Comfort is paramount for retaining employees who operate construction equipment. That’s because comfort impacts operator safety, productivity and well-being. They spend countless hours inside equipment cabins — essentially their job site offices.
The good news is, heavy equipment cabins in wheel loaders, dozers, excavators and articulated dump trucks have come a long way. Many equipment cabs today boast comfort and technology features similar to those available in our trucks and cars, including Bluetooth® technology.
Top Heavy Equipment Cab Features
Among the top features of heavy construction equipment cabs are the following:
- Large LCD touch screens
- Heating and air conditioning systems
- Heated/cooled air-suspension seats
- Ergonomic joystick controls
Technological advancements have only bolstered operator cab comfort. More glass in the cab allows for enhanced visibility. Better ergonomics allow for easier operation, including a shift from older, basic controls to more user-friendly joysticks.
Discover some of the top cab features to look for when purchasing equipment and how they benefit operators.
Control at Your Fingertips
The LCD monitors inside today’s heavy equipment cabins offer numerous advantages over previous technologies. Traditional machine gauges have been replaced by touch screen monitors with oodles of data at an operator’s fingertips.
Highlights of modern industrial LCD monitors include improved visibility, functionality, customization options and access to real-time machine data. Today’s monitors are ergonomically positioned inside the cab for optimal viewing, reducing the operators’ neck strain and fatigue.
A benefit of today’s Smart Touch displays is the ability to activate the machine’s rearview camera. This feature enhances job site safety for operators and other workers and can reduce blind spot accidents.
Some machines, like DEVELON crawler excavators, also offer an optional side view camera. Operators can use a split-screen feature to see the rearview and side view visuals.
For further visibility, -7 Series wheel loaders come with the standard Transparent Bucket. This DEVELON-exclusive feature enhances job site safety.
An optional around view monitor (AVM) camera system is available for select machines. Depending on the type of machine, operators have up to 360 degrees of visibility around their machine.
Total Comfort Control
Feeling a little cold? Turn up the heat. Too hot? Bump up the air conditioning. Today’s operators can hardly complain about the temperature in climate-controlled construction equipment.
Temperature control remains a top priority for operators, and for good reason. The right cab temperature keeps operators comfortable and productive.
Modern equipment addresses this need with robust air conditioning systems. These systems effectively cool the cab throughout the day, even with large windows. This not only maintains comfort but can also help clear fogging, especially during humid weather.
Winter weather is no match for a heated cab. Operators can stay warm and productive even during snowstorms. Easily adjustable air vents circulate warm air throughout the cab for consistent comfort. Additionally, defroster vents effectively clear frost and ice from the windows, maintaining crucial visibility in harsh conditions.
Smooth Ride, Every Time
Comfort extends beyond temperature control. An air-suspension seat absorbs shocks and vibrations from rough terrain, minimizing jarring impacts on the operator’s body. This translates to reduced fatigue, aches and pain, especially during long shifts.
For those extra chilly days, a heated seat provides an additional layer of comfort. As with some car seats, heating elements built into the cushion generate warmth, further enhancing operator well-being.
On the other hand, during hot summer months, select machines offer an optional cooled seat. Two fans cool the seat while additional rear air nozzles circulate cool air to the back for optimal temperature control and operator comfort.
Heated and cooled seats demonstrate a commitment to operator well-being, leading to increased productivity and higher morale on the job site.
Work Like a Pro
Joysticks in construction equipment provide significant advantages compared to older control systems.
Improved Ergonomics: Ergonomically designed joysticks with low-effort control minimize operator fatigue. This is especially beneficial for tasks requiring sustained use, like operating an excavator with hydraulic attachments.
Increased Precision: Joysticks offer fingertip control for more precise movements.
Enhanced Productivity: Reduced fatigue from ergonomic joysticks allows operators to work longer, maintaining high productivity and precision throughout the day.
Level up your control. Many joysticks now feature Controller Area Network (CAN) bus technology. The technology provides reliable data exchange between devices in a system. It’s sometimes thought of as a machine’s central messaging system.
With all these advancements, construction equipment cabs are no longer just a place to work. They are becoming a significant recruiting tool.
Read more about the latest equipment benefits for operators.
By Thomas Lee, Product Strategy Manager
Thomas Lee is a product strategy manager at DEVELON. He has more than 13 years of experience working in the heavy equipment industry.
