Tech
Who, What, When, Where and How Long? Equipment Trackers Have The Answers.
To get a broad-based look at all their company assets, contractors are turning to systems that track equipment location, hours, idle time and much more across the entirety of their fleets.
These systems make use of tracker systems – basically little black boxes – to keep track of and manage not only your mobile fleet but everything else on your equipment list, including attachments, tools and trailers. Trackers can also be applied across your fleet regardless of brand.
Data emitting from each tracker can then be merged with information coming off the machine’s telematics and from other tracker-equipped machines and equipment to give you a more in-depth view of what’s happening with your fleet.
In short, it beats trying keep up with your fleet, attachments, tools and other accessories in an Excel spreadsheet.
Simple to complex
The TennaMINI Solar tracker uses cellular GPS.Tenna
Tracker-equipped systems range in the complexity of information provided and the asset they are designed to track.
Some offer basic location, geofences and theft deterrent for non-motorized equipment. Others can be integrated with a machine’s telematics and a fleet management system to offer a more universal view of what’s happening with a company’s fleet.
These tracking systems are attached to an asset in a variety of ways: magnet, screws, tape, wired in or even welded on. They can run off the battery of a host machine, off their own internal batteries or can be solar-powered. And they can be placed in a variety of locations, depending on the asset and its use.
(And while we recognize that trucks are an important part of a contractor’s fleet, we will cover truck-specific tracker-equipped systems at another point.)
“Our trackers are built to withstand rough construction environments and leverage technologies from cellular/GPS to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and QR depending on the asset type,” says Austin Conti, CEO and co-founder, Tenna. “Our platform pulls all the information from these various devices into a dashboard where, among other things, you can see equipment location, know when it needs maintenance and how it’s being utilized.”
EquipmentShare’s fleet management system uses a combination of trackers and harnesses that it developed to capture data every nine seconds from machine telematics, pulling it into the company’s fleet management app, says Angela Paige, EquipmentShare’s product manager for the fleet application. “This shows you all of your assets, where they are located and how much they’re being utilized,” she says.
Tenna’s new TennaBLE Beacon Steel Puck is an example of a tracker for non-motorized assets. The puck is specifically designed for construction’s heavy use and abuse situations, and it can be placed on buckets and blades. (You can get more information on it and other tracker-equipped offerings in the roundup at the end of this article).
Location, utilization and maintenance
A technician attaches a WirelessLink solar-powered tracker to a trailer.WirelessLink
“The three big use cases for tracking equipment have to do with location, utilization and maintenance,” says Ian Ouellette, vice president of product for Triax Technologies, which offers the Spot-r line of trackers. “Just identifying where your equipment is is important.”
“Trackers help with visibility,” says Moran Minster, marketing manager, WirelessLinks, which offers Piccolo brand trackers. “When you have multiple machines run by multiple employees, it’s hard to keep track of everything.”
Using equipment tracking sensors in addition to machine telematics can offer benefits, Ouellette says. For example, because Triax’s Spor-r EquipTag operates off a proprietary network, it can be used inside a building, a challenge for satellite-based GPS telematics systems, he says.
Pricing on these systems will naturally be dependent on application and scope. Typically, there’s the cost of the trackers, an installation fee and a per-tracker monthly subscription fee that includes maintenance and network services. The scale of the installation will be a determining factor in the subscription fee. Many companies offer financing terms.
Ouellette says these tracking sensors are positioned so contractors can take a crawl-walk-run approach to their adoption. “Start today and evolve as you go forward,” he advises.
TRACKING SYSTEMS ROUNDUP
The following is an overview of some of the products currently on the market, including QR-based systems for tool tracking. We will update this as information comes in and new products are introduced.
Spot-r EquipTag
Triax Technologies’ Spot-r EquipTag uses the company’s proprietary network to track, log and report operational and performance data from your machines. Data from machines can be accessed via the Spot-r dashboard from any device to tell you where your equipment is located. Combined with data from the Triax’s Spot-r Clip wearable, you can also know who is operating it and if they are certified to do so. This data tells you how much and how often each machine is being used on a jobsite, helping you right-size your equipment fleet.
The non-GPS system allows machine monitoring whether its indoors, outdoors or in dense areas without a clear line of sight to the sky. Triax says this capability allows the system to overcome the traditional limitations of machine telematics.
