Human beings are known for a myriad of different things, but most importantly, they are known for getting better on a consistent basis. This tendency to improve, no matter the situation, has brought the world some huge milestones, with technology emerging as quite a major member of the stated group. The reason why we hold technology in such a high regard is, by and large, predicated upon its skill-set, which guided us towards a reality that nobody could have ever imagined otherwise. Nevertheless, if we look beyond the surface for a second, it will become clear how the whole runner was also very much inspired from the way we applied those skills across a real world environment. The latter component, in fact, did a lot to give the creation a spectrum-wide presence, and as a result, initiate a full-blown tech revolution. Of course, this revolution eventually went on to scale up the human experience through some outright unique avenues, but even after achieving a feat so notable, technology will somehow continue to bring forth the right goods. The same has turned more and more evident in recent times, and assuming one new construction-themed development ends up with the desired impact, it will only put that trend on a higher pedestal moving forward.

DEVELON has officially confirmed the launch of some enhancements for its next-generation 7-series wheel loaders. According to certain reports, these enhance include bleeding-edge functionalities like transparent Bucket, around view monitor (AVM) camera system, and object detection. Although available on all next-generation machines from the DL200-7 through the DL580-7, how are these updates going to look on a more actionable note? Well, beginning from the transparent bucket, it will basically bear the advantage of minimizing blind spots for wheel loader operators when the bucket is raised. This, in turn, should allow the operator to spot objects such as large rocks, construction materials, obstacles and even people in front of the machine, thus ensuring a relatively safe operation. Not just that, owing to these improved visibility prospects; we can also expect greater accuracy in terms of digging and placing material at its supposed location. A need for the stated transparent bucket can be further contextualized through a report published by Center for Construction Research and Training, a report which claimed that over 17% of fatal injuries in construction between 2011 and 2021 were solely a result of people getting struck by a vehicle, object or equipment.

“The Transparent Bucket technology offers a supplemental view from a monitor inside the wheel loader cab, The system has two cameras with protective guarding, one mounted high on the cab and one mounted low on the axle on the front of the machine. The system’s processor automatically adjusts the camera inputs into a single image that makes the bucket appear transparent on an in-cab monitor,” said Bill Zak, wheel loader product manager at DEVELON.

Next up, we have the around view monitor camera system. Here, three cameras and several sensors are mounted on the rear of the wheel loader to afford operators visibility upto 270 degrees. Now, when you partner that up with floor-to-ceiling side cab windows and the stated transparent bucket technology, one can, by all means, hit the visibility holy grail of 360 degrees, something which will only build upon further that initial safety promise.

“If there’s an object 8 ft. to 12 ft. behind the machine, a flashing green caution box will appear, notifying the wheel loader operator,” explained Zak. “A yellow caution box will show up if the object is 4 ft. to 8 ft. and a red triangle and red border notification if the object is closer than 4 ft.”

These new features, interestingly enough, become all the more impressive once you place them alongside DEVELON’s 7-series wheel loaders’ existing functionalities. For instance, there is a DEVELON Fleet Management telematics system in play to help owners monitor their fleet, while simultaneously managing maintenance. You see, the system provides the user a sense of flexibility to use their smartphone, tablet or computer for checking machine location, operating hours, fuel usage, engine idle versus work time, error codes, engine, hydraulic oil temperature, and other data points. Moving on, the wheel loaders also have situational awareness technology, which can take in machine’s activity and then adjust its engine’s output to match real-time requirements of the hydraulic system and drivetrain. Another piece of value comes through the smart guidance system. This one analyzes the operator’s driving habits to hand out any suggestions, if required. Finally, we have a smart load weighing system to inform operators on the weight of material in the bucket, and complimenting that functionality is a load isolation system, which can support wheel loader stability while moving, and therefore, dramatically reduce cycle times.