A flight for life: racing to help our Flying Doctors

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From L-R: Gary McClure (Pilot), Justin Borchers (Position Partners), Greg Barkla (1st Officer), Lyn and David Mayo (Team Members). 

Working in civil construction and mining can take you to some pretty remote areas of this great country. Here, we share the stories of two Position Partners customers who have been on both the supporting and receiving end of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Two longstanding Position Partners customers, Gary McClure from Castlemaine, Victoria, and Peter Mitchell from Adelaide, have been on both the supporting and receiving end of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) respectively and see it as a critical service for the civil construction and mining industries.

A Flight for life

Peter Mitchell, owner of contracting firm PDM Contracting, knows only too well the importance of the Royal Flying Doctors having suffered a heart attack while on site at a mine near Newman, Western Australia, two years ago.

“I owe my life to the Flying Doctors and I do everything I can to support them,” he said.

Specialising in earthmoving and road works for the mining industry, Peter has spent most of his career working in some of the most remote areas of Australia, where every service from mobile phone signal through to medical aid is hard to come by.

Contracted to complete road works at the mine near Newman two years ago, Peter was relieving one of his employees and operating a grader on a four-week-on, one-week-off roster. About two weeks into one of the rosters, Peter woke in the early hours one night in excruciating pain, but didn’t want to alert the First Aid officer for fear of getting kicked off the site.

“It’s silly to think that was my priority initially, but eventually the pain was just too much and I had to call for help,” he said.

“The First Aid officers aren’t authorised to prescribe anything stronger than aspirin, which weren’t doing anything to help me. They drove me to Newman hospital where it was confirmed I had suffered a heart attack.

“Luckily the Flying Doctors were almost overhead at the time with another patient already on board. They landed at Newman and I was picked up and flown at low altitude to Hollywood hospital in Perth,” he added.

Peter needed to have surgery to put a stint in his heart and has been in good health since.

“I was just given the all-clear for another 12 months by my cardiologist and it’s all thanks to the Flying Doctors that I’m still here,” he said.

Racing in the outback

Now in its 19th year, The Steadfast Outback Air Race aims to raise funds for Australia’s Royal Flying Doctor Service, testing participants’ accuracy and navigation skills in an epic time trial journey across the country.

With almost 20 years’ flying experience and a successful career as a civil engineer, Gary McClure is no stranger to the demands of precision and careful planning. In 2012 he completed his first Outback Air Race and is set to take to the skies again this month alongside teammates Greg Barkla and David and Lyn Mayo who together make up the team ‘3 Pies with Sauce.’     

“I stumbled upon the race online a few years ago and it appealed to me for three reasons,” Gary said. “First and foremost, it supports the Flying Doctors, second it takes you over some interesting country, and third it gives you an opportunity to spend time with fellow aviation enthusiasts and like-minded people.”

This year’s course takes participants diagonally across the country, starting in the South West at Esperance on 23rd August and finishing in the North East at Hamilton Island on 4th September.

The race is less about getting from point A to point B the fastest, and more about completing each of the eight legs of the race as accurately and as close to a team’s nominated time and flight plan as possible.

“As a team, you nominate the time you think it will take to complete each leg and you must pass as close as possible over the designated start and finish points,” Gary explained. “In between those points you can deviate wherever you like to take in the scenery, visit friends, or whatever.”

Each team is given GPS equipment to assist with flying over the designated start and finish points, with points lost for deviation, as well as points deducted for every second early or late over the check point.

“Some of the teams include ex-RAF pilots who come within five or six seconds of their nominated flight times, so if you’re not completing the leg within about eight seconds of your time, you’re not in the race,” Gary said.

The emphasis of the event, however, is very much about keeping the ‘fun’ in fundraising. Although prizes are awarded at the end of each leg for accuracy, there are numerous daily prizes awarded for categories such as ‘cheerfulness’ and ‘anything else that takes the fancy of the race committee on the day.’

“It is a wonderful event for an extremely worthwhile cause and we have a lot of fun along the way,” Gary added. “Having worked throughout Australia as a civil engineer and often in some pretty remote areas, I know first-hand what a vital service the Royal Flying Doctors provide to our industry.”

The team will be flying in a Cessna 210N aircraft, complete with Position Partners stickers. “Bob Bent and the team from Position Partners have been a fantastic support to us over the years, so adding some stickers to our plane this year was the least I could do,” Gary said.