EquipmentShare
EquipmentShare’s fleet management system, which uses a proprietary tracking device and harness, connects to the company’s cloud-based fleet management software to provide several data points, including equipment utilization rates, rental equipment data, maintenance history, machine GPS location and operator use.
The platform connects all machines and vehicles with cloud technology — regardless of make or model — to give contractors real-time access to their entire mixed fleet operations. Users can access fleet data from a mobile device or desktop. The hardware can be installed on any machine, vehicle or piece of heavy equipment, regardless of OEM/brand, class or category, EquipmentShare says.
Using GPS tracking, EquipmentShare’s fleet management technology helps users understand where equipment is at any given moment. Tracking hardware communicates to the fleet management technology platform to inform and alert fleet managers and contractors of stolen equipment’s location, and users can track a stolen machine’s GPS coordinates on a map.
WirelessLink
WirelessLink offers a range of tracking solutions for heavy, compact and light equipment attachments, tools and trailers. The company’s offering includes the Piccolo ATX for unpowered assets, Piccolo ATX2s for unpowered assets with solar panels and the Piccolo Hybrid for powered assets.
WirelessLink says one cost-effective solution is its solar-powered RFID tag. It can be used with a Piccolo IoT telematics unit installed in a cab or RFID tags mounted on trailers and other assets. The solar recharge capability eliminates labor intensive and time-consuming manual battery charging, Wireless Tech says.
WirelessLink uses its Fleet.Net cloud platform with its GPS trackers; each tracker can integrate with other applications and enterprise systems.
Teletrac Navman Site360
Site 360 enables you to see all your tools, machines and other assets on one system. That includes leased or rented assets.
It provides real-time information on the assets’ location, assignment and usage, sending an alert when the equipment is moved outside of set geographic locations or outside of planned work hours. The tracking system works on all types of equipment and vehicles, from heavy to light.
It provides GPS tracking, engine hours monitoring, idle time management and fuel use measurement in real time. The system’s app is available for iOS and Android systems, enabling drivers, dispatchers and management to access the system from anywhere. The company also recently launched the ST101 Solar Tracker for GPS tracking of non-powered assets.
Geotab GO
Track fuel usage and idling trends on your heavy equipment and powered trailers and assets with the IP67 rated Go Rugged ruggedized telematics device. Designed for harsh conditions or external installation Geotab helps you track and maintain your assets and provides key data insights, including monitoring engine hours and PTO usage using GPS technology. Geotab provides advanced dashboard reports and has an open platform for easy data integration.
DPL Telematics AssetCommand Max
DPL Telematic says its cellular GPS AssetCommand Max tracking system wirelessly monitors and remotely tracks off-road equipment and over-the-road trucks. The rugged device tracks runtime, trips, geofences, curfews, rollover and service schedules and allows managers to remotely disable their assets.
The AssetCommand Max features a remote starter disable/enable, addressing safety, theft or nonpayment concerns. It sends real-time notifications of tilt and rollover detections, alerting owners about possible safety or machine abuse issues. Owners/managers also get alerts if a unit is disconnected.
TennaBLE Beacon Steel Puck
Tenna’s TennaBLE Beacon Steel Puck tracking device is designed for attachments that get aggressive, high-impact use. It can also be used to locate other machine parts such as crane boom sections.
The puck is an offshoot of Tenna’s current Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) asset tracker. It features an IP67 watertight glass-filled nylon inner casing to protect against dust, sand and water, and an aluminum-killed steel outer fitting for impact resistance. A welded fitting on the puck gives it a permanent mounting that will resist extreme forces, Tenna says.
The puck tracker sends out regular “heartbeats” every three seconds that are recognized by Tenna’s mobile asset tracking app. When in range, the app automatically identifies and records the location of tagged assets and stores the data.
Geoforce GPS tracking devices
Geoforce offers a variety of heavy-duty GPS tracking devices for construction equipment and vehicles. It shows asset inventory on a digital map using GIS data to locate an asset and tell you how many days it has been there.
It also provides periodic utilization and telemetry reports on the equipment’s location and usage, as well as manages equipment maintenance and tracks engine hours. The company’s service verification module can confirm a received or submitted invoice is complete and correct. The company says its GPS tracking devices can be used with most construction equipment and are built to withstand remote, unpredictable and rough conditions.
Caterpillar PL161 attachment locator
This locator allows contractors and fleet managers to keep up with their buckets, grapples and other attachments online and through their smartphones and tablets. It can track location and utilization across multiple jobsites as well as help you plan for attachment maintenance and replacement.
