United Equipment Accessories unveils Cable Reel with Length Counter and Sensor Suite — real-time cable length telemetry over CAN for heavy equipment and service fleets.
United Equipment Accessories (UEA) announced the launch of its new Cable Reel with Length Counter and Sensor Suite, an encoder-based cable payout and rewind system that publishes real-time length data directly on vehicle CAN networks (CAN 2.0A/2.0B/CAN FD). The system gives operators an instant, accurate readout of exactly how much cable is deployed, reducing guesswork, preventing over-pulls, and enabling logging for job tickets, QA and telematics.
“We built this reel to give fleets and OEMs the digital feedback they need without adding wiring complexity,” said Tristan Bainum, Design Engineer, United Equipment Accessories. “By combining field-proven mechanical design with encoder precision and plug-and-play CAN compatibility, manufacturers can add actionable length and positional data to displays, PLCs and telematics systems with minimal integration work.”
Key features and benefits
- Precision encoder measurement — shaft-mounted rotary encoder reports extension/retraction with long life and dramatically less drift than potentiometers.
- Plug-and-play CAN compatibility — supports CAN 2.0A, 2.0B and CAN FD; configurable message IDs and priorities for easy integration with existing vehicle networks.
- Optional inclinometer telemetry — broadcast inclination data on the same CAN bus for positional awareness of booms and implements.
- Rugged, customizable housing — installs in virtually any orientation and is designed for harsh mobile equipment environments.
- Integrated slip ring — 6-circuit, 10 A slip ring for clean signal/power transmission to implements.
- Enhanced safety — supports redundant encoder configurations and is designed to meet safety expectations for demanding applications (e.g., EN13849 considerations).
Ideal applications include telescopic boom cranes, cable-laying vehicles, rescue and electric utility vehicles, and construction equipment that require precise payout monitoring and reliable data feeds.
UEA’s software for the reel is fully customizable to match customer workflows and data structures, enabling predictable deployments across single machines or entire fleets. For manufacturers and fleet operators looking to modernize measurement and telemetry without heavy rewiring, the new Cable Reel with Length Counter and Sensor Suite delivers turnkey functionality and flexible integration options.
View more details on our Cable Reel with Length/Distance Measuring Capability page.