Graco expands digital fluid management capabilities beyond the shop and into the field.
Graco Inc., a globally recognized leader in fluid and powder handling equipment, has unveiled an innovative solution designed to transform how heavy equipment dealers and fleet owners manage maintenance fluids in the field. The company introduced its new Pulse® Mobile™ fluid management system at CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas, marking a significant advancement in digital fluid tracking technology for field service operations.
Pulse Mobile is the industry’s first fully automated, wirelessly connected fluid-tracking system engineered specifically for mobile service environments. Designed to eliminate the inefficiencies of manual recordkeeping, the system provides accurate, real-time tracking of fluids dispensed from lube and service trucks operating at remote jobsites.
Addressing Longstanding Challenges in Field Service
In demanding industries such as mining, construction, and logging, equipment maintenance frequently occurs directly at the jobsite rather than in a centralized service facility. While this approach minimizes equipment downtime and increases operational productivity, it introduces significant challenges in tracking maintenance resources—particularly lubricants and other service fluids.
Historically, technicians have relied on handwritten logs or manual data entry to record fluid usage in the field. This method leaves considerable room for error. Missed entries, illegible handwriting, misplaced paperwork, and delayed data input often result in inaccurate inventory counts, billing discrepancies, and unaccounted product loss. Even small inaccuracies can accumulate quickly when servicing large fleets of heavy machinery.
Pulse Mobile eliminates these issues by automatically recording every ounce of fluid dispensed. The system captures dispensing data at the source, removing the need for technicians to manually document usage. Each recorded transaction can be digitally assigned to specific assets, work orders, and service personnel, creating a transparent and auditable record of maintenance activity.
According to Jake Elmer, global category lead for service and repair at Graco, the new system expands upon the proven capabilities of the company’s shop-based Pulse Pro platform. By extending automated fluid management to field operations, Pulse Mobile creates continuity between shop and remote service environments. Technicians gain confidence knowing that every ounce of fluid dispensed is tracked, allocated, and connected to documented work—without additional administrative burden.
Precision Tracking for Greater Profitability
Fluid inventory represents a significant operational cost for heavy equipment dealers and fleet operators. When dispensing goes untracked or underreported, the financial impact can be substantial. Lost revenue from unbilled fluids, excess inventory shrinkage, and inaccurate reporting all erode margins.
Pulse Mobile directly addresses these concerns by ensuring that every ounce of lubricant, oil, coolant, or other service fluid dispensed from a mobile unit is recorded in real time. This level of precision provides multiple benefits:
- Accurate billing: Fluids can be automatically associated with specific customer equipment and service tickets, reducing billing disputes and ensuring full cost recovery.
- Reduced waste: Improved accountability discourages over-dispensing and identifies inconsistencies that may indicate leaks or inefficiencies.
- Inventory control: Real-time data enables better forecasting and replenishment planning, preventing both shortages and overstocking.
- Operational insights: Managers can analyze dispensing trends across technicians, regions, or equipment types to optimize service practices.
By transforming fluid management into a data-driven process, Pulse Mobile empowers organizations to protect profitability while maintaining high service standards.
Unified Visibility Across Shop and Field
One of the most powerful features of Pulse Mobile is its cloud connectivity. Dispensing data collected in the field is automatically uploaded to a centralized cloud database. There, it can be consolidated with shop-based data from Graco’s Pulse Pro system, providing a comprehensive view of fluid inventory and usage across an entire operation.
For dealers and fleet managers overseeing multiple service trucks and facilities, this unified visibility is critical. Instead of reconciling separate spreadsheets or disconnected reporting systems, users gain access to a single, integrated dashboard that reflects real-time dispensing activity everywhere fluids are managed.
This consolidated data stream supports better strategic decisions, including:
- Fleet-wide inventory optimization
- Technician productivity analysis
- Preventive maintenance planning
- Customer service performance tracking
With both shop and mobile data combined, organizations can eliminate silos and operate with full transparency.
