A DEVELON wheel loader dumping a bucket of dirt and gravel into a pile.guessing, new visibility and safety technology provide total confidence. They see the bystander through the large windows, detect approaching machines on a digital display and see through a raised bucket using machine-mounted cameras to the next pile waiting to scoop or load.
The latest DEVELON -7 Series loaders, all 12 models, are built with visibility features to help operators work smarter and finish the day with confidence. Here are three must-know visibility features for wheel loaders today.
Around View Monitor: See All Sides at Once
On DEVELON -7 Series wheel loaders the around view monitor (AVM) system is a high-tech system that gives a 270-degree view of the machine on a single screen. Rather than a simple glance behind, this system combines views from three machine-mounted cameras to show the front, back and sides all at once. The AVM system can be viewed on the monitor inside the wheel loader cab.
This technology makes a key difference in improving visibility when moving large piles of material or loading trucks. When an operator is busy moving back and forth between a pile and a hopper, they have to constantly shift into reverse. The intelligent AVM system shows exactly what is happening behind and to the sides of the machine, even when working in tough conditions or low-visibility environments.
The system is also helpful when working in tight spaces such as inside a warehouse or between narrow walls. Without a 270-degree view, an operator might have to lean out of the seat or wait for a bystander to signal them. With 3D visualization, they can see exactly how much clearance they have on both sides of the machine.
Transparent Bucket: See-Through Visibility
When operators raise a loaded bucket, they usually lose view of what's directly in front of the machine. With the DEVELON Transparent Bucket, our next-gen loader technology turns blind spots into clear sightlines, allowing for a level of precision that makes every pass more effective.
The Transparent Bucket system uses two cameras — one high on the cab and one low on the axle — with protective guarding. A smart on-board processor merges these feeds into a single real-time image on the in-cab monitor. Future modifications to the Transparent Bucket technology may include colored symbols to indicate the proximity of the object in front of the wheel loader, helping the operator judge distance.
When an operator is in a DL420-7 loading a fleet of trucks, the Transparent Bucket lets them see exactly where the cutting edge is hitting the pile. This is an advantage when working with different types of material. For example, when digging into a pile of large rocks, the operator can gauge how close they are and see hidden boulders that might damage the bucket or the truck bed. When working with fine sand or grain, they can see exactly when the bucket is full to prevent over-spilling. By eliminating the need to "peek" around the side of the lift arms, operators can dig faster and dump more accurately.
This feature is also a great tool for training newer operators. It helps them understand the fill of the bucket and the angle of the cutting edge much faster than learning by feel alone. For seasoned pros, it simply means they can do the same high-quality work with less effort and fewer wasted movements.
Enhanced Visibility: Glass Area and Comfort
While cameras are excellent for spotting objects, seeing through enhanced glass helps an operator judge distances in a way a screen cannot always match. The -7 Series loaders feature a large glass surface area, including floor-to-ceiling side windows that allow the operator to better see the job site for enhanced safety.
When the digital feeds of the AVM and the Transparent Bucket are combined with this expansive glass, the operator achieves nearly 360 degrees of visibility.
For instance, operators at a busy recycling center are constantly navigating around bins, piles and moving forklifts. A superior cab design means the operator doesn't have to work as hard just to see the tires or the edge of a bin. By improving the operator line of sight through glass, the machine does the hard work.
Improved visibility also plays a role in operator comfort. When an operator can see everything while sitting upright in their seat, they don't have to twist their neck or strain their back to look around pillars or lift arms. Over a 10-hour shift, this reduction in physical strain keeps an operator much sharper and energized. It is easier for an operator to follow proactive job site safety steps when they have a clear, natural view of their surroundings.
By prioritizing AVM, the exclusive Transparent Bucket technology and superior visibility, operators can move with the speed, safety and precision required on today’s most challenging job sites.
Ready for a demo? Contact your local DEVELON dealer to experience these three wheel loader features for yourself. Or explore our full wheel loader lineup.
By Jay Patel, Product Manager
Jay Patel is a product manager at DEVELON. He specializes in compact and heavy equipment attachments, wheel loaders and ADTs.
