Installing camera systems onto heavy equipment vehicles is becoming standard practice. Camera systems help increase the safety of operations, prevent collisions and support the driver by improving visibility while increasing the maneuverability of large vehicles. With technological advancements, camera systems can now be installed onto buses, coaches, cranes, forklifts, emergency vehicles, and military vehicles.
With many options available in today’s market, determining the right camera for your vehicle can seem daunting. To make choosing the right camera system for your vehicle(s) more straightforward, it’s crucial to know and understand viewing and mounting options.
Camera system viewing options
- Rearview: Like your car, a rearview camera allows you to view the area to the rear of the machine and make reversing safer. Many camera systems will enable the monitor in the cab to automatically switch to the rearview camera when reverse gear is engaged. There are also options to set continuous or manual operation. The rearview camera system can be fitted to any earthmoving machine.
- Tool view: Using a tool view camera, you can see more of your machine’s tools and work more safely. Using a tool view camera allows you to load, lift, and unload materials faster and more efficiently. The system can also be connected to a wireless video connection if a video cable cannot be installed.
- Side view: Often, a driver has limited visibility to the sides of the machine when maneuvering and turning. The side-view camera shows the area immediately adjacent to the machine. This system ensures that obstacles and people are always visible, making each maneuver safer, more efficient, and more comfortable.
- RadarEye: This camera system has sensors that immediately warn you of dangerous situations via sound signals and graphic overlays.
- Front view: Front-view camera systems provide a clear view of what is happening in front of the machine at all times. In a wheel loader, for instance, the bucket blocks your view, making it difficult to see the area in front of the machine.
- Surround-view: Surround view offers you a 360° overview of the machine.
- MirrorEye: MirrorEye is an innovative and intelligent camera system that replaces the side mirrors on trucks and improves visibility for the driver. MirrorEye features high-definition cameras with night vision and an automatic panning feature.
- View on tail swing: Hazardous situations can arise when a bus driver has a limited view of the area to the rear of the bus. Placing two cameras on both rear corners of a bus provides a clear image of the tail swing, giving the driver an optimum view of the entire area behind the bus. The back corner view camera system can also be enhanced with other cameras.
- Mast view: Often, emergency workers cannot be seen from the ground due to difficulties with visibility. With a mast camera view, you will always have visibility of the basket, even when it is obscured behind tall buildings or large objects. This view ensures that emergency workers in the basket can coordinate more effectively and safely with those sitting in the cab.
- Basket view: During rescue operations, it can be challenging to track the mast or ladder from the ground. Basket view ensures safe and efficient aerial appliance or fire truck use.
- Runway view: When fighting fires in locations such as airports or forests, heavy smoke can make it impossible to pinpoint the source of the fire. A camera system with a Runway view uses thermal imaging to see through the smoke.
Camera system mounting options
Cameras should be mounted at vehicle locations that support the driver’s view and increase overall safety. Mounting options include dashboard, side of the vehicle, backup cameras, and cargo cameras (used to prevent damage of goods). Apart from mounting options, there are a list of available views.
Camera systems for your heavy equipment vehicle
Heavy equipment camera systems – earth moving machines
Machines such as shovels, excavators, and dump trucks require a clear vision to operate efficiently and safely. Operators have limited visibility around the vehicle, so a professional solution to blind spots is vital. High-quality professional vision solutions will help improve operations’ efficiency and safety.
The best vision solutions for earthmoving vehicles include: Rearview, cornerEye, tool view, and side view.
Trucking camera systems
There are more and more vehicles on the road every day. Truck drivers require increased visibility for their safety and the safety of other drivers. Camera systems reduce the risk of missing or overlooking other vehicles, ultimately preventing accidents.
The best vision solutions for trucks include: corneEye, front view, surround view, rear view, and side view.
Buses and Coach Camera Systems
Buses and coaches must provide efficient and safe transportation. Drivers can benefit from driving assistance features, which can increase comfort on long journeys. The mirrorEye viewing solution replaces mirrors with an HD camera monitoring system that is designed to work in all weather and light conditions. MirrorEye gives the driver a larger field of vision as a mirror replacement, increasing safety for everyone in the bus and other vehicles on the road.
The best viewing solutions for buses and coaches include: MirrorEye, tail swing view, rear view, front view, door view, side view, and panorama view.
Crane Camera Systems
Port cranes need to work as efficiently and safely as possible due to the continuous transshipment at terminals. An accident could be disastrous for an industry under heavy time pressure. Clear vision is essential to maintain optimal levels of efficiency and safety at work sites. We offer high-quality, professional vision solutions for every situation to increase safety, efficiency, and comfort.
The best viewing solutions for cranes include: rear view, latch view, load view, gangway view, spreader view.
Forklift Truck Camera Systems
Distribution centers and warehouses rely heavily on camera systems to maximize efficiency; all forklifts must provide the highest level of safety and performance. Camera viewing solutions can increase safety and driver comfort as drivers no longer need to turn their heads and neck to view loads, shelves, and aisles.
The best viewing solutions for forklift trucks include fork view, rear view, front view, and radareye.
Emergency Vehicle Camera Systems
Emergency vehicles such as fire trucks require clear vision to carry out their work safely and effectively. Often, emergency vehicle drivers have difficulty seeing clearly around the vehicle due to large blind spots. Maneuvering such a large vehicle with multiple blind spots can also physically be hard on the driver.
It is also crucial for basket operators to have a good view of their team members in the basket; using video solutions like zoom and thermal imaging cameras can help improve efficiency and safety during emergencies.
The best viewing solutions for emergency vehicles include: rear view, front view, surround view, mast view, basket view, runway view, and side view.
Military Vehicle Camera Systems
Military operations require clear visibility, increased safety, and complex viewing systems. Camera solutions help to improve safety for soldiers and the operation as a whole. Large military vehicles need to maneuver around crowded areas; eliminating blind spots with camera solutions can help improve overall operations.
Seatronx is proud to be a distributor for Orlaco Specialized Camera Systems. These camera monitoring systems comply with international automotive standards, such as IATF 16949, and we are a recognized NATO supplier with a NATO stock number (NCAGE H1H24). For certified MOTS solutions, we work with high-quality, accredited partners.
The best viewing solutions for military vehicles include front, rear, and surround views.
Wired vs. wireless camera systems
Wired and wireless camera systems have pros and cons; what the operator chooses to install depends mainly on their personal needs. There are three things to consider when installing any camera system 1. Quality of image, 2. Cost, and 3. Connectivity.
- Wired camera systems
Wired camera systems tend to have better image quality because they are connected directly to the monitor and have no signal interference, delivering a clear image continuously. Proper connectivity and view are essential factors to consider when safety is the number one priority of the operation. Installation of a wired camera system can be harder to install and time-consuming.
- Wireless camera systems
A wireless camera system eliminates the need for wiring installation, but these systems may be less reliable due to wifi signal interference, distance, and even weather conditions.
Regulations
Seatronx is proud to be a distributor for Orlaco specialized camera systems. Our camera systems comply with IATF 16949 standards. These standards are developed by the International Automotive Task Force and require that certain qualities be met for the design, development, and installation of automotive products.