Why Heavy Equipment Needs GPS Tracking
GPS tracking devices for heavy equipment monitor more than just location. These devices can also track key telematics data such as engine running hours, mileage, and more.
Unauthorized use and excessive idling of construction equipment can be costly for companies. Tracking devices can trigger alerts and notifications that help prevent theft and improve operational efficiency.
Real-time location data
Heavy equipment is expensive, and keeping it running smoothly at all times is critical. Idling, unauthorized use, and fuel waste can increase costs and cause unnecessary wear and tear, reducing efficiency. Effective tracking solutions like those from Track Your Truck eliminate these issues and extend the life of expensive equipment assets.
By using GPS to monitor equipment, businesses can save money by optimizing routes and reducing unnecessary fuel consumption. This also improves customer service and reduces the likelihood of theft.
GPS tracking devices are covertly installed on equipment to transmit real-time location and other telematic data to a software system. This allows equipment to be monitored remotely, even in low-service areas. A variety of hardware and software systems can be used for heavy equipment tracking, so it’s important to evaluate the options available for your business. Look for a solution that supports the type of equipment you own and the type of job sites your team works on.
Whether you need to locate an excavator at a job site or send a bulldozer to an upcoming site, knowing where the asset is at any given time is essential. This is where heavy equipment tracking shines, providing an up-to-the-minute map view of all your machines in the field. This information can be accessed from the web or mobile app, and it’s especially useful for those on remote job sites where there may not be a cellular network.
Additionally, many equipment trackers provide maintenance alerts to remind your team when equipment is due for service. With this information, your team can prevent unplanned downtime and ensure equipment is ready for the next project.
The GPS technology behind heavy equipment tracking works by sending precise signals from satellites to a receiver installed in the tracker. The receiver then calculates the exact position of the device based on the difference in time between when multiple satellites transmitted their signal and when it was received by the tracker. This process is called trilateration, and it provides pinpoint accuracy. It’s also possible to track equipment with passive GPS, which doesn’t require a continuous connection to transmit data and is often more cost-effective for non-powered or stationary machinery.
Alerts and notifications
Heavy equipment tracking can help prevent theft and unauthorized use of high-value assets. The tracking device can alert you as soon as it detects any movement. You can then monitor the assets and investigate the issue. In some cases, hiring private security or law enforcement may be necessary to help retrieve the asset or prevent further damage. These devices are also useful for enforcing contracts on rental equipment. Tracking equipment usage can help you avoid late fees and prevent damage or misuse of the machinery.
Many GPS tracking companies provide equipment tracking systems with smart geofencing options that allow users to define invisible boundaries based on physical coordinates. Using the equipment monitoring app, administrators can receive an alert as soon as construction equipment leaves that perimeter. This is especially helpful for preventing equipment theft, as the system will notify administrators that a piece of equipment is moving outside of an agreed-upon area.
Equipment tracking devices can also send alerts to employees when a machine experiences an issue, such as a loss of power or an engine overheating. These alerts are important because they can save a company from having to scramble to find a replacement vehicle or adjust driver schedules, which can lead to costly overtime costs. These features can also help reduce downtime by allowing maintenance crews to respond quickly to issues.
Some equipment trackers can track more than just the location of a piece of equipment, depending on the manufacturer and software provider. This can include runtimes, traveled distance, and upcoming maintenance appointments. These reports can be accessed by equipment managers and fleet administrators, making it easier to plan for routine maintenance and reducing downtime.
A construction company is only as productive as its equipment, and a reliable tracking system can help increase productivity. With the right tracker-software combination, a company can monitor equipment utilization and performance and optimize the efficiency of its entire fleet. Combined with the streamlined workflows of an integrated management solution, a construction business can stay on task and deliver the highest quality work possible.
Asset tracking
The same GPS tracking devices used to monitor fleet vehicles can be installed on construction equipment for monitoring backhoes, trenchers, excavators, bulldozers, and more. Ensure your equipment is being used efficiently and effectively with the ability to track hours and location of equipment 24/7. These devices work off the power of the equipment to eliminate the need for batteries and can be easily mounted on any piece of equipment. Compact hardware can also be hidden for a secure and discreet way to track assets, such as generators or excavator buckets.
Proper use of equipment is vital to extending its lifespan. Unnecessary idling and unauthorized use cause equipment to wear down more quickly, which is costly to replace or repair. Installing an equipment tracking system can help to reduce these operational costs and improve asset ROI by limiting unnecessary wear and tear.
Tracking systems for equipment can also be helpful in reducing operational costs by providing maintenance alerts when the equipment is due for service. These reminders can be sent to both the driver and company manager, so there is no excuse for missing critical maintenance appointments.
In addition to maintenance reminders, these trackers can be useful for identifying potential fuel theft or other unauthorized activity. With the ability to track usage and location, these devices can help you proactively stop unauthorized usage of your high-valued equipment and improve asset security.
Another benefit of tracking systems for heavy equipment is the ability to provide real-time ETAs for delivery. This can be particularly beneficial for companies that make food or other perishable deliveries. This gives customers a heads-up so they can plan accordingly and prepare the receiving dock or warehouse for the arrival of the vehicle.
Other equipment tracking system features can include engine hours and performance reports to help with IFTA compliance or ELD regulations. These reports can be generated to give drivers accurate hours of service data and remove the burden of manual logging. Additionally, these systems can be set up to create geofences around job sites or other locations and automatically log when the equipment enters or exits for an easy solution to automating billing and IFTA reporting.
Personal tracking
When workers are operating heavy equipment, their behavior can affect how well it performs. If they constantly hit the brakes, drive off-road, or overuse a tool, they can quickly wear it out and cost your company money. GPS tracking can help prevent these costly mistakes by showing how your machinery is being used. It can also alert you to excessive idling, a major contributor to fuel inefficiency and machine wear and tear.
GPS tracking devices can be installed on trailers, cranes, backhoes, excavators, dump trucks, and more to protect your assets from theft. These devices can send real-time location data to your centralized tracking platform, which you can access from anywhere with a cell phone connection. They can also trigger alerts to let you know if your equipment is being tampered with or moved from the designated area, preventing unauthorized use.
You can also use a GPS tracker to monitor the status of your machinery, including any engine warning lights. With this information, you can be proactive with maintenance and repairs. Track Your Truck’s tracking systems provide the tools you need to keep your construction equipment running smoothly and efficiently, reducing operational costs by increasing uptime and improving productivity.
If your workers leave a piece of equipment unattended, it can be stolen or vandalized. A tracking device can give you the peace of mind to leave equipment out on the job site — and even set alerts if it moves outside of certain boundaries. GPS tracking can also help you locate your equipment faster if it gets lost in the field, saving valuable time and money.
In addition to equipment tracking, some GPS systems can monitor employee activity. You can create detailed reports on employee work time and mileage using this information. This data can make it easier to manage payroll and improve worker compensation. For example, some GPS trackers allow you to automatically clock in your employees when they arrive at a geofenced job site and then automatically stop their timer when they leave. This can help you improve your bottom line by increasing efficiency and eliminating fraud.
Cover Image by Freepik
About the Author
Bibhuranjan Editorial Officer, technofaq.org I'm an avid tech enthusiast at heart. I like to mug up on new and exciting developments on science and tech and have a deep love for PC gaming. Other hobbies include writing blog posts, music and DIY projects.
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