Connecting your machines is a powerful first step towards lowering your total cost of ownership. The insights provided by the data enable you to set targets and take actions for improvement in the areas that will have the greatest impact on your overall profitability. But where to start? Here are the top 3 warning signs your machines haven’t reached their lowest possible TCO.
1. Your machines are spending a lot of time idling or waiting
If, for example, a customer has 637 hours of waiting time, divided by 40 hours work per week that equals 16 weeks’ production time. That’s a lot of time to waste that could otherwise be spent producing and earning – let alone the fuel, maintenance costs and operator wages! High idling or waiting times mean that the number and capacity of machines at your site are not matched to the target tonnes per hour and cost per tonnes. Using tools, such as SiteSim, Volvo CE can calculate your ideal set-up, including the routes operators should drive, to improve productivity and dramatically cut your TCO.
2. Your fuel consumption is very high
High idling and waiting times are one cause of unnecessary fuel consumption. Another is inefficient operation. Operators who are too heavy on the throttle and use jerky movements will waste an eye-watering amount of money on fuel. Training will help operators to develop a feeling for how much power they need while avoiding spinning tyres. Even experienced operators will benefit from a course, such as Volvo EcoOperator training, which helps participants to plan their work in the smartest way and make the most of all the latest efficiency-enhancing features on new Volvo machines. Any investment in operator training soon pays for itself, after which, all fuel savings will add straight to the bottom line.
3. There are a lot of operating behaviour alerts
Operator behaviour alerts can be anything from revving the engine too much or using the wrong work mode to even operating the machine irresponsibly. As well as reducing fuel costs, operator training can also help to reduce wear and tear or, in the worst case, damage to machines. Volvo and its dealers offer a variety of training solutions pitched at different levels to teach operators how to work with their machine in a smooth and effective way that will lead to significantly lower maintenance costs in the long term.