For more information about the Outback Air Race and to make a donation, visit www.outbackairrace.com.au

Get the job done quickly and easily in any environment!

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Get the job done quickly and easily in any environment!

The Sokkia DX Robotic Total Station is the most efficient, reliable and cost-effective total station available on the New Zealand Market. Utilising Direct Aiming Technology, the DX Series provides simple operation without comprising on precision.

“The DX robotic solution sets the standard for design, performance and price at the entry level of the robotic total station market”, said Denny Welch, Sokkia Survey Senior Vice President. Instead of manually sighting a prism, by using Direct Aiming™ auto-collimation Technology, an operator has the ability to control the instrument directly from the prism pole. This one-man operation capability enhances productivity and minimises personnel costs. The aiming technology also works in dim or dark conditions where finding the prism location can prove challenging. Whatever the job requires and wherever the operators must go, the DX makes the job easier and faster with accuracy you can trust!

New! The Sokkia DX now comes with an optional add on; the RC-PR5 On-Demand Remote. The remote has a built-in directional sensor that constantly monitors prism movement enabling it to perform rapid prism search at any position. Additionally, the series includes TSSheild™ advanced security and maintenance technology and MAGNET™ integrated software

LongRange Data Communication

The DX Series feature Bluetooth Class 1 technology to ensure reliable data communications at all times.

Advanced Angle Measurement System 

Sokkia encoders provide long-term reliability on any job site.

Waterproof and Rugged 

The DX Series has an IP waterproof and dustproof rating of IP65, and can operate in extreme temperatures (-20°C to +50°C)

Easy Auto-tracking Software 

Auto tracking software can be installed at the time of purchase or at a later date. The USB upgrade is simple and will greatly enhance productivity.

RED-tech technology Reflectorless EDM 

Reflectorless operation from 30cm up to 1000m’s, RED-tech EDMs perform accurate Reflectorless measurement in any location. 

Sokkia is proud to offer a World’s First technology – TSshield. Every TSsheild enabled instrument is equipped with a telematics-based communications module that provides remote security and maintenance options. If your activated instrument is lost or stolen, using TSshield you can simply send a coded signal to the instrument and disable it – virtually anywhere in the world!

TSshield also notifies you of updates like new firmware right on the instrument! When available, a notification is sent electronically. The next time you power on the instrument you’re notified on the display. There’s even an online account that maintains an operational history of your instrument including error codes for your convenience and Technical Support reference if necessary. 

No time for stringlines

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South Australian contracting firm Morgan Earthmoving hasn’t looked back since introducing Topcon automatic machine control five years ago.  

Specialising in all forms of civil and agricultural earthmoving applications, including sub divisions, site preparation and road construction, Morgan Earthmoving has 15 years’ industry experience and caters for clients throughout South Australia.     

Established 16 years ago by brothers Stewart and Rob Morgan, Morgan Earthmoving’s recent projects include waste water dams for Mount Barker and Strathalbyn councils and most recently a considerable number of chicken farm sites throughout the South East of the state.

“Chicken farms have kept us busy for the past three to four years,” Stewart Morgan said. “I have my pilot licence and it’s quite striking to see how many there are now when you fly over the region.”

The company now has a fleet of earthmoving plant including 30-40 tonne scrapers, excavators, tip trucks and trailers, dozers, graders, a vibrating roller and water trucks.

Mr Morgan says that since introducing Topcon automatic machine control five years ago, they are able to complete jobs faster and more efficiently.

“The operator doesn’t have to make as many passes and the work is more accurate with machine control,” he said. “Our company motto is ‘get the job right the first time’ and Topcon machine control certainly helps us to achieve that.”

Morgan Earthmoving has Topcon’s System 5 automatic, 2D machine control systems installed on a Komatsu GD-825 and Volvo 725, with a third system soon to be installed on another Komatsu grader.

System 5 is an advanced, automated machine control solution that delivers consistent hydraulic response to the machine blade for smooth grading operation. With slope capabilities up to 100%, it is ideal for use in a wide range of applications including pads, railways, dams, commercial sites, sports grounds and bulk earthworks.

Combining a trackerjack laser receiver, sonic tracker, slope sensor and easy-to-operate control box mounted inside the cabin of the machine, Topcon System 5 automatically controls the blade of the machine to get to grade faster.

“Before investing in the automated system, we used the manual machine-mounted laser receivers,” Mr Morgan explained. “We still use them on our scrapers and for other bulk work, but for fine tolerance grading you can’t go past the automatic system,” he added.

