The earthmoving world got its first glimpse of the new Digga Halo alignment system for mini loaders at last weekend’s Diesel, Dirt and Turf Expo in Sydney.
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Digga’s new Halo alignment system will soon be available for mini loaders and small excavators
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The Halo alignment system is already available for a limited range of Digga’s bigger drill attachments but with the new Halo PDX the attachment manufacturer, which also owns Australian machinery producer Kanga, has unveiled a system for small mini loaders.
The technology is set to be available within the next three months.
“It’s ideal for single operators on small machinery, be it Kanga, any other mini-loader or a small excavator around 1.5-1.7-tonne,” says Digga Operations Manager – NSW, Justin Saunby.
“We release a limited range which has been in the market for a while, and now, we will have the whole range available within the next three months – from the PDX all the way up to the PD50.
“It will change the game. Once an operator gets used to using it with the lights, they won’t go back.
“It’s like a reverse camera in a car. No one knew they needed it but now they have it, everyone loves it.”
Unlike other monitor and leveling systems currently in the market, the visibility of the Halo sets it apart; with the lights of the system positioned on the drive unit and directly in the operator’s line of sight.
High density LED lights fitted around the system indicate any deviation of the attachment while drilling. All green lights indicate the attachment is plumb, however any combination of red and green lights indicates deviation in the attachment, meaning drilling would be done at an angle and correction is needed.
Correcting the attachment back to plumb is simple, as Saunby explains.
“Always correct your machine towards the green and it will bring it back plum and be able to drill the right hole,” Saunby says.
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Green lights indicate the attachment is plumb with the ground while red and green lights indicate deviation
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The technology has been calibrated to allow for 0.25 of a degree of deviation; any more will trigger the red lights to appear.
Digga says the idea behind the design of the Halo alignment system was to make operation easier and more efficient for a single operator given it doesn’t require a spotter or spirit level to guide the digging, while also saving money in the long run.
The system is easily plugged into the drive unit and can operate for a full working day – between eight and ten hours – before the battery needs recharging. It can also be plugged directly into the machine’s cigarette lighter.
“You’re saving money because you don’t have to fill the hole if you get it wrong. There is less work, less repair and less material to refill the hole,” says Saunby.
“The idea behind this is to make it a nice and easy, single person operation.”
Digga’s Halo alignment system is currently available for larger mini loaders and excavators and will be in the market for smaller mini loaders, including the Kanga PDX, soon.