ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY

College of Technology and Built Environment

(CTBE)
SCHOOL OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEERING

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

CHAPTER-2
PRODUCTIVITY OF CONSTRUCTION
EQUIPMENTS
CONTENTS
❑ Determination of Production of an Equipment
❑ Productivity of Shovel Family and Excavator

▪General

▪Productivity of Face Shovel

▪Productivity of Dragline

▪Productivity of Clamshell

▪Productivity of Hoe/Excavator

❑Productivity of Heavy Earth Moving and

Grading Equipments
▪ Productivity of Loader

▪Productivity of Dozer

▪Productivity of Scraper

▪Productivity of Grader
1. Determination of Production of an Equipment
Terminologies
❑ Peak Productivity: is the theoretical productivity governed by design
limitations only.

Q p = Vx fs x ff
Where: Qp = Peak Productivity
V = Volume carried/ bucket capacity
fs = Bank Volume/loose volume
ff = Bucket fill factor
❑ Actual Productivity: Productivity of an equipment after taking care
of effective working hours and job management factor on the peak
productivity.

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1. Determination of Production of an Equipment
Terminologies
❑ Actual Productivity:

Q a = Q p x fw x fj
Where: Qa = Actual Productivity
Qp = Peak Productivity
fw = Factor to take care of effective working hours
fj= Factors to take care of the management conditions
❑ The computation of the actual production of construction equipment
is complex. But through idealization, approximation and in general
simplification, one can arrive at an optimum result.

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 1. Determination of Production of an Equipment
❑ Equipments can be broadly classified into two based on equipment
productivity concepts:
▪ Cyclic Operating or
▪ Continuously Operating.
❑ Cyclic operating equipments: These are machines which are
intentionally or unintentionally influenced by their operators. The
actual productivity can be computed from:
Q a = Vnx nox

Where: Qa = Actual Productivity (Bm3/hr)

Vn = Volume per cycle (Bm3)
η= Efficiency of the equipment
no = number of cycle /Unit Time (usually Time in hours), if To
60
is theoretical cycle time no =
T
o 5
 1. Determination of Production of an Equipment
❑ Continuously operating equipments: These are machines that
continuously operate, like pumps, conveyor belts, etc. For these kinds of
machines:

Q = V x a x n x 60 x 
a n o

Where: Qa = Actual Productivity (Bm3/hr)

Vn = Volume per bucket
a = Number of buckets
η= Efficiency of the equipment
no = number of cycle /Unit Time (usually Time in hours)

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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
❑ Qa - Shovel family is dependent on the actual volume per cycle and the
cycle time.
❑ Vn – Volume per bucket.
▪ Plate line capacity is the bucket volume contained within the bucket when
following the outline of the bucket sides.
▪ Struck capacity is the bucket capacity when the load is struck off flush
with the bucket sides.
▪ Water line capacity assumes a level of material flush with the lowest edge
of the bucket (i.e., the material level corresponds to the water level that
would result if the bucket were filled with water).
▪ Heaped volume is the maximum volume that can be placed in the bucket
without spillage based on a specified angle of repose for the material in the
bucket.
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2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
▪ Figure – Struck and Heaped Bucket Capacity (Caterpillar Inc.)

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2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
❑ Commonly - Bucket ratings for the cable shovel, dragline, and cable
backhoe are based on struck volume:
▪ Thus it is often assumed that the heaping of the buckets will compensate
for the swell of the soil. That is, a 5 m3 bucket would be assumed to
actually hold 5 Bank m3 of material.
▪ A better estimate of the volume of material in one bucket load will be
obtained if the nominal bucket volume is multiplied by a bucket fill
factor or bucket efficiency factor.
▪ If desired, the bucket load may be converted to bank volume by
multiplying its loose volume by the soil’s load factor.

