RadarEye makes the difference at Sibelco

Orlaco real-time vision system proves popular with mobile plant operators at Sibelco Benelux

IN 2012 Orlaco introduced RadarEye to the market, an innovative camera and monitor system that feeds constant, real-time vision and detection information of the working area to the vehicle operator.

Since its introduction, the RadarEye system has been helping to improve the safety and efficiency of industrial vehicles for numerous companies, including specialist industrial sand and mineral producers Sibelco Benelux.

Sibelco’s Hans Ophelders first noticed RadarEye during a trade event for the road transport sector at the RAI trade fair in Amsterdam in April 2012. ‘I was walking around the event when Orlaco’s booth, and their RadarEye vision system, caught my attention.

‘At that time, only one wheel loader at our new plant in Maasmechelen, Belgium, was equipped with a vision system. It consisted of two ultrasonic sensors and three cameras and was good in its own right, but it had difficulty giving the loader operator a clear picture through the dusty environment we work in.’

Mr Ophelders arranged for a trial run of the RadarEye system on another wheel loader at the Maasmechelen plant. The loader operators were able to compare the performance of the two systems during a regular working day.

‘RadarEye came out on top because of its ease of use, clear on-board screen reception, and ability to ‘see’ clearly through the sand and dust,’ said Mr Ophelders. ‘We are now gradually installing RadarEye systems on to all our wheel loaders throughout our Benelux locations, because it seems to make a significant difference to our loader operators.’

One such operator is Jos Denneman, who has been operating wheel loaders for Sibelco for 25 years and says he is very satisfied with the Orlaco RadarEye vision system. ‘The RadarEye system is a solid, no-nonsense vision system that helps me get the job done. It makes my work in the cab more comfortable because I don’t have to twist and turn to check that I’m positioning the truck accurately.

‘The real-time feedback I get on the large dashboard display is very sharp, and the built-in warning signals let me know what’s behind me when I’m backing up, and when to stop. All in all, it’s just a safer and more efficient way to work.’