ForConstructionPros.com

GPS grade control systems provide earthmoving contractors with a competitive advantage. Just ask Randal Van Rooyen at Van Rooyen Earthmoving.

Based in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, this family-owned site preparation and mass earthmoving contractor operates roughly 30 pieces of earthmoving equipment. It began using GPS technology three years ago when it purchased three complete systems with base stations, and rovers for the foremen. "We typically take on three grading projects at once and we wanted to have a GPS machine on each of the sites," says Van Rooyen.

Today, in addition to automated systems installed on four dozers, the company has added GPS to a Caterpillar 345C excavator, allowing for an accuracy of +/- 2 in. "We have invested a little more than half a million Canadian," says Van Rooyen.

This investment has made Van Rooyen Earthmoving more competitive. "We probably reduced our staking 75% to 80%," says Van Rooyen. Material management has also improved. "That excavator is cutting to grade right away. The dozers take fewer passes to get to grade. There is no guesswork."

Garrett Excavation, Hot Springs, AR, has also seen productivity jump. The third-generation commercial site development contractor has over 100 pieces of equipment in its fleet. It purchased its first Topcon GPS grade control system in the Spring of 2002. "We now have four complete systems," says Grant Garrett.