BASIC TRACK & TRACE FOR HEAVY MACHINERY

INTRO

Tracking may seem simple, just locate the vehicle. But in agriculture, construction, or mining, it is far more complex. As the heavy machinery market grows, from $778.53 billion in 2024 to $841.46 billion in 2025, the demand for telematics solutions is also rising. Yet many GPS systems still struggle with low speeds, off-road routes, and harsh environments. As a result, even basic tracking becomes unreliable, leading to real operational challenges.

CHALLENGE

Although the machines operate correctly, GPS track jumps distort the picture, complicating supervision and reporting. These machines often move slowly, off-road, and in complex or remote areas, conditions where standard GPS systems tend to struggle. This leads to confusion, errors, and unreliable tracking data. For businesses that depend on accuracy, these issues can create serious operational and financial consequences.

The problem lies not in how the machines are used, but in how GPS interprets slow movement. Instead of recognising gradual, continuous motion, many GPS trackers generate sudden jumps between points. This results in misinformed decisions and reduced confidence in tracking data. A farm manager might wrongly believe a worker skipped a section of a field, a bulldozer could appear off-route, or a haul truck’s movements may seem erratic. In reality, the machines are working as expected, but the GPS data does not reflect that.

SOLUTION

To solve this, Teltonika offers the FTx880 series and FTC961 trackers, built on the next-generation FT platform. Designed for heavy-duty machinery, they deliver precise GNSS performance even at low speeds and in off-road conditions. Thanks to a GNSS module capable of connecting to up to 41 visible satellites simultaneously. This ensures continuous location updates, helping fleet operators and managers make informed decisions, improve efficiency, and enhance service quality. The result is smooth, accurate location tracking without sudden jumps or distorted movement trails, providing reliable monitoring and reporting.

The FTx880 series includes two versions: FTC880 with Cat 1 and FTM880 with Cat M1 connectivity. These are battery-mounted trackers, making installation fast and easy without requiring technical expertise or special tools. This helps reduce not only integration costs but also related expenses such as transport to a service provider. Also, the same device can be quickly re-installed and repurposed for different vehicles or seasonal operations, perfect for fleets that change depending on the time of year or shifting business needs.

For more complex use cases, the FTC961 model is the ideal choice. It includes five configurable pins featuring a digital input, digital output, and analog input, enabling flexible integration for various scenarios. It also supports input voltages of up to 90 volts, making it suitable for a wide range of machinery types.

Built with IP69K protection, these trackers are highly resistant to dust, high-pressure water jets, and harsh environments, making them ideal for rugged outdoor use.

All of these trackers come equipped with a 320 mAh internal battery and with optimised sleep modes - deep sleep, online sleep, and power off sleep. These modes are particularly valuable for heavy machinery that may remain idle for extended periods, for example, during downtime caused by bad weather. In such cases, low power consumption ensures that the tracker does not drain the vehicle’s main battery, while power-off sleep mode allows the device to periodically wake up, send its location, and return to sleep. This way, operators can maintain visibility of valuable assets without risking unnecessary battery drainage.

In addition, the trackers support key functionalities such as excessive idling detection to help reduce fuel waste, and auto geofence to monitor when machinery enters or exits designated areas – an essential feature for securing assets across large or remote worksites.

Fleet management is also simplified thanks to Teltonika's dedicated software tools. With FOTA WEB, service providers can remotely update firmware across the fleet, ensuring that every device stays up to date with the latest features, improvements, and security patches, with no on-site maintenance required.

Meanwhile, the Telematics Configuration Tool (TCT) offers an intuitive interface specifically designed for FT platform devices, allowing managers to configure or adjust settings quickly and efficiently. Together, these tools reduce manual intervention, minimise downtime, and contribute to more streamlined, cost-effective operations.

Teltonika delivers reliable and consistent tracking built to meet the toughest demands of heavy machinery applications.

TOPOLOGY

BENEFITS

• Accurate tracking – by connecting to up to 41 visible satellites, Teltonika GPS devices ensure accurate machinery positioning, even at low speeds.

  
  

• Power savings – optimised sleep modes minimise power consumption during standstill periods, ensuring the heavy machinery’s battery won’t drain when the equipment is not in use.

  
  

• Reliable performance in harsh environments -  ensures dependable tracking even when heavy machinery is regularly washed down with high-pressure water jets, as well as in dusty, muddy, or wet conditions. This level of protection is a must for equipment operating in tough outdoor environments.

  
  

• Easy and fast integration – TCT and FOTA WEB software solutions simplify fleet management and save time on setup and updates.

  
  

SUCCESS STORY

A company providing connected mobility and IoT solutions needed a highly durable GPS tracking device for integration into aerial work platforms. The requirements were clear: the device had to be waterproof, withstand high-voltage systems, and include a dedicated ignition wire to ensure precise engine status detection.

To meet these needs, they selected the Teltonika FTC961 tracker. With its IP69K-rated casing and wide 10–90 V power supply range, the device offers exceptional protection and compatibility with heavy-duty machinery. Its ignition wire enables reliable engine monitoring essential for tracking usage and planning maintenance.

The device’s features aligned perfectly with the demands of their industry, making FTC961 the clear choice for reliable tracking and long-term performance in harsh conditions.

WHY TELTONIKA?

Heavy machinery operations demand more than just basic GPS, they need a tracking solution built for slow speeds, off-road use, and extreme environments.

Teltonika FTM880, FTC880, FTC961 GPS trackers are engineered for exactly that, delivering reliable positioning even when standard systems fail. With features like optimised sleep modes and excessive idling monitoring, they help reduce operational risks and unnecessary costs.

Our FT platform is designed to simplify and future-proof operations. With tools like TCT for remote configuration and FOTA WEB for effortless firmware updates, managing even large fleets becomes efficient