Organisers of the Scottish Plant Operator Challenge (SPOC) and MDiG are bringing RodRadar's Live Dig Radar® (LDR) technology to Errol Airfield, where the 2024 edition of the Scottish Plant Operator Challenge will take place on 27th July.

RodRadar's Live Dig Radar® (LDR) technology was launched in the UK at Hillhead in June, where it was only available to view. Now, visitors to SPOC24 will be able to try out this pioneering technology for themselves.

The LDR Excavate™ system uses a ground penetrating radar integrated into the excavator’s digging bucket, connected to a display unit inside the operator’s cabin. This provides automated real time alerts of any type of utilities while digging.

The radar means that operators have the ability to detect and avoid utilities as they dig, acting as a last line of defence and an additional tool to drastically reduce the costs and danger associated with utility strikes in the UK. LDR Excavate™ works on all utility types and in all types of ground.

LDR Excavate™ is designed to withstand even the harshest digging environments and has proven itself through rigorous testing.

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Speaking about RodRadar coming to the event, Grant Healey, MDiG Account Manager, who will be on hand at SPOC24 to answer any questions, said: "Hot on the heels of bringing this technology to the UK market last month at Hillhead, we are excited to give operators and visitors the opportunity to try RodRadar for themselves in the demo plot at the Scottish Plant Operator Challenge. Already established in the US, we can see this technology quickly becoming integrated as standard practice into the UK construction and utility industry. The potential to reduce the costs and danger around utility strikes is significant."

In the UK there are around 4 million kilometres of pipes, electricity and telecoms cables, and sewers. On average there are 12 deaths and 600 serious injuries attributed to contact with the electricity network per year.

There are 65,000 strikes per year on buried service pipes and cables, with the average direct cost per strike estimated at £3,371 and the overall cost to UK construction estimated to total £6 billion per year.

LDR provides the operator with automatic and accurate alerts regarding buried utilities encountered during digging operations, in real time. An LDR bucket with integrated Live Dig Radar technology can easily be installed on any excavator, current or new, using industry standard interfaces of buckets and attachment systems.

Callum Mackintosh, Promoter of the Scottish Plant Operator Challenge, added: "We are delighted that MDiG is bringing RodRadar to the event. This technology is the most exciting attachment development in recent years, and I know there will be plenty of attendees keen to try it out for themselves."

Launched in 2020, MDiG is fast becoming established as one of the industry’s leading providers. Along with online, classroom and site-based training, MDiG covers all aspects of digital construction offering rental and sales of the latest GNSS and machine control equipment, solutions with jobsite setup, 3D data and terrain mapping and an assist service via dedicated support desks.