The lightweight 2-inch by 1.5-inch Bluetooth locator device can be fastened to an attachment or other nonpowered asset and is used with the Cat App, which can be downloaded at the App Store or Google Play Store.
The device comes with mounting hardware of two bolts, two washers and a steel weld plate, and with safety films. The module can also be mounted with adhesive. Cat says the locator module is designed to withstand the harsh conditions of a construction site.
Trackunit Kin
Used with the Trackunit Go mobile app, the Kin’s 2.12- by 1.4-inch devices attach to attachments, tools and accessories. The Kin is designed to connect to the Trackunit RAW (TU600) installed network of devices.
Kin devices exceed industrial design standards PP66K and IP69K and have ultraviolet-resistant and flame-retardant housing, according to the company. The system uses Bluetooth 5.2 and provides up to 430 yards of line-of-sight detection. The tracking devices are powered by a lithium-ion cell that provides up to five years of life in normal operating conditions, the company says.
The mobile app user can also locate devices by visible LED pulses. Low-powered embedded sensors provide movement, vibration and activity detection.
Milwaukee Tool Asset ID Tags
An expansion of the company’s One Key asset-management and tracking platform, Milwaukee Tool’s Asset ID tags track your smaller tools without Bluetooth.
Users simply scan the tags with any camera-equipped mobile device to record time and location information. The company says this provides instant documentation as the tool is transferred from jobsite to jobsite.
Milwaukee Tool offers the Tick Bluetooth tracker for larger equipment. The Asset ID Tags come in two sizes: .69- by 1-inch and 1.5- by 2-inch. They come in sets of 200 and have versions for attaching to plastic and metal surfaces. They are resistant to water and chemical exposure, have UV protection, are scratch resistant and will maintain their adhesion during significant temperature changes.
Hilti OnTrack
The Hilti system uses tags and a mobile app for tracking tools and other assets from any web-enabled deice. The company also recently updated its software with a 3.0 version that provides more data about your tools and accessories.
Hilti offers a variety of tags for tracking equipment, including adhesive smart tags and Bluetooth tags, and those made of aluminum or stainless steel for more durable attachment.
The new 3.0 system provides information on how, where and when each asset is used. It also enables remote inventory checks. Hilti says this allows contractors to better manage job costs. They can set up a daily cost per asset for running cost reports for any date range to determine an assets costs at any location. The system also enables setting alerts for service, certification and maintenance schedules.
Bosch Bluehound
This tracking system can be used with any brand of power tool or equipment. Its Bluetooth Profession GCC 30-4 TrackTags are compatible with different manufacturers and have a signal radius of up to 100 feet, depending on smartphone model and level of interference from other devices, the company says.
Using the Bluehound Mobile app, users can receive location and other asset information to their mobile device. Tools, job boxes, vehicles and other assets can be managed by showing when they were last seen and which employee was responsible for them.
The system also has an “automatic driver reminder” to remind you of any tools left behind on a job. By pressing a button, your company’s users on the system can be alerted to missing tools or those in need of repair, and you can build invoice reports and keep up with scheduled maintenance.
Don McLoud contributed to this report.
Caterpillar is bidding farewell to its 259D3, 279D3 and 289D3 compact track loaders with the introduction of its new, next-generation 255 and 266 models.
The completely redesigned models debuted at media and customer events at Caterpillar’s Edwards, Illinois, Demonstration and Learning Center last week. The 255 and 265 offer improved engine performance, more lift height, a roomier cab and more standard technology than their predecessors.
“We kept the DNA of the D3 series while reimagining the possibilities of loader performance using voice of customer feedback to lead the way,” says Trevor Chase, product application specialist for Caterpillar. “Both next-generation models leverage the many benefits offered by the vertical lift design. The new Cat 255 replaces the 259D3, while the 265 replaces both the 279D3 and 289D3 machines.”
The CTLs are the last of Cat’s building and construction products to get the next-generation treatment and simplified nomenclature. The first number (2) represents the skid steer loader and compact track loader machine family; the middle number (5 or 6) designates the machine size; and the ending number (5) is the compact track loader identifier. Skid steers will be identified by a 0 end number. Additional new models will roll out in the coming months, the company says.
CaterpillarMore power and torque
Cat equipped the 255 with a C2.8T engine and the 265 with a C2.8TA engine, both at 74 horsepower. This gives the new machines a significant boost in torque – 13% for the 255 and 43% for the 256 – over their D3-Series predecessors. The engine and cooling package are mounted lower in the frame for added visibility out the rear window and stability while lifting heavy loads.
