The army has a hog problem and not the Harley Davidson variety. Instead, the army is struggling with feral hogs that are tearing up property, hindering conservation efforts, and causing a wide range of problems – including the threatening of endangered species on a large military base in Texas.

To solve this dilemma, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has turned to Clemson University professor and chair of forestry and environmental conservation, Greg Yarrow.

Clemson is currently engaged with the Corps of Engineers on two projects at the military base where the pigs are particularly problematic. One of the ways researches are helping is by exploring the contents of the stomachs of feral hogs to determine what they are eating throughout the calendar year. This helps determine where they are going seasonally. Another aspect is to analyze their locations and habitats.

That is where GPS tracking comes into the picture with researchers using GPS devices which collect an abundance of data, and then used to identify the locations where the feral hogs are getting access to food and where they are gathering. This is intended to help the Army can focus its efforts to curtailing the pig problem in the locations where they will be most effective.

How big of a problem can feral hogs become?

It is estimated that feral hogs cause roughly $44 million in damage to crops, timber, and livestock throughout the state of South Carolina each year. This is in addition to non-crop losses that result from the hogs taking out food plots, cutting off water supplies, damaging equipment, and more.

The problem is proving equally dramatic on the Fort Hood Army base in Texas, which is currently the largest military base in the world. The Army is using what it has learned from GPS tracking information, stomach content, and more to help fuel its research.

The state of South Carolina is watching closely though to use the information gained from this research project to learn more about new ways to curtail the economic damage these beasts cause the state year after year.

Participating in research efforts of this scale provides Clemson students and staff unique opportunities to offer their expertise in projects that are national importance, which is outstanding for the students and the university.

Brake Safety Day 2017 took place on September 7, 2017. Sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, or CVSA, the event is held in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (MFCSA) and the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators. The results of this year’s event might give you pause if you spend any time on the road.

During the Brake Safety Event there were 7,698 vehicles inspected in the United States and Canada. Of those, 78 percent of the vehicles passed without violations that would require the vehicles to go out of service. However, there were 1,064 vehicles that did receive violations related to their brakes that forced the vehicles out of service.

One of the purposes of this event is to gather information about how antilock braking systems are maintained. Since braking systems are critical safety features for commercial motor vehicles, proper maintenance is of extreme importance. Failing to properly maintain commercial vehicle brakes could result in accidents and fatalities for commercial truck drivers and other people on the roads.

Brake-related violations accounted for 45.7 percent of all the “out of service” violations issued during another event, Operation Airbrake’s International Roadcheck campaign in 2016.

The Brake Safety Day even inspectors conducted a 37-step procedure to examine vehicle maintenance and driver operations. Inspectors look for a variety of issues including the condition of brake-system components. Specifically, they are looking for parts that are missing or loose. They are also looking for leaks in air or hydraulic fluids, and wear in pads, drums, linings, and rotors. Inspectors also check ABS malfunction indicators lamps. Vehicles that are found to have out-of-adjustment brakes or brakes that are defective are placed out-of-service until they are roadworthy again.

Since the program began, in 1998, there have been more than 3.4 million brakes inspected – all with the goal of making the roads safer for all drivers in mind.

What can you to avoid being caught in a situation like this?

Don’t wait for roadside checks, or an accident, to know whether your braking system is working properly or not. Be proactive and stay on top of regular maintenance with all vehicles in your fleet.

Our GPS tracking systems include scheduled maintenance reminders as well as alerts for a variety of engine issues. This lets you get a good image of your vehicle’s status, so you can stay ahead of violations, avoid breakdowns, and keep your entire fleet operational and on the road.

LiveViewGPS – Call us today! 1-888-544-0494

Excavators are useful tools in a variety of situations. From brush cutting, to digging, mining, material handling, demolition, mulching, plowing snow, and countless other odd jobs depending on the specific type of excavator you own.

Unfortunately, these highly versatile tools are not exactly small investments. It is important to protect that investment in any way you can. Insurance is a great way to protect that investment, but so is GPS tracking. These are just a few benefits you might not have considered when it comes to installing and using GPS asset tracking for your excavators.

 Track Your Equipment

It’s important to know where your equipment is all the time. GPS tracking can help you locate various pieces of equipment, like excavators at any time of the day or night from your home computer, tablet, or smartphone.

You can even set up virtual perimeters that let you know whenever your asset is moved outside a certain boundary by sending text messages or email alerts. That way, if thefts do occur, you are far more likely to locate your equipment fast and ensure it is returned to you.

 Monitor Idle Time

Not only can this help you make sure your workers are using the equipment when they are supposed to be, but when you use GPS equipment tracking for all your equipment and not just your excavators, you can better determine which equipment is a better investment (based on the frequency with which it is used).

Either way, you save money by staying on top of when your equipment is being used and determining which machinery gets more heavy use on which types of job sites.

For instance, using GPS tracking for mini excavator equipment may help you determine that you’re getting more use from that machinery than full size versions and you may be able to offload one or charge more for the use of the one that is less frequently needed as specialty equipment to justify its purchase.

 Plan More Efficient Routes

This is another way to help your company save money. The less time that is wasted moving or delivering excavators, the more money you save in fuel and labor costs. It’s a win for your business that reflects wonderfully for your bottom line.

When you use GPS tracking for excavators you won’t need to dig a financial hole to protect your investment. It will pay for itself in reduced labor and fuel costs, lower insurance premiums, and improved productivity.

To learn more about GPS tracking for excavators or its benefits for other equipment and powered assets, give us a call here at LiveViewGPS at 1-888-544-0494.