It comes as little surprise to anyone that technology is becoming ever more complex at an exponential rate. The rapid increase in what technology can do and how it can make previously difficult tasks much simpler is something that can often come as a surprise for those not following trends, especially in niche areas.
So, let us be the first to tell you about some incredible advances in crane fleet management technology, including telemetry and smart monitoring, which are positioning themselves as game-changing innovations in the crane industry.
What Is Telemetry in Crane Fleet Management?
At its simplest, telemetry and smart monitoring are technological methods of collecting, transmitting, and analysing data in real time from your truck crane fleet’s vehicles and equipment. This includes measurements from both the vehicle chassis and mounted crane, such as GPS location, driving patterns, fuel consumption, engine diagnostics, crane angle, current load bearing, proximity to safe working load limits, and a general reading of how each unit is performing at any given moment.
Data is collected from sensors and IoT (Internet of Things) devices installed throughout both the truck and crane attachment. While the system delivers data in real time, it also records historical data insights from each job—including route efficiency, idle time, and lifting operations—giving you a comprehensive account of your fleet’s health, utilisation, and operational quality throughout its lifetime.
Key Benefits of Telemetry and Smart Monitoring
Many of the key benefits of telemetry and smart monitoring come down to how real-world data can optimise your entire fleet, resulting in improved safety, saving time on working hours through greater operational efficiency.
This real-time monitoring provides data-driven insights, which can bring significant cost savings, not least from encouraging predictive maintenance and improving work processes. IoT devices offering real-time data can also give you a proactive approach and optimised scheduling, further increasing the longevity and efficiency of your crane.
Use Cases in Crane Fleet Operations
One of the ways telemetry meshes into fleet operations effectively is in real-time location tracking. This provides insights into where and how long a particular crane is operating. From a distance, IoT sensors can also report load monitoring and stability control functions, keeping comprehensive records of how the crane is used and if that use is within designated safety margins.
For a fleet of cranes, maintenance is almost a constant, but telemetry integrated with your systems can analyse the performance of your equipment to provide alerts for when routine maintenance is required or give you an early indication if a need for repairs is due. Finally, telemetry is an efficient system for logging and analysing operator behaviour, allowing management to keep thorough records to ensure consistency among all operators and the fleet in general.
Integration with Modern Fleet Management Systems
Telemetry and smart monitoring can be integrated with most modern fleet management systems, providing additional software and dashboard platforms for complete control and observation of all crane systems and operations.
Check with your local dealer, such as HMF Australia, if you are unsure whether your fleet is modern enough to take on this new technology. In most cases, the simple installation of new equipment such as a data logger allows for the seamless integration of telemetry with your existing systems, providing a cost-effective solution for the purposes of recording data.
Additionally, cloud applications now play a crucial role in future proofing your fleet, meaning that crane data can be uploaded and then viewed from anywhere with a reliable internet connection. More basic models may rely on a more on-site basis, however, which can still be uploaded and compiled with previous data on return to the depot.
Challenges and Considerations
As with all new technology, telemetry does face some challenges to be considered. First, there is maintaining data security and privacy. This can be achieved with securing your network and emphasising (and training staff in) digital security.
For HMF telematics, the installation of the data logger is not the expensive bit, but there is a monthly cost to keep using the data logger and be able to access information from it
Finally the training sessions for staff and encouraging adoption rates can cost both money and time. However, modern systems are designed to have a completely integrated UI so that crane operators can ensure smooth operations at every step of the construction phase.
The Future of Crane Fleet Management
The future of crane fleet management is exciting. From AI-driven insights to machine learning for predictive analytics, infrastructure projects are about to become a whole lot easier, due to improved tools for the construction industry, enhanced safety for all operators, and a chance to be a market leader with a fully integrated example of how modern technology can boost productivity and efficiency.
With the addition of 5G rolling out and the benefits of real-time connectivity, there will be few places in Australia that you cannot exploit the incredible benefits of modern crane telemetry and smart monitoring.
Invest in Telemetry With Your Local Experts
Improving overall efficiency, assisting in predictive maintenance, and creating a lower bottom line overall for your entire fleet are just some of the benefits that telemetry can bring to your operation today. While smart monitoring can be an upfront cost to seriously consider, the benefits that smart technology can bring entirely eliminate some of the more costly factors that crane operation has previously endured.
With telemetry, cranes will never be overextended, any interim maintenance will be alerted well before it is time for a service, and you can track overall data from your entire fleet to build a comprehensive operational picture of your entire business, identifying strengths to pursue and areas to improve on.
To explore solutions or consult your local crane experts, get in touch with the team at HMF Australia to explore the options available to you as an industry-leading crane operator.