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2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
Example 2.1
Estimate the actual bucket load in bank cubic meters for a loader bucket
whose heaped capacity is 3.82 m3. The soil’s bucket fill factor is 0.9 and its
load factor is 0.8.
Solution
Bucket load = Bucket Volume x B.F.F x fL = 3.82Lm3x0.9x0.8 = 2.75Bm3

10
 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
❑ CYCLE TIME (no) = Number of cycle /Unit Time = 60/Tc ,

▪ Where Tc – cycle Time in minutes

TC = TF + TV
Where
▪ TV =Variable Cycle Time - Variable time represents those components
of cycle time related with travel time.
• Variable Cycle time is the time required to excavate and travel to
load and travel to return to original position after loading.
▪ TF = Fixed Cycle Time - Fixed time represents those components of
cycle time other than travel time.
• Fixed Cycle time represents the time required to maneuver,
change gears, start loading, and dump.

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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
A. Productivity of Face Shovel (Power Shovel)
❑ The production capacity or output of a shovel is expressed in cubic meter
per hour.
❑ The output varies for various type of materials to be digged. The following
are the main factors which affect the out put of face shovel:
▪ Site Condition
▪ Height or Depth of cut
▪ Type of material
▪ Angle of swing
▪ Capacity of hauling unit and continuity of work
▪ Mechanical condition of shovel
▪ Efficiency of the operator
▪ Relative positions of the shovel and hauling unit
▪ Type of machine such as crawler or wheeled

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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
A. Productivity of Face Shovel (Power Shovel)
❑ Output of a shovel can be calculated using the following formula:

Hourly production (m3/hr) = q x (3600/C) x Efficiency

Where: q = production in m3 per cycle
= Heaped capacity x Swell factor x Bucket factor.
❑ Manufacturer of the equipment used to provide a graph b/n bucket size Vs
Production/hr.
❑ Since this gives production in ideal conditions, the figures thus obtained
should be scaled down to expected production by using efficiency factor
and bucket fill factor.
Excavation Efficiency Factor
Sand, gravel, common earth 60%
Clay 50%
Blasted rock 40% 13
 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
A. Productivity of Face Shovel (Power Shovel)
Bucket Factor
Sand, gravel, common earth 90%
Well blasted rock 70%
Poorly blasted rock 50%

❑ The above figures are for crawler type of tractor shovel, however for
wheel shovels, bucket factor is about 10% lesser than those
mentioned above.

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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
B. Productivity of Dragline
❑ Output or performance of dragline depends on the following factors:
▪ Nature of the soil.
▪ Depth of cut.
▪ Angle of swing.
▪ Capacity of hauling units, if employed.
▪ Mechanical condition of the dragline.
▪ Efficiency and skill of the operator.
▪ Management conditions.
▪ Size and type of bucket.
▪ Working cycle

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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
B. Productivity of Dragline
❑ Data are taken from “Liebher’s Technical Hand Book Earth moving
Product line”.
Drag Line Production = Dragline Capacity (m3) x C x f
Where, C = Theoretical Cycles/hr = 120 Cycles/hr
f = Correcting factor
= f1 x f2 x f3 x f4 x f 5 x f6 x f7
f2 – Digging factor
Boom Length (m) 12 18 24 30
Digging factor,f2 0.86 0.79 0.72 0.65

f3 – Hoist factor
Boom Length (m) 12 18 24 30
Hoist factor,f3 0.95 0.92 0.90 0.87
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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
B. Productivity of Dragline
f1 - Fill factor
Class Fill factor
1 Sand or fine gravel
a) Dry 1.1 to 1.2
b) Damp 1.0 to 1.1
c) Wet 0.9 to 0.8
2 Clay
a) Sandy clay, dry 0.95 to 1.0
b) Cohesive, dry 0.9 to 0.95
c) Very cohesive, hard 0.88 to 0.9
3 Earth with sand or gravel, dry 0.85 to 0.88
4 Top Soil
a) Sandy clay 0.82 to 0.85
b) Clay damp 0.80 to 0.82
5 Clay with sand or gravel, damp 0.75 to 0.80
6 Slatelike rock, gravel 0.72 to 0.75
7 Gravel with clay, hard 0.70 to 0.72
8 Clay with large size gravel, damp 0.68 to 0.70 17
 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
B. Productivity of Dragline
f4 – Swing factor (Simultaneous swing and hoist)
Angle of Swing (deg) 90° 120° 180°
Swing factor, f4 0.98 0.95 0.91

