Look at any job site, and you will see a lot of construction equipment. If you are a contractor on a job, can you see all your equipment, and know what equipment is on your site? Is it working? Is it being utilized? Can you see what’s available to you on other projects or at the yard that you may be needing next week?
If you are having a hard time answering these questions, then you may want to use GPS tracking and more specifically a system that is specifically for the construction industry. Equipment tracking with GPS is widely available on the market today, however, there are a few key things to consider when looking at GPS trackers for construction equipment.
GPS Tracker Design
The tracker needs to work with your construction equipment and environment. This means that the design of tracker needs to withstand the harsh environments of a construction job site. There are a few key measurements that determine an equipment tracker’s ability to withstand these conditions: mainly Ingress Protection (IP) Scale, G-Force tolerance, temperature or environmental resilience and electrical interface.
Learn more “What Makes a Tracker Rugged?”
Data by GPS Tracker Type
There are several types of trackers on the market. For construction, we recommend these three types.
- Plug-in: ideal for powered construction equipment, especially heavy equipment, as this tracker type can provide engine hours, location and other valuable telematics data.
- Solar: ideal for non-powered construction equipment that is outdoors, and only location is needed.
- Battery: ideal for non-powered construction equipment that may be indoor or outdoor, and only location is needed.
Reasons to Use GPS Trackers for Construction Equipment
1. Location of your Construction Equipment
GPS trackers provide location information for your construction equipment. This information allows equipment managers, dispatchers, operations and other people in your organization to see where a piece of equipment is at any time, improving visibility and communication.
2. Telematic Data from your Construction Equipment
Plug-in GPS trackers wire into the power source of your equipment. This allows you to get insights on engine hours, utilization, and maintenance needs in addition to location. With a comprehensive equipment management solution, you can leverage these insights to improve your business operations and ROI on equipment.
3. Added Security for your Construction Equipment
Construction equipment is expensive, regardless if you own it or rent it. While you may have insurance to mitigate risk if something does get stolen, do you really want to go through the hassle? Installing GPS trackers for construction equipment can provide an added level of security and possibly provide discounts on your insurance premiums. Check with your insurance provider to see what incentives they offer for GPS tracking.
4. Visibility in Remote Areas
If you have projects that aren’t easily accessible or that has equipment sitting for long periods that isn’t monitored, like a storage yard, GPS trackers provide you with location information (and more depending on tracker type) without having to physically drive to that location. This gives you the confidence that you know where your machines are and saves time and confusion in trying to locate them.
When answering the question “Is there GPS tracking for construction equipment?” we can confirm that yes, there most certainly is. While GPS trackers have come a long way in recent years, and can be found in many asset tracking markets, there is a unique set of requirements to make GPS tracking fit for the construction industry. It is important to understand the value of these differences for construction and to make sure that the equipment tracking device is built to withstand the environment and temperature that some machines produce.