Topcon GC-35 User manual

GC-35
Paver and Profiler Control Box
Quick Reference Guide
GC-35_QRG.book Page 1 Tuesday, January 31, 2017 3:43 PM

GC-35 Control Box
Quick Reference Guide
Part Number 1001548-01
Rev C
©Copyright Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
January 2017
All contents in this manual are copyrighted by Topcon. All rights reserved. The information contained herein may not be used, accessed,
copied, stored, displayed, sold, modified, published, or distributed, or otherwise reproduced without express written consent from
Topcon.
GC-35_QRG.book Page i Tuesday, January 31, 2017 3:43 PM
For more information contact Synergy Positioning Systems or
visit the Synergy Positioning Systems website at www.synergypositioning.co.nz
All branches: Phone [phone] Email: [email protected]

Terms and Conditions
Thank you for buying this Topcon product. This manual has been prepared to assist you with the care and operation of the product and its use
is subject to these Terms and Conditions and those more fully set forth in the Operator’s Manual.
Usage and Safety
This product is designed for use by professionals. Always use safety precautions when operating this or any Topcon product. See “Safety
Warnings” for details.
Copyrights and Trademarks
The information in this manual is a copyright of Topcon and is for use only with the product. GC-35, Sonic Tracker II, and Topcon are trademarks
or registered trademark of Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc. Windows and the Windows CE icon are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation.
Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Disclaimer of Warranty and License Agreement
Please see the Operator’s Manual for detailed information on warranties and the license agreement which may apply to the Product.
Except for such warranties and licenses provided with the product, this manual and the product are provided “AS-IS”. Topcon and its distributors
shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein; nor for incidental or consequential damages resulting from the
furnishing, performance or use of this material or the Product.
Use of any computer programs or software supplied by Topcon or downloaded from the Topcon website in connection with the Product implies
acceptance of the Terms and Conditions here and in the Operator’s Manual.
Website
https://www.topconpositioning.com/support/products/gc-35/
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GC-35 Setup
1
P/N: 1001548-01
• • • • • •
GC-35 Setup
Features
*For Proler (Milling) code, if you are using both a sonic tracker and a yoyo sensor, pressing
the Slope/Elevaton button cycles through the sonic tracker ( ), the yoyo sensor ( ), and
the slope sensor ( ).
If you are using only one elevation sensor, either sonic or yoyo, pressing the Slope/Elevation
button switches between the elevation sensor ( ) and the slope sensor ( ).
Auto Indicator LED
Auto Button
Survey Button
Elevation Indicator
LED (Green)
Slope Indicator
LED (Yellow)
Slope/Elevation
Button*
Jog Up/Down
Buttons
LCD
Light Sensor
Power On/Off
Button
Grade Adjustment
Knob
Grade Adjustment
Arrows
Menu Selection
Buttons
Grade Indicator
LEDs
USB Port
USB Cap
(Removed)
Jaw Mount
Power Connector
Sonic Tracker
or Slope Sensor
Connectors
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GC-35 Setup
First Time Setup
2
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First Time Setup
1. Mount the Control Box onto the bracket.
2. Connect the Sensor Cables and the Power Cable to the Control Box.
3. Power on the Control Box. See “Powering the Control Box On/Off” on page 2.
4. Set the Valve Offsets from the Performance Menu. See “Setting Valve Offsets (Raise and Lower) for Paver” on page 7.
or See “Setting Valve Offsets (Raise and Lower) for Profiler” on page 10.
Powering the Control Box On/Off
Power On/O
Button
Startup Screen Shutdown Screen
GC-35
Shutting Down
Cong File Name
cong: 15
Machine Type
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GC-35 Setup
Control Screen
3
P/N: 1001548-01
Control Screen
The Control Screen displays when you power on the control box. It is your interface with the components of your
Topcon System. The Control Screen changes depending on how you have configured your Control Box and your
Topcon System.
The illustration below shows an example of a Control Box set up to display information from a secondary Control Box
set up for Slope Control.
