If you’re an operator, you may think your day-to-day performance is what really matters when it comes to your job — how many yards of dirt you moved or how many loads you carried. But most construction equipment owners and fleet managers love to see an operator who’s not only productive, but also works hard to be efficient and takes good care of the machines.
When you work efficiently and reduce wear and tear, it lowers your company’s operating costs. Operating costs include things like fuel consumption, wear parts, preventive maintenance, and repairs. Think about the money your company spends on fuel, replacing worn tires, repairing undercarriage, and so on. Month after month, these costs add up and cut out of your company’s profitability.
But there are things you can do as an operator to cut down on these types of expenses. In this post, we’ve provided some tips on lowering operating costs, plus we’ve laid out a few reasons why this should be a primary focus in your daily work. If you’re reading this and you’re not an operator, sharing these tips with your crew could be a way to get them thinking about your company’s bottom line.
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Let’s start with four quick ways you can help lower your company’s operating costs to improve profits:
Here’s a quick tip to help you limit idle time: Check to see if your machine is equipped with an optional cab heat timer. This feature is optional for Volvo wheel loaders and haulers. It recirculates the coolant to keep the cab warm in the winter. You can also keep the cab cooler in the summertime by turning on the automatic fan on the A/C unit in the back of the cab (it blows cool air over the top of the condenser). In any event, idling isn’t good for your diesel engine. What’s more, you’re not only burning fuel, but the service intervals, the warranty on the machine, etc. The bottom line is excessive idling has a negative impact on your company’s profitability.
If you have them available, you can always turn to in-cab assist programs designed to help you become a better operator while you’re working. The Volvo Load Assist program, for example, features an app called Operator Coaching that helps you understand when and how to use the different smart functions of your wheel loader to achieve optimal results onsite. You can also set targets and objectives to continually develop and improve your operating practices to get the most out of yourself and your machine. Programs like these improve your accuracy — and the goal is to turn that accuracy into higher profits.
At Power Equipment Company, we’re big believers in ongoing operator training, even if you’re a seasoned operator. You can save your company money by becoming more familiar with your machine and all the emerging technologies. Imagine how much easier and more efficient your daily job could be if you dig down and really understand what every switch and button does in the cab. And more importantly, better training helps prevent injuries and accidents, which not only costs your employer, but you as well.