Networking to extend equipment life

Equipment developers are using local area networks to gather specific usage and maintenance data in response to the needs of off-highway equipment owners and leasing companies to maximize investments.

The shift to digital gauges and electronic controls is making it possible to closely monitor how equipment is used, enabling owners to service equipment at the right time while making repairs before problems become more costly. Operators and technicians can capture data on load levels and the amount of time the equipment was operating, and the systems can also store data points surrounding faults and errors.

At the core of this shift to digital controls and monitoring systems is the Control Area Network (CAN), mainly the SAE J1939 version of the network that is heavily used in the automotive environment. “In the past two years, it's worked its way into off-highway vehicles,” said Sean Stanic, Division Manager, Siemens VDO Automotive, Special OEM Parts and Accessories Group.