Customers attest that the added lift height makes truck loading easier. The 255 offers 10 feet 4 inches of lift height, while the 265 can reach 11 feet high.
“The lift height has made a big difference when loading trucks,” said Derrick Roger, owner of Coast to Coast Lawnscapes, who spent several months testing the 255. “You can get on top of that truck now and empty the bucket; whereas, before you would have to shake the bucket to try to get the material to fall out.”
The 255 delivers 36% more tilt breakout, 26% higher lift breakout force and a 24% increase in rated operating capacity (ROC). The 265 also delivers 19% higher tilt breakout force and 22% higher lift breakout force.
Standard hydraulic pressure has been increased to 3,500 psi, allowing the 255 and 265 to operate all Cat Smart Attachments with the standard auxiliary hydraulics provided.
If demanding attachments require additional hydraulic flow, customers can have their Cat dealer activate the high flow functionality on the machine or remotely via software update. This makes it possible for the CTLs to hit 30 gallons per minute of flow at the standard system pressure.
A High Flow XPS factory option increases auxiliary hydraulic system pressure to 4,061 psi for both models, while also increasing the hydraulic flow to 30 gallons per minute for the 255 and 34 gallons per minute for the 265.
The torsion suspension undercarriage delivers better operator comfort, track wear and material retention, plus the stiffer design results in smoother graded surfaces, Cat says. A new 12.6-inch bar-tread narrow track option is available on the 255.
A more spacious cab
Cat says it has increased the cab width by 2.75 inches without making the machines wider and the footwell-to-ceiling height by 1.8 inches. The larger cab gives operators an additional 1.5 inches of hip room and 1.1 inches more width between the joysticks.
A range of new mechanical and air-ride suspension seat options are available, including a ventilated and heated seat. A new automatic temperature control allows operators to set a specific temperature. Relocated vents help cool or heat the machine quickly.
The standard package includes the same 5-inch LCD monitor as the D3 Series CTLs, which offers Bluetooth connectivity and functionality for the rearview camera feed, creep, job clock, and maintenance reminders.
Customers can upgrade to a new 8-inch advanced touchscreen monitor, like the display found in Cat’s next-generation mini excavators and small loaders. It delivers advanced radio control and supports the 270-degree multicamera option. The advanced monitor pairs with the advanced joysticks for integrated control of all machine functions and adjustments.
“You can adjust the movement – or the aggressiveness or the conservativeness – of how your tracks and lift arms work through your advanced touchscreen display,” Dante Thomas, skid steer and CTL marketing manager, said. “And you can control of all of your display functions from the advanced joysticks. There are buttons with enter and select functions on those joysticks that you’re able to change any functionality that is possible.”
Cat also redesigned the entry, making the 255 and 265 easier to enter and exit. The cab door can be opened even when the lift arms are not fully lowered to the frame stops. It can be removed without tools in less than one minute.
Advanced technologies
Calling the 255 and 265 “one of the most attachment-friendly machines on the market,” Thomas says both the standard and advanced monitors can run Cat Smart Attachments, such as the dozer and grader blades and backhoe.
“It has attachment recognition that when you plug the attachment into the machine, it recognizes which attachment is connected. It adjusts your joystick pattern, so it gives you intuitive and simple control,” says Thomas.
The available Cat Product Link Elite system tracks machine hours, location, asset utilization, provides fault code details and delivers advanced monitoring and machine health, that is remotely accessible via VisionLink. In addition, Product Link Elite provides remote flash and troubleshooting capabilities and quickly enables the remote activation of the SEA High Flow feature.
[embedded content]
Quick Data is a snapshot of new and used wheel loader sales trends from Randall Reilly’s EDA equipment financing data, TopBid auction price service and EquipmentWatch market trend reports.
Demand for wheel loaders has softened with new and used financed wheel loader sales down year-over-year from August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023 according to Randall Reilly’s EDA equipment financing data.
Financed new wheel loader sales dropped 10%, while used financed wheel loader sales fell by 15% compared to the same period last year.
Cat (22.4%), Deere (21.0%) and Komatsu (12.4%) held their positions year-over-year as the top three sellers of new financed wheel loaders. Top models sold included the Deere 544 P-Tier (401), Deere 624 P-Tier (380) and the Komatsu WA270-8 (364).
