iDig 2D & 3D Grade Control for Any Excavator
iDig is an affordable 2D & 3D grade control system made for any brand and size of excavator — and backhoe loaders too. Installed with only a control box, an LED bargraph, and a few solar-charging wireless sensors on the boom and stick, iDig gives you real-time depth, distance, and slope readings at every pull of the bucket — with no cables on the outside of the machine and no monthly GPS charges or contracts. Carleton Equipment carries the iDig TOUCH 2D systems in stock and can help you step up to the upgradeable CONNECT 2D/3D range.
3/8″
Accuracy
$0/mo
GPS Fees or Contracts
<10 min
Machine-to-Machine Swap
0 cables
Solar-Charging Sensors
💡 Why Grade Control
Stop Climbing Out of the Cab to Check Grade
Without grade control, checking grade means a grade checker standing in the trench or an operator climbing out of the cab as many as 50 times a day. iDig puts the grade reading in the cab, in your sightline — so you dig it right the first time.
50×/day
Fewer Cab Exits
Stop climbing in and out of the cab to check grade — the reading is on the display at every pull of the bucket.
0 people
In the Trench
No grade checker standing next to a swinging bucket — a safer jobsite and one less person tied up on grade duty.
3–9 mo
Typical Payback
Between labor savings, less over-digging, and less imported fill, iDig typically pays for itself within 3 to 9 months.
Less fuel
No Over-Digging
Dig to grade the first time — no re-work, no wasted passes, and lower fuel burn on every job.
iDig in Action
The LED bargraph and display guide you in the same field of vision as your bucket, making iDig an ideal daily tool. Watch the demo and see how the system indicates depth, distance, and slope in real time.
🚜 iDig Systems
Choose Your iDig System
Both iDig TOUCH 2D systems install without external cables and move from machine to machine. Download the brochure or view the product for full specs, kit contents, and pricing.
XD610 vs. XD611 — Which One Do I Need?
Both are the same TOUCH 2D system with the same accuracy and display. The XD611 adds the longer Big Combo Sensor, which makes benching off a rotating laser faster and easier — worth it if you set grade from a laser every day.
| Feature | iDig XD610 | iDig XD611 |
|---|---|---|
| System type | TOUCH 2D grade control | TOUCH 2D grade control |
| Display | 7″ touch screen | 7″ touch screen |
| Accuracy | 3/8″ | 3/8″ |
| Coupler sensor | Small Combo Sensor | Big Combo Sensor (~6.3″ — larger laser-catch window) |
| Laser benching | Supported | Faster & easier |
| Best for | Benchmark / bucket-touch reference work | Crews setting grade from a rotating laser daily |
In-stock iDig systems ready to go — we regularly carry
used and demo XD610 & XD611 units at our Michigan locations.
🛰️ Step Up to 3D
The iDig CONNECT Range — 2D Today, 3D When You Need It
Beyond the TOUCH 2D systems, iDig's CONNECT range is a scalable platform that starts as 2D guidance and upgrades to full 3D machine control with a removable GNSS antenna — no need to buy a whole new system when your work grows. Ask Carleton Equipment about ordering a CONNECT system.
CONNECT 2D+
Scalable 2D machine control with Bluetooth sensors and up to 300 hours of sensor battery life — the entry point to the CONNECT platform, ready to grow into 3D.
CONNECT 2D Project
An all-in-one solution for guidance, layout, and point setting — create and work small site projects without a full 3D model or a survey crew.
CONNECT 3D
Full 3D machine control for large-scale projects. Add the removable GNSS antenna and work directly from a 3D model — with remote troubleshooting and over-the-air software updates.
New V5 software: the latest CONNECT release adds Dynamic Laser Catch —
grab your laser reference by simply swinging the arm through the beam, no stopping required — and a
swing-boom option that delivers greater precision using the sensors already on your machine.
🧩 What's In the System
iDig Grade Control Components
The combination of technologies is unique: no cables, radio communication, simplified installation, and solar power. Three components make up the core of every iDig system.
Control Box
The control box is a touch screen equipped with patented software designed with excavator operators for simple & intuitive operation — it walks you through calibration, setup, and every function on screen.
LED Bargraph
The LED bargraph assists your field of vision in the cab, guiding you with precision in the same sightline as your bucket — no looking away from the work to check grade.
Solar Charging Sensors
Multiple solar-charging wireless sensors attach to the boom, stick, & coupler of the excavator and run up to 90 hours without light. An optional extra sensor adds real-time readings on the dozer blade — and iDig even works with quick hitches, tilt buckets, and tilt-rotator applications.
🏗️ Where It Works
Applications for iDig Grade Control
Trenching & Utilities
Hold pipe grade and depth without a checker in the trench.
Foundations & Basements
Dig footings and pads to spec the first pass.
Slopes & Embankments
Cut consistent slopes with real-time slope readout.
Parking Lots & Roads
Fine-grade subbase without over-cutting and re-hauling fill.
Drainage & Septic
Precise fall on drain fields, retention ponds, and tile lines.
Swimming Pools
Accurate depth and wall cuts on tight residential digs.
Landscaping & Green Spaces
Shape grades and swales without staking everything out.
Backhoe Loaders
iDig isn't just for excavators — it mounts on backhoes too.
