AGGREGATES MANAGER / February 2017
43
er a wheel loader or excavator) is hovering
over 40 percent, that generally points
to one of several problems – either the
crusher is too small to keep up with the
demand, the loading unit (or its bucket) is
too small, the trucks are too big, or there
are too many trucks. Ultimately, arriving
at the best possible solution may once
again warrant another site simulation.
Many late-model articulated haulers
are also outfi tted with on-board weighing
systems that can help ensure the opera-
tors are loading the hauler to the correct
payload on every cycle. Furthermore, this
data can be integrated with telematics
programs to allow the fl eet manager
visibility into complete payload manage-
ment by truck and by operator, providing
the ability to identify whether ineffi cien-
cies are indeed a result of incorrect fl eet
sizing, or in fact, could be corrected with
some basic operator training.
Intelligence = Profi t
With so much real-time data at your
fi ngertips — and OEMs continuing to pro-
vide more optimal size classes that open
up new opportunities — spending some
time to right-size your fl eet may be one
of the best decisions you make for your
operation's bottom line. AM
Eric Yeomans is Volvo Construction
Equipment's product manager for GPPE
Products.
Before assuming that bigger is automatically better, consider operating costs such as
labor and fuel consumption against the backdrop of production levels.
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