Business Issues By Seth Skydel
Maximizing Your Investment
Telematics Systems Are Rapidly Becoming a Powerful Tool for Crane Operators
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 lifespans 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
The Tadano IC-1 Remote telematics solution – a cloud-connected radio unit with a SIM card – provides a variety of real-time data.
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.
The Grove CONNECT telematics system is a web application for all GMK cranes with the manufacturer’ s CCS control system.
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
28 CRANE HOT LINE ® January 2025 • www. cranehotline. com