Diesel Fuel Savings Strategies for Construction & Development; Over-the-Road Fleets (Trucking); and Maritime

Saving on fuel costs in any venture can easily be the difference between success and the failure of a company. Of all operating costs, fuel is the greatest consumable expense. Even ownership costs, the price of purchasing a truck or machine, don’t compare to the cost of diesel.

Diesel fuel savings make a bigger difference in net profit than the cutting of any other expense.

Means of Increasing Diesel Fuel Savings

There are essentially two means of cutting diesel fuel costs. The first is by improving operator efficiency. The second means of generating diesel fuel savings is by increasing combustion efficiency. There are a variety of habits by which operators waste fuel. As such, a number of solutions are required to eliminate operator waste. Combustion inefficiency, on the other hand, is the product of a single failed process: diesel fuel oxygenation.

Increasing Operator Efficiency for Diesel Fuel Savings

There are three major machine and truck usage failures that lead to increased diesel fuel costs. The most costly error drivers and operators make allowing machines idle for excessive periods of time each day. Driving trucks at high speeds are also extremely costly. High engine speed, high rpm, is another unnecessary waste of fuel.

Idle Time

According to ConstructionEquipment.com, up to 50% of all heavy equipment operating time is idle time.  Likewise, EquipmentWorld.com claims, “Idling equipment [consumes] 20 to 30 percent of your fuel cost.” CAT explains that 40% idle time over a 2,000-hour year costs roughly $3,000 per machine.

Speed

Particularly with trucks, operating a machine at the optimal speed cut fuel costs. According to BELL Performance:

55 mph is the sweet spot for speed vs. fuel economy. For every 1 mph above 55 you go, you lose 0.1 mpg of fuel economy.  So if a fleet vehicle normally gets 6 mpg, driving 60 mph instead of 55 mph would cut its fuel economy by a half mpg, which is almost 10%. It’s even worse if the rig is getting 5 mpg or even 4 mpg. So speed definitely matters for fuel economy.

Machine Engine Speed 

Like speed with trucks, the rpm at which an operator works a piece of equipment makes a dramatic difference in fuel economy. Modifying operating habits reduces fuel consumption in heavy equipment as well. Lowering the rpm and operating at a slightly slower pace pays off with respect to fuel consumption.

Diesel Fuel Savings Technologies

There are a number of technologies designed to increase diesel fuel savings. GPS tracking devices are one example. In-line diesel fuel catalysts are another.

Diesel Fuel Catalysts

The Rentar Fuel Catalyst, in particular, mechanical fuel catalysts accomplish two ends: increase diesel fuel savings and reduce emissions. Unlike additive fuel catalysts — additives that remove carbon buildup — mechanical catalysts increase fuel efficiency directly. By creating a complete, “clean” burn, diesel fuel catalysts increase the power output of each gallon of gasoline.

GPS Machine Tracking Devices

They are not as simple as installing a mechanical diesel fuel catalyst. But, GPS machine tracking devices are an effective means of increasing diesel fuel savings. GPS devices can track idle time, engine speed, load weight, and movement on a job site.

Diesel fuel savings is a means of cutting costs and there are a number of options for attaining it. The most productive means of generating diesel fuel savings is by employing a number of methods and means. For example, the use of both a diesel fuel catalyst and a GPS machine tracking device can lead to unparalleled savings.