Monitoring ground-engaging products for earth working equipment

1. A monitoring system comprising:

a ground-engaging wear part secured to earth working equipment, the wear part including an exterior surface, an opening that opens in the exterior surface, and an attachment secured in the opening such that the attachment can be removed from the opening from outside the exterior surface, the attachment having a monitoring device including an electronic device to monitor at least one characteristic of the wear part, and a communication device to wirelessly transmit data gathered by the electronic device during use of the ground-engaging product by the earth working equipment;

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 of the wear part.

2. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the attachment is a plug.

3. The monitoring system of claim 2 wherein the wear part includes a lock received in the opening to secure the wear part to the earth working equipment, the lock includes a recess, and the plug is removably secured in the recess and thereby inhibits an accumulation of earthen fines the recess.

4. The monitoring system of claim 3 wherein the lock includes a collar secured in the opening, and a pin threaded in the collar, and wherein the pin includes the recess.

5. The monitoring system of claim 2 wherein the wear part includes a lock received in the opening to secure the wear part to the earth working equipment, and wherein the plug is received in the opening over the lock and thereby inhibits an accumulation of earthen fines in the opening.

6. The monitoring system of claim 3 wherein the plug is composed of an elastomeric material.

7. The monitoring system of claim 2 wherein the wear part includes a through-hole, and a lock received in the through-hole to secure the wear part to the earth working equipment, and wherein the through-hole is separate from the opening.

8. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the attachment is a lifting eye mechanically secured in the opening.

9. The monitoring system of claim 8 wherein the wear part includes a collar secured in the opening, and the lifting eye includes a mounting shank that is threaded into and secured in the collar.

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

11. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the at least one programmable logic device provides information on whether the wear part remains secured to the earth working equipment.

12. The monitoring system of claim 11 including a human display interface to provide real-time information on whether the wear part remains secured to the earth working equipment.

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

14. 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.

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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

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

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

21. A ground-engaging wear part for earth working equipment comprising an exterior surface, a mounting cavity configured to receive a base for securing to a digging edge of bucket, an opening that opens in the exterior surface, and an attachment secured in the opening such that the attachment can be removed from the opening from outside the exterior surface, the attachment having a monitoring device including an electronic device to monitor at least one characteristic of the wear part, and a communication device to wirelessly transmit data gathered by the electronic device.

22. The wear part of claim 21 wherein the attachment is a plug.

23. The wear part of claim 22 including a lock received in the opening to secure the wear part to the earth working equipment, wherein the lock includes a recess, and the plug is removably secured in the recess and thereby inhibits the accumulation of earthen fines the recess.

24. The wear part of claim 23 wherein the plug is composed of an elastomeric material.

25. The wear part of claim 22 including a lock received in the opening to secure the wear part to the earth working equipment, wherein the plug is received in the opening over the lock and thereby inhibits the accumulation of earthen fines in the opening.

26. The wear part of claim 22 including a through-hole and a lock received in the through-hole to secure the wear part to the earth working equipment, wherein the through-hole is separate from the opening.

27. The wear part of claim 21 wherein the lock includes a collar secured in the opening, and a pin threaded in the collar, and wherein the pin includes the recess.

28. The wear part of claim 21 wherein the attachment is a lifting eye.

29. The wear part of claim 28 including a collar secured in the opening, wherein the lifting eye includes a mounting shank that is threaded into and secured in the collar.

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

31. The wear part of claim 21 wherein the electronic device provides data pertaining to whether the wear part remains secured to the earth working equipment.

32. The wear part of claim 21 wherein the electronic device provides data pertaining to the amount the wear part has worn.

33. The wear part of claim 21 wherein the electronic device provides data pertaining to the condition of the wear part.

34. The wear part of claim 21 wherein the electronic device provides data pertaining to the usage of the wear part by the earth working equipment.

35. The wear part of claim 21 wherein the electronic device provides data pertaining to the performance of the wear part during use of the earth working equipment.

36. The wear part of claim 21 wherein the electronic device provides data pertaining to the occurrences of impact on the wear part.

37. The monitoring system of claim 21 wherein the wear part is configured for attachment to a digging edge of a bucket.

38. The monitoring system of claim 21 wherein the wear part is a component of an excavating tooth.