What the operation depends on.
WHAT IS TYPICALLY REQUIRED
Excavators and loaders Haul trucks Drilling equipment Crushing and screening plant Pumps Generators Support vehicles
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE ACQUIRING ANY
Whether the capacity matches the production plan Parts and servicing availability Fuel consumption Operator availability
WHY PARTS AVAILABILITY DOMINATES
Equipment that cannot be repaired stops production entirely, and lead times are long.
WHAT TO KEEP
Critical spares: filters, hoses, belts, wear parts, common failure items.
WHY
A missing part stops a machine for weeks.
WHAT MAINTENANCE REQUIRES
Daily checks before operation Servicing on hours, not on dates Wear part replacement before failure Records per machine
WHY ON HOURS
Machine life is consumed by running, not by time passing.
WHAT TO TRACK PER MACHINE
Hours run Fuel consumed Maintenance performed Downtime and its causes Cost per hour
WHY FUEL CONSUMPTION SPECIFICALLY
It is the largest running cost and it is where theft occurs.
WHAT TO RECONCILE
Fuel issued against hours run.
WHY
Unexplained consumption indicates theft or a mechanical problem.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT FUEL
Controlled storage and issue, with records.
WHAT TO CALCULATE
Cost per tonne moved, per machine.
WHAT THAT REVEALS
Machines that are uneconomic to keep running.
WHAT TO PLAN
Replacement, because equipment has a finite life.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
That operators are trained and authorised.
