For decades, earthmoving machine operators have taken their instructions from wooden survey stakes spaced at intervals across the jobsite. These stakes had to be constantly moved and reset as the job progressed In some cases, operators were forced to make guesses or wait for new stakes to be placed by survey crews. This method was time consuming, resource intensive, and prone to miscues requiring rework GPS (Global Positioning System) survey and machine control have dramatically and irreversibly changed the role of grade stakes in the earthmoving business.

GPS equipment provides three-dimensional guidance which allows operators to determine cut/fill on the jobsite with little or no reference to conventional stakes. This system relies on US, Russian, and in the near future European satellites in orbit some 12,550 miles above the earth’s surface. The combined constellation of satellites sends radio signals to earth that are received by our equipment and are processed to determine positions to within 0.1’. Computer processors on the machine compare the current location of the machine’s cutting edge to a digital terrain model (DTM) to determine cut/fill. The DTM is a detailed three-dimensional computer model based on the civil drawings provided by the engineer

Lightbars on the machine provide basic cut/fill guidance and video displays provide more detailed information. All of our machines capable of fine-grading are equipped with automatic controls which allow the GPS system to provide continuous corrections to the blade as it passes across a surface. The immediate benefit is increased speed and improved accuracy.

In the fall of 2002, Morgan Corp. outfitted its first machine (a D6M) with GPS grade control. Early success led to the rapid expansion of the GPS enabled fleet. This program continues to expand and now includes systems on many different types of machines including dozers, four bulk-earthmoving dozers, motorgraders, scrapers, excavators, foreman’s units, survey rovers, and base stations. With this fleet we are able to reap the benefits of GPS from initial layout, to mass grading, to fine grading, and final as-built.

Morgan Corp. is committed to utilizing advanced technologies to reduce cost, increase productivity, and improve quality. These technologically advanced resources enable us to maximize both the accuracy and productivity of all the activities required to deliver a successful project.