Construction sustainability has become a key part of most large projects. On the customer side, it’s considered when choosing which contractors or companies to hire to complete the job. On the contractor side, it’s now important for deciding which machines and methods to use to handle the work. More often than not, construction sustainability and lower operating expenses go together. For example, eliminating excessive equipment idling and unnecessary machine movement helps minimize fuel use and emissions, so it is better for the environment and your bottom line.
By improving your overall efficiency and footprint, you can both reduce your costs while also making your company more attractive to potential customers. In this article, we discuss several best practices for construction equipment management that can help accomplish those goals.
- Stick to a schedule for equipment preventive maintenance
- Utilize GPS tracking and advanced machine technology
- Eliminate unnecessary movement and idle times
- Try electric equipment
- Train your operators on sustainability in construction
- Implement a comprehensive approach
Stick to a schedule for equipment preventive maintenance
When it comes to minimizing the environmental impact of your machines, preventive maintenance is critical. Daily inspections, replacing fluids and filters at the proper intervals, maintaining a clean undercarriage, ensuring tires are properly inflated and tracks are correctly tensioned, and much more can all go a long way in reducing fuel consumption, emissions, and breakdowns. Tracking maintenance schedules through digital platforms will help you stay proactive, catching potential problems before they result in major repairs or machine replacement, both of which can be harmful to your wallet and the environment.
Utilize GPS tracking and advanced machine technology
Telematics and similar systems deliver real time information on equipment location, usage, fuel consumption, and overall performance. By taking advantage of this technology, owners can learn key insights into their fleet’s efficiency, identifying specific opportunities for improvement. In addition, these systems offer early indications of potential service needs, helping you avoid excessive wear, lowering environmental impact, and boosting your sustainability.
Eliminate unnecessary movement and idle times
Most operations waste a significant amount of fuel through inefficient machine use and long periods of idling. By systematically planning equipment placement, routes across the jobsite, and establishing clear rules about idling and maneuvering, owners can make big strides in terms of both construction sustainability and operating expenses. For example, if you’re loading material with an excavator, you have to correctly match your excavator to the truck. It should take three to five bucket loads to fill the truck bed. If it takes more than five loads, you are wasting time and fuel. You also need to coordinate site logistics in a way that machines and trucks travel as little as possible and aren’t sitting around idling because of a congested site or waiting to be filled.
Try electric equipment
As battery technologies become more cost effective and viable for a large range of projects, electric machines can deliver significant advantages for construction sustainability. They produce zero direct emissions, operate more quietly, and often have fewer maintenance needs compared to traditional diesel powered machinery. While they may require a higher upfront investment, you are likely to save over the long term because of lower fuel and operating expenses and a dramatically reduced carbon footprint. If you’re unsure where to start with electric equipment, we suggest introducing it where it makes the most sense, like in urban areas or indoor operations.
Train your operators on sustainability in construction
A well trained crew plays a key role in improving construction sustainability. Educating operators on fuel efficient driving techniques, proper machine handling, and the impact of their daily decisions can lead to significant savings and reduced environmental impact. Beyond technical skills, fostering a culture of sustainability in construction through ongoing training and performance incentives empowers employees to contribute to more responsible operating practices.
Implement a comprehensive approach
Sustainability in construction is not a one size fits all type of effort. It requires a combination of smart strategies and continuous work, tailored to your business’s particular needs and requirements. By emphasizing equipment preventive maintenance, utilizing advanced machine technology, planning jobsites more effectively, adding electric machinery to your fleet, and consistently training your operators, construction companies can minimize their carbon footprint while also lowering costs and maximizing efficiency.
If you have any questions about construction sustainability, equipment preventive maintenance, or construction equipment management in general, please contact our team today!