“Our operators love it because they complete the work faster and more efficiently, plus it reduces fatigue because you don’t have to follow the system manually.”

Having never used a stringline to complete a project, Mr Morgan says contractors need to embrace technology because the productivity and efficiency gains are too big to ignore. “Before we got our automatic machine control we used the manual receivers, and before that we used dumpy levels and tape, but I’ve never used a stringline and I never would,” he said.

“By the time you’ve set up a stringline you could have just about finished the job. Plus there’s the additional manual labour to set them up and take them down. The machine control system is so easy to use, you just hop in the cab, set it to auto and away you go. I can’t understand why anyone would use stringlines nowadays,” he added.  

In terms of accuracy, Mr Morgan is proud to say that all their work falls within 10-20 millimetre tolerances. 

“We get our lasers serviced and calibrated regularly at Position Partners’ local branch in Adelaide to make sure they’re always working in optimum condition,” he said.

Morgan Earthworks uses a Topcon RL-200 dual grade laser across all applications on site, including bulk earthworks, grading, drainage and pipe work. Complete with full-function remote, the RL-200 dual grade laser is a hard wearing, easy to use laser with slope capability up to 25% without slope blocks.

In addition to using the grade laser with the 2D automatic systems for grading applications, Morgan Earthmoving utilises the laser with Topcon LS-100 machine mounted receivers. The LS-100 series is idea ideal for bulk earthworks applications for dozers, scrapers, excavators, backhoes and drag boxes. Featuring simple, secure mechanical mounting, 360 degree beam detection and adjustable on-grade accuracy, the LS-100 series helps users get to grade faster and more efficiently. They are easy to swap between machines to give you flexibility for use throughout the project.

When asked why they chose Topcon lasers and machine control, Mr Morgan said: “I think if you find something that works, you stick with it. I’ve always used Topcon and found it to be a very reliable and easy-to-use brand, so I’m not going to change a good thing.”

As the company has grown, so too has the need to complete jobs as efficiently as possible. “I wouldn’t say that the machine control systems have helped us to win more work, but they have certainly helped us to deliver on larger, more complex projects and complete the work on schedule and on budget,” Mr Morgan said.

In terms of training employees on how to use the systems, Mr Morgan said that the systems were quite intuitive to use. “The guys from Position Partners helped us initially with some on-site training, but to be honest they are so easy to use that once you’ve got a basic understanding you can figure the rest as you go.”

He added that having local support from Topcon’s Australian distributor Position Partners is important: “It’s great to have a local branch and the support of the team behind us if we need them.” “Although they sometimes get really busy, I’ve always found them to be very knowledgeable and quick to help us if we need support. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”  

Make an impact on your bottom line with machine control

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Joel Seddon, Position Partners’ National Product Manager – Machine Control, explains why machine control should be a high priority purchase. 

Australia’s Federal Government recently passed a new tax break for small businesses with an annual turnover of less than $2 million, granting an immediate tax deduction for any individual assets purchased that cost less than $20,000.

There are any number of assets that a small business could put this new tax incentive towards, but below I will detail why machine control systems should be high on the list for any contractor that meets the criteria.

Machine control systems are now required on almost all major civil projects across the country, which indicates that they are going to become increasingly more commonplace across all jobs, large or small. Smart contractors will embrace this change and the technology, ensuring they are ready to work and able to adapt their business to the changing needs of the industry.

Machinery manufacturers are beginning to release new models that come with basic machine control factory fitted to their graders, and in time we will see this adopted across other machines such as excavators and dozers. Unless you plan on investing in all-new machinery, retro-fitting machine control systems to your existing equipment is not only simple and cost effective, but it also has a number of benefits over factory-fitted options.

Unlike the factory-fit installs, retro-fitted machine systems can be swapped between different machines, are fully upgradeable to more advanced solutions and, depending on the brand of machine control you choose, can have components swapped or added to suit the tolerance requirements and project environment. If, for example, you are working on a road upgrade that has dense tree coverage, you may need to switch to a total station or laser instead of relying for GPS for the positioning accuracy required.

The return on investment with a machine control system can be as fast as the first job it’s used on, and with the new tax break incentive it pays for itself faster still! With the time saved from eliminating stringlines and the productivity gains of knowing exactly where the blade is relative to grade at all times, a machine control system is guaranteed to help you get the job done faster and more efficiently, whether you’re setting out house pads or working on a large infrastructure project.

