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MTS Pro Installation Guide (Granular Salt Tracker)

A quick overview of how to install the granular VASIS MTS granular salt tracker. We walk you through the components included in the kit, such as the display, sensor, and wiring, and emphasize the importance of using heat shrink and solder for connections.

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What Comes in the Kit

You’ll typically receive:

  1. Cab Display Unit

    • Has an 8-pin connector on one end

    • Mounts inside the cab (driver view)

  2. Granular Sensor

    • Thread: M8 x 1.25

    • Includes lock washer + nut

    • Mounts on the spreader to detect rotation

  3. Three-Wire Sensor Cable

    • One end has a connector that mates to the sensor harness

    • Other end is three bare wires (for wiring inside the cab)

  4. 8-Wire Harness (Cab-side)

    • Plugs into the display unit

    • Includes power/ground + signal wires (granular + liquid)

Wiring Overview (Important)

Power Wiring (Cab)

From the 8-wire harness:

  • Red = Power

  • Black = Ground

  • Must be wired to:

    • Ignition power (NOT constant power)

    • 5-amp fused

    • Ground

✅ Use ignition power only so the unit turns on/off with the key.

Granular Signal Wiring (Cab)

From the 8-wire harness, only three wires are used for granular:

  • Green

  • Gray

  • White

The other wires are for liquid setups.

⚠️ Unused wires: They carry power/current in some configurations. Any wires you’re not using should be terminated properly (don’t leave them exposed).

Connection Method (No shortcuts)

For connecting the cab harness to the 3-wire sensor cable:

✅ Heat shrink + solder ONLY
❌ No butt connectors
❌ No twist-and-tape
❌ No “quick connectors” / Amazon-style crimps

Why: these connections are sensitive—poor splices introduce electrical noise and unreliable sensor readings.

Correct wire matching

Connect:

  • Green → Green

  • Gray → Black (the black wire on the 3-wire side)

  • White → White

Note: You may see two different thicknesses of white wire (e.g., a thicker white vs a thinner 22-gauge white). You still connect white → white.

Step-by-Step Installation

Step 1: Install the Sensor on the Spreader

  1. Identify a rotating component you can read:

    • Typically the bearing/shaft that turns the auger (each rotation = material output)

  2. Recommended mounting location:

    • Front of the unit is commonly preferred

    • Some spreaders allow mounting on the back as well

  3. Drill and tap the shaft as centered as possible.

  4. Install the sensor:

    • Thread in the sensor

    • Secure using the nut + lock washer

  5. Stabilize the sensor (so it doesn’t rotate):

    • Could be a bracket, strap, bungee, etc.

    • The goal is simply to keep it steady

Seasonal disconnect tip (very important)

If the sensor is disconnected in summer:

  • Make the connection point highly visible (zip ties, label, etc.)

  • Both sides should be capped when disconnected to keep them protected

Step 2: Run the Sensor Cable into the Cab

  • Route the sensor cable from the spreader into the cab safely.

  • Secure it with zip ties and keep it away from:

    • Hydraulics

    • High-interference electrical runs

    • Areas that could pinch or rub the cable

Step 3: Mount the Display in the Cab

  • The unit typically comes with a RAM mount (circular base).

  • Mount location varies by vehicle, but follow these rules:

✅ Must not block driver visibility
✅ The display must be sky-facing (orientation matters)
❌ Do not mount upside down
⚠️ Avoid positions where GPS signal could be blocked

Step 4: Wire Power + Make Granular Connections

  1. Wire Red (power) and Black (ground) to:

    • Ignition power

    • 5-amp fuse

    • Ground

  2. Make the three granular connections (solder + heat shrink):

    • Green → Green

    • Gray → Black

    • White → White

  3. Properly terminate any unused wires.

Post-Install Check: Confirm It’s Reading Correctly

  1. Turn the ignition key ON.

  2. The display should power up automatically.

  3. Turn the spreader ON.

What a good install looks like

  • The unit starts reading consistently.

  • The actual rate number should be relatively stable.

    • Example: if it’s around 380, it should hover near that value.

    • If you speed up, it should increase and stay consistent.

Signs of a bad install

  • Numbers jump around wildly (e.g., 600 → 300 → 500 → 200).
    Common causes:

  • Electrical noise due to poor splices

  • Cable routed too close to hydraulics or interference sources

  • Sensor is extremely off-center causing wobble

Sensor centering tolerance

  • Slight off-centering is usually fine.

  • The key is:

    • Stable rotation detection

    • No wobble severe enough to create inconsistent readings

    • Cable strain is minimized and secured

Fleet Rollout Tip (If Installing Multiple Trucks)

If you ordered multiple units, you may notice you received:

  • Many harnesses/cables

  • Fewer sensors/displays initially

This is intentional.

You can do ~90% of the install work across your fleet before all sensors/displays arrive:

  • Drill/tap mounting points

  • Run wires

  • Wire ignition power

  • Make the three soldered connections

Then when additional sensors/displays arrive:

  • It becomes a 10–15 minute job per truck to mount the sensor + install the display

  • After that, you’re ready for calibration

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