Using Sonic Tracers with 2D Systems

Select 2D sensor combination

To select a 2D sensor combination:

1. From the Dashboard, tap the Machine Setup tile.
2. From the Machine Setup screen, select 2D as the positioning source.

When positioning source is not Cab/body mounted dual GNSS, the mast sensor toggle button is displayed on the Machine Setup screen. Enable the mast sensor to receive guidance from the mast sensor only. The mast sensor provides the highest blade pitch accuracy. Disable the mast sensor to use the blade sensor for guidance, which provides high blade pitch accuracy. If you change the setting, check the sensor accuracy with a known benchmark.

3. From the Sensor Combination field, tap the Open icon . The Sensor Combination screen displays.
4. The sensor combinations that are currently installed on your machine are listed. Select one of the sonic tracer combinations, for example, Sonic + Cross Slope and tap Apply.
5. You are returned to the Machine Setup screen. Tap Apply.

6. From the Dashboard, tap Start to enter the work screen.

   TIP – For quick access to the Sensor Combination screen, touch and hold the sensor combination icon in the guidance bar, at the top of the work screen. Alternatively, a single tap on the icon on the guidance bar will cycle through the Quick Change list that is configured in the Sensor Combination screen. For less used combinations, use the re‑order list icon to drag them out of the Quick Change list and drop them into the Other Available combination list.

Set the Target Cross Slope

If you use a single sonic tracer at one end of the blade and cross slope at the opposite end of the blade, you need to set the target cross slope.

You can access the Target Cross Slope screen from the Work Settings menu, or you can touch and hold the Target Cross Slope field in the guidance bar. Use the Target Cross Slope screen to apply a new target cross slope, or to select or edit an existing Target Cross Slope memory.

Bench sonic tracer

Prepare to bench

To prepare to bench a sonic tracer:

1. If required, adjust the pitch and roll of the blade, so that the blade is in its working position.
2. If you are using cross slope on the opposite end of the blade, enable Autos and allow the cutting edge to drive to the target cross slope. Alternatively, manually drive the cutting edge to the target cross slope.

3. Get out of the cab and position the sonic tracer over the reference surface (for example, a curb) or stringline by adjusting the L‑shaped support tube. Adjust the support tube so that:

   • The sonic tracer is between 400 mm (16 inches) and 1 m (40 inches) horizontally from the blade tip
   • The tube is perpendicular to the machine wheelbase
   • If applicable, the sonic tracer is centered directly over the stringline

4. Adjust the sonic tracer on the support tube so that its distance above the reference surface is one of the following:

   • Between 200 mm and 1300 mm (8 inches and 51 inches) for a curb or design surface

   • Between 200 mm and 900 mm (8 inches and 36 inches) for a stringline

     

     TIP – The greater the distance between the sonic tracer and the reference surface, the larger the sonic tracer’s operating radius is. It is best practice to have the sonic tracer about 800 mm (31.5 inches) above a curb or about 450 mm (18 inches) above a stringline.

1. Adjust the sonic tracer in its mount so that it is approximately vertical.
2. Get back in to the cab.

3. To bench, use either of the methods described in the following table:

   Bench method	Description
   Bench with a relative elevation	Place the sonic tracer controlled blade tip as described above. This sets Cut/Fill to 0.00 at that position and you can enter an offset above or below the benched height to get guidance to.
   Bench with a reference elevation (known elevation)	Place the sonic tracer controlled blade tip on a benchmark with a known elevation. This sets Cut/Fill to 0.00 at that position and you can then enter a known elevation to get guidance to (instead of an offset away from the benched position).

Bench with a relative elevation

Use this method if you wish to set 0.00 Cut/Fill at the current blade tip position and then work away from this using elevation offsets and the inc/dec switches. For example, you may have a plan set that gives offset distances between reference surfaces.

1. Tap the Bench Sonic Tracer icon in the shortcut bar to bench directly or touch and hold the icon to open the Bench Sonic Tracer screen. Alternatively, access the Bench Sonic Tracer screen via the Work Settings menu.
2. Ensure the Reference Elevation toggle is off.

3. If required, adjust the blade so that the current cross slope matches the target cross slope.

   NOTE – If the target cross slope or blade roll changes you need to re-bench.

4. If required, toggle Clear Offset on Bench off to keep your previous elevation offset after benching. The system remembers your selection for future use.
5. Position the blade as described above in Prepare to bench.
6. Tap Bench.

Bench with a reference elevation (known elevation)

Use this method if you wish to enter a target elevation value to drive the blade to. For example, you may have a plan set where finished floor heights are given as elevations.

1. Tap the Bench Sonic Tracer icon in the shortcut bar to bench directly or touch and hold the icon to open the Bench Sonic Tracer screen. Alternatively, access the Bench Sonic Tracer screen via the Work Settings menu.

2. If required, adjust the blade so that the current cross slope matches the target cross slope.

   NOTE – If the target cross slope or blade roll changes you need to re-bench.

3. If required, toggle Clear Offset on Bench off to keep your previous elevation offset after benching. The system remembers your selection for future use.

4. Toggle the Reference Elevation on and enter the value. The reference elevation is calculated as follows:

   • If you are benching with the blade tip on the design surface or at the elevation to which you want guidance, the reference elevation is as specified on the plan set or surveyed stake.

   • If you are benching over a known reference elevation such as a stringline or curb, add the vertical distance from the blade tip 1 to the known reference elevation 2 . If the blade tip is below the reference elevation then 1–2. For example, if the curb has a known elevation of 103.258 m (338.77 ft) and the blade tip is 0.100 m (0.33 ft) above the top of the curb, enter 103.358 m (339.10 ft) as the reference elevation value.

     

5. Tap Bench.
6. Open the Elevation Offset screen from the Work Settings menu or you can touch and hold the elevation offset icon in the guidance bar. Enter the Elevation you want the blade to drive to.

Set a sonic offset

If required you can use an elevation offset for the sonic tracer controlled blade tip. This enables you to create surfaces that are achievable in a single pass.

You can access the Left/Right Sonic Offset screen from the Work Settings menu. Or, you can touch and hold the sonic offset icon in the guidance bar. Enter the offset of the sonic tracer from the benched elevation and tap Apply.

Useful text items

When you use a sonic tracer for guidance the following text item can be helpful: Sonic Distance Left/Right.

Troubleshooting

The LED display of a sonic tracer indicates some of the common error conditions.