Contractors may be surprised at what you can get for $20,000 in the world of machine control. Position Partners, Topcon’s exclusive Australian distributor, is offering complete 2D excavator systems for less than $20,000 plus GST, or the option to install base kits on two machines and make them machine control ready for less than the tax break limit.

2D excavator systems are ideal for a wide range of applications including house pads, trenches, channels, dams, commercial builds and rail work. The Topcon system allows multiple elevation and slopes to be cut simultaneously, without resetting the machine or laser, enabling the user to work complex designs easily. The system is also fully upgradeable to 3D GPS machine control, which can be either purchased or hired for a particular project as required.

Alternatively, installing base kits for machine control enables you to hire or buy a system to suit your business needs. A base kit involves installing the necessary wiring and hardware so that the machine is ready for a 2D or 3D system to be fitted quickly and easily. Users have the option of swapping systems between machines with Topcon machine control, or adding/removing components to suit the project requirements. If, for example, your work mainly requires the use of 2D technology, you could opt for a 2D system but hire a 3D GPS solution if a specific job demands it. 

Topcon base kits can be installed on any make, model or type of machine, enabling you to fit out your fleet and swap or hire machine systems as needed. This flexibility is ideal for small businesses, as you don’t have to outlay a lot of capital to get your equipment up to the very latest technology. With a base system installed your machine is ready to go for any job!

In closing, I would encourage all small business owners to consider their options for machine control sooner rather than later, especially in light of the new tax break incentive. I truly believe that no other technology can offer as significant an impact on an earthmoving contractor’s bottom line in such a short time frame as machine control. Every contractor I know that has embraced the technology has reported huge efficiency gains and with the right training and support along the way has been able to win more work and finish jobs faster as a result. 

High voltage accuracy

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Established electrical & communications contractor Stowe Australia is saving time and increasing accuracy for asset location using Topcon GNSS.  

With a history that dates back to the advent of the electrical industry in this country, Stowe Australia was established in 1910 and is now a 1,800-employee strong, privately owned electrical and communications contractor with offices throughout the East coast.

Recently, the company’s Western Division (Penrith branch) invested in GNSS technology to improve accuracy for as-built asset location. Using a Topcon HiPer SR integrated GNSS receiver, complete with a Panasonic Toughbook field controller and MAGNET Field on-board software, Stowe’s electricians and civil workers are able to capture the as-built location data in the field for the team’s civil engineers to import into CAD drawings in the office.

Infrastructure Manager Brad O’Hara explained that bringing the work in-house helped to save time and increase efficiency: “Before purchasing our own GPS equipment, we would manually measure out the locations using tape measures based on boundary plans provided by surveyors,” he said.

“Alternatively, we would leave conduit in open trenches and book surveyors in to take the measurements and go back on site to finish the job afterwards. By taking the measurements ourselves we can save a lot of time and eliminate the rework.”

Mr O’Hara said that clients increasingly require higher accuracy for asset location, with a new tolerance level of 10 millimetres becoming commonplace. “It was important for us to find a reliable, easy-to-use solution that could deliver the required tolerances,” he said.

When asked how he came to choose the Topcon system, Mr O’Hara said: “I looked into a couple of cheaper brands but was unsure about the level of support we’d receive. I know the Topcon brand having used their laser levels in the past and knew that we would receive local support from Topcon’s distributor, Position Partners.”

Topcon’s HiPer SR is a compact, cable and antenna-free GNSS receiver that includes a built-in, patented Fence Antenna™ for advanced multipath rejection and precision measurements.

The Panasonic FZ-G1 toughpad is built to withstand the elements, with a 7-inch, easy-to-see touchscreen and Windows 8 operating system. Using MAGNET Field on-board software, Stowe employees are able to collect measurement points quickly and easily for use in CAD drawings back in the office.

To ensure the company was up and running with the new system as quickly as possible, a group of Stowe employees attended a one-day Campus training course at Position Partners’ Sydney training facility.

“The group included electrical engineers, project managers, electricians and civil works personnel,” Mr O’Hara said. “We wanted a range of employees to attend so they could understand how the system works and learn how to integrate it into their different workflows.”

The Topo Survey & Setout course is designed to take entry level MAGNET Field users with little or no experience and have them become competent users of the software. The training covers basic, daily survey tasks such as data management, equipment setup, software configuration and customisation, feature surveys and set-out.

