5.2 | Equipment Tab

Equipment Tab Settings
Look ahead delay time
To control blade height, the software receives an elevation from iGrade™, processes it, then returns a control signal to iGrade™. Although this control loop is quick, its delay can cause inaccurate implementation in some situations.
A normal “Look ahead” time is 0.3 to 0.5 seconds. The exact time is machine specific and can be determined by experimentation; see Bi-Directional error in T3RRA in the troubleshooting section. Look ahead time helps account for the control-loop delay.
If look ahead time is not set, the delay can cause a consistent “bi-directional error”: the blade offsets incorrectly, moving up when travelling down a slope and down when travelling up a slope. If the time is too LOW, the implement always grades high down-slope and low up-slope; if it is too HIGH, the opposite occurs. Bi-directional error is most noticeable on steep slopes at higher speeds.
Blade positioning
Blade positioning specifies which part of the soil profile under the blade has priority in determining blade position. This option is available only after you enter ‘Implement width’ and enable ‘Output cross slope commands’.
Blade positioning options
Classic uses the design elevation as the target under the blade centre. Cross-slope is determined by design elevations under the left and right blade points. This makes it easy to over-dig down the midline of ditches or clip the top off a bank when straddling its ridge.
Average follows the overall trend of the design surface under the blade. It works well for reproducing a full-field design, but is less suited to abruptly changing slopes.
Average, on top determines slope in the same way as Average, but positions the blade above that trend to always avoid overcutting.
Snap fit attempts to find the best blade position without overcutting. As you traverse a break line, the blade snaps from one position to another. This is intended to cut and fill most efficiently, minimising passes and rework risk, and is tailored for abruptly changing slopes.
Single point provides Control-by-point: choose a blade position represented by the red arrow. That point follows the design elevation and cross slope even if the blade cuts below the design elsewhere. This is envisioned to work well for features such as V-ditches.
As-applied tracking
Enable As-applied calculations shows a graphic representation of the surface’s current state as work progresses. See Understanding how “As-applied” works.
NOTE: ‘Implement width’ is required to enable the As-applied feature.