f5 – Loading factor
Method of dumping Truck Hopper Stock pile
Loading factor, f5 0.96 0.95 1.0

f6 – Job efficiency factor

Actual working time 60 min/hr 50 min/hr 40 min/hr
Job efficiency factor, f6 1.0 0.83 0.67

f7 – Operator factor
Operator Experienced Average Beginner
Operator factor, f7 1.0 0.95 0.85
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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
B. Productivity of Dragline
Example 2.2
❑ An experienced operator has to excavate ‘wet gravel’ with a dragline
capacity of 2.3 m3. The boom length is 18m and the swing angle will
be 120 degrees. The material is dumped onto stockpile. Actual working
time is 50 min per hour.
Solution
Drag line production = Bucket capacity x C x f.
where C = theoretical cycles/hr = 120 cycles/hr
= 2.3 x 120 x f
where f = f1 x f2 x f3 x f4 x f5 x f6 x f7 = 0.8x0.79x0.92x0.95x1.0x0.83x1.0
= 0.4588
Therefore, Drag line production = 2.3x120x0.4588
= 126.4 m3/hr
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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
C. Productivity of Clamshell
❑ Data are taken from “Liebher’s Technical Hand Book Earth moving
Product line”.
Clamshell Production (m3/hr)= Clamshell Capacity (m3) x C x f
Where, C = Theoretical Cycles/hr = 120 Cycles/hr
f = Correcting factor
= f1 x f2 x f3 x f4 x f 5 x f6 x f7
Correction factors
❑ f1 – Fill factor
▪ Same as those for dragline.

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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
C. Productivity of Clamshell
f2 – Digging factor
Clamshell capacity (m3) 1 2 3 4 5
Digging factor, f2 = 0.98 0.97 0.96 0.96 0.95

f3 – Hoist factor (considering average rope speed of 50m/min)

Digging depth (m) 5 10 15 20
Hoist factor, f3 = 0.88 0.76 0.64 0.52

f4 – Swing factor
Swing Angle (deg) 60 90 120 180
Swing factor, f4= 1.2 1.0 0.98 0.90

f5 – Dump factor
Method of dumping Truck Hopper Stock pile
Dump factor, f5 = 0.90 0.95 1.0
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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
C. Productivity of Clamshell
f6 – Job efficiency factor
Actual working time 60 min/hr 50 min/hr 40 min/hr
Job efficiency factor, f6 = 1.0 0.83 0.67

f7 – Operator factor
Operator Experienced Average Beginner
Operator factor, f7 = 1.0 0.95 0.85

Example 2.3
❑ An average operator has to excavate ‘damp sand’ with a clamshell of
2.0 m3. The digging depth is 10m and the swing angle will be 120
degrees. The sand is added into trucks and actual working time is 50
min/hr.

22
 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
C. Productivity of Clamshell
Solution
Clamshell production = Clamshell capacity x C x f.
where C = theoretical cycles/hr
= 2.0 x 120 x f
where, f = f1 x f2 x f3 x f4 x f5 x f6 x f7
= 1.0 x 0.97 x 0.76 x 0.98 x 0.9 x 0.83 x 0.95
= 0.5127
Therefore, Clamshell Production = 2.0x120x0.5127
= 123.0 m3/hr

