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Experience the Ditch Assist X Difference Through Our Engaging Audio Guide or watch the Video below

DIG ON GRADE

Ditch Assist X  is the game-changing add-on to the renowned Ditch Assist system that combines unmatched precision, versatility, and affordability as the first affordable alternative to using lasers when digging to grade. Using an RTK GPS receiver plus Ditch Assist X Sensor Modules mounted on the machine, the operator can use the Ditch Assist App to verify bucket elevation and check grade at any position in real-time.

What is Ditch Assist X?

Ditch Assist X is an innovative add-on designed for precise grade control on excavators and backhoes, enhancing your digging accuracy with real-time bucket elevation data. 🌐✨

Does Ditch Assist X control the machine?

No, it combines RTK GPS and machine-mounted sensors to provide visual guidance to the operator, not physical control. 📍🛠️

How does it differ from using a laser?

Unlike lasers, Ditch Assist X uses GPS and sensors for accurate bucket edge elevation readings at any position, eliminating the need to stop for grade checks or reposition lasers. RTK GPS also excels over long distances. 📡🚫🔦

Is RTK GPS necessary?

Yes, Ditch Assist X relies on high-accuracy GPS information for precise guidance. Stay tuned for bundled RTK options! 🛰️🎯

Do I need Ditch Assist to use Ditch Assist X?

 Yes, Ditch Assist X is an add-on kit for Ditch Assist. You’ll need the Control Module and harness from Ditch Assist to pair with the Ditch Assist X kit for use on excavators or backhoes. 🔄🔗

How rugged is Ditch Assist X?

 The sensors and components are designed to be rugged, but it’s not intended for use in deep water or environments with a high risk of impact damage. 💪🚧

How does it work?

Operators use a free Android app to set a start location and target grade. Real-time visual and optional audible alerts help maintain the target grade as you dig. 📱🎶

What about changing grade mid-run?

Simply set a new start point at a previously graded location and enter a new grade to continue working. 🔄📐

What are the applications for Ditch Assist X?

Originally designed for drainage ditch digging and tiling, it’s also popular in construction for trenching sewer lines and digging foundations, among other uses. 🏗️💧

Ditch Assist X Highlights

Ditch Assist Android App

Ditch Assist X uses the Ditch Assist Android App featuring wireless communications and easy to use features

Verify Grade Easily

The operator can see current bucket elevation and whether they are on grade. No lasers to move or grade rod checks

Advanced Features

Ditch Assist X smart sensors combined with GPS information provide accurate bucket elevation at any digging position

How can we make Ditch Assist X work for you?

Want to find out more about Ditch Assist X and how it could fit within your operation? Request a no obligation consultation with one of our knowledgeable dealers today.

What can you do with Ditch Assist X?

Dig On Grade

The example above shows a cross section of an existing ditch profile (black line) and a design for re-grading the ditch so that water drains (green dashed line) along with the required grades. To clean-out and properly grade the ditch, the operator simply sets the bucket on a reference point such as a culvert at the downstream point, enters the target grade (0.15%), and starts working. At the first grade break they repeat the process, entering the next grade (0.05%), and continue. The end result is a ditch that’s properly graded.

HOW DITCH ASSIST X WORKS

Ditch Assist X uses a combination of machine mounted GPS and sensors to compute accurate bucket elevation at any machine position. The GPS antenna is mounted on the included pendulum mount at the pivot point between the stick and stick cylinder. Ditch Assist X sensor modules are mounted on the dog-bone and on the stick.

Once measurements and calibrations have been performed using our intuitive calibration app, the modules transmit corrected bucket elevations over Wi-Fi to the Ditch Assist app in the cab.

RTK GPS Receiver

Mount any RTK GPS receiver or antenna on the boom with the included pendulum mount system to provide high-accuracy position and elevation data

Ditch Assist X Sensors

Rugged and highly accurate, the Ditch Assist X sensors mount on the stick and dogbone to constantly measure the angles

Ditch Assist Control Module

The Ditch Assist Control Module processes data and provides wireless communication with the Android tablet in the cab

Ditch Assist X uses the Ditch Assist App

Our free app runs on Android tablets that cost just a few hundred dollars. Today’s tablets have plenty of power, and eliminate the need for an expensive in-cab display or computer. Once connected to the Ditch Assist Control Module via Wi-Fi, the app receives the accurate bucket elevation measurements, updated several times per second.

