Wirtgen has launched the AutoTrac automatic steering system for its WR-series cold recyclers and soil stabilisers. By enabling precise, automatic steering, this system helps the machines achieve greater process efficiency and, as a result, a high degree of environmental compatibility.

The AutoTrac system steers the machine precisely within tolerances reckoned in centimetres on the basis of a previously calculated reference strip and a specified overlap of adjacent strips, enabling consistent utilisation of the machine’s ideal working width.

AutoTrac relies, among other things, on various global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) for precise determination of the machine’s position and direction of travel. The system is operated from an additional control panel that also enables the operator to view information about the position of the machine and previously completed strips.

Considering the sum of the large, avoidable overlaps with neighbouring strips that can occur in manual operations and the corresponding wastage of resources, the potential savings the system can bring soon become obvious. Keeping to the pre-set overlaps reduces the consumption of binding agents, consumables and fuel, makes the carbon footprint smaller and shortens the project completion time. The outcome of this is increased process efficiency and, in consequence, greater cost-effectiveness and environmental compatibility.

Manual steering of the machine always requires considerable effort when it comes to avoiding unprocessed gaps in the ground being worked. Here again, the automatic steering system assists the operator and reduces the workload. Maintaining the desired overlap avoids unwanted gaps in the final results. Knowing this allows the operator to concentrate fully on the mixing process and keep an eye on what’s going on around the machine.