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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
D. Productivity of Excavator/Hoe
❑ Steps for estimating production of Excavator/hoe:
▪ Step-1: Obtain the heaped bucket load volume (in Lm3) from the
manufacturers’ data sheet.
• Heaped bucket capacity ratings for Excavator buckets assume a 1:1
material angle of repose
▪ Step-2: Material Type
▪ Step-3: Apply a bucket fill factor based on the type of machine and the
class of material being excavated. Refer Table D-1.
Table D-1 Fill factor for hydraulic Hoe (Caterpillar Inc.)
Moist loam/ sandy clay 100-110%
Sand and gravel 95-100%
Rock-poorly blasted 40-50%
Rock-well blasted 60-75%
Hard, tough clay 80-90%
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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
D. Productivity of Excavator/Hoe
❑ Steps for estimating production of Excavator/hoe:
▪ Step-4: Estimate cycle time (load, swing, dump and swing empty).
Refer Table D-2.
▪ Swing is influenced by job conditions such as obstructions and
clearances.
Table D-2 Excavation Cycle times for hydraulic crawler hoes under average condition
Bucket Size Load Bucket Swing Loaded Dump Bucket Swing empty Total cycle
(cy) (sec) (Sec) (Sec) (sec) (sec)
<1 5 4 2 3 14
1-1 ½ 6 4 2 3 15
2-2 ½ 6 4 3 4 17
3 7 5 4 4 20
3½ 7 6 4 5 22
4 7 6 4 5 22
5 7 7 4 6 24
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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
D. Productivity of Excavator/Hoe
❑ Steps for estimating production of Excavator/hoe:
▪ Step-4:
▪ Small machines swing faster than large ones.
▪ Cycle times are based on swing angle of 30-60°.

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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
D. Productivity of Excavator/Hoe
▪ Step-5: Check depth of cut. Refer Table D-3.
• Typical cycle times are for depth of cut between 40-60% of
maximum digging depth.

27
 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
D. Productivity of Excavator/Hoe
▪ Step-5:
Table D-3: Representative dimensions, loading clearance, and filling capacity, hydraulic crawler Hoe

“B” “C” “A”

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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
D. Productivity of Excavator/Hoe
❑ Steps for estimating production of Excavator:
▪ Step-6: Check loading height
▪ Does the selected Excavator/hoe have the reach capability to load the
haul unit. Refer table D-3.
▪ Step-7: Efficiency factor
▪ The three primary conditions that control the efficiency of excavator
loading operations are:
• Bunching: In actual operation cycle times are never constant. When
loading haul units they will sometimes bunch. The impact of
bunching is a function of the number of haul units.
• Operator efficiency: How good is the operator.
• Equipment availability: Are the haul units in good condition and
repair? They will be available x% of the time.
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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
D. Productivity of Excavator/Hoe
▪ Step-8: Calculation.

▪ Step-9: Convert production to Bank Volume (BCY)

Table D-4
Swell factor

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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
D. Productivity of Excavator/Hoe
❑ Production formula

Where, Q = Heaped Capacity

F = Bucket Fill Factor
AS:D = Angle of swing and depth (height) of cut correction
t = Cycle time in seconds
E = Efficiency min/hr
Volume correction for loose volume to bank volume:

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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
D. Productivity of Excavator/Hoe
Example 2.3
❑ A crawler hoe having a 3½-cy bucket is being considered for use on a
project to excavate very hard clay from a borrow pit. The clay will be
loaded into trucks having a loading height of 9 ft 9 in. Soil- boring
information indicates that below 8 ft, the material changes to an
unacceptable silt material. What is the estimated production of the hoe in
cubic yards bank measure, if the efficiency factor is equal to 50-
min/hour?
Solution
❑ Step-1: Size of bucket = 3½-cy

❑ Step-2 : Bucket fill factor, Table D-1 gives 80-90%, Use average
Bucket fill factor = (80+90)/2 = 85%

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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
D. Productivity of Excavator/Hoe
Solution cont.
❑ Step-3: Typical cycle element times
▪ Optimum depth of cut is 30-60% of maximum digging depth.
From Table D-3 for a 3½ -Cy size Hoe, maximum digging depth
is 23-27 ft , Depth of excavation 8 ft.
(8ft/23ft) x 100 = 34% ≥ 30% okay!
(8ft/27ft) x 100 = 30% ≥ 30% okay!
▪ Therefore under average conditions and for 3½-Cy Size hoe,
cycle times from Table D-2:
1. Load Bucket 7sec Very hard clay
2. Swing with load 6sec Load trucks
3. Dump load 4sec Load trucks
4. Return swing 5sec
Cycle time 22sec
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 2. PRODUCTIVITY OF SHOVEL FAMILY AND EXCAVATORS
D. Productivity of Excavator/Hoe
Solution cont.
❑ Step-4: Efficiency factor, 50 min/hour
❑ Step-5: Class of material, hard clay Swell 35% (Table D-4)
❑ Step-6: Probable production

❑ Check maximum loading Height to ensure the hoe can service the
trucks . From Table D-3, 21 to 22 ft.
21ft > 9ft 9in. Okay!

