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I DA U N I V E R S A L Au g u s t - S e p te m b e r 2 0 2 3 15 these conversations are not well received, however these pricing conditions are forcing us to have those conversa- tions." Contractors who attempt to negotiate a fuel surcharge or rate increase should arm themselves with credible third- party data to show customers what they are up against, experts say. For instance, submitting an Equipment- Watch Internal Charge Rate PDF along with fuel receipts could be enough evidence to support a short-term increase in reimbursements, Holsinger says. And while no one wants to pay higher prices, "the alternative of having a contractor go out of business because of impossible costs or timing is likely to be worse for many project owners," AGC's Simonson says. One immediate way to rein in your fuel costs is to get a handle on idling. If your operators typically let a machine idle while doing things outside the cab, encourage them to turn it off to save fuel by off ering some type of incentive. And since high fuel prices are likely to be around for the foreseeable future, when buying new equipment, make sure you do your homework to fi nd machines that have the lowest cost of ownership, including fuel consumption. Also, consider renting versus buying. Renting can enable you to use the most fuel- effi cient machine available and can also off er the chance to try out electric or alterna- tive-fuel vehicles. Not sure if rental makes sense for your next job? is guide outlines the factors that go into this decision, including utilization, time on the project, and rental policies, and illustrates how they impact the rent versus owned decision for compact track loaders, backhoes, small- and mid-sized excavators, and wheel loaders. Do you have machines that are underutilized? With the current shortage of used equipment, that idle machine just might command a premium price. "Equipment prices are higher than we've ever seen them," says Ames, with equip- ment "temporarily becoming an appreciating asset." Disposing of those machines might bring in needed cash to help you weather high fuel costs. Longer-term ideas for aff ecting your fuel costs include adding fl eet manage- ment so ware to monitor proper operating and mainte- nance practices, and transi- tioning to electric-powered vehicles if that makes sense for your location and job require- ments. For his part, SEMA's Ames says tighter scrutiny of costs and keeping a sharp eye on price volatility are now part of the company's processes. "We don't see that changing a lot going forward," he says. His advice: Implement proce- dures behind the scenes that enable your business to adapt to the changing market more quickly. ● www.equipmentworld.com /Randall Reilly Small changes in how you operate diesel- powered machines and trucks can make a big diff erence in your fuel bill. Check out the following advice from the Diesel Technology Forum on how to save money on diesel fuel: • Slow down. Your fuel consumption in- creases for every mile per hour you drive over 55 mph. (Each one-mile-per-hour increase in speed over 55 mph decreases fuel economy by 0.1 mpg.) Use cruise control. Advanced cruise control systems optimize engine and travel speed based on the load and can signifi cantly boost effi ciency. • Operate in the highest possible gear. Do- ing so reduces engine RPMs and thus, fuel consumption. • Stop idling. Idling burns about ¾-gallon of diesel fuel per hour in a Class 8 truck. It also accelerates engine wear and tear. • Plan your route. If possible, take a fuel-effi - cient route that bypasses construction delays. Consider driving at off -peak times to help avoid congestion. • Maintain proper tire pressure. For every 10 psi a tire is under-infl ated, trucks lose 1 percent of their fuel economy. Underinfl ated tires can also lead to tread wear and eventual tire failure. • Perform preventive maintenance. Sticking to the manufacturer's recommended schedule for maintenance such as oil and air fi lter changes can help maximize fuel effi ciency. • Turn off accessories. If you don't need them, shut them down. • Right-size your equipment. Using an underpowered tractor or operating equipment at high RPMs and loads burns more fuel than using a larger machine. • Upgrade your equipment. Newer machines are more fuel-effi cient than older models. • Use high-quality biodiesel fuels. Today's diesel engines are compatible with blends of up to 20 percent high-quality renewable biodiesel fuels (and 80 percent regular petroleum diesel). ese low-carbon diesel replacement fuels are available at a growing number of locations nationwide and can help reduce greenhouse gas and other emissions. TIPS TO HELP YOUR EQUIPMENT SIP – NOT GUZZLE – DIESEL Trends continued on page 19 Fuel Costs continued from page 13 TRENDS AND TIDBITS continued from page 13 $ 300 $200 $100 $0 $ 5/gal $ 4/gal $ 3/gal $316.03 $342.03 2021 2022 ■ Ownership rate ■ Operating rate Fuel Cost Per Gallon ● ●

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