“We found the training day to be really valuable and although it’s still early days for us using the new equipment, so far it has been straightforward and easy to use,” Mr O’Hara said.

“It is good to know that if we do run into any difficulty, we have the backup support of Position Partners when we need it.”

 

Capturing opportunity with scanning technology

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Adelaide-based survey firm is winning work across multiple industries after extending its services to include laser scanning using Topcon’s new GLS-2000.  

SKS Surveys specialises in construction, engineering and property surveying for customers throughout South Australia. Recently, the company invested in laser scanning technology to extend its service offering to new and existing markets, with a wide range of projects already completed and many more on the horizon.

Company Director and licenced surveyor Scott Bacchus explained the reasons behind investing in the technology: “We’ve been keeping track of developments in laser scanning in recent years and recognised that it’s now moved from emergence through to wider acceptance in the industry,” he said.

“Having missed out on a couple of projects due to not having the technology, we saw it was time to extend our services to include it and meet the demand.”

The company researched a range of laser scanners available on the market and opted for the new Topcon GLS-2000. “We were looking for a good all-rounder that could be used for large scale volume and topographic applications through to smaller scale, high detail projects,” Mr Bacchus explained. “The Topcon GLS-2000 fit the bill for us in terms of price and functionality, enabling us to offer scanning services to a broad range of industries.”

Topcon’s GLS-2000 is designed for internal and external scanning applications, with a range of up to 350 metres. It delivers a full-dome 360 degree scan is less than three minutes and offers signal processing including wave form for precision measurements.  

In the two months since purchasing their system, SKS Surveys has completed a number of projects for clients in the civil construction, engineering and property industries, including warehouse scans, building facades, pipe work and excavation scans.

“The excavation project was interesting as the client required volume data for the holes they needed to excavate, however there was a safety hazard as it was a landfill site and the material being excavated was unknown,” Mr Bacchus explained.

“Using the GLS-2000, we were able to deliver highly accurate volume data whilst scanning from a safe distance, eliminating the risk from potentially hazardous material,” he added.

Mr Bacchus said that setting up and using the scanner in the field was quick and easy. “Collecting the data is very straightforward, the challenge is what to do with the amount of data that’s captured,” he said.

“We are still developing the ideal workflow for our scanning projects, to deliver valuable products to our customers at the end of the process. Often the clients don’t have a clear picture of the results they want, whether its edge sets or a 3D model.”

The company has been outsourcing the post processing work to overseas service providers. “Post processing software is expensive and it takes training and expertise to get good results from it, so currently we prefer to outsource that aspect of the workflow,” Mr Bacchus explained.

Mr Bacchus said the company is excited by the prospect of using laser scanning technology in alternative applications such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and monitoring. “A couple of years ago I would have said that BIM was just a buzzword and there was no viable workflow to deliver on it.”

“Now, however, I think it is definitely something that the survey industry must embrace and understand its role in. Whether it involves inputting, outputting or interpreting the data, surveyors have an important part to play and scanning technology is another tool we have at our fingertips for BIM applications.” 

Why you need Machine Control for your excavator

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Why you should invest in Machine Control for your excavator
By Joel Seddon

Machine control for excavators has been available for years and 3D GPS excavator systems are useful in eliminating errors by reducing over excavation, the need to re-work and the costs associated with this. If you haven’t invested in machine control now is the time to add it to your business! Topcon have released a system that is specifically designed for excavator use – the Topcon X-63i Solution. 

Unlike other 3D GPS systems available on the market, which are designed primarily to connect to the machine’s hydraulics and automate the blade movement for dozers, graders and the like, Topcon’s X-63i solution is built for excavators only. 

What does this mean for your business?

Well, a significant price shift for a start. You can expect to save some $20,000 with the X-63i solution because you are not paying for sophisticated hydraulic technology that is unnecessary on an excavator that uses indicate-only mode anyway. 

It means you are purchasing a full 3D GPS solution that has all the benefits of precision machine control, including: 

  • More control, because operators have an accurate, real-time knowledge of cut/fill levels
  • Greater accuracy, enabling you to eliminate overcut and get to grade faster
  • Consistent results due to working accurately to a design model 
  • Increased productivity, with optimised machine use, lower material costs and reduced manpower
  • Enhanced safety, without the need for surveyors to work near active plant
  • Quality finish – a combination of all of the above that results in a job well done, first time!

