Trimble Siteworks Machine Guidance turns the survey rover you already own into an on-machine grade control system for your excavator or compact track loader. One antenna, one tablet, two jobs — measure it, design it, then guide the bucket straight to it.
Excavators + Compact Track Loaders · Standard or tilt attachments.
One versatile system – Setout · Grade to design | As-builtsSimple to setup | Easy to use.
Add a GNSS smart antenna with tilt compensation, a machine-specific mount kit, and the Machine Guidance module to your existing Siteworks data collector. Move it from a survey pole to the bucket bracket in minutes — no rewiring the machine, no new software to learn.
Measure, stake out and design in-field. Import LandXML, generate surface tolerance and grade check reports without a dedicated surveyor.
One kit, multiple machines and sites. Swap the antenna and tablet from pole to bracket for maximum fleet utilisation.
An accessible first step into construction tech. Most crews recover the cost inside one extra completed job.
SIM-enabled data collector pushes designs from the office to the field and on to Trimble WorksManager, wherever the job is.
This is the actual order it happens on site — the same rover carries you through all four, with nothing to unplug or relearn between steps.
Walk the site with the rover, capture topo, import the LandXML design or build a surface in-field. No office round-trip.
Move the same GNSS antenna and tablet from pole to bracket on the excavator or CTL — a simple kit swap, no additional wiring.
Cut/fill guidance in the cab. Ditch cleaning, trenching, backfilling, pad prep and slope work with tilt attachments.
Check-shoot as-builts, generate tolerance and stakeout reports, and push updates to Trimble WorksManager.
Not every site needs a full Trimble Earthworks System. Siteworks Machine Guidance is aimed at the crews and machines doing the finishing, the trenching and the tight-space work.
Precise cut/fill on excavators with tilt buckets — no grader required for the finishing pass.
Dig to design invert level the first time, with a defensible as-built for every metre.
Tilt-attachment slope work that would otherwise mean a survey call-out per lift.
A single rover services whichever excavator or CTL is on-site that week — no machine-locked hardware.
Get the productivity case for grade control proven before committing to a full 3D system.
Already running Siteworks for survey? Add the module and a machine kit — same software, more bang for your buck.
Two short ones — a contractor crew putting Siteworks Machine Guidance to work on an excavator, and a look at how a tilt attachment is helping CR Tandberg win more bids.
A contractor crew mounts the GNSS antenna and puts Siteworks Machine Guidance to work loading trucks on an active build.
See how Siteworks Machine Guidance with a tilt attachment gives CR Tandberg the confidence to bid on more work.
“Even if we only completed one more job compared to previous years, we will have paid for the system.
For those that don’t want to invest in a full 3D guidance system, this is a quick and easy way to transition and get tremendous value.”
Tom Gardocki
New Era Excavation
Survey rover and machine guidance, one rig.
Typical kit swap between pole and machine.
Survey rover and machine guidance, one rig.
Standard or tilt attachments, on both machine types.
If you're already running a Trimble Siteworks positioning system, most of what you need is sitting in the ute.
Trimble GNSS smart antenna with tilt compensation
SPS986 or R780, running the Trimble ProPoint positioning engine for accuracy on uneven ground.
Siteworks-compatible data collector
Trimble tablet or supported bring-your-own-device — the same one you already survey with.
Machine-specific mounting kit
A dedicated bracket, angle sensors and CAN-to-Bluetooth converter for each excavator or CTL.
Siteworks Machine Guidance module licence
Unlocks on-machine grade guidance on your existing Siteworks software.
SIM-enabled connectivity (optional)
Send designs between office and field, get remote support, and sync to Trimble WorksManager.
Flexible Financing
Rather than a big upfront spend, add Siteworks Machine Guidance to a Trimble Works subscription and pay a fixed, predictable monthly or annual amount instead. Every subscription includes software and firmware updates and a Trimble WorksManager licence, so your kit stays current without lifting a finger.
