What Are Machine Hours?

Machine hours are a critical metric used to monitor the operational time of machinery, such as tractors or other heavy equipment, during a task. Accurately tracking machine hours helps in managing equipment efficiently, scheduling maintenance, and ensuring precise billing. Here’s a detailed look at how machine hours are tracked and managed within TaskPilot:

Tracking Machine Hours:

1. Starting the Task: At the beginning of each task, the user records the machine’s starting hours. This involves entering data from a device or sensor attached to the machine, which monitors its usage.
   
   
2. Ending the Task: Upon completion of the task, the user records the ending hours from the same device. This allows for a complete record of the machine's operational time for that specific task.

Why is There Pre-Filled Start Hours?

Often, the start hours field is pre-filled with the last recorded end hours. This automatic entry happens because the system updates the start hours with the previous task’s end hours to provide continuity and accuracy in machine tracking.

Adjustments: Contractors can and should adjust the pre-filled start hours if they do not accurately reflect the current start time. For example, if the machine was idle or if there was a gap between tasks, the contractor needs to manually enter the correct start time to ensure accurate tracking.

This system ensures that machine usage is accurately tracked, providing valuable data for managing machine efficiency, scheduling maintenance, and ensuring proper billing. It also allows for flexibility, accommodating any variations in actual start times versus pre-filled data.