Pit & Quarry, February 2017

How to reduce operating costs with help from your operators EDITED BY DARREN CONSTANTINO I magine evaluating two excavators side by side At the surface both are identical model number condition hours used price optional features and specifications no discernible differences Yet one of these machines will have a significantly higher resale value consume far less fuel and require far fewer repairs This would make the purchase decision a simple choice However the difference is not in the machines themselves but rather the people operating them Operator behavior can significantly impact a machines total cost of ownership and consequently the choice to invest in operator training should be as simple as the choice to purchase a superior machine Here well discuss three key areas in which operators can impact total cost of ownership and provide a few tips for how to reduce operating costs REDUCE FUEL CONSUMPTION There are many ways operators can maximize fuel efficiency on the jobsite First and foremost operators need to familiarize themselves with the work modes on the machine Many operators have a tendency to select the highest setting available regardless of task Often however the task could be achieved at a much lower rpm without any loss in performance or cycle times Training operators to run at the lowest possible work mode and rpm while still maintaining performance could provide significant cost savings In fact running at 200 to 300 rpm lower could equate to a 10 percent reduction in fuel consumption In addition to properly using work modes its important to train operators to be familiar with any built in fuel saving features such as auto idle and auto engine shutdown which can be set to engage after a pre set amount of time Daily maintenance also helps maximize fuel efficiency For example keeping the machine greased creates less friction and the resulting smoother movements require less power and fuel When setting up for excavation look for ways to minimize machine movement Position the excavator at a height that is efficient for loading meaning the bench height should be close to the height of the haul truck sideboards Additionally place the vehicle to be loaded so the machine doesnt have to swing and travel more than necessary Minimizing movement will not only reduce fuel consumption it will also improve cycle times REDUCE WEAR AND TEAR One of the major ways to reduce wear and tear is for operators to begin each shift with a walk around checking filters and fluid levels and looking for any leaks damage or accumulation of debris Operators should check for loose hardware or leaky seals as well Check the machine to make sure it is clean Ensure rollers are free of debris and can turn freely Otherwise a roller could freeze up and cause wear on the tracks Dirt and debris should be cleaned from the undercarriage every 50 hours at minimum In freezing conditions the undercarriage should be cleaned daily The cab air filter should also be visually EXCAVATING 24 PIT QUARRY February 2017 pitandquarry com PHOTO COURTESY OF VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINING