As the owner or manager of a construction company, it’s essential to track your heavy equipment properly. Among other reasons, it could ensure that staff utilizes heavy machinery effectively and efficiently. Furthermore, companies could save time, effort, and money.
According to experts, mechanical progression is an ongoing process. Soon, heavy equipment tracking could be available for an extensive array of applications. For owners, managers, and business partners, this is good news.
That said, here are some of the best ways to improve heavy equipment tracking and enjoy all the benefits it has to offer:
Apply Metal Tracking Labels
Companies would want to identify their heavy equipment with a single glance. How does one do that while remaining cost-effective and retaining function? A simple solution is applying a metal tracking label.
Because metal is more durable and the label is slim, companies can easily mark their heavy equipment. Furthermore, the information is customizable. It means that a wide variety of data on the labels can streamline tracking efforts.
Below are some of the other reasons to use metal labels, among others:
- Their resistance against temperatures, corrosion, weather, and abrasion.
- They don’t require regular replacement or maintenance; and the like.
Businesses can enquire from local vendors or suppliers to find the label solution that’ll work best for them.
Use GPS Tracking Technology
Another effective method of tracking heavy equipment is global positioning satellite (GPS) technology.
GPS tracking systems allow you to monitor your heavy equipment in real-time, keeping track of its location, speed, and other essential data. The information can help you optimize your equipment usage and improve overall efficiency in the following ways:
- Increase information accuracy: The preciseness of GPS removes many errors regarding data entries.
- Improved responsibility for staff: Because the system consistently relays accurate information, there’s no room for cutting corners. Thus, the heavy equipment can be used more responsibly.
- Minimize company losses: When staff use the equipment more efficiently, it minimizes losses of fuel and others.
- Revise lists of assets quickly: Instead of manually counting the amount of equipment and its location, a GPS tracking system gives a complete overview in seconds.
- Advanced safety measures: The pinpoint exactness of GPS coordinates makes it possible to track equipment and its movements. Hence, it could deter thieves from removing expensive assets from the work site.
With GPS units decreasing in size, placing them in some of the most compact spaces could be possible. Additionally, it makes it harder to find and remove, ensuring the equipment’s safety.
Implement Telematics
Telematics combines GPS tracking with sensors. With telematics, companies can monitor a range of equipment statistics. In short, the device collects data, transmits it to a database on the company server, and transforms it into workable information.
Managers can thus track their heavy equipment on specific data points they’d like to include, like the examples here:
- Measure the driver’s statistics for speed, braking, idling times, mileage, fuel consumption, and seatbelt usage;
- Greenhouse gas emissions to limit impact;
- Load information like the capacity of a vehicle; and so on.
In addition to monitoring business assets, companies can take telematics one step further. By creating alerts, setting boundaries, and comparing idle and working times, businesses can set new standards for efficacy.
Use Asset Management Software
Comprehensive solutions like asset management software can help you manage your entire fleet or inventory of heavy equipment under record. A track record for each piece of heavy equipment gives clear insight into the state of the assets. Many operations combine asset management software with scanning the items into and out of inventory.
Conduct Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance also assists with tracking. By conducting regular maintenance, you can prevent breakdowns, reduce downtime, and improve overall productivity.
Moreover, detailed maintenance records, including service dates and replaced parts, will help you track your business asset integrity better. Your equipment tracking software can store all components’ maintenance history while generating reports on their performance afterward.
Include Regular Inspections
Regular inspections could have many positive effects on the tracking of heavy equipment. Companies can have a comprehensive view of their assets using GPS, telematics, the cloud, and other software applications.
To streamline inspections, here are some tips worth implementing:
- Provide staff with inspection sheets. When the team inspects their equipment daily, weekly, or monthly, it sets a precedent for excellence. Not only will equipment remain safe to use, but companies can track who used the equipment too.
- Log usage information on a mobile device like a cell phone or tablet. Immediately noting how, where, and when employees use the heavy equipment gives a broad overview for tracking. And logging faults or maintenance requests are quick and efficient.
- The software can compile data sets to pinpoint equipment issues or recurring failures. From there, companies can improve their maintenance routines to prevent downtime.
- Companies compare the inspection sheet data with the maintenance records and analyze whether the staff uses the heavy equipment efficiently. After that, they can schedule training or discuss problems with the team.
In a data-driven world, regular inspections contribute to tracking heavy equipment information. Although it may seem like a tedious exercise, it’s necessary.
Train Your Operators
The operators of your heavy equipment play a crucial role in maintaining its performance and prolonging its lifespan. Properly trained operators can help in promoting workplace safety as well.
Yet how can training contribute? Here are more ways to involve team members in the tracking process:
- Working in a ‘buddy system’ keeps team members accountable for each other and the company property.
- Training opens the door to the more responsible use of heavy equipment.
- Employees become aware of the value of tracking equipment for the company, thus aligning their goals with the company.
A company may only be as strong as its workforce. Henceforth, include them in one of the most crucial tasks of any company – asset management.
To Conclude
Heavy equipment tracking is essential for any business. Not only could it prevent losses, but it could have many unexpected benefits as well. More importantly, whether manually tracking the assets or having state-of-the-art tracking systems, tracking remains a priority.
