Engineering and Mining Journal - Whether the market is copper, gold, nickel, iron ore, lead/zinc, PGM, diamonds or other commodities, E&MJ takes the lead in projecting trends, following development and reporting on the most efficient operating pr
Issue link: https://emj.epubxp.com/i/109221
O P E R AT I N G S T R AT E G I E S used internally as part of an overall business analysis to measure productivity and set benchmarks," Chisholm said. "Once you know your benchmark productivity rates, it's also easy to identify equipment that is underperforming, which sets off a trigger for an investigation into the underlying causes. These causes can vary widely, from operator error to equipment failure." Once productivity benchmarks are set, fleet managers can customize the Loadrite system to capture a wide range of other data such as cycle times, which can then be used to identify process bottlenecks and inefficiencies. By resolving these issues, managers can improve productivity and reduce operating costs. Reducing Costs By tracking and monitoring various productivity indicators, managers can see variations and make changes that will result in a more efficient use of resources. "Being able to track and monitor fuel use, for example, is a major consideration in assessing the cost of ownership, particularly given the high price of fuel. By understanding the amount of fuel used to move each ton of material, you www.e-mj.com can see how productive each machine is and possibly find ways to reduce fuel usage," Chisholm said. The Loadrite system can also measure the cycle times between each loading event, which can show how efficiently the material is being moved. Shorter cycle times generally point to a more efficient and therefore more profitable operation." The system actively helps reduce fuel use. By using an accurate on board weighing system, operators can ensure trucks are filled correctly the first time, with no productivity lost due to under loading or overloading. "By loading trucks correctly from the outset, unnecessary truck movement is reduced as there's no need to turn around for either a refill or a removal of material once the trucks get to the weighbridge," Chisholm said. Setting Maintenance Parameters Being able to measure the time between replacing consumable parts, operators can establish the most efficient and convenient maintenance and replacement schedule. This can be done by measuring the amount of work done in terms of material moved, rather than simply by working hours. "The system can record how much material has been moved since the last time the bucket edge was replaced, for example. This data would allow different brands to be benchmarked on how long they last, another critical factor in calculating the total cost of ownership," Chisholm said. "Tire damage on trucks can also be reduced. Providing accurate and consistent weight measurement from the outset allows operators to set the correct target weight for the loader bucket to accurately load the truck. Because the truck's tires are inflated correctly to carry a certain weight, they can be damaged when carrying too much weight. So once the loader is set for optimal efficiency, you can potentially prolong the life of the tires." Chisholm said Loadrite's onboard weighing system can be configured to provide the data needed for any operation. "Our distributors work with project managers to identify the configuration that will give them the information they need. We work with fleet managers individually to ensure the system meets the needs of their business. Our aim is to ensure the data collected provides real value to increase productivity and profitability over the lifecycle of the machine." FEBRUARY 2013 • E&MJ; 81