Construction Equipment Fuel efficiency Optimization: Site, Use, and Machine Optimization

Construction equipment fuel efficiency is a factor of three variables. While the optimization of one factor increases fuel savings, by treating the three variables as a single system, an owner/operator or company can minimize fuel costs.

The three factors that determine construction equipment fuel efficiency — according to a research paper titled, “Fuel efficiency in construction equipment – optimize the machine as one system,” by Anders Froberg and Reno Filla — are:

1. Job site optimization

2. Machine use optimization

3. Machine optimization

The question is, to what degree do each of these variables affect fuel efficiency?

Are Site, Use and Machine Optimization Equal?

The premise which Froberg and Fill a set out to prove with their paper that is diesel fuel efficiency is a formula comprised of variables that affect fuel efficiency independently and that construction equipment best practices cannot be reduced to a single element.

While it is true that fuel efficiency is comprised of three elemental factors, assuming site, use and machine optimization are relatively equal concerning fuel efficiency is false.

Froberg and Filla came to the conclusion that “There is substantial potential – up to 50 percent improvement – if the machine is optimized by introducing new technologies. New technologies, however, tend to come with a cost tag!”

Rentar’s Elimination of the Technology Cost Tag

Typically, fuel-saving technologies do come at a hefty price. Ironically, however, the technologies that do the most concerning fuel savings do not.

The Rentar Fuel Catalyst, for example, pays for itself. Not only does the Rentar pay for itself, but it is also guaranteed to pay for itself. And, not only is the Rentar guaranteed to pay for itself, it is guaranteed to do so within one year in most cases.

To fully understand the value of the Rentar Fuel Catalyst, it is important to understand why job site optimization and machine use optimization do not produce the same fuel savings that technologies do, which is why Froberg and Filla ultimately concluded that technology is the answer to fuel efficiency and fuel cost savings.

Job Site Optimization and Its Limitations

Optimization of a job site — principally, the minimization of distances and the reduction of forced engine output — increases fuel efficiency, “the worksite layout has A large impact on fuel efficiency, to utilize the momentum in the machine and have smooth turning radius close to elevations. Maybe the biggest potential is minimizing stockpiles where all performed work is waste.”

However, there are limitations to distance minimization and engine output reductions. “[Planning] and [controlling] the operation of machines to minimize queuing and waiting times on the site,” can only incrementally increase fuel cost savings.

Machine Use Optimization: Mis-Use Fuel Expenditures Less than Expected

How an operator uses machine systems that determine the efficiency of an operator’s machine use. According to Froberg and Fill a proper use versus misuse of equipment — misuse being things like poor, “traction force and bucket force are balanced during bucket filling,” — can vary by up to 40 percent between operators using the same machine and performing the same tasks.

Contrary to what one might think, improving the quality of human operators is not the best solution. Instead, “there is a high potential for an operator to assist systems or even for completely autonomous operation.”

But again, the costs of operator assisting systems and autonomous operation are high, and there is no guarantee of an immediate return on investment.

Rentar: Tomorrow’s Solution Today

With diesel fuel consumption reductions savings of between three and eight percent or greater on a wheel and tracked equipment; 20 percent or more on generators; and up to 30 percent on boilers and furnaces, the Rentar is on par with or exceeds the “potential” savings of site and use optimization methods.

While tomorrow’s technology has “potential” concerning fuel cost savings, the Rentar Fuel Catalyst is guaranteed to pay for itself within one year. The Rentar is in use on thousands of machines, is proven and is available immediately.