Heavy Equipment Fuel Efficiency Guide

With high fuel prices and society’s even higher awareness of environmental preservation, it’s becoming increasingly necessary for worksites to use fuel efficient machinery. 

Fuel efficiency measures how much work a machine can do with one gallon of fuel. But operating an efficient work site involves more than just knowing a machine’s statistics—how many workers do you need? What’s their hourly pay? How many hours a day do you need the equipment to run? What is the best way to minimize idle times?

Our new Fuel Efficiency Guide is designed to help industry professionals and workers learn how to best budget fuel costs, decrease a company’s environmental impact, and most effectively manage a construction equipment fleet’s fuel and energy usage. Get the ins-and-outs of Tier 4 standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and discuss the requirements of Tier 4 machinery and engines.

Benefits of Fuel Efficient Heavy Machinery

In truth, without the use of fuel efficient machines on your worksite, you’re wasting money. Construction machines have power train mechanisms that make it difficult to save energy and resources. Because of this, manufacturers are relying on energy-saving technologies like hybrid power trains for a future of green and economical construction. While these machines may seem like a large investment upfront, you’d be saving more money down the road with these highly tested and regulated pieces of machinery.

These efficient pieces of equipment are classified by newly adapted and regulated technology that each use varying features to reduce the usage of fuels and decrease emissions.

Some of these advanced technological upgrades include:

• Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology
• Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) technology
• Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
• Diesel Oxidation Catalysts (DOC)
• Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD)

Facts and Stats to Share:

• Diesel exhaust can carry carcinogens, ozone smog-forming compounds, and soot
• After wages, fuel costs are the next highest expense on most sites
• Reducing idling prolongs equipment life and lowers overall maintenance costs
• 4- to 6-yard wheel loaders have the largest Tier 4 Final fuel efficiency gains
• Maintaining proper tire inflation can help save on fuel costs—under-inflation by just 6 psi consumes 3% more fuel

Looking for a fuel efficient rental for your next project or job site? See our full list of rental equipment here.