Fuel consumption per hour for machinery
The fuel consumption per hour for the heavy or light machinery that makes up a fleet is a highly relevant piece of information when estimating operating costs.
To estimate consumption per hour, the specific consumption must be assumed according to the operating condition, type of engine, define the load factor and apply the nominal power for each case, which would make the work difficult. However, it is possible to make an approximation through tables provided by the manufacturer knowing some variables.
What is fuel consumption associated with?
Fuel consumption is associated with the average load factor throughout a cycle or an extended period of operation in which factors associated with the environment and type of work will be involved.
What is the refueling factor?
Some world-renowned machinery manufacturers provide their users with tables of fuel consumption per hour for their various models in which the liters of diesel used are estimated based on the load factor of the equipment.
To properly understand the load factor, it is necessary to know the definition of nominal engine power.
Engine Power Rating: This is the highest power the engine can reach and its limits are set by a guide provided by the manufacturer.
The engine load factor is directly related to the nominal power since it will be a fraction or percentage of it at a specific moment in which a process is being executed.
The typical load factor of an engine is based on the type of equipment and the conditions under which it’s operated. Load factor values are documented in the literature for models of some of the most recognized brands, especially Caterpillar and Komatsu vehicles, which allow the estimation of fuel consumption per hour under specific conditions, classifying into 3 load factors according to the type of machine: low, medium and high.
Example: Caterpillar track tractors.
Low: Mainly agricultural drawbar applications, coal stacks, storage stacks, and intermittent throttle function. The engine load factor will range from 35 to 50%.
Medium: Production grading in sand, gravel, and clay. Disassembly applications, landfills. In generally medium impact conditions. The engine load factor will range from 50 to 65%.
High: Push and load of hard rock. Tearing of weighty stones, work on mostly rocky surfaces and in high impact conditions. The load factor will range from 65 to 85%.
Once the load factor has been identified by its application, it will be enough to compare the tractor model with the fuel consumption per hour, specified in the consumption tables provided by the manufacturer.
| Modelo | Bajo | Medio | Alto |
|---|---|---|---|
| D3K2 | 7.6 l | 8.7 l | 15.5 l |
| D4K2 | 8.3 l | 9.5 l | 15.9 l |
| D5K2 | 8.7 l | 9.9 l | 16.7 l |
In the example provided, the D3K2 model tractor will consume between 7.6 liters of fuel per hour up to a maximum of 15.5 liters depending on the type of work it’s subjected to.
To access the fuel consumption tables for a specific model, we advise you to consult the performance manuals for Caterpillar and the operation manuals for Komatsu or request the information from the manufacturer in other cases.