DirtMate provides powerful real-time tracking and analysis tools to monitor machine activity and site conditions. Configuring data settings allows you to customize how data is collected and processed, ensuring accurate insights for your operations. Features such as smart cycles, load and dump counts, loading machines, and surface updates can be enabled to optimize data tracking. This article explains how to configure these settings to get the most out of your DirtMate system.
From the HARDWARE tab select Machines.
Click on the machine from the list you want to configure.
Click on the EDIT button and toggle that machine's setting on or off. Once finished, click SAVE.
Data configuration settings
Smart cycles
Smart cycles are automatically detected when a machine completes a loop. This feature is useful for tracking cycle counts for equipment such as scrapers.
Load and dump counts
Loads and dumps are recorded when a machine enters a designated load or dump zone. A load is also detected for trucks when idling near a machine configured as a loading machine.
Machine capacity
DirtMate can calculate estimated volume moved (m³ or yd³) for each machine by multiplying its configured average capacity by the number of load counts or smart cycles recorded.
Requirements:
- Machine must be configured for load counts or smart cycles
- Machine must be set as loadable
- Average machine capacity must be set
| ℹ️ Note: Estimated volumes are only calculated when average capacity is set. If capacity is not configured, the estimated volume fields will not appear. |
Loading machine
A loading machine is capable of loading trucks. Load counts are detected based on proximity between enabled loading machines and trucks, provided that load and dump counts are activated.
Utilization settings
DirtMate tracks machine utilization by detecting vibration to distinguish between active operation, idling, and machines that are switched off. This data feeds into Propeller’s utilization metrics, giving site managers an accurate picture of how much time each machine is productively working versus sitting idle.
The sensitivity of this detection can be adjusted per machine to account for how the DirtMate unit is mounted. Machines or mounting positions that produce lower vibration signals may benefit from a higher sensitivity setting to ensure idle and off states are correctly identified. Calibrating this setting helps improve the accuracy of run/idle time data shown in the Machines report and daily email summaries.
Surfaces
As the machine moves across the site, it updates DirtMate surfaces based on detected changes in elevation, ensuring accurate tracking of site conditions.
I still can't do it!
We wrote these articles to equip you with everything you need to get the job done on your own, but we understand that sometimes this isn't sufficient.
If you're stuck, the Propeller Site Support team may be able to help. You can contact our support team by emailing sitesupport@propelleraero.com.au.
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