WHILE savvy operators know that total cost of equipment ownership is more important than just the purchase price, what most don’t know is that they could actively reduce their total cost of ownership across earthmoving equipment and trucks by using Loadrite’s monitoring and alert features to set benchmarks and measure productivity.
Total cost of ownership includes everything from the original purchase price to the daily running and maintenance costs, depreciation, finance and even ‘hidden’ costs like insurance and employee wages.
Measuring productivity
By tracking the amount of material moved per hour to measure productivity and set benchmarks, operators can see underperformance and make appropriate adjustments to ensure all equipment is working to its optimum efficiency.
An on board weighing system like those offered by Loadtech can be used to calculate the weight of material in an excavator’s or loader’s bucket, relay this information to the operator and record the weight for later use.
“Being able to track the amount of material moved per hour can then be used internally as part of an overall business analysis to measure productivity and set benchmarks,” said Glen Webster, Loadtech Sales Director.
“Once you know your benchmark productivity rates, it’s also easy to identify equipment that is underperforming, which sets off a trigger for an investigation into the underlying causes. These causes can vary widely, from operator error to equipment failure.”
Once productivity benchmarks are set, fleet managers can customize the Loadrite system to capture a wide range of other data such as cycle times, which can then be used to identify process bottlenecks and inefficiencies. By resolving these issues, managers can improve productivity and reduce operating costs.
Reducing costs
“Being able to track and monitor fuel use, for example, is a major consideration in assessing the cost of ownership, particularly given the high price of fuel. By understanding the amount of fuel used to move each ton of material, you can see how productive each machine is and possibly find ways to reduce fuel usage,” explained Webster.
“The Loadrite system can also measure the cycle times between each loading event, which can show how efficiently the material is being moved. Shorter cycle times generally point to a more efficient and therefore more profitable operation.
“The system actively helps reduce fuel use. By using an accurate on board weighing system, operators can ensure trucks are filled correctly the first time, with no productivity lost due to under loading or overloading.
“By loading trucks correctly from the outset, unnecessary truck movement is reduced as there’s no need to turn around for either a refill or a removal of material once the trucks get to the weighbridge,” he said.
Setting maintenance parameters
“The system can record how much material has been moved since the last time the bucket edge was replaced for example. This data would allow different brands to be benchmarked on how long they last, another critical factor in calculating the total cost of ownership,” explained Webster.
“Tyre damage on trucks can also be reduced. Providing accurate and consistent weight measurement from the outset allows operators to set the correct target weight for the loader bucket to accurately load the truck. Because the truck’s tyres are inflated correctly to carry a certain weight, they can be damaged when carrying too much weight. So once the loader is set for optimal efficiency, you can potentially prolong the life of the tyres.”
Glen Webster said that Loadrite’s on-board weighing system can be configured to provide the data needed for any operation.
“Our expert installers work with project managers to identify the configuration that will give them the information they need. We work with fleet managers individually to ensure the system meets the needs of their business. Our aim is to ensure the data collected provides real value to increase productivity and profitability over the lifecycle of the machine” he concluded.
For further information visit: www.loadtech.co.za
Or contact: 0126610830 / Sales@loadtech.co.za
