Global construction equipment manufacturer Develon and Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, have stated that the Leica MC1 3D machine control solution is now offered as an aftermarket kit for all Develon 9 Series crawler excavators.

The offering enables customers to upgrade any machine in the 9 Series with 3D control capabilities by integrating the Leica system with Develon’s current 2D sensors and calibration technology.

The integration allows operators to use Leica’s 3D machine control functions alongside existing Develon 2D technologies.

Features such as Virtual Wall for defining operation boundaries, a weighing system for monitoring load in real time, and Lift Assist for stability, will remain accessible after installation.

The control architecture within the Series 9 excavators supports immediate communication between Develon's onboard sensors and Leica’s automation platform.

Develon Europe product manager Stephane Dieu said: “By expanding the availability of the Leica MC1 3D machine control solution to all 9 Series crawler excavators, Develon is reinforcing its commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.”

The Series 9 controller oversees the exchange of data between the installed systems, supporting a straightforward transition to 3D operation on site without major operational disruption.

Leica Geosystems machine control division president Neil Williams said: “This partnership seamlessly integrates the advanced capabilities of Develon’s 2D systems with Leica Geosystems’ 3D technology.

"With an efficient installation and calibration process, this collaboration empowers customers to work smarter and achieve results faster.”

This development follows continued collaboration between Develon and Leica Geosystems to improve compatibility between construction equipment and digital technologies.

The integration aims to provide machine operators with access to more detailed automation options while retaining the functionality of previously installed features.