34
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
A. Productivity of Loader
❑ The following example demonstrates the process for estimating loader
production.
Example 3-1
❑ A 4-cy wheel loader will be used to load trucks from a quarry stock pile of
processed aggregate having a maximum aggregate size of 1¼ in. The haul
distance will be negligible. The aggregate has a loose unit weight of 3,100.
Estimate the loader production in tons based on 50-min/hour efficiency
factor.
Solution
❑ Step-1: Size of bucket = 4-cy

❑ Step-2: Bucket fill factor (Table A-1), aggregate over 1in., 85-90%, use
85% conservative estimate

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 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
A. Productivity of Loader
Solution cont.
Table A-1 Bucket fill factors for wheel and truck loader

36
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
A. Productivity of Loader
Solution cont.
❑ Step-2: Bucket fill factor

Check tipping:
Load weight: 4-cy x 0.85 = 3.4 lcy
3.4 lcy x 3,100 lb/lcy (loose unit weight of material) = 10,540 lb.
From Table A-2, 4-cy machine static tipping load at full turn is 25,000 lb,
Therefore assume operating (50% static tipping at full turn) is
0.5 x 25,000 lb = 12,500 lb
10,540 lb actual load < 12,500 lb operating load; therefore okay!
❑ Step-3: Typical fixed time (Table A-4) 4-cy wheel loader, 30 to 33 sec;
use 30 sec.

37
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
A. Productivity of Loader
Solution cont.
Table A-2 Representative specifications for wheel loader

38
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
A. Productivity of Loader
Table A-3 Representative specification for truck loaders

Table A-4 Fixed cycle time for loaders

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 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
A. Productivity of Loader
Solution cont.
❑ Step-4: Efficiency factor, 50 min/hour

❑ Step-5: Class of material, aggregate 3,100 lb per lcy.

❑ Step-6: Probable production

Example 3-2
❑ The loader in example 3.1 will also be used to charge the aggregate bins
of an asphalt plant that is located at the quarry. The one way haul
distance from the 1¼ in. Aggregate stockpile to the cold bins of the plant
is 220ft. The asphalt plant uses 105 tons per hour of 1 ¼ in. Aggregate.
Can the loader meet the requirement?

40
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
A. Productivity of Loader
Solution
❑ Step-3: Typical fixed cycle time (Table A-4) 4-cy wheel loader, 30 to 33
sec, use 30 sec.
From Table A-2 , Travel speeds forward:
First, 4.3 mph; second, 7.7 mph; third, 13.3 mph.
Travel speed reverse:
First, 4.9 mph; second, 8.6 mph; third, 14.9 mph.
Travel loaded: 220 ft, because of short distance and required time to
accelerate and brake, use 80% first gear maximum speed.

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 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
A. Productivity of Loader
Solution
❑ Step-3:

Return empty: 220 ft, because of short distance and required time to
accelerate and brake, use 80% second gear maximum speed.

❑ Step-6: Probable production

42
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
❑ The production of dozer mainly depend upon the following factors:

i. Size and condition of the dozer

ii. Distance traveled by the dozer
iii. Speed of operation
iv. Characteristic of soil being handled
v. Surface on which dozer is operating
vi. Efficiency
❑ A dozer has no set volumetric capacity. There is no hopper or bowl to
load; instead, the amount of material the dozer moves is dependant on the
quantity that will remain in front of the blade during the push.

