How GPS Tracking Can Be Used For Crane Services

GPS tracking is an inevitable thing when it comes to construction business such as crane services

It is an extremely valuable business tool that helps companies manage expensive construction machinery like cranes and excavators, and bulldozers.

In fact it is used to track all of construction companies’ assets from loading trucks to heavy duty cranes.

Normally when we think of GPS we imagine portable devices that are mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle which guides the driver to go in the correct route.

This is the concept of navigation.

But it is not the only aspect of GPS. So, how exactly GPS is used in other ways. Let’s have a glance at the many more functionalities of GPS tracking for crane services.

Why GPS Tracking for Crane Services

First of all, other assets like tools for construction can have a GPS tracker so that the movements of these tools can be tracked.

On cranes a small GPS tracking device can be installed which usually takes about 15 minutes. These devices record the movement of the cranes and give live reports to the manager.

Such tracking devices are designed to work in all weather conditions.

They can handle a wide range of temperatures and rough working conditions. In many cases the GPS device will use the equipment’s power source to function.

There can also be instances where the device has its own power source. Such as a battery that can last for several years.

How a Crane is Tracked Using GPS

The tracking device is wired to the equipment and can track whether it is started or stopped.

Cranes are costly equipment and should be monitored 24/7. There will be automated engine hours reports that will be generated and emailed to inboxes.

GPS tracker will save the data when there is an error in the cellular network and upload the reports when cellular data is regained.

This ensures that you don’t lose track of engine hours or data again. There are instances when the crane is at a remote job site where there is little or no cellular network.

If something like this is likely to happen some GPS trackers upload the data directly to the satellite. If the invoices are not paid the starter can be disengaged. This is also applicable during the after hours.

Also some GPS trackers have a geofence where a virtual perimeter can be created so that will send a notification when a crane leaves or enters the work site a notification will be sent.

There are equipment abuse alerts that are sent if a crane is misused. Instant alerts will be sent if engine is started during non-working hours.

Also if the GPS tracker is tampered with the owner will receive a notification. Most GPS trackers will also have a back up battery.

GPS tracking devices are wired into the equipment so that when the crane starts or stops an instant notification is sent. The device will transmit messages when certain actions are triggered, like starting the engine of the crane.

How Tracking Information is Used by Fleet Manager

The fleet manager gets all the updates from the assets and has an overview of the whole site. These equipment  and their status will appear on the dashboard of the GPS tracking software.

In it shows the location and current status of the equipment. A fleet manager is thus able to have an overall understanding of what is going around in a work site.

Our system has a dashboard that lists all status pertaining to the particular assets. The fleet manager can make sense of the huge amount of data that he receives to make better decisions regarding the assets.

The crane operator can punch in and punch out when they start their work and finish it off. This will provide managers with data relevant to when the operators are making use of the crane along with when they are taking a break.

This helps to know the working hours of the crane.

Other than the crane the supervisor can configure a single alert for all the assets and team so that a notification is sent whenever equipment is operated outside of allowed hours.

If you find a crane being used outside of working hours you can contact the foreman for an explanation.

Concluding Thoughts

Cranes are an integral part in a work site. Site managers find it difficult to track the working of cranes without using a GPS tracker. A wide range of equipment and assets can be tracked with the help of a GPS tracking system.

Heavy equipment when used outside the working hours create a loss for the company and should be tracked about their usage and movements.

Having a control over these heavy equipment means peace of mind to both the managers and the workers. A GPS tracking system helps in this type of control.