How To Reduce Heavy Equipment Operating Costs

Construction equipment operating costs can be high, but there are ways to reduce them! Simple changes can add up over time and result in impressive financial savings.

We've gathered up the following strategies for reducing heavy equipment operating costs. For more tips or to shop construction equipment for sale, contact Stribling Equipment. We operate dealerships throughout Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

Identify The Biggest Operating Costs

Start by getting a full understanding of your heavy equipment operating costs. Keep a log of all the various expenses broken down by category. There are plenty of business budgeting spreadsheets available for free online or you can make your own version. 

Either way, it helps to get a starting point of the amount of money you are spending. This raw data is helpful in a few ways. First, it can help you spot the areas that are the biggest expenses so you can target them first. Second, it can help you analyze whether your adjustments are having the financial results you want.

Keep Up With Preventative Maintenance

Repairs and part replacements are a big component of heavy equipment operating costs. While you can't prevent every service department visit, you can take steps to reduce the frequency of visits. Preventative maintenance is key! 

By keeping the heavy equipment in optimized condition, you can reduce the need for repairs and parts replacements. This also reduces the construction equipment downtime, which helps reduce operating costs as well.

Start with the owner's manual. See what maintenance steps the manufacturer recommends and be sure to follow the suggested timeline for various maintenance tasks. There may also be certain products you should use or avoid in order to get the best results.

You can also look up preventative maintenance tips for the given type of heavy equipment. There can be suggestions related to bulldozers or excavators, for example. Following these techniques can reduce wear and tear, reduce upkeep costs, and even extend the life of the construction equipment (saving you money on model replacement).

Boost Operator Efficiency

Change the way you operate the heavy equipment and you can change the model's operating costs. 

There are many helpful strategies for improving operator efficiency, including:

• Running the construction equipment at around 80% rpm, which can reduce fuel consumption by 20%.
• Figure out the optimal speed to run the heavy equipment at.
• Position the construction equipment to decrease drag resistance and boost balance.

Want to shop heavy equipment for sale? Check out the models at Stribling Equipment. Peruse the options online or stop by one of our dealerships in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Our expert staff is happy to help you find what you need, so reach out today!