Both are genuine Trimble systems — this just helps you self-qualify which one matches where your fleet is today. Talk to us and we’ll tell you straight, even if the answer is the other system.
| Siteworks Machine Guidance | Trimble Earthworks Grade Control | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Combined surveying, stakeout, grade checking and machine guidance in one portable system | Dedicated machine control platform built to maximise earthmoving productivity and accuracy |
| Best-fit user | Small contractors, utilities crews, landscapers, owner-operators and growing businesses | Civil contractors, subdivision and road builders, and large-scale earthmoving operations |
| Machines covered | Primarily excavators and compact track loaders with a machine kit installed | Excavators, dozers, graders, wheel loaders, scrapers and compactors |
| Survey capability | Full Siteworks survey workflow — topo surveys, stakeout, grade checking and reporting | Limited — built for machine control rather than field surveying |
| On/off machine use | Yes — the same GNSS receiver and controller moves from surveying to machine operation | Mostly installed on-machine, built for continuous machine operation |
| Ease of adoption | A very easy entry point into machine guidance with minimal training | Straightforward to use, but typically needs dedicated machine control setup and models |
| Initial investment | Lower — often the most affordable route into GNSS machine guidance | Higher — dedicated machine hardware and machine-specific installs |
| Productivity gain | A meaningful step up from stakes and manual grade checking | The highest productivity and accuracy in Trimble's machine control range |
| Machine automation | Guidance only — the operator stays in control of the machine | Supports automatic blade/bucket guidance and semi-automatic functions on some machines |
| 3D model use | Works with 3D designs and LandXML models | Built specifically around 3D machine control and production workflows |
| Fleet scalability | Best suited to a few machines sharing one system | Designed for fleets with multiple dedicated machine installs |
| ROI | Fast ROI, since the same kit does both surveying and machine guidance | Greater long-term ROI for contractors running machines full-time |
Fleet outgrowing Siteworks Machine Guidance? See Trimble Earthworks Grade Control →
Grab the specs, share the brochure with the boss, or send the datasheet to your accountant to make the ROI case.
PDF Brochure
The full breakdown of applications, hardware and connected construction — straight from Trimble.
Download brochure →Infographic
A one-page visual of how site positioning, in-field design and machine guidance combine into a single kit.
View infographic →Fleet Fit Check
Tell us your machine, your typical job and your current workflow — we'll send back a plain-English fit and payback estimate.
Request estimate →Do I need a full GPS machine control system to use this?
No. Siteworks Machine Guidance is designed as an accessible entry point — it adds on-machine guidance to the Siteworks positioning system you may already use for surveying, without needing a dedicated 3D grade control platform.
What machines does it fit?
Excavators and compact track loaders, with standard or tilt attachments. Each machine needs its own machine-specific mounting kit, but the antenna and data collector move between them.
Can I move the kit between machines and sites?
Yes — that’s the point. Unclip the GNSS antenna and tablet from the survey pole, clip onto the machine bracket, and you’re guiding to grade. Move it to a different machine or site the same way.
I already own a Trimble Siteworks positioning system — what do I actually need to add?
A compatible GNSS smart antenna with tilt compensation (if you don’t already have one), a machine-specific hardware kit, and the Machine Guidance software module on your existing Siteworks subscription.
What’s the accuracy like?
The system uses a Trimble GNSS smart antenna with tilt compensation and the ProPoint positioning engine, and can run on Trimble CenterPoint RTX corrections for high-accuracy positioning without a local base station or VRS network.
Is extra training required?
If you’re already familiar with Trimble Siteworks, you’ll be off and racing in no time. If this is a new step for you, onsite training is included — we’ll support you every step of the way.
How will I be supported if I need help?
You’re backed by SITECH’s national support network, not just a call centre overseas. Phone support is free, so you can call in whenever something’s not tracking right on site. And because the data collector stays connected, our team can jump in remotely through Trimble WorksManager to check your setup, push a fix or troubleshoot a design issue without waiting for a technician to drive out — keeping the machine working while we sort it out.
Get A Fit & Pricing Check
No canned quote. A SITECH technology consultant will call you back with a straight answer on fit, hardware and price for your machines.
Prefer to talk now? Call 1800 748 324 or contact us.
SITECH Construction Systems — Trimble Authorised Dealer for QLD, VIC, SA, NT & TAS.
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