CalAmp supports viewing spreader and plow data within the user interface; you can verify COMM and GPS and track the status of the assets' inputs, as well as their location, heading, and speed. In addition, there are several reports that provide input information and even specific spreader data. (See the section "What Spreader and Plow Reports Are Available?" below.)

CalAmp currently supports the following spreaders:

• DICKEY-john
   
• Force America
   
• Cirus

In order to take advantage of CalAmp’s plow capabilities, you'll need to set up an IO (input/output) profile for them. Go to Adding an IO Profile for details. Before you begin, make sure that you obtain either an install sheet or installation manual for the type of device/vehicle you are creating the profile for, making sure that it specifies the input numbers and what they are used for (such as input 2 being used for the plow).

To view recent activity from your plows on the Tracking screen, follow the steps in Mapping Recent and Live Input Activity Using the History Layer.

Setting Up Your Spreader

CalAmp receives spreader data over a serial cable that connects the spreader's control unit to the asset's LMU (location messaging unit). To integrate your spreaders with the CalAmp application, you must connect the control unit correctly; work with your CalAmp field representative to ensure that your fleet units are compatible and your installation is performed properly. Here is some basic guidance:

1. Complete the installation of the LMU-3640 to the vehicle with a three-wire install or engine diagnostic cable.
    
2. Locate the serial port on the spreader controller and secure the serial cable to the controller's serial port.
    
   The connected harness for the LMU3-640 provides two serial ports.
    
3. Attach the serial adapter cable to Aux 1 or Aux 2, as guided by your CalAmp representative.
    
4. Connect the serial cable from the spreader controller to the serial port adapter that is attached to the LMU-3640 harness.
    
5. Secure the cabling so that it does not interfere with the driver or usage of the spreader controller.

After the spreader unit is accurately installed, you'll need to configure the spreader peripheral capabilities within the CalAmp application, which will enable the data to be transferred from the device to the software (and visualized on the Tracking screen). You set up your controllers using the Edit Device dialog box on the Admin - Devices screen individually for each device, as follows:

Note: You'll need to have Admin rights to be able to follow these steps.

1. In the sidebar menu on the left, click .
    
2. Click Devices on the flyout menu that appears.
    
   The Admin - Devices screen will appear.
    

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   Note: All your devices have already been added to the application by CalAmp.

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3. Find the row of the device installed on the asset with the spreader controller. (If needed, you can sort or filter the Device Name or Identifier column, as shown in Sorting and Filtering Column Data.)
    
4. Click  at the far right of its row and select Edit Device from the menu.
    
   The Edit Device dialog box will be displayed.
     
5. Under Peripherals, click the Spreader drop-down arrow and select the spreader type from the list.
    
6. Click Done.
    
7. Make sure that the device is assigned to the asset within the software by checking the asset's Edit Asset dialog box's Device field. (See Editing an Asset if necessary.)
    
8. To verify that you can view the spreader data, go to the Tracking screen.
    
   The spreader details will be shown in the Asset Details pane, similar to this:
    

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   Note: The available spreader details will vary, depending on the manufacturer and accumulated data, but these are the common ones:
   • DICKEY-john
      
   • Master Switch Status: The effective status of the master switch (Off/Auto/Unload/Unknown)
      
   • Ground Speed: The reported speed of the asset (in mph or kph)
      
   • Air Temp: The current air temperature (in °F or °C)
      
   • Road Temp: The current road temperature (in °F or °C)
      
   • Tank Level: The current tank level value and percentage
      
   • Gate Height: The gate height value (in inches or centimeters)
      
   • Granular Target Rate: The target application rate for granular (in pounds/foot-pound)
      
   • Granular Actual Rate: The instantaneous actual application rate for granular (in pounds/foot-pound)
      
   • Liquid Target Rate: The target application rate for liquid (in gallons/foot-pound)
      
   • Liquid Actual Rate: The instantaneous actual application rate for liquid (in gallons/foot-pound)
      
   • Spreader Received Time: The date and time
      
   • Cirus
      
   • Plow Distance: The distance traveled with the plow engaged (in miles or kilometers)
      
   • Dry Distance: The dry material distance traveled (in miles or kilometers)
      
   • Vehicle Distance: The total distance traveled (in miles or kilometers)
      
   • Granular: The amount of granular material dispensed (in pounds or kilograms)
      
   • Prewet: The amount of prewet material dispensed (in gallons or liters)
      
   • Anti Ice: The amount of anti-ice material dispensed (in gallons or liters)
      
   • Spreader Received Time: The date and time
      
   • Force America
      
   • Spreader Status: The state of the spreader
      
   • Granular Material Name: The name of the granular material used by the spreader
      
   • Granular Set Rate: The granular material application rate (pounds per mile or kilograms per kilometer)
      
   • Granular Spread Rate Index: The granular set rate in terms of the index from 0 to 10
      
   • Granular Total: The total amount of granular material applied (in pounds or kilograms)
      
   • Prewet Total: The total amount of prewet material applied (in gallons or liters)
      
   • Direct Total: The total amount of direct liquid applied (in gallons or liters)
      
   • Dust Total: The total amount of dust control liquid applied (in gallons or liters)
      
   • Granular Mode: The mode in which the spreader is monitoring the granular output
      
   • Spreader Received Time: The date and time

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As with plows, you can use the History layer to view recent spreader activity on the Tracking screen if you set up an IO profile. (See Mapping Recent and Live Input Activity Using the History Layer and Adding an IO Profile.)

What Spreader and Plow Reports Are Available?

We have three reports designed specifically for certain types of spreaders:

For plows, you should look at these reports:

For details on running an included report, see Running a Report.