Where’s the catch? 

The only catch to the new X-63i is the inability to switch the system from an excavator to another type of machine, such as a dozer or grader. As the solution has a different GPS receiver board inside the machine that is unable to connect to a machine’s hydraulic components, you cannot switch it to a grader or dozer and get 3D GPS automation. 

If you intend do swap the system between different types of plant, you are better off opting for the X-63 system. This comes with the more sophisticated MC-R3 receiver that will connect to the hydraulics of a grader or dozer.

However, if you plan to only move the system between excavators, the solution is ideal for your needs. 

Perth Operator winning awards for high quality work thanks to Topcon mmGPS

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The combination of decades of grader operating experience, plus Topcon’s millimetre GPS precision machine control system, recently saw Perth operator Jeff O’Donnell pick up an award on a major project for consistently achieving the best tolerances.

Jeff has been operating graders for over 35 years, and runs a fleet of four graders – two Cat 12Hs, a John Deere 770GP and a Noram M65 through his company J&J O’Donnell – with all four graders set up to run Topcon’s mmGPS and 3D-MC2 systems.

The work Jeff and his team carry out includes major road and rail projects, around Perth, as well as in more remote areas of the state.

Currently he and three of his graders are part of a fleet of around 40 graders working on roadworks for the New Gateway project at Perth International Airport.

Jeff has used Topcon machine guidance and control systems on his graders for many years, starting with System 4 and System 5 before becoming an early adopter of Topcon’s mmGPS about five years ago.

“When I first saw the mmGPS, I could see its potential straight away, and within three months, I’d bought my first system,” he says.

“Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of money and time getting them all running, but they definitely help the game, save a lot of money with no need for pegs.

“And this latest GX60 box for mmGPS is just perfect; you can calibrate it a lot easier so you can get your blade in exactly the right spot. And doing your offsets is just so much easier – you put it where it’s needed and away you go,” says Jeff.

“It’s a really good system; there’s nothing wrong I can pick with it. I’ve always been with Topcon, and they are good, very good.

“Our three machines on this site all have mmGPS with the new GX60 box on them – and my other two boys operating the machines here love the Topcon system as well, they know how good it is,” he says.

“A few of the graders on this project have got the Trimble system on them, and we can see that it’s just not nearly as good as our Topcon systems.”

Jeff and his team are doing the final trim and water binding work for the final road base surface, using material sourced from a local quarry.

“It’s our responsibility to mix the material and lay it out ready for compacting, then we trim it to the tolerances required.

“The tolerances my team has been achieving have been right on spec,” says Jeff.

“When the surveyors have been doing their as-cons, we’ve been consistently getting within 3 mm every time. We typically do ±3 mm, but here they like it to be 3 mm-high, so that’s what we give them.

“To achieve this, you need to have the experience and to know what you are doing, so you can put it in a bit high, then trim it down.

 “We also have to contend with the Main Roads inspectors, and for them it’s got to be 100% right. They check it all, and if it doesn’t come up to scratch, you have to do it all again.”

Jeff’s use of Topcon mmGPS on his grader – combined with his experience and understanding of the materials he’s working with – recently saw him win an award for the quality of his work at the Perth Airport project.

“So of about 40 graders on this site, I’ve been getting the best tolerances, and they recently gave me a big award in front of everyone, a nice cash reward and a proper plaque.

“We know we save them a lot of money by doing this right. If you get the tolerance 20 mm below the level, you’ve got to put a corrector in, and that costs a lot of money,” he says.

“In the whole time we’ve been here, I’ve only had one failure where we had to redo some work, and that was because the material wasn’t right.”

Jeff points out that experience and knowledge of material characteristics are still essential for successful grading.

 “We know how to mix material, and get it right first time; when you’ve been in this business for many years, you get to know your dirts, and how they will perform – and that experience you can’t buy.

 “You can’t just jump on a grader fitted with mmGPS and expect to be an instant expert,” he says.

“You have got to know what you are doing; it can’t be too wet or you’ll wait days for it to dry, too dry and it won’t pass the compaction test.

“You need the right amount of material, then once you roll it, it needs to be at 101% compaction; you have to have all these things just right before you trim it.”

Jeff is also finding Position Partners Tokara Link saves him a lot of time and lost production if there’s ever a problem.

“With this new Tokara Link, if something goes wrong, they can fix it remotely; they just send files out from the office. It works really well, it’s a very good system, especially if you are out in the bush, or you have a design fault, they can fix it straight away then and there.

