The PL161 locator is an OEM integrated technology solution for excavator attachment tracking. With the ability to track location and utilisation, it is designed to let users know where their attachments are across all worksites, reduce the number of lost attachments, and plan for attachment maintenance and replacement.
The customer installable locator can be used on attachments and non-powered assets as an option for last known location tracking, and it integrates into users’ operation for full fleet management of machines and attachments from one dashboard on a smartphone or a tablet.
The device is designed for operation in harsh environments and to be compatible for a wide range of assets without interfering with the work they are doing. Bluetooth range is up to 30 meters (100 feet), depending on the environment and any obstructions. The device is battery powered with an estimated life of 2 years.
The PL161 locator is designed to be used with the Cat App and other PL Series scanning devices installed on next generation excavators and retrofit kits are available for older machines. When using the Cat App within range of the PL161 locator device, the location is logged automatically. This system leverages cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity through the user’s own smartphone or tablet to transmit data to the VisionLink and My.Cat.com applications. Purchase of the PL161 locator comes with a subscription to VisionLink for the life of the device.
Caterpillar says that the PL161 locator is available from the factory on select attachments and will be factory-installed on all excavator attachments starting from the middle of 2019.
