Backhoe Loader Personal Simulator

Simlog’s new Backhoe Loader Personal Simulator puts you at the controls of a backhoe loader at work in a typical construction site.

Simulators

Heavy Equipment Training Simulators

Item Number:

BHL

Backhoe Loader Personal Simulator Display Options

Simlog’s Backhoe Loader Personal Simulator puts you at the controls of a backhoe loader (BHL), also called “Loader Backhoe” and “Tractor Loader Backhoe (TLB), at work in a typical construction site.

Both SAE and ISO joystick patterns are available, and changing the point of view during the simulation is easy with joystick buttons, keyboard function keys and mouse controls.

Training efficiency is delivered through a modular Instructional Design that teaches real skills for productive and safe equipment operations in the field.

Special configuration parameters allow instructors to modify the 3D modelling to select one of five possible color combinations, and set the number of lift arm cylinders to one or two. This flexibility makes the simulated Backhoe Loader look like the equipment sold by all the leading OEMs.

Other configuration parameters make it possible to set up just one display where space is limited, or three displays to create a much larger field of view. Also unique to Simlog, a rear display can be added to teach new operators to turn their heads when backing up.

And unique to Simlog, all you need is one off-the-shelf PC! Either use your own computer, or choose the convenience of our PC bundle with the Simlog software already installed, licensed, and ready to go in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese.

Key Features

Highly realistic simulation graphics and physics
9 Simulation Modules of increasing difficulty
62 Performance Indicators to comprehensively evaluate the simulated work
2 Procedure and Fatal errors to detect incorrect and unsafe operator actions
Many kinds of USB-ready simulator controls and mounting options
SAE and ISO Joystick Patterns supported
Support for multiple displays
Configuration parameters to modify the 3D modelling and set the number of lift arm cylinders
Viewpoints from inside and outside the cabin that can be changed during simulation
HD Instructional Video for each Simulation Module
e-book Instructional Companion

Replica Controls Operator Chair Software Overview

Backhoe Loader Personal Simulator Replica Controls

Simlog Replica Controls for the Backhoe Loader Personal Simulator feature industrial strength components suitable for both table-top mounting and Simlog’s Operator Chair. If you are a Simlog customer, you may be able to re-use the Replica Controls that you already have.

Replica Controls begin with two industrial USB joysticks. There are a total of 8 push-buttons for the thumb, plus a trigger, to let you change the viewpoint by looking to the left/right, looking up/down, and by changing the viewing mode during the simulation. The USB electronics are built right into the base, so the joystick can be connected directly to your PC. Simlog also offers table-top mounting brackets to bring the joysticks down from table-top height to the sides of an ordinary chair, to better mimic the positioning of real controls in the cabin of real heavy equipment.

To complete the Replica Controls, add the Logitech “G920 Driving Force Racing Wheel” consisting of a steering wheel and a three-pedal unit, and the “G920 Driving Force Shifter,” a gear shifter that can also be used with many other Personal Simulators. In most countries, the G920 is for sale in retail stores that sell computers or video games, but it may also be purchased from Logitech’s on-line store. (Logitech’s previous model, the “G27 Racing Wheel” can also be used.)

Four Possible Set-Ups

Single front wall-mounted display
One front and one rear display
Three displays in front, side-by-side on a table
Three displays in front with fourth in the rear

For all setups, Simlog’s Custom Travel Case makes transportation easy.

Key Features

Made-to-measure, with dedicated slots for levers, joysticks, pedals, steering wheel, and table-top mounting brackets
Space for a laptop PC, cables, and documentation
Pull-out handle, with multiple positions
Wheels (casters)
Cases are “stackable,” for easy transport.

Specifications

Overall dimensions: 30″ (76cm) x 24″ (61cm) x 19″ (50cm)
Approximate weight: 50 lbs. (23 kg) when empty, up to 100 lbs. (46 kg) when full (depending upon the Replica Controls.)

Operator Chair

Simlog’s Operator Chair with industrial controls offers a superior simulation experience to train Backhoe Loader operators thanks to an authentic operator seat with consoles for the left and right hands, and an adjustable steering column. All are mounted on an industrial platform with casters, for easy portability.

