Best Practices When Using Tilt Autos – Trimble Autos on Cat NGH series 07 machines

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

WARNING – Do not leave the cab when Tilt Autos is engaged. When Tilt Autos is engaged, the system will control movement of the tilt bucket or tilting hitch. 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 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.

Best practices for operating excavators

Tilt Autos performs best when grading a finish surface.

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 level (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.

  • 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, make sure the following features are disabled before you use Tilt Autos:
    • Crane/heavy lift mode
    • Smart boom

Procedures to perform every time you change the attachment

  • 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 slider in the Autos Optimization screen. This may optimize the performance of Tilt Autos.

Procedures to perform, as required

  • If necessary, adjust the Tilt Speed slider 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.

  • If you use the Cat Machine Display to change the direction of flow on a tilt attachment (changing from Normal to Reverse, or from Reverse to Normal), you must repeat the attachment measure-up process on the Cat Machine Display. Failure to do so may produce incorrect Tilt Autos performance.

Operating practices that can improve performance

  • Minimize slew on steep slopes when you initiate Autos. A small horizontal change can make a large vertical difference.
  • To improve grading performance when material conditions change, adjust the velocity of the stick, 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.

  • 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.
  • 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).