GPS System Makes Equipment Management Easier for Rental Operation

Intermountain Bobcat Rental, Salt Lake City, Utah, uses the GlobalTRACS global positioning system on 13 Bobcat® skid-steer loaders and excavators to monitor maintenance needs and location of the equipment.

“It makes my job easier,” says Joe Luftus, the company’s rental coordinator. “With as much equipment as we have, it’s real easy for regular maintenance of the machines to get away from you, especially on machines that may be rented for six months at a time.”

This system also helps protect the company’s investment in the equipment.

“Any time a machine is broken down because of missed servicing or is stolen, your expense can shoot up quickly,” he adds.

Loftus equipped S250 and S300 loaders and 337 and 435 excavators with the system. He chose these machines because they tend to rent on a long-term basis and generate the highest revenues.

Using software on his desktop PC, Loftus set up the system to notify him automatically, via email, when each machine is due for its scheduled 250-hour interval service. He also established a “geo-fence” for his fleet of GlobalTRACS equipped loaders and excavators. This feature notifies him if a machine leaves the area he specifies—in this case, a certain distance away from his store.

In addition to this automatic notification, he can also send a message to the machine to determine total engine hours, whether or not the machine is being operated, and its location.

Loftus lists the benefits of using this GPS system to keep track of his Bobcat equipment.

Ensures regular machine maintenance

The GPS system reduces the risk that he’ll miss the regular service intervals and helps prevent any maintenance problems that could result. “It provides a safety net so that we’re not missing a machine that needs service,” Loftus says.

Helps with theft recovery

Should a machine be stolen, Loftus can use the GPS system to instantly pinpoint its location.

Enhances resale value

The information he obtains from this system enables Loftus to keep accurate service records for each machine. That can be valuable when selling a loader or excavator. “We can show the buyer that the machine has been maintained regularly, which can increase its resale value,” he says.

Saves time for service technicians

The GlobalTRACS system can print a map showing where a machine is and provide driving instructions to get there. This makes it easier to find machines for servicing, especially if the customer moves the machine frequently.

Improves equipment utilization

The ability to determine if a machine is being operated can also pay off for rental stores and its customers.

For example, if Loftus sees that a machine hasn’t been used in a while, he can notify the customer. In one case, he reports, a customer thought the machine had already been returned. Loftus picked up the machine, saving the customer unnecessary rental charges. This ability to locate idle equipment also enables him to match the machine with a customer who’s waiting for one.

“This GPS system works really well for us,” Loftus says. “We’ve been very satisfied with it.”