Elevation Set
Point Value
Actual Elevation
Sensor Reading
Slope Set Point Value
Positive/Negative
Slope Indicator Icon
Actual Slope
Sensor Reading
Menu/Set
Button Function
Display Area
Elevation Icon
Paver:
Proler:
Units (ft/in/cm)
ST-3 Surface/Stringline Mode Icon
Display Slope Box
Auto Icon
Slope Icon
Primary Control Box Display Area
Secondary Control Box
Display Area
Cross Communication
On-Grade Icon
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GC-35 Setup
Performance Menu
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P/N: 1001548-01
Performance Menu
Follow these steps to access the Performance Menu, select Performance Menu items, and make changes.
1. From the Control Screen, press the Menu/Set button.
2. Rotate the Grade Adjustment Knob to scroll through the menu selections displayed on the screen, and press the Enter
button to select a menu item.
Press Menu/Set Button Turn Grade Adjustment Knob Press Enter Button
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GC-35 Setup
Performance Menu
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P/N: 1001548-01
3. Press to highlight the value in blue, and then use the Grade Adjustment Knob to change the value.
4. Press to store the value (Figure 3), or press to cancel and revert back to the original value..
Press Enter Turn Grade Adjustment Knob Press OK
28 28
If power is interrupted to the Control Box within two seconds after making an adjustment, the Control Box does
not have time to store the new setting and reverts to previous (or original) settings.
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GC-35 Setup
Performance Menu
6
P/N: 1001548-01
Default settings are preset values that run most machines, except for Valve Offsets which must be set by the Operator
at first time setup.
See “Setting Valve Offsets (Raise and Lower) for Paver” on page 7.
Table 1. Performance Menu Settings
Number Menu Item Range Default
1Elev.Gains (Raise and Lower) 1 – 200 25
2Slope Gain (Raise and Lower) 1 – 100 25
3Valve Offsets 1 – 999 135
4Elevation Deadband 1 – 30 mm 3 mm
5Slope Deadband 0.025% – 0.75% 0.075%
6Averaging 1 – 100 50
7Machine Type Paver or Profiler -
8Display Set point, + Sensor, Both sides +Sensor
9Units in, ft, cm in
10 System Info N/A Displays the Topcon logo, copyright date, and
current firmware version. Interface to Update
Control Box and ST-3 Firmware.
11 Sonic Tracker 3 Surface, Stringline, Use at power up Surface
12 Slope Res. 0.1%, 0.5% 0.1%
13 Slope Cal. Block Off, On On
14 Language English, Deutsch, Nederlands,
Espanol, Francais
English
15 Box Position Left or Right Left
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GC-35 Setup
Paving Applications
7
P/N: 1001548-01
Paving Applications
Setting Valve Offsets (Raise and Lower) for Paver
1. Run the paver until the hydraulic oil is at normal operating 
temperature before setting the valve offsets.
2. Select Valve Offsets  raise:.
3. Turn the Grade Adjustment Knob counter clockwise, 
decreasing the Valve Offset - raise value until the hydraulic 
cylinder no longer moves. Then slowly rotate the Grade 
Adjustment Knob clockwise until the hydraulic cylinder just 
begins to move up.
4. Repeat step 3 for Valve Offsets  lower:.
Set the Valve Offsets first, before setting any other Performance Menu items.
The offset value on one side of the paver may differ from the offset value on the other side of the paver. You must
verify the offset values before swapping boxes.
Never attempt to use Valve Offsets to compensate for a slower raise or lower speed of your hydraulic valves, as
it causes undershooting or overshooting in Slope Mode and can adversely affect the quality of the mat.
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GC-35 Setup
Paving Applications
8
P/N: 1001548-01
Getting Started Paving Using Elevation Control
1. Setup the paver screed as you would to start paving manually.
2. Power up the Control Box and select Elevation Control by pressing the Slope/Elevation button until the green LED
above the elevation symbol lights up.
3. Position the Sonic Tracker over the grade reference.
4. Press Survey to set to On-grade.
5. Press and hold the Menu/Set button, then turn the Grade Adjustment Knob to set the display’s Elevation Setpoint
value to the desired paving thickness.
