Weekly recap: Komatsu’s excavator retrofit kits, minimizing diesel fuel price impacts, and more

Autonomous equipment is continuing to become more and more prevalent in the industry as the technology is improved. Recently, SafeAI and the Obayashi Corporation hosted nearly 150 visitors to view a Caterpillar 725 operating on a construction site in Japan. Also this week, operators can use a Komatsu excavator retrofit kit to enable 3D guidance on their machine and Mazio released six hydraulic breakers for quarrying and demolition applications. Lytx has added asset tracking capabilities to its fleet management software and CONEXPO-CON/AGG shared some tips to reduce the impact of rising fuel prices. Here are five articles from this week you won't want to miss.

SafeAI and Obayashi operate autonomous articulated dump truck on construction site in Japan

SafeAI in partnership with the Obayashi Corporation hosted nearly 150 visitors to view a retrofitted autonomous Caterpillar 725 operating on a construction site in Japan for the first time ever. Japanese regulations were not originally designed to support the use of autonomous vehicles for off-road construction. The demos brought together delegates from nearly 50 organizations across the construction industry, including general contractors, technology companies, universities, research groups, and Japanese government entities responsible for regulation.

Learn more about the SafeAI and Obayashi Corporation autonomous vehicle collaboration in the full article.

Lytx adds asset tracking capabilities to fleet management software in North America

Lytx Inc. has added the Lytx Asset Tracking Service to its fleet management software. The service is available in the U.S. and Canada and can be used by fleet managers looking for a streamlined approach to locating and managing powered equipment. The Lytx Asset Tracking Service is designed for fleet managers who need information about their powered equipment. The service consists of the Lytx Asset Tracker hardware and a monthly subscription per unit that grants customers access to the customizable software.

Find out more about Lytx's new Asset Tracking Service in the full article.

How to minimize the impact of rising fuel prices

Fuel prices have risen over the past year. Through the first week in July of 2022, the average price of diesel fuel was nearly 70 percent higher than the year prior. There's no single task to reduce fuel costs, improve fuel efficiency, or help navigate through these times; however, a group of strategies can certainly help. These strategies include embracing technology, transparency, and maintenance.

Learn some strategies to help minimize the impact of rising fuel prices in the full article.

Retrofit kits enable 3D guidance and payload monitoring in most Komatsu excavators

Contractors can now retrofit most Komatsu excavators with a Smart Construction Retrofit kit to enable 3D guidance and payload monitoring. Designed to improve grading performance and provide more time- and cost-management tools, Smart Construction Retrofit can bring 3D guidance to Komatsu excavators. The retrofit kits can be installed by a local Komatsu distributor. Once an excavator is fitted with Smart Construction Retrofit, operators no longer have to set up a laser or bench every time the machine moves.

Find out more about Komatsu's excavator retrofit kits in the full article.

Mazio launches six hydraulic rock breakers for quarry and demolition applications

Mazio has launched six new XL Series hydraulic rock breakers. The breakers provide ideal performance in tougher applications, including quarrying, mining, tunnelling, trenching, demolition, and more. Designed for carriers from one ton to 140 tons of operating weight including mini excavators, skid steer loaders, backhoe loaders, and excavators. A number of standard features lend to the durability of the breaker, including anti-blank-fire technology, an energy recovery system that reduces the required oil flow, and a double dampening system.

Find out if Mazio's new breakers can fit the equipment in your fleet in the full article.