Birmingham, Alabama-based Topcon dealer Earl Dudley, Inc., owns and cooperatively operates 80+ separate reference stations as part of a four-state network RTK effort it calls iNET. With additional stations being added almost weekly and new markets evolving for the highly-accurate RTK data, the future for the company — and the technology — looks extremely promising.
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Local Companies team up with Machine Control to Clean up Gulf Beaches Affected by Oil Spill

The oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico was devastating to everyone from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle. Even before the flow from the oil well was stopped, action was being taken by individuals and businesses region-wide to begin cleaning up the beaches, bringing the white sands we are so proud of back to their natural beauty.

Tractor and Equipment Co., based in Birmingham, Alabama reacted along with LeeBoy Inc, a manufacturing company they represent. The LeeBoy product dubbed the SandShark 3000SS is one of four units being used to restore the beaches back to their pristine condition. This machine is equipped with a Topcon Sonic Tracker II along with a TC9256-0006 Control Box. The Tracker II controls the depth the machine digs into the sand, which is approximately 18 inches. The sand is then conveyed up and into a vibrating box that separates the oil and tar balls from the sand. This results in clean, white sand being returned to the beach and the black, polluting oil is disposed of properly, leaving our beaches back in the beautiful, natural condition we all can enjoy safely and without fear.