Ditch Assist DIG™ | Ditch the Laser. Dig Up to 75% Faster.
Real-time RTK depth & grade guidance—simple, wireless, and laser-free. One operator, no stopping, no extra systems required.
See Your Grade in Real Time as You Dig
Live on-screen guidance that moves with your bucket—no laser, no stopping, no guesswork.
Ditch Assist DIG™ brings accurate, real-time grade guidance to any excavator or backhoe. Using RTK GPS and smart sensors, DIG™ displays precise cut/fill guidance that responds instantly to bucket movement, ensuring every pass stays on grade.
The web-based interface is intuitive, fast to set up, and works on any tablet or laptop—no proprietary displays or complex systems to learn. Ideal for contractors, municipalities, and operators who need reliable grade accuracy without the cost and overhead of full machine control.
From straight-line drainage runs to multi-pass grading, DIG™ keeps results consistent, repeatable, and professional.
Not a 3D System — And That’s the Point.
Most operators don’t need full 3D machine control just to dig to grade. DIG gives you the accuracy you need without the complexity, training, or $80k–$120k price tag of 3D systems. If you outgrow DIG, great — but most users find DIG does everything they actually need, faster and simpler.
Think You Need a Full 3D System? Maybe Not. If you don’t already run 3D, chances are you don’t need it to dig accurate grade.
It’s easy to assume you need a full 3D machine control system with mapping and import capabilities to get “professional” results. The truth? Most operators never use 80% of what those systems can do — and many who buy them end up frustrated, under-trained, or avoid using them altogether. We know because we’ve replaced dozens with our simpler systems!
Ditch Assist DIG™ focuses on what most real-world jobs actually require:
✅ Accurate grade and slope in real time
✅ Simple setup and fast learning curve
✅ Works on any jobsite, with one operator
❌ No CAD uploads, no file prep, no complexity
If you truly need 3D automation with full CAD support, we won’t pretend to replace it — those systems have their place and a pricepoint that is fair given their complexity.
If your job needs stakes and common sense, not an engineering department — DIG is the right tool. Importing CAD, aligning coordinate systems, and preparing machine files sounds impressive… but most operators tell us it slows them down more than it helps. DIG gets you working in minutes, not hours.
Key Features of Ditch Assist DIG
✅ The fastest, simplest way to add RTK grade guidance to any excavator
Ditch Assist DIG™ is a purpose-built, standalone guidance system that gives excavator and backhoe operators real-time RTK depth and slope feedback—without needing the full Ditch Assist platform. A compact DIG controller, rugged inclination sensors, and wireless connectivity deliver precise bucket guidance at any boom, stick, or bucket position.
Set up in minutes, connect with any web-enabled device, and start digging with confidence. DIG is designed for simplicity, accuracy, and everyday usability—no complex learning curve, no wires through the cab, and no extra hardware required.
✅ Bring Your Own Screen
No special display needed. DIG™ runs from a web browser, so you can use the tablet or laptop you already own. Connect to the DIG Wi-Fi, open the link, and you’re working. The interface is clean and easy to follow, so operators of any experience level can stay on grade with zero fuss. Need a ready-to-go device? We can provide a configured tablet.
✅ Wireless Connectivity — No Cables, No Hassle
DIG™ creates its own secure Wi-Fi hotspot (no internet required), so your device connects wirelessly in the cab. No tangled cables, no drilling or routing wires, and no permanent installs. Quick to set up, easy to move between machines, and designed to keep you working—not wiring.
✅ Accurate Real-Time Bucket Guidance on Any Machine
DIG™ shows you exactly where your bucket is in real time, so you always know when you’re on-grade. Works on minis, mid-size, and full-size machines—if it digs, DIG keeps it on grade. You get clean, accurate work with fewer do-overs and faster job completion.
✅ Ultra-Rugged, High-Accuracy Inclination Sensors
DIG™ uses two IP67-rated inclination sensors housed in vibration-damped aluminum modules to deliver precise bucket position and grade guidance. One mounts on the stick and the other on the bucket (or ideally the dogbone for added protection). A quick calibration process lets the system fuse sensor data with RTK GPS to calculate true bucket tooth elevation at all angles—so you get reliable, real-time accuracy on every pass.
✅ Universal GPS Compatibility
DIG™ works with RTK GPS from virtually any manufacturer, so you can keep the equipment you already own or choose the solution that fits your budget. No proprietary lock-ins. If you don’t currently have RTK, we offer simple, cost-effective options to get you started—without the high price tags or confusing setup. Our team helps you pick the right solution for your needs, whether you’re new to GPS or already running it on other equipment.
Ditch Assist DIG™ comes with everything you need for standalone excavator grade guidance—and we can supply the rest if you want a complete, ready-to-run kit. The core DIG kit includes the DIG controller, wiring, dual rugged inclination sensors, and our GPS pendulum mount for accurate bucket elevation tracking.
You have flexibility in how you complete your setup:
• Display: Use any tablet, iPad, or laptop with a web browser—no proprietary screen required.
• RTK GPS: Bring your own receiver, or we can provide a simple, reliable turnkey RTK package if you’re new to GPS.
Whether you already have RTK and a device in the cab—or want a fully preconfigured system delivered to your door—DIG™ adapts to your needs. We’ll guide you through the best setup for your machine, your budget, and your comfort level with technology, ensuring a smooth and stress-free path to precise, real-time grade guidance.
