Imagine a diesel engine oil filler cap that reminds you when it’s time to change the oil.
That’s what Perkins showed us in June at its new factory in Seguin, Texas. Just north of San Antonio, Seguin is where the British-based Perkins put its headquarters for the Americas and has co-located an engine manufacturing operation with Caterpillar.
Perkins billed its SmartCap as the world’s first low-cost engine telematics device. Unlike a typical equipment telematics system that might cost $200 and require a monthly subscription fee, the SmartCap costs just $50 (the introductory price) and the data is free. More than just a telematics device, however, the Smart Cap serves as a gateway into a new Perkins web-based service for parts ordering and engine management.
An association representing the pipeline construction industry – including truck drivers who contract to haul equipment for pipeline construction projects – and a specialized equipment fleet are seeking exemptions from the electronic logging device mandate set to take effect on Dec. 18.
The Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA) is requesting the exemption for all pipeline contractor vehicle drivers, stating the drivers typically utilize the short-haul exemption to logging regulations, but they sometimes exceed the short-haul exemption of more than eight days in a 30-day period, requiring them to use ELDs. The group says the drivers would still be required to keep paper logs if the exemption is granted.