43
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
❑ The major factors that control dozer production rate are:

1. Condition of the material

2. Blade type
3. Cycle time
1. Condition of the material
❑ The type and condition of the material being handled affects the shape of the
pushed mass in front of the blade.
▪ Cohesive materials (clays) will ‘boil’ and heap.
▪ Materials that exhibit a slippery quality or those that have high mica
content will ride over the ground and swell out.
▪ Cohesion less materials (sands) are known as “dead” materials because
they do not exhibit heap or swell properties.

44
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
1. Condition of the material

45
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
2. Blade type
❑ Blade capacity is a function of a blade type and physical size.

Blade volumetric load

❑ The load that a blade will carry can be estimated by several methods:
i. Manufacturer's blade rating
ii. Previous experience (similar material, equipment, and work
conditions)
iii. Field measurements
i. Manufacturers Blade rating
❑ Manufacturers may provide a blade rating.

46
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
2. Blade type
i. Manufacturers Blade rating

47
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
2. Blade type
Blade volumetric load
iii. Field measurement
❖Measurement
▪ Measure the height (H) of the pile at the inside edge of each rack.
▪ Measure the width (W) of the pile at the inside edge of each rack.
▪ Measure the greatest length (L) of the pile. This will not necessarily
be at the middle.
❖Computation
▪ Average both the two-height and the two-width measurements. If
the measurements are in feet, the blade load in loose cubic yards
(lcy) is calculated by the formula

48
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
2. Blade type
Blade volumetric load
iii. Field measurement

49
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
2. Blade type
Example 3.3

50
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
3. Cycle time
❑ The sum of the time required to push, backtrack, and maneuver into
position to push represents the complete dozer cycle.
❑ Dozing is generally performed at slow speed, 1.5 to 2 mph.

❑ Return Speed is usually the maximum that can be attained in the

distance available.
❑ For distances less than 100 ft, the operator cannot get the machine
past the second gear.

❑ 51
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
❑ The following example demonstrates the process for estimating dozer
production.
Example 3.4
❑ A power-shift crawler tractor has a rated blade capacity of 7.65Lm3. The
dozer is excavating loose common earth and pushing a distance of 200ft
(61m) with speed of 4km/hr. Maximum reverse speed in third range is 8
km/hr. Estimate the production of the dozer, if job efficiency is 50 min/hr.
Solution
▪ Fixed time = 0.05 min (From Table B-1)

▪ Dozing speed = 4.0 km/hr given but can be obtained from Table B-2.

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 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
Solution cont.
▪ Dozing time = 61m /(4 km/hr x 16.7 m/min) = 0.91 min

Note: 1km/hr = 16.7 m/min

▪ Return time = 61m /(8 km/hr x 16.7 m/min) = 0.45 min

▪ Cycle time = (0.05+0.91+0.45)min = 1.41min

▪ Production = 7.65 Lm3 x [(50min/hr)/(1.41min)] = 271 Lm3/hr

Table B-1 Typical dozer fixed cycle times

Operating condition Time (min)
Power-shift transmission 0.05
Direct-drive transmission 0.10
Hard digging 0.15

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 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
Table B-2 Typical dozer operating speeds
Operating conditions Speeds
Dozing
Hard materials, haul 30m or less 2.4 Km/hr
Hard materials, haul over 30m 3.2 Km/hr
Loose materials, haul 30m or less 3.2 km/hr
Loose material haul over 30m 4.0 km/hr
Return
30m or less Max reverse speed in second range
(power shift) or reverse speed in gear
used for dozing (direct drive)
Over 30m Max reverse speed in third range
(power shift) or highest reverse speed
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 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
Use of graphs, charts and curves for estimating production
❑ Production curves for estimating the amount of material that Caterpillar
bulldozers can push are usually available by the manufacturers.
❑ These curves are published in the Caterpillar Performance Handbook.

❑ The bulldozer production curves give maximum uncorrected

production for universal, semi-universal, and straight blades and are
based on the following conditions:
▪ 100% efficiency (60 minute hour — level cycle).
▪ Power shift machines with 0.05 min. fixed times.
▪ Machine cuts for 15 m (50 feet), then drifts blade load to dump
over a high wall. (Dump time — 0 sec.)
▪ Soil density of 1370 kg/Lm3 (2300 lb/LCY).

