Monitoring ground-engaging products for earth working equipment

1. A monitoring system comprising:

a ground-engaging wear part including a mounting cavity defined by an interior surface for receiving a base secured to earth working equipment such that the interior surface opposes the base, an exterior surface defined by top, bottom and side surfaces, an opening that opens in the exterior surface, and a monitoring device including an electronic device to monitor at least one characteristic of the wear part, and a communication device secured in the opening to wirelessly transmit data gathered by the electronic device, wherein the communication device is closer to the exterior surface than at least a portion of the interior surface is to the exterior surface;

at least one remote device to wirelessly receive the data; and

at least one programmable logic device to process the data to provide information related to the at least one characteristic.

2. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the wear part is attached to a digging edge of a bucket.

3. The monitoring system of claim 2 wherein the at least one programmable logic device provides information on whether the wear part remains secured to the digging edge.

4. The monitoring system of claim 3 including a human display interface to provide real-time information on whether the wear part remains secured to the earth working equipment.

5. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the wear part is a component of an excavating tooth.

6. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the at least one programmable logic device provides information to identify the wear part.

7. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the at least one programmable logic device provides information on the amount the wear part has worn.

8. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the at least one programmable logic device provides an estimate of the useful life remaining for the wear part.

9. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the at least one programmable logic device provides information on the condition of the wear part.

10. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the at least one programmable logic device provides information on the usage of the wear part by the earth working equipment.

11. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the at least one programmable logic device provides information on the performance of the wear part during use of the earth working equipment.

12. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the at least one programmable logic device provides information on the occurrences of impact on the wear part.

13. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the wear part includes a lock received in the opening to secure the wear part to the earth working equipment, and the monitoring device is secured to the lock.

14. The monitoring system of claim 13 wherein the lock includes a collar secured in the opening, and a pin threaded in the collar to secure the wear part to the base, and wherein the pin includes a recess to hold the monitoring device.

15. The monitoring system of claim 1 including a lifting eye secured within the opening, wherein the monitoring device is secured to the lifting eye.

16. The monitoring system of claim 1 including a plug received in the opening, wherein the monitoring device is secured to the plug.

17. A ground-engaging wear part for earth working equipment comprising a mounting cavity defined by an interior surface for receiving a base secured to the earth working equipment such that the interior surface opposes the base, an exterior surface defined by top, bottom and side surfaces, an opening that opens in the exterior surface, and a monitoring device including an electronic device to monitor at least one characteristic of the wear part, and a communication device secured in the opening to wirelessly transmit data gathered by the electronic device, wherein the communication device is closer to the exterior surface than at least a portion of the interior surface is to the exterior surface.

18. The wear part of claim 17 which is configured for attachment to a digging edge of a bucket.

19. The wear part of claim 18 wherein the electronic device provides data on whether the wear part remains secured to the digging edge.

20. The wear part of claim 17 which is a component of an excavating tooth.

21. The wear part of claim 17 wherein the electronic device provides data to identify the wear part.

22. The wear part of claim 17 wherein the electronic device provides data pertaining to the amount the wear part has worn.

23. The wear part of claim 17 wherein the electronic device provides data pertaining to the condition of the wear part.

24. The wear part of claim 17 wherein the electronic device provides data pertaining to the usage of the wear part by the earth working equipment.

25. The wear part of claim 17 wherein the electronic device provides data pertaining to the performance of the wear part during use of the earth working equipment.

26. The wear part of claim 17 wherein the electronic device provides data pertaining to the occurrences of impact on the wear part.

27. The wear part of claim 17 including a lock received in the opening to secure the wear part to the earth working equipment, wherein the monitoring device is secured to the lock.

28. The wear part of claim 27 wherein the lock includes a collar secured in the opening, and a pin threaded in the collar to secure the wear part to the base, and wherein the pin includes a recess to hold the monitoring device.

29. The wear part of claim 17 including a lifting eye secured within the opening, wherein the monitoring device is secured to the lifting eye.

30. The wear part of claim 17 including a plug received in the opening, wherein the monitoring device is secured to the plug.