A profitable pairing

By Shane Kroeker (*)

Contractors have recently been gaining large advantages in earthmoving by using articulated dump trucks (ADTs) as power units to pull earthmoving scrapers. This productive pairing of equipment provides a return on investment, leading to increased profitability in a competitive construction market.

CHOOSING A COMBINATION

When selecting a productive pair, several key considerations must be made. It is best to start off by determining which ADT make and model you want to go with. Most contractors already have their preferred brand of equipment, or will already own a fleet of ADTs, so the decision may be simple.

If a contractor is strictly looking at the most efficient and viable option for an ADT power unit, make sure that the horsepower is adequate to efficiently handle the size of scraper that is to be pulled. Selecting a power unit with 450+HP will enable you to haul the largest loaded scrapers, while 400HP is the lowest suggested horsepower for the efficient use of moving smaller material loads in this fashion. Other truck considerations may be the smoothness of ride for the operator, and fuel efficiency depending on the length of haul road. The next step is to contact the scraper manufacturer and see if the make and model of ADT you have in mind is compatible with the scraper.

Selecting the scraper model is the other decision that needs to be made. It is best to first determine the required size of the unit.

In today's market, the scraper models that hook up to ADTs range in size from 19 to 48 cubic meters in heaped load capacity. To determine the correct scraper model size, start by calculating the total amount of cubic meters involved in the project, and the timeline needed to move the dirt.

Construction-grade scrapers have been designed, built, and tested with heavy construction market applications in mind. Since the construction industry relies on machine uptime, be sure to look for a manufacturer who provides a durable machine with high-tensile steel, and a solid multi-year warranty program. Also ensure that the scraper has good floatation in order to enable working in muddy soil conditions for increased productivity.

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

The return on investment is best explained by comparing the ADT/scraper combination with the alternative earthmoving equipment options.

The investment in a traditional scraper can be financially straining. On average, the investment into an ADT/scraper package can save the contractor considerable financial amounts when compared to the purchase price of a new traditional scraper.

The ADT/scraper pairing is a much more "green" and fuel efficient solution for the construction jobsite. Traditional scraper units typically weigh more, which causes problems in wet job site conditions when compared with the paired earthmoving equipment. These factors have led to construction company owners looking at the more profitable way to move dirt. A contractor company in the United States eliminated six traditional scrapers from its fleet and replaced them with three pairs of ADT/scrapers. Another US contractor claims that the efficient duos can outperform a traditional scraper by over two times when choosing the correct combination of equipment.

The other alternative earthmoving setup may be relying on minimal equipment: one excavator, two ADTs, and one dozer. This collection of equipment will move dirt, but it is not a wise way to generate a healthy profit. First consider the large upfront investment for these four units, and then add the heavy labor requirement, as the four machines each require an operator. Additionally, the machines add up to four engines and skyrocketing fuel costs. This setup also requires an intense maintenance schedule, because if any of the four machines experiences downtime, the operation may be crippled. The final consideration for the four-unit earthmoving setup is the hassle and high transportation costs when moving the complete operation between construction job sites.

The ADT/scraper combination is an obvious upgrade over the previous earthmoving setup, because contractors can get the job done more efficiently, with less machinery. This means that not only will the upfront investment be lower, but the variable costs of labor, fuel, and maintenance will all be significantly less in comparison to the four unit setup.

FLEXIBILITY FACTOR

In using the ADT as a power unit for the scraper, the flexibility of being able to self-load while maintaining a high speed on a haul road really makes the difference to the bottom line. Another creative use for the scraper to move dirt is to use it as a low and large target for top loading material with an excavator. A bonus to contractors is when they can use their existing ADT and convert it to pull a scraper by removing the box, and still having the versatility to switch it back to a hauling rock truck for other jobs in the future. It comes down to using the correct piece of machinery for the job, as rock trucks excel at hauling rock, while scrapers are the most efficient option when moving dirt. Scraper units also retain a high resale value on the classified and auction market, for the contractors who want to take advantage of the short-term gains of the efficient equipment. These factors of the ADT/scraper combination will immediately enhance the versatility of any contractor's fleet.

CONSTRUCTION APPLICATIONS

This efficient pairing of equipment is providing advantages for a wide variety of construction projects. Airport runway expansions, road building, cattle feedlots and retention ponds are a sample of the broad range of projects that construction business owners are benefiting from with the use of ADT/scraper pairings.

Having an efficient setup of machinery is enabling contractors around the world to get more aggressive in bidding for jobs. Not only are they able to win more jobs, but they are able to maintain or increase their profits, due to the cost-savings from selecting an efficient ADT/scraper combination for moving dirt. To stay ahead of the curve and reap the financial benefits of the marketplace, consider adding a profitable pairing of machinery to your fleet of construction equipment.

(*) Shane Kroeker is a marketing manager based in Manitoba, Canada.

For more information, please visit www.ktec.com

Source list - (for more information, contact: Kelly Goossen - sales manager K-Tec Earthmovers. Mike McCrory - national sales manager K-Tec Earthmovers)