Monitoring ground engaging products

A method of ascertaining a characteristic of a ground engaging product on earth working equipment, the method comprising the steps of:

• (i) measuring a temperature at a plurality of different locations on or near the earth working equipment, including at least one location on the ground engaging product;
• (ii) identifying presence or absence of areas of temperature contrast near a location of an expected thermal insert;
• and (iii) indicating a characteristic of the ground engaging product based on the identified areas.

A thermal insert for use with a ground engaging product to create a temperature contrast therein, the thermal insert comprising:

• a target area and having first thermal properties;
• and
• a mount extending from a lower part of the target area for insertion into the ground engaging product.

A ground engaging product comprising an exterior surface and a thermal insert partly located within the exterior surface, and providing an externally visible outer surface, where the outer surface has a thermal conductivity differing from a thermal conductivity of the exterior surface.

A lock for holding a portion of a ground engaging product in place on earth working equipment, the lock comprising:

• an exterior surface having lateral engaging formations for engaging with complementary formations in the ground engaging product;
• an outer surface including at least one insert having first thermal properties differing from thermal properties of areas around the insert.

Monitoring apparatus for detecting a characteristic of a ground engaging product on earth working equipment, the monitoring apparatus comprising:

• a thermal detector operable to measure a temperature at a plurality of different locations on or near the earth working equipment, including at least one location on the ground engaging product;
• and
• a processor operable to (i) identify presence or absence of areas of temperature contrast near a location of an expected thermal insert, and (ii) identify a characteristic of the ground engaging product based on the identified areas.

Monitoring apparatus for detecting a characteristic of a ground engaging product on earth working equipment, the monitoring apparatus comprising:

• a thermal detector operable to measure a temperature at a plurality of different locations on or near the earth working equipment, including at least one location on the ground engaging product, and
• a processor operable to identify presence or absence of areas of temperature contrast near or at a location of the ground engaging product to identify a characteristic of the ground engaging product based on the identified areas.

Apparatus for monitoring a ground engaging product, the apparatus comprising a thermal sensor external to the ground engaging product and being operable to measure a temperature at the ground engaging product;

• and a processor operable to:
• (i) compare the measured temperature with an expected temperature for that ground engaging product, and (ii) indicate a characteristic of the ground engaging product based on the comparison.