Best Practices When Using Autos

For the best results when using Autos, follow the practices outlined below.

Prepare the machine

Before you use Autos, your should check that:

• The machine is in good operating condition.
• None of the cylinder connection points have excessive wear. If the cylinder connection points are loose it can cause movement in the blade and will affect the accuracy of the system.
• The pivot bearings are well lubricated and do not have excessive wear. If the pivot bearings are loose it can cause movement in the blade and will affect the accuracy of the system.
• 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.
• Some EH attachments require a solenoid calibration. An incorrect solenoid calibration will cause poor automatic hydraulic performance. Speak to your dealer technician to have this performed.

• A valve calibration has been performed.

  NOTE – This is done by your dealer technician via the Web Interface. If hydraulic work is done on the machine and Autos performance degrades following that, a valve calibration may need to be re-done.

Best practices for machine operation

Autos can be used in a variety of applications to increase productivity, from bulk earthmoving to finish grading.

Procedures to perform every time you use Autos

• Make sure the machine’s hydraulic oil is at its normal operating temperature.

• Position the blade within the control range.

TIP – Use the lightbars, cut/fills and buzzer to assist you to position the blade within the control range. The Control Range is also available as a text item.

• If boom/lift arm cushioning is fitted, ensure this feature is disabled when using automatic controls.

  By disabling this setting you will get better hydraulic performance from the machine when automatic controls are enabled.

• Due to the harmonics of some compact track loaders and their attachments, every machine has a certain speed that produces optimal performance. Vary ground speed often to find this speed. Use this speed when making final passes.

Procedures to perform, as required

• Replace the cutting edge if there is more than a 3 mm (⅛ inch) deviation.

  The cutting edge wear deviation can occur in different ways; it can arc from the center to the edges creating a downward bow, it can arch from the edges to the center creating an upward bow or from the center wearing at either end.

  To check the deviation, do one of the following:
  

  • Place the cutting edge on or slightly above a flat surface, such as concrete or pavement.
  • Tie a string across the bottom of the cutting edge.

  Compare the cutting edge to the surface or string. In each case, the straight edge of the cutting edge should have less than 3 mm (⅛ inch) deviation. If the cutting edge does not meet this specification, replace it.

• Ask your technician to perform a new valve calibration when:

  • The ambient temperature is much lower or higher than when the last valve calibration was performed.
  • The hydraulic system has been serviced or modified and as a result the performance in Autos has degraded.

Operating practices that can improve fine grading performance

• To improve grading performance avoid using poor technique. Examples include:
  • Operating too fast for the task being carried out and the material being worked.
  • Cutting a rough surface at too high a speed. This can result in a rippled or wavy final surface.
  • Moving too much material. This can cause the machine to rock forward and overcut.

• Create a smooth starting pad.

  The starting platform for your run is one of the most important things to get correct.

  Spend time building the pad and use Autos to assist you.

• When starting off from the pad, accelerate smoothly to grading speed. Make sure you pick up the material in the blade smoothly. Do not slam into a pile of gravel.

• Use the correct blade load.

  An empty blade is as bad as an overloaded blade. Keep the blade load to between one–quarter to one–half full.

  With too much material in the blade, response is reduced as the blade must react against the material. Also it will spill out the sides and make general operation more difficult.

  An empty blade is also bad as there is no dampening of the blade by the material. An empty blade is more likely to chatter or move up and down quickly.

  Keeping one–quarter to one–half a blade load during the run will ensure that you can achieve optimum performance.

• Cat Smart dozer blade attachment - Rotating the blade can improve system performance and surface finish.

• Autos optimization.

  You can adjust the settings in the Autos Optimization screen to improve performance. For example, if the surface shows short, choppy waves, reduce the raise/lower speed.

  You may also need to adjust the Autos optimization settings when material conditions change:

  • Type
  • Density

  • Moisture content

    NOTE – For more information, see the Autos Optimization guide.

• If things go wrong:

  1. Stop
  2. Correct the problem
  3. Back up a few meters, and start again

• If the machine becomes unstable during operation, to mitigate the problem:
  • Slow down.
  • If necessary, create a new starting pad as described above.

• Ensure the blade is cutting easily.

  The hydraulic system must be able to easily drive the blade to grade.

  Make sure that the blade is not riding up over hard material and lifting the front of the machine. If lifting occurs, you must manually correct the problem in the best available way, and then re-engage the automatic controls.

• Optimal downwards pressure on the attachment.

  Consult the Operation and Maintenance Manual for your machine and/or attachment for instruction on the recommended amount of downwards pressure to apply on the lift arms of the machine whilst using the attachment to get the best grading results.

Best practices for GNSS Precision Tolerance

Autos is available when GNSS precision is within the set tolerance limits for Fine, Medium, or Coarse modes. A technician can adjust these limits in the Web Interface. The table below explains when to use each mode and the corresponding Autos tolerance limits.

Mode	Use when doing...	Default precision tolerance	Tolerance limit for Guidance	Tolerance limit for Autos
Fine	Finish grading	0.030 m (1.181 inches)	0.048 m (1.889 inches)	0.001 - 0.048 m (0.039 - 1.889 inches)
			The Fine tolerance limit must be less than the tolerance limit used for Medium.
Medium	General work	< 0.045 m (1.771 inches)	0.049 m (1.929 inches)	0.002 - 0.049 m (0.078 - 1.929 inches)
Coarse	Work in areas with limited GNSS guidance	0.100 m (3.937 inches)	10.0 m (32.808 feet)	0.050 - 0.100 m (1.968 inches - 3.937 inches)