The two-way flow of machine data is a crucial issue for machine optimisation and new telematics systems are becoming increasingly important in construction
Telematics systems can be tapped into by machine control technologies to allow greater integration of the machine as a data provider within an operation. And for certain production machines that feature wear-intensive operation, telematics systems are becoming a vital tool for minimising maintenance costs by scheduling service intervals, maximising uptime and increasing efficiency.
The Turtle Companies of central Florida are specialist milling contractors. The two companies, Turtle Southeast, based in Largo and East Coast Milling Turtle, located in Vero Beach, offer asphalt surface milling services, principally to Florida and neighbouring states.
Over the past year the Turtle firms milled depths ranging from 9mm to more than 609mm. During this time period, the companies experienced downtime to operating time ratios of less than 1.3%.
The largest project the firms handled was the iROX I-75 Road Expansion Project in Lee and Collier Counties where Turtle Southeast milled 48 lane km. During this massive project, the firms had as many as five milling machines operating at once and experienced less downtime. Tim Hammer, maintenance supervisor with The Turtle Companies said, “Our maintenance programme and the Guardian Telematics System on our newer milling machines has virtually eliminated unexpected downtime.”
Turtle’s maintenance schedule calls for three hours of maintenance after eight hours of milling. According to the company, this exceeds the industry standard. Additionally, all the crew members have been trained to recognise and perform simple repairs.
Four of Turtle’s 15 late-model milling machines are equipped with the
The telematics system is designed to monitor a selected machine in real time through a wireless signal, and address issues arising while the machine works. It also allows Roadtec customer service personnel to remotely monitor the engine, hydraulic system, electrical system, and grade control in real time. The machine can also be located by GPS using the Guardian system.
The system sends e-mails on fault codes, service reminders and production reports. Staying up to date with each machine allows the customer to be proactive in monitoring and lowering operating costs.
“At any time I can log on to the Guardian system and view machine, speed, location, engine load, and fuel usage, all in real time, without being on the job site,” said Hammer. “This is especially helpful in monitoring fuel consumption. I can save a considerable amount of money on unwarranted fuel use.”
With the telematics, production speed can be monitored in real time. But there can be conflicts with the expectations of site superintendents wanting to complete a project ahead of schedule or mill operators wanting to test machine performance.
This remote machine monitoring of production, fuel usage, and machine diagnostics was especially helpful to Turtle Southeast on a recent job. “We were working on a residential and commercial development project located in Panama City,” said Hammer. “With the Guardian system on our Roadtec RX700-e milling machine, I could monitor the progress of the three-week project from my office.”
Having remote access to the machines is benefiting The Turtle Companies. Even though the company’s service vehicles are stocked with the usual wear items and parts, the Guardian system can highlight if other parts are needed, which can then be dispatched.
“Turtle has always been quick to embrace new technologies to help improve operations,” said David Ando, president of Turtle Southeast. “The Guardian Telematics System allows us to be more efficient with what we have and decrease operating costs and increase profits.”