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 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
Use of graphs, charts and curves for estimating production

❑ To obtain estimated production in bank cubic meters or bank cubic

yards, appropriate load factor from the Tables section should be
applied to the corrected production as calculated above.

56
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
Use of graphs, charts and curves for estimating production

57
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
Use of graphs, charts and curves for estimating production

58
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
Use of graphs, charts and curves for estimating production

59
 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer

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 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
Use of graphs, charts and curves for estimating production
Example 3.3
❑ Determine average hourly production of a D8R/8SU (with tilt
cylinder) moving hard-packed clay an average distance of 45 m (150
feet) down a 15% grade, using a slot dozing technique.
Estimated material weight is 1600 kg/Lm3 (2650 lb/LCY). Operator
is average. Job efficiency is estimated at 50 min/hr.
Solution
▪ Uncorrected Maximum Production — 458 Lm3/hr (600 LCY/hr)
from Estimated dozer production graph for Semi universal blade.

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 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
Use of graphs, charts and curves for estimating production
Solution cont.

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 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
B. Productivity of a Dozer
Productivity of Rippers
❑ Out put of rippers depend upon characteristic of soil, size of the dozer,
speed of the machine, shape and size of the ripper tooth, number of shanks
used, and depth and width of ripping pass.
❑ However, the following are the formulae used in general for calculating
the out put of ripper.
Production per hour = (Bank volume ripped per pass) x (No. of passes per
hour)
Where, Bank volume ripped per pass = (Length of pass)x(Width of ripping
pass)x(Depth of penetration)x(Efficiency)
No. of passes per hour = 60/(Time for making one pass in min.)
Time taken in one pass = (Length of pass/Traveling speed) + Turn round

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 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
C. Productivity of Scraper
❑ Out put of scrapers depends on the following main factors:

i. Size and mechanical condition of the scraper

ii. Hauling distance
iii. Condition of the haul road
iv. Characteristics of soil and work area.
v. Efficiency
❑ Steps for determining production of scraper are summarised as
follow:
▪ Step-1: Determination of weight (Empty vehicle weight, load
weight and gross vehicle weight)
E NT
▪ Step -2: Rolling resistance
I G NM
▪ Step-3: Grade resistance/assistance A SS
D ING
▪ Step-4: Total resistance/assistance REA
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 3. PRODUCTIVITY OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS
C. Productivity of Scraper
❑ Steps for determining production of scraper are summarised as
follow:
▪ Step-5: Travel speed T
E N
▪ Step-6: Travel time M
G N
▪ Step-7: Load time SI
A S
▪ Step-8: Dump time G
I N
▪ Step-9: Turning time
A D
▪ Step-10: Total cycle time R E
▪ Step-11: Pusher cycle time
▪ Step-11: Total resistance/assistance
▪ Step-12: Balance fleet time
▪ Step-13: Efficiency
▪ Step-14: Production
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 4. PRODUCTIVITY OF GRADING EQUIPMENTS
❑ Out put of a motor grader depends upon the following main factors:

i. Size and mechanical condition of the motor grader

ii. Size of the blade
iii. Speed of travel
iv. Characteristics of soil being handled
v. Efficiency of the operator
❑ In the majority of the cases, as the grader has multiple applications, the
computation of its productivity is not always possible. It can, however, be
estimated, case by case.
Method-1
❑ Average actual productivity for levelling and spreading can be computed
as follow:

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4. PRODUCTIVITY OF GRADING EQUIPMENTS
Method-1
Qa = B x L x fN x fZ x 60/T [m2/hr]
B = l x cosA
Where, B = width per strip with due consideration of over lapping
l = length of blade
A = Angle of blade with respect to the axis (refer Table 4.1)
L = lift thickness after compaction
fN = factor to take care of site conditions, operator
effectiveness (refer Table 4.2)
fZ = time factor (refer Table 4.3)
T = Cycle time, T = 0.06⅀ P/v
P = number of passes
V = forward and back ward average speed