“We’ve always been very happy with the service and support we get from Position Partners; it’s very good, 100%, spot on. You can ring them up any time, and they will come straight out if necessary.

“In particular, we find Bernard and Daniel Cecchele can solve our problems really quickly, which is great. I can’t speak highly enough about them,” he says.

Our WA branch now offers Sokkia survey products

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From left to right: Bernard Cecchele (Position Partners WA Sales Manager), Darryl Shields (Position Partners Sokkia Sales Consultant), Greg Frankish (Sokkia Regional Sales Manager) and Garry MacPhail (Position Partners WA Regional Manager). 

Position Partners has extended its product portfolio to include the complete range of Sokkia survey systems for customers in Western Australia.

“We are delighted to offer the Sokkia range to our WA customers, with a dedicated sales specialist based in our Perth office along with a team of experts that can assist with training, support, calibrations and repairs,” said Garry MacPhail, Position Partners’ WA Regional Manager and Positioning Solutions Business Manager.

“The Sokkia brand has a long-standing reputation for superior measurement capabilities, accuracy and reliability across its survey solutions and optical instruments in particular,” MacPhail added.

“As Sokkia’s trusted partner for the Western Australian region, we look forward to helping customers meet the challenges of modern surveying with the very latest in technology, backed by unparalleled service and support.”

Sokkia’s product range includes the new GCX2 dual frequency GNSS receiver, featuring a unique ergonomic, lightweight design and high performance capabilities for surveying, construction, architecture, GIS and BIM applications.

Sokkia’s GRX2 GNSS receiver gives users the flexibility of RTK performance, a network rover option or use as a static receiver.

In addition, a full suite of total station solutions is available to suit every application, including the FX, CX and SET60 reflectorless series and the SX and DX robotic options. Sokkia’s range incorporates leading EDM technology and reliable tracking performance.

Sokkia offers both digital and automatic solutions for levelling applications, combining highly accurate measurement with robust, easy to operate hardware.

Sokkia’s hardware is powered by MAGNET Field, Office and Enterprise software solutions, enabling users to connect, share and collaborate across field and office tasks.

“Position Partners is uniquely placed to deliver local sales support backed by a national team of service and support specialists, making the company an ideal fit for the Sokkia brand in Western Australia,” said Greg Frankish, Sokkia Regional Survey Sales Manager for Australasia.

“We look forward to working together to support customers in the region with Sokkia’s leading measurement and positioning technology,” he added.   

Position Partners Appoint SA Territory Account Managers

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Position Partners Appoint SA Territory Account Managers

Position Partners announce the appointment of Chris Hannah and Liam Heatley to service South Australia’s growing construction industry, bringing with them a wealth of experience and exciting new product releases.

The new Territory Account Managers have been appointed at an exciting time within the industry, with new product releases capturing the latest innovations amongst laser, machine control and GPS products.

As machine control technology becomes increasingly commonplace on large and small earthmoving projects alike, Chris and Liam will be responsible for servicing Position Partners’ ever-growing customer base by developing customer relationships with leading earthmoving and civil construction companies and providing them with world-leading products to increase their productivity.
 
“Topcon machine control is the industry leading brand, with unparalleld accuracy, reliability and ease of use. Backed by the unrivalled expertise of our in-field technicians and support from your local Position Partners branch, we are on hand to help save you time and increase productivity on every job,” said Greg Macklin, Position Partners’ Southern Regional Manager.

Topcon’s machine control products are complimented by a range of Topcon laser levels, Topcon auto levels, Topcon theodolites, pipe and cable locators and Ground Penetrating Radar Systems. Plus, our range of BIM hardware and software for engineers, construction contractors and architects ensure you get the accuracy you need quickly and accurately.

“We are delighted to welcome Chris and Liam on board in their new positions at Position Partners. Their wealth of experience in the construction industry and unparalleled product knowledge will be a great asset to our company and customers alike and I am sure that they will thrive in their new roles.”

“Feel free to contact Chris or Liam for any enquiries you may have and they will endevour to talk to you about the benefits of investing in our array of construction and machine control products for your business,” Macklin added.


Chris Hannah
Territory Account Manager (South)
Phone: 0421 085 830
Email: channah@positionpartners.com.au

Liam Heatley
Territory Account Manager (North)
Phone: 0400 164 561
Email: lheatley@positionpartners.com.au