Autos Setup

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.

Left/Right Lift Autos

The system can automatically control the lift cylinders to drive each side of the blade independently. The machine set-up will determine how Autos responds. Two examples are described below.

If cross slope only guidance is selected:

  • Only one side of the blade is in Autos at any one time.
  • The side of the blade in Autos is controlled to maintain the target cross slope.
  • The operator controls the elevation of the manual side.

If a laser with cross slope guidance combination is selected:

  • If both sides of the blade are in Autos, the laser side is driven to the benched elevation of the laser plane, and the cross slope side is driven to the target cross slope.

  • If only the laser side is in Autos, that side of the blade is driven to the benched elevation of the laser plane.

  • If only the cross slope side is in Autos, that side of the blade is driven to the target cross slope.

If a sonic with cross slope guidance combination is selected:

  • If both sides of the blade are in Autos, the sonic side is driven to the benched height of the sonic tracer, and the cross slope side is driven to the target cross slope.

  • If only the sonic side is in Autos, that side of the blade is driven to the benched height of the sonic tracer.

  • If only the cross slope side is in Autos, that side of the blade is driven to the target cross slope.

If the 3D + 3D guidance combination is selected:

  • If both sides of the blade are in Autos, both sides of the blade are driven to the design elevation.
  • If only the side of the blade with focus is in Autos, that side of the blade is driven to the design elevation.
  • If only the side of the blade without focus is in Autos, that side of the blade is controlled to maintain the design cross slope (slope from the design).

TIP – You can configure and display the Design Cross Slope text item on the work screen.

If a 3D elevation with sonic guidance combination is selected:

  • If both sides of the blade are in Autos, the 3D side is driven to the design elevation, and the sonic side is driven to the benched height of the sonic tracer.

  • If only the 3D side is in Autos, that side of the blade is driven to the design elevation.

  • If only the sonic side is in Autos, that side of the blade is driven to the benched height of the sonic tracer.

If a 3D cross slope with sonic guidance combination is selected:

  • If both sides of the blade are in Autos, the 3D side is driven to the design cross slope, and the sonic side is driven to the benched height of the sonic tracer.

  • If only the 3D side is in Autos, that side of the blade is driven to the design cross slope.

  • If only the sonic side is in Autos, that side of the blade is driven to the benched height of the sonic tracer.

Sideshift Autos

When you engage Sideshift Autos the system automatically controls movement of the sideshift cylinder. The blade tip with focus is driven horizontally to a selected line in the design.

Sideshift Autos will only engage under the following conditions:

  • A line is selected in the design

  • Left and/or Right Lift Autos are engaged

  • Blade is within range of the selected line

  • Blade Rotation is less than 35 degrees

  • Offline Angle is less than 50 degrees

  • Required hardware for Sideshift Autos is installed

For best results:

  • Use small machine movements

  • When the Positioning Source is Single GNSS or Single UTS:

    • Use the 3D side along the selected line

    • Minimize blade rotation

TIP – For information on how to get the most out of Autos, refer to theBest Practices When Using Autos guide.

Autos status indicators

The Autos status indicators at the bottom of the work screen show you what state Autos are currently in. The Left Blade status indicators are on the left–hand corner, the Right Blade status indicators are on the right–hand corner and the Sideshift status indicators are in the middle of the screen.

Autos status indicators Status

Manual

Autos is not engaged.

Manual interlock

Autos cannot be engaged.

Possible reasons:

  • For machines with joysticks; Hydraulic lock engaged.
  • For machines with levers; Switch position mismatch – the switches are in the auto position but the system is in Manual (for example, after the machine has been shutdown and restarted). To change out of this state, cycle the switches to the manual position and then back to the auto position to engage Autos.

NOTE – This does not apply to Sideshift Autos.

  • Check the machine for active faults

  • Check grade control settings on the machine

Autos ready

Autos is engaged, but is not activated.

Possible reason: The blade is being manually controlled by moving the joystick or levers.

Autos engaged

Autos is engaged and activated with the blade inside the control range.

In this state the system controls movement of the appropriate side of the blade or the sideshift.

