Advanced GPS tracking solutions allow you to monitor when a switch or power take-off (PTO) is engaged in your vehicles. Monitoring PTO will ensure accuracy in reports, alerts, and historical data with regard to idle time. By having accurate data, you will be able to provide proof of service, lower fuel costs, increase billing accuracy, and more.
What are Inputs/PTOs?
Power take-off (PTO) is the process of taking power from a power source, such as a running engine, and using that power to operate an attachment or application. PTO is used by GPS tracking solutions to identify when a switch is engaged on a vehicle. GPS tracking devices can read that PTO has been engaged or disengaged based on voltage. There are many industries that find it valuable to monitor PTO.
Monitor each time a Waste Collection truck arm picks up
Different Types of PTO:
- Lifting/Lowering the winch on a tow truck
- Operating the water pump on a fire engine
- Waste collection truck arm picks up a trash can
- Operating the boom on a bucket truck
- Turning a siren on and off in an ambulance
GPS Tracking Benefits
Historic PTO data – A benefit to having access to historical PTO data is for job verification during a customer complaint. This information will give you the exact time that a job was completed to provide proof of service to your customers. This will also provide a method of tracking jobs completed for billing accuracy.
Report and Alert Accuracy – By including PTO idle time on reports or excluding PTO idle time on alerts, ensure that you are getting the most accurate information possible.
Sample Data from GPS Insight Fleet Idle Detail Overview Report
For example, you may want to exclude PTO idle time from idle alerts, so management and drivers are only notified for their true idle time. Advanced GPS tracking solutions include PTO idle time on reports, which is helpful when you are trying to establish acceptable thresholds of idle time for drivers. You don’t want drivers to be in trouble for high idle times if it includes idling that was work related.
Excluding PTO idle from total time will help you track true idle time, which will reduce fuel costs, prevent unnecessary stops, long breaks, or even unauthorized usage.
Contact us today to learn more about how to track inputs/PTO with GPS tracking!
