Trimble Earthworks Grade Control Platform Now Available for Kobelco Excavators
Kobelco Construction Machinery U.S.A. and Trimble have announced an expanded collaboration that makes the Trimble Earthworks grade control platform 2D guidance and control systems available directly through select Kobelco dealers in North America. This new offering, launched as Kobelco’s certified Trimble Earthworks 2D grade control program, is now available at Kobelco dealers across North America, enhancing machine productivity and jobsite precision.
While Kobelco has offered a Trimble Ready option from the factory on multiple machine models since 2017, today’s announcement makes it easy for customers to acquire excavators pre-equipped with Trimble Earthworks and receive training, service and support directly from their Kobelco dealer.
This program enables certified Kobelco dealers to offer and install Trimble 2D machine guidance and control systems and offers customers a pathway to all the benefits of grade control technology, including 3D grade control. Kobelco provides solutions to meet evolving contractor needs, whether customers are seeking consistent grade accuracy with full manual control or semi-autonomous excavation with automated boom and bucket movement.
“We are committed to providing our customers with the tools they need to succeed on modern jobsites,” said Dan Collins, director of product development & marketing at Kobelco USA. “This collaboration allows Kobelco dealers to offer proven technology that enhances productivity, reduces overcut and shortens project timelines.”
“We are committed to making Trimble technology as easy as possible for all customers to purchase, regardless of equipment type,” said Scott Crozier, vice president, civil construction field systems at Trimble. “We expect today’s announcement will make it easier for Kobelco customers to take advantage of seamless integration into the Trimble technology ecosystem.”
Dealer certified, customer focused
To ensure seamless integration and support for customers, Kobelco has established a rigorous certification process for dealers. Training includes online courses and in-person sessions covering both sales and technical service. Participating locations are also required to have demo equipment, a spare parts inventory and a dedicated technology champion.
By becoming certified, dealers gain the ability to:
● Offer pre-configured Trimble Earthworks 2D solutions at competitive pricing.
● Finance grade control systems alongside machine purchases.
● Deliver faster installation with Kobelco’s factory sensor mounts on select models.
● Support upgrades to Trimble Earthworks 3D grade control through the SITECH distribution channel, when needed.
Model compatibility & availability
Trimble Earthworks 2D systems are available for a range of Kobelco models with factory sensor mounts that streamline installation. Pricing and availability information is available through Kobelco dealers: https://KOBELCO-USA.com/excavators/dealer-locator.
To learn more about Trimble machine control and guidance for excavators, visit https://heavyindustry.trimble.com/en/products/grade-control-excavators.
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.