Fuel is expensive. Prolonged engine idling makes it worse.
With high fuel prices, every minute a work truck sits with its engine idling is just money burning out of the tailpipe. For service fleets, those costs can add up fast when operators unnecessarily idle their work trucks for hours without engaging the PTO.
On mechanics trucks, Auto Crane’s Power onDemand ™ is the fix most fleets don’t know about. It’s an autonomous system that manages the engine and PTO, ensuring the engine only runs when the technician needs it and shuts down when PTO power is no longer needed. No operator input required!
And here’s the part that some fleet managers don’t even know: if your truck is equipped with an Auto Crane Titan Connect body, this fuel saver may already be installed and ready to activate.
Why most idle-reduction plans fail
Plenty of fleets have tried to cut unnecessary engine idle time. A costly approach is to add an expensive auxiliary power unit and have the crew shut the truck off to run accessories like the crane, compressor or welder using the APU.
The challenge is crews are focused on the job, not the ignition key. When fuel savings depend on someone remembering to turn the engine off, the truck keeps running and the savings never show up.
Power onDemand ™ takes that burden out of the operator’s hands. The system turns the engine off when it senses prolonged idling and back on when the operator requests power to run accessories, so the savings happen whether anyone thinks about it or not.
Savings on autopilot: how Power onDemand™ works
Power onDemand™ automates the truck’s engine and PTO directly through the chassis. Instead of idling all day to keep power available, the truck supplies power when the crew calls for it at the press of a button on a keypad or motion of a joystick on the crane controller.
Because it’s autonomous, idle reduction stops being an operator’s responsibility and becomes a real tool for Fleet Managers, allowing them to monitor and manage engine and chassis usage remotely.
The result is lower fuel bills and longer engine life by reducing wear and tear on the truck.
What it does for your fleet
- Maximizes fuel savings. Less unnecessary idling means less fuel burned on every job.
- Extends engine and chassis life. Fewer idle hours put less wear on powertrains.
- Lowers operating costs. Savings on fuel and maintenance add up across every truck in the fleet.
- Reduces carbon emissions. An engine that isn’t running isn’t emitting.
- Boosts productivity. Crews get power at the press of a button, without extra steps.
- Built in safety. Automated safety behaviors are integrated into the system to reduce risk.
- Put fleet managers in control. Managers can monitor and manage engine and chassis usage across the fleet and customize settings based on seasons and operator needs.
Built on Titan Connect
Power onDemand™ runs on Titan Connect®, Auto Crane’s solid state-based body harness system. Titan Connect links the engine, transmission, NexStar crane, and most popular air compressor makes/models over J1939 CAN, turning the whole truck into one connected system. That connection is what lets Power onDemand ™ control the engine and PTO directly, customized to each fleet’s requirements.
Titan Connect also brings:
- A smart power module (PDM) that works with the keypad and chassis upfitter switches.
- Telematics integration that can feed information into existing truck telematics platforms.
- Pre-wired circuits with room to grow, supports standard equipment, including cranes, work lights, strobe lights, compressors, and PTO as well as other options requiring 12v power.
- Plug-and-play installation for faster, more consistent setup, with a heavy-duty nylon braided loom for abrasion protection.
- Universal troubleshooting that simplifies diagnostics regardless of the truck upfitter.
Power onDemand™ is a patented Auto Crane exclusive option, available only on Auto Crane Titan Connect bodies.
Your truck may be hiding a fuel saver
If you already run Auto Crane trucks, there’s a quick way to tell whether Power onDemand ™ is within reach. Open the crane compartment on the body and look for an 8-button keypad with the red E-stop mounted directly above it (see illustration).
[Image: Auto Crane 8-button keypad with E-stop above it, inside the compartment]
If you see that keypad on your Auto Crane body, your truck has Titan Connect. That means it can be upgraded by activating Power onDemand ™.
One note: other manufacturers use keypads that look similar, but are less capable. The E-stop above the keypad on an Auto Crane body is what sets ours apart.
Found it? Contact your Auto Crane sales rep to learn how to add Power onDemand ™ and start turning idle time into savings.
Ordering new trucks? Build the savings in.
If you’re planning your next work truck, future fuel price risk management is a good reason to think beyond just the crane and body capacities. Spec an Auto Crane Titan Connect body with Power onDemand ™ and the fuel saver is built in from day one.
It’s the simplest way to make sure every new truck in your fleet cuts idling time automatically, no matter who’s driving it.
Ready to stop paying for idle time? Contact your Auto Crane sales rep or call Auto Crane at 800.777.2760 to learn more about Titan Connect and Power onDemand ™.