[Watch: “A Really Solid Machine” – Test Run of Komatsu’s WA475-10 Wheel Loader]
Cat (28.5%) and Deere (22.9%) also snagged the No. 1 and 2 positions for the highest number of financed used units sold, with Case (14.7%) claiming the third spot. On the date we examined the data, the top-selling models were the Case 321F (340), Cat 926M (164) and the Case 621G (159).
During this period, there were more buyers of new loaders in Florida (955) than in any other state. Buyers of new wheel loaders were also prevalent in Texas (893) and Illinois (665). Those states were also top buyers of used financed machines, with 712 units sold in Texas, 413 in Florida, and 412 in Illinois.
EDA data is compiled from state UCC-1 filings on financed construction equipment. EDA continually updates this data as information comes in from each state.
[Related Content: A Rundown of the Latest Wheel Loaders for 2023]
Used Wheel Loader Market
Used wheel loader prices rose 10.1% for the 12-month period from August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023, according to Randall Reilly’s EquipmentWatch market trend data.
The average price for a used wheel loader was $137,465 in July 2022 compared to $151,367 in July 2023. The average age of used wheel loaders fell slightly during the period, dropping from 8.8 years to 8.3 years.
EquipmentWatchThe average age and price were calculated on 153,356 resale listings during the period in the EquipmentWatch database.
Over the last 12 months, prices for used wheel loaders have in general increased, with the largest gains in October 2022 (6.5%) and February 2023 (2.9%).
EquipmentWatch defines fair market value (FMV) as the monetary value of an asset that can be expected in a transaction with a single seller and single buyer, neither of whom is under any compulsion or time restriction to complete the transaction. FMV for heavy equipment is most closely associated with the private resale market, as opposed to the public auction market.
Wheel Loader Auction Prices
Caterpillar also dominated the auction charts, accounting for 18 of the top 20 wheel loaders sold in terms of price for the 12-month period of September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023. Deere and Komatsu were the only other manufacturers to appear on the list.
The top auction price spot went to a 2021 Cat 966M with 2,188 hours. It sold for $400,000 at a Ritchie Bros. auction in Orlando, Fla., on September 21, 2022. The second-highest price paid was $315,000 for a 2019 Cat 980M with 7,836 hours at another Ritchie Bros. sale in Atlanta, on December 1, 2022. Rounding out the top three was a 2018 Deere 944K with 8,941 hours. It sold for $290,00 at a J.M. Wood Auction Co. sale in Montgomery, Ala., on March 21, 2023.
In total, there were 358 wheel loaders sold at auctions tracked by Top Bid during this time, with an average price of $99,747. (This does not include any units sold for less than $5,000.)
EDA, Top Bid and EquipmentWatch are owned by Randall Reilly, parent of Equipment World.
[Related Content: Heavy Equipment Auctions Set for Second Half of 2023]
Volvo Construction Equipment bought Terex’s off-road truck line in 2014, and six years later, it rebranded its articulated haulers under the Rokbak name.
On this episode of The Dirt, we hear from Paul Douglas, Volvo vice president of rigid haulers, who explains the differences between the old Terex line and the Rokbak trucks. He also gives a hint at some of the new things coming from Rokbak, including redesigned cabs and replacing the current trucks with new models. There’s also the possibility of a new size truck to hit the market.
Rokbak, as with other construction equipment brands, is working toward a zero-emissions future. On this episode, he explains where the articulated dump truck market is heading in terms of alternative fuel. He adds that customers will see big changes in emissions and engines in the next five years, with the ultimate goal of reaching zero emissions within 10 years.
So to learn more about Rokbak and what the brand has in store for the future, check out this episode of The Dirt.
Equipment World serves up weekly videos on the latest in construction equipment, work trucks and pickup trucks – everything contractors need to get their work done. Subscribe and visit us at equipmentworld.com!
In This Episode:
-
Jobs2 years ago
Project Manager – Oxford
-
Jobs3 years ago
Commissioning Engineer Security Industry
-
Jobs2 years ago
Airport Retail Sales Assistants
-
Business5 years agoHow To Renovate a Victorian House
-
Business3 years agoHow to Get a Gold Supervisory CSCS Card
-
Jobs2 years ago
PASMA labourer in Cirencester
-
Tech3 years agoIt Won’t Make You the $6 Million Man, But Hilti’s EXO-10 May Save Your Arms, Back
-
Tech2 years agoKomatsu launches new HD1500-8E0 rigid-frame dump truck