Modern Contractor Solutions January 2025 - 21

skid-steer upgrade, the option can add an
extra layer of protection for those operating on
uneven terrain. The remote-control capability
allows users to maintain a safe distance when
working in dangerous environments.
The system also improves worker efficiency
and performance. Operators can position
themselves for optimal visibility when
loading or maneuvering in confined spaces.
The ability to control the machine from
an off-vehicle vantage point reduces the
physical strain of repeatedly mounting and
dismounting the equipment.
Baumalight its private labeling capabilities,
creating a product package that matched
Baumalight's brand.
The integration required significant
mechanical and electrical modifications.
Baumalight upgraded from manual hydraulic
controls on its TRL740Y to electric-overhydraulic
systems, working with local
hydraulic integration partners to implement
proportional control valves and pumps.
Cattron developed custom wiring harnesses
compatible with both Yanmar and Kubota
engines, providing Baumalight with tailored
solutions for their two power plant options.
PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS
The transition to electronic control yielded
benefits beyond remote operation. Operators
reported enhanced responsiveness and
precise control compared to the previous
manual hydraulic system. The digital interface
provides real-time monitoring of critical
systems, including fluid temperatures that
were previously invisible to the equipment's
users. The system's event log capability also
allows monitoring of the engine operation and
maintenance needs.
SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY
Safety was a primary consideration in the
system's design. The LRC-S1's redundant
CANSafe architecture ensures reliable
operation, and while the system's optional tilt
detection feature was not part of the initial
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MARKET ENTHUSIASM
The first prototype, initially intended for
Baumalight's rental fleet, quickly attracted
customer interest. A large Pennsylvaniabased
waste management facility ordered
the machine immediately after viewing
demonstration videos, particularly valuing
the remote-control capability for handling
hazardous materials. This rapid market
validation has led Baumalight to standardize
the PRO600 control system across their
production line, with remote control available
as an option.
EXPANDING APPLICATIONS
Beyond skid steers, remote-control
technology offers compelling benefits across
a wide range of construction equipment from
stump grinders, buckets, and winches to
compact concrete pumps and cranes.
Safety applications extend well beyond
basic remote operation. For heavy equipment
like dozers and wheel loaders, remote
emergency-stop capability provides an
additional layer of protection. In one recent
incident, an operator experienced a medical
emergency while operating a wheel loader,
resulting in the machine crashing into a
building. A remote E-stop system, like that on
the LRC-S1, would have allowed supervisory
personnel to immediately shut down
the machine.
The technology's versatility stems from
Cattron's integrated approach to equipment
control. Rather than treating remote
operation as a standalone feature, the system
combines radio remote control, engine
management, and telemetry capabilities.
JANUARY 2025
This enables contractors to not only control
their equipment remotely but also monitor
performance parameters and maintain
operational efficiency.
INDUSTRY IMPLICATIONS
This collaboration demonstrates how
smaller equipment manufacturers can
access advanced control technology
without extensive in-house development.
The modular approach, combining engine
control, hydraulic system management,
and remote operation, provides a pathway
for manufacturers to enhance their
equipment's capabilities while maintaining
competitive pricing.
A WIN, WIN, WIN
The Cattron-Baumalight collaboration
illustrates how partnerships between
control system specialists and equipment
manufacturers can bring advanced
capabilities to market segments previously
underserved by automation technology.
For contractors and construction
firms looking to enhance both safety and
productivity, these capabilities will help
transform traditional equipment into more
versatile, efficient tools that can be adapted
to a broader range of applications and
working environments.
about the author
Shane Samson is business development
manager, engine and mobile equipment OEM for
Cattron. For more, visit www.cattron.com.
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Modern Contractor Solutions January 2025

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