machine is in good operating condition.
  • None of the connecting pins (boom, stick, attachment and cylinders) have excessive wear. If the machine is loose, the system cannot produce optimal results.
  • The measure‑up and calibration of the machine is accurate. The surface you build cannot be better than the accuracy of these measurements and calibrations.
  • All necessary valve calibrations have been performed.
  • For VM510 Tilt Autos for tilt attachments and couplers, a Tilt Control calibration has been performed.

Best practices for operating excavators

  • Tilt Autos performs best when grading a finish surface.

  • The following best practice is specific to tiltrotators:

    After the valve is calibrated, avoid changing settings on the tiltrotator controller. This may affect performance and require the valve to be re-calibrated.

  • The following best practice is specific to VM510 Tilt Autos for tilt attachments and couplers:

    TIP – If you change the tilt control roller speed, the left/right direction mapping, or any other workflow settings on the machine display after the Tilt Control Calibration has been performed in the Web Interface, you must repeat the Tilt Control Calibration and the Tilt Valve Calibration. Workflow settings include changes like pilot pressure limits or flow settings.

Procedures to perform every time you use Tilt Autos

  • Position the machine on solid, stable ground to prevent rocking.

    Rocking negatively affects the performance of Tilt Autos. It is important that both excavator tracks are firmly planted on stable ground. It is not essential that the ground is flat (a sloping surface is okay).

    TIP – If the attachment becomes unstable due to machine rocking, stop and wait until the attachment becomes stable before you try again. If the problem persists, prepare the ground that the machine tracks will sit on. Both tracks should sit on stable ground.

  • Make sure the machine’s hydraulic oil reaches its normal operating temperature (55°C/130°F).

  • Turn the throttle up to maximum revs.

  • Position the attachment within the control range.

    TIP – Use the lightbars, cut/fills and buzzer to guide the attachment.

  • If applicable, enable the Auto function on the tiltrotator controller before you try to arm Tilt Autos.

Procedures to perform every time you change the attachment

  • Check that a precise measure‑up has been done for the attachment.

    • If you have an Operator Plus account you can create and edit attachments via the Advanced button on the Edit Attachment screen.
    • If you have an Operator account and it is a new attachment, your technician or dealer must enter the measure‑up in the Web Interface before you can select it in the Attachments screen.

  • Check the performance of Tilt Autos every time you change from one attachment to another, especially if you are going from a large heavy attachment to a smaller one or vice-versa.

    If necessary, adjust the Tilt Speed and Tilt Sensitivity sliders in the Autos Optimization screen. This may optimize the performance of Tilt Autos.

Procedures to perform, as required

  • Update the cutting edge length to account for the wear of the attachment. If required, update the value in the Edit Attachment screen.

    If the cutting edge has worn unevenly, use an average value. However, guidance is never better than the range of differences in wear.

    NOTE – The frequency at which you need to check the cutting edge length depends on factors such as the type of material you work with and the durability of the cutting edge.

  • If necessary, adjust the Tilt Speed and Tilt Sensitivity sliders in the Autos Optimization screen. This may optimize the performance of Tilt Autos.

    An example of when you might need to adjust this value is when material conditions change.

Operating practices that can improve performance

NOTE –

  • Tilt Autos performance will not improve poor manual machine performance.
  • Tilt Autos performance may be reduced when you work with very hard material.
  • To improve grading performance when material conditions change, adjust the velocity of the boom and/or stick movement, especially when you first initiate Tilt Autos.
  • To achieve the best results, leave the surface a little high before you make the final pass. The attachment is more stable while it is resting on material versus in the air.
  • To avoid under or over‑cutting at the start of a pass, allow the attachment to snap to design slope before increasing stick velocity.
  • When approaching changes in design grade, it is best to reduce stick speed and align the bucket tips to the design break-line.
  • It is best to avoid straddling changes in design grade by working along/across the design changes and/or adjusting the vertical guidance point location (located in the Work Setting > Attachments menu).
  • Minimize slew on steep slopes when you press and hold the Autos switch. A small horizontal change can make a large vertical difference.

The following operating practices are specific to tiltrotators:

  • Slow down the rotation speed if Tilt Autos is not staying on grade during rotation movement, especially when it is in the rake position.

    You can slow rotation speed manually or if it is an on-going problem, try changing the tiltrotator rotation speed. After you have done this, re-tune the tilt speed in the Autos Optimization screen.

  • Tilt Autos can be engaged when the bucket is pointing towards the cab (0°) or away from the cab (180°). If you use Tilt Autos only (not in combination with Depth Autos), then Tilt Autos has an operational window of ±70° from either of these working positions.

    NOTE – This does not apply if you have an integrated engcon tiltrotator.

  • Tilt Autos performs best when the tilt cylinders are perpendicular to the working surface.
  • On some design slopes, it may not be possible for Tilt Autos to reach grade within the tilt cylinder extents. If this occurs, you may need to reposition the bucket and/or machine.

The following operating practice is specific to VM510 Tilt Autos for tilt attachments and couplers:

  • Try to minimize slew while digging.

    In some machines slewing may reduce the amount of hydraulic flow available for tilting the attachment, which may prevent the attachment from consistently matching grade. To obtain acceptable performance, reduce your machine slew rate until the attachment is able to match grade consistently.