The operator can use the Ditch Assist app to set a target grade, just like a laser, and as they begin working the app will provide visual and audible guidance to maintain the required grade. If a Bluetooth-enabled GPS is being used it is also possible to transfer the GPS and tablet to an ATV to survey the proposed route, then use Ditch Assist’s advanced Slope-IQ function to design a variable slope ditch to dig.

Get a Quote Today

Ditch Assist X offers some of the most advanced functionaility at a price that you won’t be shocked by! Get a no obligation quote today and find out how Ditch Assist X can make you more efficient.

Ditch Assist X In Use

In Costa Rican pineapple plantations, drainage ditches are used to drain excess water from the soil profile and prevent crop losses. Ditch Assist X allows these drains to be dug more efficiently and safely without the need for a spotter to continually check the grades.

Revolutionize Your Excavation Projects with Ditch Assist X

Attention excavator operators, contractors, and earthwork professionals!

Are you tired of the hassle and limitations of using lasers for digging to grade? Say hello to Ditch Assist X – the game-changing add-on to the renowned Ditch Assist system that combines unmatched precision, versatility, and affordability. Developed by the experts at Northern Plains Drainage Systems, Ditch Assist X is your key to unlocking a new era of efficiency and accuracy in your excavation projects.

What is Ditch Assist X?

Ditch Assist X is an innovative add-on system that extends the capabilities of Ditch Assist to excavators and backhoes, allowing you to verify grade in real-time as you work. By utilizing a combination of RTK GPS and machine-mounted sensors, Ditch Assist X provides accurate bucket elevation data at any position, eliminating the need for cumbersome and expensive laser setups or constant grade rod checks.

Key Features and Benefits:

  1. Real-Time Grade Verification: With Ditch Assist X, you can easily verify that you’re on grade at any time and at any distance from your starting location. The system constantly measures the angles of the stick and bucket linkages, combining this information with GPS data to provide accurate bucket elevation readings. This real-time feedback is displayed on the user-friendly Ditch Assist Android app, allowing you to make precise adjustments on the fly.
  2. Seamless Integration with Ditch Assist: As an add-on to the Ditch Assist system, Ditch Assist X seamlessly integrates with the existing platform, leveraging the power of the Ditch Assist Android app. This means you can enjoy the same wireless communication, intuitive interface, and advanced features that have made Ditch Assist a favorite among drainage professionals. Whether you’re using Ditch Assist X on its own or in conjunction with Ditch Assist on other machines, you’ll experience a seamless and efficient workflow.
  3. Versatile Applications: Ditch Assist X is designed to tackle a wide range of excavation tasks with unparalleled precision. From digging ditches and trenches to creating flat bases for foundations and maintaining specific depths, Ditch Assist X has you covered. The system’s advanced features, such as the ability to set a reference point and enter target grades or depths, make it easy to achieve the desired results in any scenario.
  4. Cost-Effective Solution: Say goodbye to the high costs associated with integrated machine control systems. Ditch Assist X offers a cost-effective alternative that delivers professional-grade results without breaking the bank. By eliminating the need for expensive equipment and reducing the time spent on manual grade checks, Ditch Assist X helps you maximize your budget and boost your bottom line.
  5. Rugged and Reliable Components: Ditch Assist X is built to withstand the rigors of the job site. The system features rugged, high-accuracy sensors that are designed to perform in tough conditions. The included pendulum mount system ensures stable and precise GPS measurements, while the Ditch Assist Control Module provides reliable wireless communication with the Android tablet in the cab. With Ditch Assist X, you can trust that your equipment will deliver consistent, dependable performance day in and day out.

How Ditch Assist X Solves Common Pain Points:

  • Eliminates the Need for Lasers: Traditional laser-based systems can be cumbersome, time-consuming, and prone to setup errors. Ditch Assist X eliminates these issues by relying on GPS and machine-mounted sensors to provide accurate grade information. This means you can spend less time setting up and adjusting lasers and more time getting the job done.
  • Reduces Manual Grade Checks: Constantly stopping to check grade with a grade rod can significantly slow down your progress. With Ditch Assist X, you can verify grade in real-time from the comfort of your cab. The system’s real-time feedback allows you to make immediate adjustments, minimizing the need for manual checks and ensuring that you stay on track.
  • Increases Efficiency and Productivity: By providing accurate and instant grade verification, Ditch Assist X enables you to work more efficiently and productively. You can dig with confidence, knowing that you’re maintaining the desired grade or depth at all times. This increased efficiency translates into faster project completion, reduced labor costs, and improved overall profitability.
  • Enhances Safety: Ditch Assist X helps improve job site safety by reducing the need for personnel to enter trenches or ditches for manual grade checks. With the ability to verify grade remotely from the cab, you can minimize the risk of accidents and injuries associated with traditional methods.
  • Provides Flexibility and Versatility: Ditch Assist X is designed to work with a wide range of excavators and backhoes, regardless of make or model. The system’s modular design allows for easy installation and transfer between machines, giving you the flexibility to use it on multiple projects and adapt to changing job requirements.

Ditch Assist X has already proven its worth in various applications around the world. From Costa Rican pineapple plantations, where the system has enabled more efficient and safer drainage ditch excavation, to construction sites and infrastructure projects, Ditch Assist X is helping professionals achieve better results in less time.

In today’s competitive landscape, precision and efficiency are more critical than ever. Ditch Assist X empowers you to take your excavation projects to the next level, providing a cost-effective, user-friendly, and highly accurate solution for grade control. As an add-on to the already impressive Ditch Assist system, Ditch Assist X expands your capabilities and helps you tackle even the most challenging tasks with ease.

Don’t let outdated methods hold you back any longer. Embrace the future of excavation with Ditch Assist X and experience the difference for yourself. Contact our knowledgeable dealers today for a no-obligation consultation and discover how Ditch Assist X can revolutionize your operations. With Ditch Assist X, you’ll have the power to dig with precision, efficiency, and confidence – every time.

 F.A.Q.

What type of GPS do I need?

Ditch Assist relies on accurate GPS elevation and position data to function. Therefore, we recommend RTK accuracy for the best results.

Ditch Assist works with virtually any GPS receiver. It uses industry standard NMEA messages from the GPS, meaning your current system (provided you have the required level of accuracy) can probably be used with Ditch Assist. We offer brand-specific cables for the most common agriculture GPS receivers, and can even power most ‘smart antennas’ (such as John Deere, Trimble 262/372, Outback A320, Hemisphere Atlas, etc) directly, meaning no messy wiring going back to the tractor cab. The following are common GPS systems our customers are using today with Ditch Assist:

  • John Deere (all receivers provided you have the required level of accuracy – RTK is recommended)
  • Trimble (all smart antennas, plus FM750/1000 with required level of accuracy)
  • Outback (MAX/STX/S3/A320/A220 running RTK)
  • Ag Leader (all RTK receivers can be used)
  • Emlid Reach RS2

The recent influx of very low cost RTK receivers on the market means you could get up and running very cheaply. But many of these systems require some knowledge to build/configure them correctly to work with Ditch Assist, and may not be as reliable.

What type of Tablet do I need?

The Ditch Assist App runs on Android only, so you’ll need an Android tablet. It’s designed for 10″ screens (slightly smaller (e.g. 9.6″) or bigger are fine too).

You’ll need a tablet with at least 2GB of RAM memory, and it must have a recent version of Android.

We do most of our testing on the Samsung tablets so can suggest these as good options. We suggest you contact us or one of our dealers to confirm the best locally available tablet option for you before purchasing one as some work better than others. Many of our dealers also bundle tablets with Ditch Assist.

What type of equipment does Ditch Assist X work with?

Ditch Assist X can be installed on any excavator, backhoe, or mini excavator.

Can I move Ditch Assist X between machines?

Ditch Assist X is easily moved between machines. We recommend you purchase an additional wiring harness for each machine and weld permanent mount bolts for the sensor modules so you can put them back in the exact same location and use your previous calibration measurements. Then simply remove the modules and transfer them.

Is Ditch Assist X compatible with Ditch Assist?

Yes! Ditch Assist X uses the Ditch Assist control module, and adds the stick and bucket sensors to the system. If you already have Ditch Assist you can purchase an add-on kit to enable Ditch Assist X functionality. If you have Ditch Assist X you can purchase a PWM valve and use it on a scraper or other implement.

Can I use my iPad with Ditch Assist?

The Ditch Assist app is Android-only, and it is not possible to use an iPad with Ditch Assist.