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4. PRODUCTIVITY OF GRADING EQUIPMENTS
Method-1
Table 4.1 Blade angle for different operation
Type of earth/operation Angle A in degrees
Normal 30
Hard earth 45
Loose and light material 20
Scarify, mix and spreading across 30-50
Fine levelling and spreading along 0-30

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4. PRODUCTIVITY OF GRADING EQUIPMENTS
Method-1
Table 4.2 fN- factor to take care of site conditions and operator effectiveness
Very good good Average Poor
Site condition 0.95 0.9 0.8 0.6
Operator effectiveness 1.0 0.85 0.75 0.6

Table 4.3.A Average speed for different operation

Type of operation Speed in Km/hr
Road maintenance 4-9
Mix 8
Spread 4-9
Sub base work 4-8
Fine levelling 9-22
Cutting slopes 7-9
Ditching 4-8
Back ward and idle non operational speed 10-Vmax as per
manufacturers Spec. 69
 4. PRODUCTIVITY OF GRADING EQUIPMENTS
Method-2
❑ Grader production is also calculated as area covered by motor grader per
hour.
A = B x Vav x η
Where, B = width per strip (m)
= 0.8 x l x cos A
l = length of blade
A = Angle with respect to axis
Vav = Average speed (m/hr)
η = efficiency
❑ Time required to complete a roadway project can be calculated by
T= Number of passes x Distance (Km)
Average speed (Km/hr) x Efficiency factor

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 4. PRODUCTIVITY OF GRADING EQUIPMENTS
Method-3 (CAT Performance handbook)
❑ One method expresses a motor grader’s production in relation to the area
covered by the moldboard.
A = S x (Le – Lo) x 1000 x E (Metric)
A = S x (Le – Lo) x 5280 x E (English)
where, A = Hourly operating area (m2/h or ft2/h)
S = Operating speed (Km/h or mph)
Le = Effective blade length (m or ft)
Lo = Width of overlap (m or ft)
E = Efficiency

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 4. PRODUCTIVITY OF GRADING EQUIPMENTS
Method-3 (CAT Performance handbook)
❑ Operating speeds: typical operating speeds by operation are provided as
follow:

❑ Effective blade length: Since the moldboard is usually angled when

moving material, an effective blade length must be computed to account
for this angle. This is the actual width of material swept by the
moldboard.

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 4. PRODUCTIVITY OF GRADING EQUIPMENTS
Method-3 (CAT Performance handbook)
❑ Effective blade length:

❑ Width overlap: The width of overlap is generally 0.6 m (2.0 ft). This
overlap accounts for the need to keep the tires out of the windrow on the
return pass.

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4. PRODUCTIVITY OF GRADING EQUIPMENTS
Method-3 (CAT Performance handbook)
❑ Job Efficiency: Job efficiencies vary based on job conditions, operator
skill, etc.
❑ A good estimation for efficiency is approximately 0.70 to 0.85, but actual
operating conditions should be used to determine the best value.
Example 4-1
❑ A 140H motor grader with a 3.66 m (12 ft) moldboard is performing road
maintenance on a township road. The machine is working at an average
speed of 13 km/h (8 mph) with a moldboard carry angle of 30 degrees.
What is the motor grader’s production based on coverage area?
Note: Due to the long passes involved in road maintenance- fewer
turnarounds - a higher job efficiency of 0.90 is chosen.

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4. PRODUCTIVITY OF GRADING EQUIPMENTS
Method-3 (CAT Performance handbook)
Solution
❑ From the table, the effective blade length is 3.17 m (10.4 ft).

Metric
❑ Production, A = S x (Le – Lo) x 1000 x E

A = 13 km/h x (3.17 m - 0.6 m) x 1000 x 0.90

A = 30,069 m2/hr (3.07 hectars/hr)
English
❑ Production, A = S x (Le – Lo) x 5280 x E

A = 8 mph x (10.4 ft - 2 ft) x 5280 x 0.90

A = 319,334 ft2/hr (7.33 acres/hr)

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THANK YOU!

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