Trimble has introduced two updates aimed at improving jobsite efficiency and collaboration in civil construction: support for medium-sized wheel loaders within its Earthworks platform, and new 3D visualization capabilities for VCL files in Trimble Connect.
Grade Control Now Available for Medium Wheel Loaders
Trimble Earthworks, the company’s 3D grade control platform, is now compatible with medium-sized wheel loaders—machines typically 10 tons or larger. This expansion gives operators the ability to use advanced positioning technology on more types of machines commonly used for site preparation, cleanup, grading, and leveling tasks.
The Earthworks platform runs on Android and uses a dual-GNSS system to deliver real-time positioning and heading of the loader bucket. The system also includes front and rear wheel mapping features to help operators maintain an accurate view of the ground surface as work progresses.
According to Trimble, the decision to add support for these machines was driven by customer demand, particularly from users already familiar with Earthworks on other equipment types who wanted the same functionality extended to wheel loaders.
Trimble Connect Adds 3D Support for VCL Files
Trimble also announced that Trimble Connect, its cloud-based collaboration platform, now supports 3D visualization of VCL files. VCL is a proprietary Trimble file format used to share complex design data across Trimble software and hardware, enabling smoother workflows across different construction phases.
The addition of VCL visualization brings Trimble Connect a step closer to becoming a central hub for file management and data sharing in civil construction. Users can now view and interact with VCL files directly in the browser-based platform, without switching between different software environments.
Trimble Connect VCL
Trimble Connect already supports over 40 file formats, including PDF, DWG, DXF, and IFC, and features both 2D and 3D viewers. This makes it easier for civil construction teams to collaborate using the tools and formats they’re already working with. Teams can access up-to-date project data in real time and coordinate between field and office with fewer delays.
Both updates reflect an ongoing push to streamline operations on the jobsite through better data integration and easier-to-use tools. As civil contractors face tighter timelines and increasing complexity, platforms like Earthworks and Connect are evolving to help teams work more efficiently and collaboratively, no matter the machine or file type involved.
