Even when gas prices are low, it’s always a good idea to do everything to keep your fuel bills down. The following is a list of suggestions for reducing equipment fuel costs.
Tips for Reducing Equipment Fuel Costs?
1. Train machine operators—Machine operators, have a critical role in reducing fuel expenses. Train operators avoid speeding or abrupt braking, which can increase fuel consumption.
2. Reduce idle time—Leaving a machine idling for longer than necessary can increase your fuel expenses by up to 50% and reduce the life of your engine oil by up to 75%. Heavy machinery performs best when driven at a constant speed—frequent stopping and accelerating wastes more fuel. It’s helpful to think that car miles—highway miles (i.e., continuous use) are more fuel-efficient than city miles (inconsistent use). We advocate defining an idle policy for drivers, which can be tracked using idle reporting.
3. Avoid fast acceleration—When operators accelerate quickly, machines use 40% more gasoline. Encourage them to avoid “jackrabbit starts,” which can increase fuel consumption and harmful pollutants.
4. Avoid speeding—Speeding is dangerous, but it also wastes fuel. Instead, encourage equipment operators to drive their equipment slowly and steadily.
5. Don’t carry excessive weight—Extra weight burdens a vehicle’s engine, lowering fuel economy. When possible, reduce added weight to improve your gas mileage.
6. Plan workdays with efficiency in mind—Planning will help you save a lot of money on gas. For example, make sure staff use the shortest travel lengths with the fewest obstacles. It’s also a good idea to look at how each machine is used to determine if there is a more efficient option (using one dozer instead of two, for example, or using a giant wheel loader bucket).
7. Get frequent tune-ups—Keeping up with maintenance items like oil changes, air filter replacements, and brake checks will help your machinery last longer and save you money on gas.
8. Maintain proper tire pressure—critical It’s to maintain adequate air tire pressure for wheeled machinery. Low-quality tires can add up to two weeks of fuel to your annual fuel bill. Keep the tracks on tracked equipment adjusted to the proper tension.
9. Choose the correct size and machine for the job—Since larger engines require more gasoline, you can save money by not utilizing one that is larger than necessary. Similarly, if you use a smaller machine than advised, you will be overworking it, causing extra wear and costly repairs. In the long run, improper equipment or attachment might result in more work, and more work means more fuel. Check out these 9 Crucial Questions to Ask Before Renting Heavy Equipment.
Source: Blue Diamond