6. Switch to Auto, by pressing the Auto button and begin paving.
7. After paving several feet/meters, check the mat thickness.
8. Use the Grade Adjustment Knob as needed to make changes to the mat thickness.
Getting Started Paving Using Slope Control
1. Setup the paver screed as you would to start paving manually.
2. Make sure the slope sensor is mounted onto the transverse beam of the paver.
3. To pave using slope control you must first calibrate the slope sensor to the screed.
4. Find a smooth area where the screed can rest evenly across its entire surface. Using a laser, a Smart Level,
or a slope board, that itself has been calibrated, check the slope and direction of fall of the ground.
Slope Cal. Block must be set to Off in the Performance Menu to calibrate the slope sensor. Slope
Cal. Block will reset to On after five minutes.
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GC-35 Setup
Paving Applications
9
P/N: 1001548-01
5. Place the screed on the ground and null it out.
6. Power up the Control Box and select Slope Control by pressing the Slope/Elevation button until the yellow LED
above the slope symbol lights up.
7. Press Survey.
a. If the On-grade bar lights up, and the screen displays a slope value that is identical to the laser or Smart
Level, press the Auto button to put the Control Box into Automatic control, and begin paving.
b. If the slope displayed in the box does not match the surface, then you must calibrate the slope sensor.
8. Press and hold the Menu/Set button, then turn the Grade Adjustment Knob to change the display’s slope
percentage to match the slope of the surface.
9. Press the Auto button to switch to Auto, and begin paving.
10. Use the Grade Adjustment Knob as needed to make changes to the slope value.
Once the slope sensor is calibrated and you are ready to begin paving, you may find the existing surface does not
have the same slope as the finish design. In order to produce a smooth transition, begin paving at the existing
slope and slowly turn the Grade Adjustment Knob to change the cross slope to the correct percentage.
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GC-35 Setup
Profiler (Milling) Applications
10
P/N: 1001548-01
Profiler (Milling) Applications
Setting Valve Offsets (Raise and Lower) for Profiler
1. Run the profiler until the hydraulic oil is at normal 
operating temperature before setting the valve offsets.
2. Select Valve Offsets  raise:.
3. Turn the Grade Adjustment Knob counter clockwise, 
decreasing the Valve Offset - raise value until the hydraulic 
cylinder no longer moves. Then slowly rotate the Grade 
Adjustment Knob clockwise until the hydraulic cylinder just 
begins to move up.
4. Repeat step 3 for Valve Offsets  lower:.
Set the Valve Offsets first, before setting any other Performance Menu items.
The offset value on one side of the profiler may differ from the offset value on the other side of the profiler. You
must verify the offset values before swapping boxes.
Never attempt to use Valve Offsets to compensate for a slower raise or lower speed of your hydraulic valves, as
it causes undershooting or overshooting in Slope Mode and can adversely affect the quality of the job.
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GC-35 Setup
Profiler (Milling) Applications
11
P/N: 1001548-01
Getting Started Milling Using Elevation Control
1. Setup the profiler as you would to start milling manually.
2. Power up the Control Box and select Elevation Control by pressing the Slope/Elevation button until the green LED
above the elevation symbol lights up.
3. Position the Sonic Tracker over the grade reference or the side blade when using yoyo sensors.
4. Gradually lower the drum so it is just about the scrape the surface at both sides.
5. Press Survey to set to On-grade.
6. Press and hold the Menu/Set button, then turn the Grade Adjustment Knob to set the display’s Elevation Setpoint
value to zero cutting depth.
7. Switch to Auto, by pressing the Auto button and begin milling. Use the Grade Adjustment Knob to gradually cut to
the desired depth.
8. After milling several feet/meters, check the cutting depth.
If you are using both a sonic tracker and a yoyo sensor, pressing the Slope/Elevaton button cycles
through the sonic tracker , the yoyo sensor , and the slope sensor .
If you are using only one elevation sensor, either sonic or yoyo, pressing the Slope/Elevation button
switches between the elevation sensor and the slope sensor .
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GC-35 Setup
Profiler (Milling) Applications
12
P/N: 1001548-01
9. Use the Grade Adjustment Knob as needed to make changes to the cutting depth.
Getting Started Milling Using Slope Control
1. Setup the profiler as you would to start milling manually.
2. Make sure the slope sensor is mounted parallel to the cutting drum as close as possible to the drum.
3. To mill using slope control you must first calibrate the slope sensor to the cutting drum.
4. Find a smooth area where the drum can rest evenly across its entire surface. Using a laser, a Smart Level, or a slope
board, that itself has been calibrated, check the slope and direction of the fall of the ground.
