Plant machinery monitoring engine hours

How can you use a tracking device for plant machinery engine hours monitoring

Plant machinery monitoring guide by Jamie Drummond, Sales Manager – Fleetloc8, the Fleetmaxx tracking solution 

A tracking device can turn your plant machinery into a talking toolbox. Instead of guessing usage, relying on handwritten logs, or discovering issues too late, it gives you live and historical engine hour data so you know exactly how hard each machine is working.

What engine hours monitoring means

Many plant machines such as excavators, dumpers, telehandlers, generators and compressors measure use in engine hours rather than miles. A tracking device fitted to the machine can capture when the engine starts, stops and how long it runs.

That means you can monitor:

• Total engine hours
• Daily, weekly and monthly usage
• Idle time with engine running but not working
• Out-of-hours operation
• Underused machines sitting idle
• Overworked machines nearing service intervals

Key ways plant machinery monitoring helps your business

Smarter servicing

Instead of servicing every machine by calendar date, you can service by actual usage. If a digger reaches 400 engine hours, you know it is time for maintenance. No crystal ball required.

Reduce downtime

The system can alert you when service hours are approaching, helping you book maintenance before a breakdown ambushes the site.

Stop excessive idling

If a machine spends hours running while stationary, fuel and money are evaporating into thin air. Tracking highlights this so operators can improve habits.

Better asset utilisation

You may find one machine is doing all the heavy lifting while another gathers cobwebs. Engine hour reports help balance workloads across the fleet.

Accurate hire billing

If you hire out machinery, engine hour data can support fair charging based on actual use and flag overuse beyond agreed limits.

Theft and unauthorised use alerts

If a machine starts outside working hours, geofence or ignition alerts can let you know quickly.

How it works in practice

A professionally installed telematics unit is fitted to the machinery battery or ignition system. Depending on the setup, it records:

• GPS location
• Ignition on/off status
• Engine runtime
• Movement
• Battery voltage
• Optional sensor data

You then view everything through an online dashboard or app.

Typical machines that benefit

• Excavators
• Dumpers
• Rollers
• Telehandlers
• Generators
• Compressors
• Agricultural equipment
• Welfare units

Example

A site manager notices a mini excavator has logged 42 engine hours this week, but 18 were idle time. That is a bright red flag wrapped in diesel fumes. Operator coaching could cut waste and reduce fuel costs.

Best options for plant machinery monitoring

For plant machinery, you need a tracker that can handle mud, rain, vibration and long working days without blinking. The right choice often depends on whether your equipment is self-powered or non self-powered.

Pulse Plus for self-powered plant machinery

The Fleetloc8 Pulse Plus Self-Install Waterproof  vehicle/Asset Tracker is an excellent choice for self-powered machinery and assets.

Fully waterproof and supporting up to 30 volts, it is ideal for excavators, dumpers, generators, compressors, powered trailers, quads and other battery-powered equipment working in harsh environments.

Installation takes just minutes. Simply connect it to the asset’s power supply and you are ready to go.

With live asset location, Android and iOS app access, customisable geo-zones, HERE Maps and up to 6 months location history, the Pulse Plus helps businesses improve visibility, reduce downtime and keep machinery under control across multiple sites.

Used alongside engine hours monitoring, it can also help improve servicing schedules, prevent unauthorised use and maximise utilisation.

Proton for non self-powered plant and machinery

For non self-powered plant, towable assets or equipment without a permanent power source, the Fleetloc8 Proton Asset Tracker is an ideal alternative.

With a powerful 10,000mAh rechargeable battery, internal battery backup, strong magnetic base and IPX5 water resistance, the Proton is built for rugged environments where flexibility matters.

Using GPS positioning, the Proton provides accurate location reporting for plant, trailers, welfare units, containers and other valuable assets that need protecting and monitoring.

Its self-install design means you can deploy it quickly without engineers or downtime. Simply attach it using the magnetic base or connect via charging point or USB when needed.

Jamie Drummond, Sales Manager – Fleetloc8, the Fleetmaxx tracking solution