Combilift telemetry solution to improve forklift maintenance and durability

Why is it important to know the temperature of a forklift electric motor? This kind of valuable information can prevent breakdowns, reduce maintenance costs and improve the lifespan of a machine. It’s also just one way that Combilift’s new telemetry solution – Combi Connect – adds value to a business.

To illustrate how Combi Connect can benefit users, Antonio Patacho, a Combilift mechanical software development engineer, provides an example of temperature monitoring on a Combilift C-series multi-directional forklift.

“Each wheel on the C-Series has a traction motor, and these motors should operate at the same temperature,” Patacho explains.

“Now imagine that after a few hours of work, one engine is 30 degrees hotter than the other. The operator does not notice this difference because the motor is still within the ‘normal’ range and no faults are displayed on the screen. Without noticing the temperature deviation, an operator would not know how to investigate.”

According to Patacho, this is the difference between taking action on a problem while it is still small, or waiting until it becomes a significant problem. Either way, without such data the company would have no choice.

“With Combi Connect we can monitor those engine temperatures to detect deviations. In this scenario where one motor is running at a higher temperature, it could be due to a fan connector becoming loose – a simple $5 fix,” says Patacho.

“But if it goes unnoticed, the engine will deteriorate and eventually fail. Not only is the engine replacement much more expensive – probably around €1,000 – these types of failures could halt production, translating into a much greater financial loss.”

In a sector – no, a world – where sustainability demands more and more attention, these types of solutions are becoming increasingly valuable. Combi Connect’s predictive maintenance benefits allow companies to avoid the economic and environmental costs associated with purchasing new parts.

Additionally, the finite data provided by the software allows operators to optimize their fuel, oil and charging needs. This enables further sustainability and efficiency within the entire business operation. When a machine is maintained as well as Combi Connect allows, it can run more smoothly for much longer than a machine that is neglected.

Combi Connect can be used for numerous reasons, including preventative maintenance, fuel consumption analysis, fleet location, remote updates and more. It easily integrates with existing systems and helps track internal performance indicators.

One of the reasons why the product can achieve so much is its modular design. Patacho explains that there is not one solution for every customer. Instead, Combi Connect is configured in different ways to solve unique customer problems.

“For example, if someone needs to look at the vibrations of the engine, we will install the sensor. But we do not adjust this as standard on our machines,” he says.

“If another customer wants access control for the driver, we can build that in, but it doesn’t have to be standard – we customize it the way they want.”

Once installed, the data collected by Combilift customers becomes an extremely valuable resource for any business. That is why Combilift values ​​transparency and gives access to every customer who requests it.

This is facilitated via a REST API, Patacho explains. Combilift gives each customer an access key, so he can download any signal and value to download as he or she wants.

“I see this as a partnership between Combilift, the dealers and the customers, because it is not just one side learning from the data,” says Patacho.

“If one customer’s forklift has a particular problem, we can use that information to help others with the same problem.”

With all this information at hand, Combilift customers can be fully prepared for the demands of modern material handling.

In fact, they will confidently outperform their competition and build a partnership with Combilift (and Antonio) that will last a lifetime.