5. Place the drum on the ground on the same location as the slope was measured.
6. Power up the Control Box and select Slope Control by pressing the Slope/Elevation button until the yellow LED
above the slope symbol lights up.
7. Press Survey.
a. If the On-grade bar lights up, and the screen displays a slope value that is identical to the laser or Smart
Level, press the Auto button to put the Control Box into Automatic control, and begin milling.
Once steps 1-6 have been done when using yoyo sensors, the actual cutting depth will always
be shown. Only steps 7 to 9 will be required.
Slope Cal. Block must be set to Off in the Performance Menu to calibrate the slope sensor.
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GC-35 Setup
Profiler (Milling) Applications
13
P/N: 1001548-01
b. If the slope displayed in the box does not match the surface, then you must calibrate the slope sensor.
8. Press and hold the Menu/Set button, then turn the Grade Adjustment Knob to change the display’s slope
percentage to match the slope of the surface.
9. Press the Auto button to switch to Auto, and begin milling.
10. Use the Grade Adjustment Knob as needed to make changes to the slope value.
Once the slope sensor is calibrated and you are ready to begin milling, you may find the existing surface does not
have the same slope as the finish design. In order to produce a smooth transition, begin milling at the existing
slope and slowly turn the Grade Adjustment Knob to change the cross slope to the correct percentage.
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GC-35 Setup
General Features
14
P/N: 1001548-01
General Features
Adjusting the Setpoint
Value Before You Start
Adjusting the Setpoint
Value While in Automatic
Control
0.20
0.18
0.40
0.40
Turn On
AUTO
5
2
33
Turn Grade
Adjustment
Knob to
Desired Value
4
Press
and Hold
Menu/Set
Button
Press Survey
Turn O
AUTO
1
1
Turn Grade
Adjustment
Knob to
Desired Value
2
Press
and Hold
Menu/Set
Button
0.20
0.18
0.40
0.38
Adjusting the Setpoint value does
not change the existing depth, it
only changes the reference number
viewed on the display
The Setpoint value changes to Red
when you turn the knob.
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GC-35 Setup
General Features
15
P/N: 1001548-01
Cross Communication
Pressing the Cross Communication button allows you to remotely control a secondary Control Box. When the Cross
Communication Indication Arrows display on the Control Screen, Cross Communication is active.
The bottom half of
the Control Screen shows the settings of the secondary box.
1. Press and hold Cross Communication.
Red double arrows display on the screen once cross communication with the secondary Control Box
establishes.
Primary Control BoxPrimary Control Box Secondary Control Box
2.5
2.5
0.15
0.15
Cross Communicaton
Indication Arrows
Cross Communication
- Press and Hold to
Make Changes to
Secondary Control Box
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GC-35 Setup
General Features
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P/N: 1001548-01
2. While holding Cross Communication, you can view or make the following changes to the settings in the secondary
box:
• Switch the secondary Control Box into Automatic or Manual mode.
• Adjust the slope or elevation values using the Grade Adjustment Knob.
• Survey to On-grade.
• Switch between Elevation/Slope control.
• Jog Up/Down.
3. When finished, release Cross Communication.
Setting Surface or Stringline Mode for the ST-3
When using a Sonic Tracker 3 (ST-3), you can select either Surface or Stringline mode from the Performance
Menu
. Use Surface mode when tracking a surface, or Stringline when tracking a stringline with your ST-3. By checking
the
Use at power up check box, the Control Box remembers your preferred setting at power up. The default setting
is Surface.
1. From the Performance Menu select Sonic Tracker 3 and press the press the Enter button .
2. Press either Surface or Stringline.
3. Check the Use at power up check box to lock this setting to Stringline Mode when the Control Box powers on and
off, if desired, otherwise the Control Box always powers up with the ST-3 set to Surface Mode.
The Menu/Set Button and access to the secondary Control Box’s Performance Menu is disabled while in Cross
Communication.
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