Ditch Assist DIG Components
Have Questions about Ditch Assist DIG?
We’d love to chat! Talk to one of our product specialists today
Typical Ditch Assist DIG Setup
Setting up Ditch Assist DIG is intentionally simple—far easier than traditional grade-control systems. Installation is as easy as mounting the inclination sensors and GPS pendulum, connecting a few cables to the DIG controller, and completing a quick guided calibration right from the DIG web interface. No special tools, no software installs, and no technical expertise required.
Most users are fully set up and digging on grade in under an hour.
GPS Pendulum Mount
The mount mast is typically permanently installed (welded) on the machine, positioned at the top of the stick so that the pendulum pivot point is above the boom-stick pivot.
Inclination Sensors
Inclination sensors are mounted to the upper portion of the stick and typically on the dogbone—the preferred location due to its enhanced protection. Most users choose to permanently weld our sensor mounting brackets to their machine, allowing for easy removal and replacement of the sensors without the need to repeat calibration.
Control Module
The Ditch Assist DIG™ Control Module can be conveniently mounted outside near the cab using the provided magnet mounts. A single power cable connects to the machine’s battery, one cable interfaces with the GPS receiver, and a dedicated cable connects to the two sensors.
Calibration Steps
Calibrating Ditch Assist DIG™ is quick and straightforward thanks to the built-in, step-by-step guide in the DIG web interface. No apps to install and no software to download—just connect to the DIG controller’s Wi-Fi, open your browser, and follow the on-screen illustrated instructions.
The calibration walks you through a few simple machine positions and basic measurements to teach DIG the geometry of your boom, stick, and bucket (or dogbone). You’ll just need a step ladder to reach the GPS when vertical, a metric tape measure, a level, and a plumb bob.
The entire process typically takes under 20 minutes, and your calibration is saved to the DIG controller. You’ll only need to recalibrate if sensors are moved or the system is transferred to another machine. If you switch machines often, keeping your measurements handy allows for fast re-entry next time.
Start at the outlet, enter your first slope, dig to grade, reset at each break, and continue. Use DIG’s Point-to-Point Survey to check slopes between key points before you dig.
The graphic above shows a simple example of how to use Ditch Assist DIG™ to re-grade a ditch or trench with multiple slope changes.
The black line is the existing ground elevation. The green dashed line is your desired finished grade. You’ll typically begin at the outlet or lowest point—place the bucket on the ground, set your reference, and enter your first target slope (e.g., 0.15%). DIG provides live cut/fill guidance as you dig.
When you reach a planned grade change, stop at that point, “zero” the bucket to create a new reference, enter the next slope (e.g., 0.05%), and continue. Repeat at each break until the job is complete. This step-by-step process ensures a clean, consistent finish and proper drainage end-to-end—without lasers or rework.
Pro Tip:
Before digging, you can use DIG’s Point-to-Point Survey feature to quickly check the natural slope between two or more locations. Simply touch the bucket to the ground at Point A, then drive to Point B and do the same—DIG instantly displays the grade between them. This helps you confirm your design is achievable and decide where slope changes should occur (A-B, B-C, C-D, etc.) before you start cutting dirt.
Which Excavator Guidance System is Right for You?
We offer two excavator guidance options because operators have different needs—not because one is “better” than the other. The right choice depends on how you work.
Ditch Assist DIG™ — Fast, Simple, Standalone Grade Guidance
DIG is for operators who want the simplest, most cost-effective way to dig to grade with RTK accuracy. It’s a dedicated excavator solution—no extra hardware, no DA system required, and no design prep or mapping knowledge needed.
Best for:
✔ Digging to a set grade (municipal drainage, contractors, trenching, tile mains, water/sewer runs, culvert work, slope maintenance)
✔ Operators who value speed, simplicity, and low cost of ownership
✔ Crews that don’t need mapping, designs, or CAD-style workflows
Why choose DIG:
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Purpose-built for excavators
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Set grade → dig → done
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Fastest to learn and use daily
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No Ditch Assist system required
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Typically 1/2 the cost of X (complete system)
DIG is the 80% solution for 80% of excavator jobs — and the one operators actually use every day.
Ditch Assist X — Advanced Surveying & Design for Power Users
Ditch Assist X is for operators who want survey, mapping, and design tools on top of grade guidance. It’s an expansion of the full Ditch Assist system, so it’s ideal for users who already own DA or who want the flexibility to use both excavators and surface equipment with one platform.
Best for:
✔ Users who want to survey, design, and plan jobs in the field
✔ Creating best-fit or multi-segment designs (e.g., curved ditches, grade optimization)
✔ Users already running Ditch Assist on scrapers, ditchers, or blades
Why choose X:
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Survey and map your route before digging
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Design slopes, breaks, and variable grades
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Import simple design files with target elevations
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Works with the full Ditch Assist app ecosystem
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Ideal if using DA on multiple machines
If you need to design jobs before digging, X gives you those tools. If you’re mostly digging to a known grade, DIG is the smarter fit.
✅ What Both Systems Do
Both DIG and X will let you:
✔ Dig to a fixed elevation or set grade
✔ Maintain correct slope between two points
✔ Use grade breaks for multi-segment runs
✔ Install quickly, run wirelessly, and use RTK for high accuracy
Both are 2D guidance tools — focused on keeping the bottom of your trench/ditch on grade.