The industrial steering wheel is mounted on a column that telescopes and easily pivots to numerous angles and it includes three industrial pedals.

If you already have a Simlog Operator Chair that you are using with some other Personal Simulator, then you may be able to re-configure that Operator Chair by purchasing additional elements.

Key Features

Authentic industrial operator seat, with air suspension, and seat-belt
Adjustable seat position (forward/backwards, three vertical positions)
Adjustable armrests (in height and angle)
Integrated left and right consoles for joystick controls
Full steering column with pivot and telescope capabilities
Fully functional industrial style pedals
Steel platform with heavy-duty casters for easy portability

Specifications

Overall Dimensions: L 60” (152.4 cm) x W 34” (86.4 cm) x H 47” (119.4 cm)
Weight: 385 lbs. (175 kg)
Shipping Dimensions: 67″ (170.2 cm) x 43″ (109.2 cm) x 44″ (118.8 cm)
Shipping Weight: approximately 550 lbs. (250 kg) One unit per skid, not stackable
120 VAC/60 Hz, 220-240VAC/50 Hz

Vibration System

Vibration increases the realism of our Personal Simulators by adding physical (tactile) feedback to the audio and visual, making the experience more “immersive” at little additional cost, especially when compared to a motion platform.

The vibration that you feel is generated from the simulation software’s audio system as things happen. Engine idling, collisions with obstacles, digging virtual terrain, etc. can all be seen, heard and experienced! Adding vibration improves the realism of the simulation and makes the simulator-based training more compelling, encouraging trainees to be more serious and learn more carefully.

For our Operator Chairs, Simlog offers a vibration system that includes the “ButtKicker Simulation Kit” plus special mounting for the operator seat. The “ButtKicker” is a low-frequency sound transducer equipped with its own amplifier and “volume” controller to change the “force” of the vibration created by the simulation software sounds.

Software Overview

The following Simulation Modules present training scenarios typical of real backhoe loaders:

Simulation Modules

Controls Familiarization
Bucket Positioning, for driving forwards and backwards with separate targets for the loader and backhoe buckets
Stockpiling, to move material from a digging zone to a dumping zone with the loader bucket
Truck Loading – Loader, using rocks
Following Grade, with the backhoe
Truck Loading – Backhoe, using rocks
Trenching
Buried Utilities – Parallel Excavation, piping is aligned with the positioning of the Backhoe Loader
Buried Utilities – Perpendicular Excavation

Key Performance Indicators

Key “Performance Indicators” measure how quickly and how carefully the simulated work is performed. With 62 Performance Indicators, feedback is diagnostic, instead of just a consolidated pass/fail score. They include execution time, bucket orientation errors, hydraulic slams and collisions.

A variety of incorrect operating conditions will trigger “Procedure Errors”, such as driving “out of bounds”. Finally, conditions related to safety receive special attention: a Backhoe Loader overturn condition will trigger “Fatal Errors” and the simulation immediately stops.

Simulation Manager

Simulation results are automatically saved, along with the occurrence of any “Procedure Error” or “Fatal Error”, so trainees can progress at their own pace without trainer supervision. To simplify the record keeping, Simlog offers a database product called Simulation Manager, and the same database can be used with all of our Personal Simulators.

Low Total Cost of Ownership & Quick ROI

Real affordability, that’s how Simlog sets the standard in cost-effective simulation. The fact is, training with our Personal Simulator is a fraction of the cost of training with a real Backhoe Loader, especially considering that even small accidents due to operator inexperience can mean thousands of dollars in replacement parts and downtime. And the purchase of the simulation software license is a one-time fee, to keep the total cost of ownership as low as possible, with no restrictions on the number of people that you can train.

The software license, a one-time fee, will pay for itself when you train just a handful of new operators. How? Consider the rising costs of putting a real Backhoe Loader to work with a qualified instructor, the damage and downtime that inexperience can cause, and finally the risk of possible injury. That’s why it just makes sense to prepare new operators with Simlog help.