Useful Book on Machine Control

A few months back I read a book on machine control written by Trench Safety ( a Topcon dealer). I thought it was a very good offering for a primer on indicate and automatic machine control system.  I am attaching the press release on the book to avoid recreating the wheel. All references are to Topcon solutions but the theory and examples apply to almost all machine control systems.  It is worth checking out and a great place to start if you not currently using machine control.

Site-Prep Contractors: New Book on Construction “Machine Control” provides practical advice to dramatically improve your bottom line.

MEMPHIS, Tenn., July 6/PRNewswire/ — In these days of marked downturns in almost every facet of the economy, the construction industry is feeling the pinch, as well. Construction companies and utilities are closely examining their operations, looking for ways to increase efficiency, reduce operating costs, and by so doing, maximize that precious bottom line profitability.

A new book that clearly presents the time and money-saving benefits of applying “machine control” technology in the construction industry is receiving high praise from contractors and utility companies, alike.

“Make More Money with Construction Machine Control” has been researched, written, and published by the staff of TrenchSafety and Supply, Inc., a Memphis-based company that provides equipment and services to help contractors and utilities work safer, more productively, and more profitably. Throughout the research, writing, and editing phases of the book the authors consulted numerous machine control professionals.

Written in language and a style that clarifies what can be a hard-to-understand technology, the book includes actual job-site photos, plus illustrations, diagrams, and charts. Likewise, each of the seven chapters ends with a “Frequently Asked Questions” section, which further discuss a wide range of topics, such as money-saving job-based examples, safety issues, proper care and maintenance of the equipment, and more.

For readers new to construction machine control, the book begins at the beginning. Chapter 1 provides a thorough overview of the state of the technology today. Following that introduction is a discussion of how a contractor or utility can determine if machine control is appropriate for the kind of projects they work on.

Subsequent chapters cover all the full range of machine control technologies — from lasers, to simple “indicate” systems, to 2- and 3-dimensional automatic systems, through to the latest in GPS-based systems.

Kevin Kelton, of Forsgren, Inc., a site-prep company in Fort Smith, Ark., said, “You want to be more efficient in site-prep construction? Start with this book.”

Ray O’Connor, President and CEO of Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc., noted “It’s said that time is money. Take a little time to read this informative book that will help you make more money using the latest machine control technology.”

And for management personnel, who are focused on keeping their customers happy while keeping a close eye on the bottom line, Grant Garrett, of Grant Garrett Excavating, summed it up best. “We now work smarter, we’ve reduced our costs, and our customers love us for getting their jobs completed faster.”

More information about “Make More Money with Construction Machine Control” is available at www.TrenchSafety.com/MakeMoreMoney/default.asp. The book is available from Amazon.com for $29.95.