SAKAI Launches Echelon Mode for Guardman Brake System

Adairsville, Georgia - SAKAI America, Inc., a compaction equipment manufacturer, has introduced Echelon Mode for its Guardman Automatic Brake Assist System for SW884 and SW994 rollers. Developed in response to feedback from highway contractors using SAKAI equipment, this new feature aims to improve the efficiency of tandem asphalt rolling operations. 

Guardman uses millimeter-wave radar or 3D LiDAR (depending on the model) to detect potential collisions, alert operators, and automatically apply brakes if necessary. The new Echelon Mode enhances this system by tackling the specific challenges of echelon rolling, a key technique in highway-class paving.

Echelon Mode enables two SAKAI SW884 (79-inch) or SW994 (84-inch) asphalt rollers, equipped with Guardman, to work closely without triggering false alarms while maintaining collision protection. The system intelligently tracks the lead roller’s distance, activating operator warnings and braking only when a collision risk is detected.

Echelon Mode enhances tandem rolling by enabling closer and more efficient echelon formations while minimizing false alarms and unnecessary braking interruptions. It ensures reliable collision prevention with a proximity indicator that provides real-time feedback on the distance between rollers, allowing operators to make proactive adjustments and avoid unwanted braking. Activation is simple, as Echelon Mode can be toggled on or off with the push of a button via the Guardman display screen.

Mr. Brad Belvin, Manager of sales and marketing at SAKAI, said, “We listened to highway contractors who expressed the need for a solution that would allow for closer, more efficient tandem rolling while still allowing the benefits of Guardman's automatic braking if necessary. Echelon Mode is the result of that feedback, and we're proud to offer this advancement to the industry.”

Mr. Kevin McClain, VP of operations, at SAKAI, said, “Safety is our top priority at SAKAI America, Echelon Mode is a testament to our commitment to continuous improvement and our dedication to providing our customers with the most trustworthy compaction equipment."

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