Heavy Equipment Operating Systems You Need To Consider

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An operating system on a heavy-duty piece of equipment acts a bit like the “brain” of the machine. The operating system is a specialized software program that helps to manage the control of various functions on the equipment, including engine performance, hydraulics, safety features, and operator controls. 

Even while most newer model heavy-duty units—from construction machinery to agriculture equipment—come with a preloaded operating system, you may want to consider a different system based on your specific needs.

Equipment Trader is taking a look at some of the more popular operating systems available today to provide additional information on how these little miracles can assist with your operations so you can take good care of your equipment. By optimizing the efficiency of your machines, you can enjoy years of quality service.

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Operating System Features

When considering a new operating system for your heavy-duty equipment, there are a few key features to keep in mind. It’s important to look for a system that offers the features you want most for your specific needs. Here are a few features most operating systems offer:

• Real-Time Tracking: Being able to track your equipment in real-time is not only important for optimizing machine use—especially if it’s needed on a variety of job sites—it also comes in handy for preventing equipment theft or if a unit is ever stolen. Additionally, some operating systems come with a geo-fencing feature that allows you to set virtual boundaries on any given job site to notify you if the equipment leaves a designated area. This is important when working near potentially hazardous areas that could be detrimental to surrounding neighbors or the equipment operator and site crew.
• Equipment Health: A good operating system will not only be able to track service hours of each piece of heavy-duty equipment, it will be able to send you reminders of routine maintenance tasks based on hours of usage, and when critical inspections are due. Also, your operating system can continuously run diagnostics on a variety of functions, such as engine performance and hydraulic pressure, to let you know when there is a service problem or when a potential issue arises.
• Fuel Consumption: Fuel is one of the biggest expense factors on any construction or agricultural job. Being able to track fuel consumption can provide heavy equipment owners or fleet managers with operator performance and vehicle function data to track inefficient work patterns, improper equipment usage, excessive idling, and other costly issues when you need to improve fuel efficiency with your heavy equipment.
• Integration: The onboard operation system you choose can also integrate with other software packages that you already have for office and logistical management, including payroll, accounting, and project management systems. This helps you track how much time an employee or contractor is operating a unit, and can also provide project management information to help you better track the performance on each job site. This lets you monitor project goals and can help you identify potential issues early on so you can make any necessary adjustments while clients are apprised of project progression. 

Systems Available

As previously mentioned, many manufacturers already include equipment-specific operating systems in their current equipment offerings. However, if you’re looking for something outside of what those offerings provide, or if you have an older-model of a machine that doesn’t currently have an operation system or provides a system that doesn’t handle your needs, there are several aftermarket products you can utilize. Here are a few.

• QNX OS: This is a popular system widely used across a number of manufacturing platforms because of its safety features, reliability, and its ability to run on a variety of hardware systems.
• FleetWave: This is a fleet management system that offers equipment tracking, maintenance scheduling, and fuel consumption monitoring.
• GeoTab: Well known for its telematics (long-distance transmission of computerized information), this product provides real-time information on equipment location, engine performance, and idle time. 
• Motive: This is a fleet management solution with maintenance tracking that monitors preventative maintenance scheduling and work order management. 

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Stay On Track

No matter what your heavy-duty equipment needs are—whether you are interested in adding an operating system or upgrading the one that’s already onboard—Equipment Trader is your largest online source for new and used machines. Selling, upgrading, renting, or buying, we’re here to help you get the job done.

Barrett Baker

Barrett Baker is a freelance writer with more than 40 years of writing experience. He has worked with the U.S. Department of Energy, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and a variety of advertising and marketing firms throughout his career. In his spare time, he enjoys photography, cooking, and working with animal rescues.

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