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Telematics systems have transformed crane operations and maintenance, noted Pat Collins, director of product marketing at Link-Belt Cranes. “By providing real-time data, telematics allow crane owners to improve logistics,” he said. “For fleet managers, the systems enhance preventive maintenance and enable better troubleshooting, diagnosis and even remote repairs in some cases.”
Patrick Stelter, parts & service product & marketing manager at Manitowoc, pointed out that with real-time access to services and information, telematics systems on Grove cranes facilitate in-depth management of fleets by streamlining service.
“Preventive maintenance on a connected crane provides several benefits, including a lower risk of breakdowns, increased productivity, longer asset life-spans and the ability to plan your parts inventories more efficiently,” Stelter said. “Telematics also enable service operations to be more proactive. That not only decreases unplanned downtime; it also optimizes utilization of service technicians and workshops.”
Tadano
The latest telematics technologies on Tadano cranes, according to Lance Rydbom, director, product management & engineering, Pan-American Operations, include IC1-Remote and Hello-Net.
The IC-1 Remote telematics solution – a cloud-connected radio unit with a SIM card – provides a variety of real-time data via an Internet browser. IC-1 Remote collects information on more than 150 data points, including location, load, operating hours, pressures and error codes.
“This provides an ideal solution to connect, manage and service your cranes,” Rydbom said. “Advanced telematics providing real-time, cloud-based data views increase job planning efficiency, allow for remote troubleshooting and reduce downtime.”
Hello-Net from Tadano provides machinery management information, such as activities, locations and maintenance status to remotely gather and analyze operational information to help keep you up to date on the status of your fleet.
Grove
The Grove CONNECT telematics system is a web application for all GMK cranes with the manufacturer’s CCS control system. Data transfer is realized through a global 4G modem and information visualization is provided using applications and standards like Microsoft Azure and Power BI. CONNECT retrofit kits are available for all GMK models with CCS.
CONNECT, according to Stelter, enables easy access to an entire crane fleet in real time. It includes a guided troubleshooting assistant based on active faults and faults histories, maintenance manual and crane configuration data. The system provides a maintenance plan by engine type and reports based on stored cloud data for crane utilization, performance and predictive service, including parts forecasting and stocking.
Link-Belt
The Link-Belt Cranes iCraneTrax system, powered by Link-Belt Pulse, provides up-to-date information on parameters such as location, operating hours, fuel usage, component wear, operating times of various functions, idle time versus load time and other essential data.
“iCraneTrax plays a crucial role in equipment utilization, reducing downtime and leading to better overall decision-making and effective management of cranes,” said Collins. “The future of our telematics will include additional built-in data points. Over time, this will further increase the level of detail for reporting and operation.”
Liebherr
Available from Liebherr is a fleet data management solution for the manufacturer’s mobile and crawler cranes. In addition to the machine’s location, the system displays a range of additional real-time data, such as the fuel consumption, the current wind speed, the weight of the load on the hook and when the crane’s next service is due.
Customers can also use the system to generate custom reports for specially defined sites, such as fuel consumption or CO2 emissions. New cranes from the company are equipped with a standard wireless on board modem for connectivity. Cranes in the field can also be retrofitted.
The Liebherr system is based on the MyLiebherr portal. After registering their cranes, customers can download operating instructions or order spare parts. The portal also allows access to crane data so you can see the machines in your fleet and navigate directly to the desired model.
Liebherr Connect is also offered by the company to provide access to machine data and digital solutions and services. The connectivity solution is already integrated in various Liebherr models and can be retrofitted in earlier generations of machines. The system enables secure networking of the machine via cloud applications, including tower, mobile and crawler and maritime cranes and components.
Looking Ahead
According to Collins, Link-Belt will be continuing to look at data and storage capabilities for its telematics system to ensure they are providing only important information for crane users. “We are still in an era of ensuring that standalone operation is maintained, especially for lifting and maintenance purposes,” he said. “Over time, among other things, machine learning might better prepare parts ordering for routine maintenance and other daily operational needs.”
As mentioned earlier, Rydbom points out that telematics and cloud-based data enhances job planning efficiency and minimizes downtime by improving service planning, which ultimately results in more profitable investments.
“Telematics transform the experience of crane owners and service providers by becoming a tool for daily routines,” said Stelter. “With these solutions, crane owners can increase the availability and utilization rate of their fleets while reducing operating costs and environmental impact.”
