A method for detecting status information about a track pin of a track chain for heavy equipment includes disposing a track pin sensor within a void of the track pin; sensing with the track pin sensor a temperature characteristic of the track pin; determining status information based on the temperature characteristic; and wirelessly communicating the status information to a remote device. A method for detecting status information about a mechanical system that generates heat energy includes generating electrical energy based on the heat energy; providing the electrical energy to a control unit; sensing with the control unit a temperature characteristic of the mechanical system based on a voltage of the electrical energy; determining status information of the mechanical system based on the temperature characteristic; and wirelessly communicating the status information to a remote device.