Built for the Harshest Environments
Field service environments are rarely predictable. Equipment is often maintained in remote locations exposed to dust, mud, vibration, moisture, and extreme temperatures. Any technology designed for such settings must be exceptionally durable.
Pulse Mobile meets these demands with a ruggedized, IP69K-rated meter. This rating signifies one of the highest levels of protection against dust ingress and high-pressure water exposure. The system is engineered to withstand heavy vibration from service trucks, harsh weather conditions, and the daily wear associated with industrial fieldwork.
Durability is more than a convenience—it is essential for maintaining data integrity. A fluid management system that fails in harsh conditions risks lost records and operational disruption. By prioritizing resilience, Graco ensures that Pulse Mobile delivers reliable performance wherever equipment requires service.
Rapid Deployment and User-Friendly Operation
Technology adoption in field service environments can sometimes face resistance if systems are perceived as complicated or disruptive. Recognizing this, Graco designed Pulse Mobile with ease of implementation and use as a core priority.
Field teams can install and configure the system in approximately one day, minimizing downtime and avoiding extended operational interruptions. Once deployed, the interface is intuitive. Technicians can activate the system by entering a personal identification number or scanning an NFC tag, allowing them to begin dispensing quickly and securely.
This streamlined workflow reduces training requirements and ensures that technicians can focus on equipment maintenance rather than administrative tasks. By removing friction from the process, Pulse Mobile encourages widespread adoption and consistent usage—both critical for maximizing return on investment.
Enhancing Accountability and Technician Confidence
In manual systems, technicians often bear the responsibility of documenting fluid usage accurately, adding administrative pressure to already demanding workloads. Errors can lead to disputes or questions about performance.
With automated tracking, that burden is lifted. Each dispensing action is recorded objectively by the system, providing a transparent and tamper-resistant record. This protects technicians from potential discrepancies while giving managers confidence in the accuracy of reporting.
The ability to assign dispensed fluids directly to individual technicians and work orders also supports performance tracking and accountability. Over time, data trends can highlight training needs, best practices, or opportunities for process improvement.
Supporting a Century of Innovation
The launch of Pulse Mobile comes during a milestone year for Graco—its 100th anniversary. For a century, the company has focused on solving real-world industrial challenges with reliable, high-performance equipment.
Pulse Mobile reflects that legacy of innovation. By addressing persistent inefficiencies in field fluid management, the system demonstrates how digital connectivity and automation can modernize even the most traditional maintenance processes.
As heavy equipment industries continue to embrace digital transformation, integrated systems like Pulse Mobile will play a critical role in driving efficiency, accuracy, and profitability. Automated tracking not only reduces errors but also generates actionable data that supports smarter operational decisions.
Showcasing Innovation at CONEXPO 2026
Attendees at CONEXPO 2026 in Las Vegas have the opportunity to explore Pulse Mobile firsthand at the Graco booth (#C23018). The event provides live demonstrations, expert consultations, and in-depth discussions about how the system integrates with existing maintenance workflows.
For equipment dealers, fleet owners, and service managers seeking greater control over fluid inventory and billing accuracy, Pulse Mobile represents a compelling advancement. By combining rugged hardware, cloud-based data management, and intuitive user interfaces, Graco delivers a solution that bridges the gap between shop and field operations.
A New Standard in Mobile Fluid Management
The introduction of Pulse Mobile sets a new benchmark for fluid dispensing accountability in mobile service environments. By automating data capture, centralizing reporting, and delivering durable performance under demanding conditions, the system addresses long-standing operational pain points.
In industries where precision, uptime, and cost control are paramount, even incremental improvements can yield substantial returns. Pulse Mobile offers more than incremental change—it introduces a transformative approach to managing maintenance fluids wherever heavy equipment operates.
With this launch, Graco reinforces its commitment to empowering customers with practical, performance-driven innovations. As the demands of field service continue to evolve, Pulse Mobile positions dealers and equipment owners to operate with greater accuracy, efficiency, and confidence than ever before.
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