Exclusive UK & Ireland Distributor
THE WORLD'S MOST ADVANCED EXCAVATION AWARENESS TECHNOLOGY.
Excavating around buried utilities has always involved uncertainty. Even with drawings, utility records and conventional locating equipment, operators can’t see the full picture once the bucket starts digging - RodRadar® Live Dig Radar changes that.
RodRadar provides automatic, real-time detection of underground utilities during excavation. By integrating ground-penetrating radar directly into the excavator bucket, it gives operators live information about what’s beneath and around the bucket, helping identify potential utilities before contact.
REAL-TIME UTILITY DETECTION WHILE YOU DIG.
Traditional utility detection happens before excavation. RodRadar adds another layer of protection during the dig itself.
Live Dig Radar® uses patented ground-penetrating radar technology integrated into the excavator bucket to continuously scan the ground around the excavation. When a potential buried utility is detected, the system automatically alerts the operator. RodRadar is designed to detect both metallic and non-metallic underground infrastructure across a range of ground conditions.
Detect. Alert. Avoid.
WHY RODRADAR?
Reduce the risk of utility strikes
Identify potential buried infrastructure before the excavator bucket makes contact.
Give operators live information
Provide the operator with actionable information as excavation is taking place - not just information gathered before the dig begins.
Protect people and infrastructure
Help reduce the risk associated with damaging gas, electricity, water, telecommunications and other buried infrastructure.
Keep projects moving
Avoid the disruption, delays and costs that can follow an accidental utility strike.
Turn excavation into actionable data
With RodRadar's digital capabilities, excavation information can also be captured, reviewed and managed beyond the cab.
BUILT FOR THE REAL WORLD
RodRadar is designed for excavation environments where buried infrastructure may be congested, uncertain or difficult to locate.
It can support work across:
- Utilities and infrastructure
- Water and wastewater
- Gas networks
- Electricity networks
- Telecommunications
- Highways and roadworks
- Civil engineering
- Urban excavation
- Maintenance and repair
- Trenching and reinstatement
Whether working around known services or uncovering infrastructure that wasn't expected, RodRadar provides an additional layer of awareness where it matters most - at the bucket.
LDR EXCAVATE™
YOUR WAY TO AVOID UTILITY STRIKES DURING EXCAVATION
LDR Excavate™ is RodRadar's ground-penetrating radar technology integrated directly into the excavator's digging bucket. It detects potential underground utilities in real time and alerts the operator during excavation.
LDR INSIGHTS™
TURN EXCAVATION DATA INTO ACTIONABLE INSIGHT
LDR Insights™ brings excavation data into a digital platform, helping teams review, manage and understand information captured during digging.
From individual excavations to larger fleets and projects, LDR Insights provides a clearer picture of excavation activity and detected underground infrastructure.
READY TO DIG WITH GREATER AWARENESS?
Whether you're looking to improve excavation safety, protect critical infrastructure or introduce real-time utility detection across your fleet, MachineTech can help. As the exclusive RodRadar distributor for the UK and Ireland, we can provide information, demonstrations and support to help you understand how RodRadar could work for your operation.
FAQs
What is the purpose of the Live Dig Radar® (LDR) system?
The Live Dig Radar® (LDR) system is aimed for utility strike avoidance during excavation. It enhances excavation safety and productivity by automatically detecting any type of buried utilities, alerting the operators in real-time, on-site, delivering both position and depth.
What does an LDR system include?
The LDR system includes the following components:
- LDR Excavate™ digging Bucket – Integrated with a unique GPR sensor.
- LDR Platform Kit – including a junction box, cabling harnesses, and power supply.
- LDR Visualize™ Tablet and Software – enabling easy operation, providing real-time automatic alerts.
- Applications: LDR Insight™ – A cloud-based portal displaying the collective data review and analysis; LDR Capture™ – a mobile application allowing field team access to scan results and enrich information with jobsite data and images.
Does the LDR replace existing processes and regulations? Is it a mapping and surveying tool?
The LDR does not replace existing processes or regulations. The LDR is a job-aid system designed to complement and enhance existing processes, helping operators avoid utility strikes while digging. Although providing real-time actionable alerts of buried utilities, it is not intended for pre-project mapping or surveying purposes.
What are the key benefits of using LDR technology?
The LDR enables the excavator operator to avoid hitting utilities while digging, enhancing excavation safety and productivity, avoiding the down time, costs and other implications associated with utility strikes. The LDR scan results are displayed in real time, providing visual and audible alerts to the operator of suspected utilities including position and depth, requiring no off-site or offline expert analysis.
How does LDR technology compare to traditional GPR?
Unlike traditional GPRs and other locating and surveying systems which are used pre-project, the LDR is aimed at avoiding utilities during excavation itself. The LDR implements a proprietary Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)-based technology, integrated in an excavator digging bucket which can be added to any existing or new platform. The LDR sensor antennas are embedded in the bottom of the bucket and the processing electronics on its top.