Autos not ready

Autos is engaged but cannot be activated so Autos is temporarily suspended.

Possible reason: GNSS precision is outside tolerance, or the blade is outside the control range.

Autos interlock

Autos is engaged but the system has either:

  • Timed out of the Autos not ready state.

  • Detected a machine interlock or error condition.

NOTE – To change out of this state, press the auto switch to return to the Manual state.

Engaging Left or Right Lift Autos

WARNING – The blade may move without warning when Autos is engaged. These sudden movements could cause injury to anyone near the blade, or damage to an unattended machine. Always put the system in Manual and engage the machine's park brake before you leave the machine, or when somebody is working near the blade.

To use Left or Right Lift Autos:

  1. Load a design or have a benched surface to guide to.

  2. Position the blade within the control range.

    TIP –

    • Use the lightbars, cut/fills and buzzer to guide the blade.
    • Ensure the blade cushion function is disabled.
    • Ensure blade float is not engaged.
    • Make sure the machine's hydraulic oil is at its normal operating temperature.

  3. Engage Autos. As the blade approaches the design elevation press/toggle either the left and/or right autos switch.

    NOTE – Each press of the auto switch will cycle between Auto and Manual.

    NOTE – Remote switch placement may vary based on manufacturer and lever configuration. The following image shows typical locations for the motor grader remote switches.

    NOTE – You can toggle the auto switch to the engaged or disengaged position.

    To switch Autos off and return to Manual, press/toggle the auto switch.

    You can temporarily override Autos by moving the joystick or the blade lift levers while you are in the Autos control window.

    Be aware that while Autos is disengaged you can cut beneath the design. Sometimes you may purposefully want to cut below design, however if this is not the case make sure that you monitor your cut/fills and lightbars.

    To re‑engage Autos, press/toggle the auto switch again.

Engaging Sideshift Autos

NOTE – Sideshift Autos is not available on Cat 120 14A and 140 13A machines.

WARNING – The blade may move without warning when Autos is engaged. These sudden movements could cause injury to anyone near the blade, or damage to an unattended machine. Always put the system in Manual and engage the machine's park brake before you leave the machine, or when somebody is working near the blade.

To use Sideshift Autos:

  1. Load a design with a line.
  2. Select a line to guide the blade to with SideShift Autos and apply any offsets you require from the line in the Work Settings > Horizontal Guidance menu.
  3. Select the blade focus (left or right) for the blade tip you want to guide to the selected line.

  4. Position the blade within the control range.

    TIP –

    • Enable the center lightbar in the System Settings > Lightbars menu. Use the lightbars, cut/fills and Offline text item to guide the blade.
    • Make sure the machine’s hydraulic oil is at its normal operating temperature.

  5. Engage Sideshift Autos. The sideshift autos switch (2) must be used in combination with the left (1) or right (3) autos switch. The order in which you engage Autos is not important, but you must toggle both switches to use Sideshift Autos.

    1

    Left Autos switch

    		2

    Sideshift Autos switch
    3 Right Autos switch    

    NOTE – Each press of the auto switch will cycle between Auto and Manual.

    NOTE – Remote switch placement may vary based on manufacturer and lever configuration. The following image shows typical locations for the motor grader remote switches.

    1

    Left Autos switch

    		2

    Sideshift Autos switch
    3 Right Autos switch    

    NOTE – You can toggle the auto switch to the engaged or disengaged position.

  6. To switch Sideshift Autos off and return to Manual, press/toggle the sideshift auto switch (2).

    You can temporarily override Sideshift Autos by moving the joystick or sideshift lever while you are in the Autos control window.

    To re‑engage Sideshift Autos, press/toggle the sideshift auto switch (2) again.

Select and Apply a Preset

You can select and apply the active preset via the Autos Setup or Autos Optimization screen. You can access these screens via the Work Settings menu. There is always at least one preset stored which is the Default preset set by your technician in the Web Interface. This cannot be edited or deleted.

Select the active preset that you require and tap Apply.

You can create, edit or delete a preset via the Autos Optimization screen. For more information, see Autos Optimization.