📋 Getting Started
How iDig Works
1
Calibrate Once
Calibrating an excavator takes about 60 minutes, guided by the on-screen instructions. Install it yourself, or have Carleton Equipment handle the installation — most operators are up to speed in 1–3 hours.
2
Mount the Sensors
Attach the three sensors to the boom, stick, and coupler, and set the control box and LED bar in the cab. No cables on the boom, dipper, or bucket — machine changes are fast and painless.
3
Swap Machines Freely
Each machine and bucket profile is stored in the iDig monitor. Once calibrated, you can set up an excavator in less than 10 minutes and start scratching dirt — one system across your whole fleet.
4
Bench & Dig to Grade
Set your reference by touching the bucket to a benchmark or catching a rotating laser — then dig with real-time measurements at every pull of the bucket, accurate to 3/8″, no grade checker in the trench.
🛠️ We've Got Your Back
Installation, Training & Warranty
Buy iDig from Carleton Equipment and you're not on your own — from install day to software updates, support comes with the system.
Two Install Options
Have Carleton Equipment install and calibrate the system for you, or self-install remotely with on-screen instructions and step-by-step videos.
Fast Training
The touch screen is designed with excavator operators — most crews are comfortable running iDig within 1–3 hours, with hands-on or remote training available.
Warranty & Hotline
Every system carries a minimum 1-year manufacturer warranty with extended options, backed by a weekday support hotline and Carleton's own service team.
Software Updates
TOUCH systems update via USB and CONNECT systems update right on the control box — your system keeps getting better after you buy it.
iDig Grade Control
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about fit, accuracy, or installation? Here are the answers we hear most. Need more help? Request a quote or find your nearest location.
Will iDig work on my excavator?
Yes — iDig is compatible with all brands and sizes of excavators
without exception, and it works on backhoe loaders too. The sensors attach to the boom, stick, and coupler,
and each machine's calibration is stored in the monitor, so one system can serve multiple machines of
different makes and sizes.
What's the difference between the XD610 and XD611?
They're the same TOUCH 2D system with the same display and 3/8″
accuracy. The only difference is the XD611's longer Big Combo Sensor (about 6.3 inches), which gives a bigger
catch window and makes benching off a rotating laser faster and easier. If you set grade from a laser every
day, choose the XD611; otherwise the XD610 does everything else identically.
Do I need a laser to use iDig?
No. You can set your reference completely laser-free by touching the
bucket to a benchmark and entering the reference level. If you prefer laser benching, iDig works with any
rotating laser spinning at 600 rpm or faster, and a slope laser if you're using the slope function.
How accurate is the iDig system?
iDig provides the operator real-time measurements at every pull of the
bucket and is accurate to 3/8 of an inch — helping you manage distances, depths, and desired slopes
without over-digging or constant grade checking.
Are there monthly fees or contracts?
No. iDig has no monthly GPS charges and no contracts. You buy the
system once and use it across your machines.
Can I install iDig myself?
Yes. The system can be installed by the end user by following the
on-screen instructions — the touch-screen monitor walks you through all operations. Prefer a turnkey
setup? Carleton Equipment can handle the installation for you.
How long does setup take?
The one-time calibration for an excavator takes about 60 minutes. That
machine-specific info is then stored in the iDig monitor, so once a machine and its buckets are calibrated,
you can be set up and scratching dirt in less than 10 minutes.
Can I move one iDig system between machines?
Yes — multi-machine use is one of iDig's biggest advantages.
Because there are no cables on the boom, dipper, or bucket, machine changes are fast and easy: attach the
three sensors, set the control box and LED bar in the cab, recall the stored profile, and go. With Extra
Machine Kits, a single system can serve up to 100 excavators and buckets.
How long do the sensor batteries last?
The solar-charging sensors on TOUCH 2D systems run up to 90 hours with
no light at all — in normal daylight they simply keep recharging themselves. CONNECT-series sensors run
up to 300 hours. There are no batteries to swap and no charging cables to manage.
Does iDig work with a dozer blade or tilt-rotator?
Yes. An additional sensor can be added for real-time readings on the
dozer blade of an excavator for basic grading, and iDig works with standard quick hitches, tilt buckets, and
tilt-rotator applications.
What's the difference between 2D and 3D grade control?
2D systems (like the TOUCH XD610/XD611) guide depth, distance, and slope
from a local reference — a benchmark or a laser — which covers most digging work. 3D systems add a
GNSS antenna so the machine knows its position on the site and works directly from a 3D model, ideal for
large-scale projects. iDig's CONNECT range starts as 2D and upgrades to full 3D later, so you don't have to
buy twice. Ask us which fits your work.
Can I finance an iDig system?
Yes — ask about financing options when you
request a quote. With typical payback in 3–9 months, many customers have the
system paying for itself before the financing is done.
Can I see iDig in action before I buy?
Yes — live demonstrations are available through Carleton
Equipment. Request a demo and we'll show you the system on a machine, or watch the
demo video above to see how the in-cab guidance works.
Where can I buy iDig in Michigan?
Carleton Equipment is your Michigan iDig dealer with
7 locations statewide. We stock new systems and often have
used and demo iDig units in inventory.
Request a quote and we'll help you spec the right system for your fleet.
Ready to Dig to Grade?
Put 3/8″ accuracy in the cab of any excavator you own — with no cables, no monthly fees, and typical payback in 3–9 months. Request a quote, book a live demo, or stop by your nearest Carleton Equipment location.