Business Tips 15


TABLE 4: MACHINE COSTS AND OUTPUTS Type of work


Loading


Machine arm cycles per minute >>>>>>> Machine type Bucket vol. m3 1.5 tonne


3 tonne 5 tonne 7 tonne 21 tonne


0.04 0.13 0.28 0.28 1.21


4


Cost/hr £ 23.68 42.65 52.23 63.15 81.50


I would comment that landscapers tend to hire or operate machines based on their ability to operate them using their own labour whereas ground workers are often able to provide lower rates because they use larger machinery. Table 2 indicates the cost per hour of hired in machines and operators.


NOTE: The operator rate here is based on a cost of £19.00 per hour. Please refer to our previous cost investigation to see the source of this rate.


Table 2 assumes the following.


• Machines are hired on a weekly rate • Operator cost included at 19.00 per hour


• Delivery and collection charges are not included in these costs


•Weekly hired machines hired for 40 hours per week actually work 32 hours per week. This


allows for downtime, refuelling time, repairs, etc. Efficiency is only 80%


FILLING DUMPERS WITH EXCAVATED MATERIAL. Another factor which affects digging cost is filling dumpers. The figures used in this article assume that there is no waiting time on site machinery, The cost of dumpers or trucks to move


excavated material on site is not taken into account in this cost investigation. From Table 2 you can see the capacities of machines and their cost implications. I always say use the biggest machine you can to reduce your costs.


The following issue is the type of dig the machine is performing. If you apply the information from Table 2 to the type of dig you are doing you then get your cubic metre cost rate for the work you are doing. From Table 4 all you have to do now is apply the costs to the volumes


www.pro-landscaper.co.uk 9.6


31.2 67.2 67.2


290.4 Bulk ground


Excavation Excavation Trenches Trenches for


works removal 3.5


3 8.4


27.3 58.8 58.8


254.1


23.4 50.4 50.4


217.8


to reduce levels


2


Gross volume excavated in m3 7.2


4.8


15.6 33.6 33.6


145.2 for for


foundations services 1.75


1.5 4.2


13.65 29.4 29.4


127.05 3.6


11.7 11.7 11.7 -


Note trenches for services all assume 0.13 m3 ditching bucket EXAMPLE 1


• A 3 tonne machine loading produces 31.2 m3/ hour (Gross)


• The cost of a 3 tonne machine with driver and fuel is £42.65


• The cost per m3 loaded is 42.65/31.2 = £1.36


No bulkage factor is added here as the excavated material is already loose.


EXAMPLE 2 • The output of a 5 tonne machine excavating trenches for services is 11.7 m3 per hour (deposited alongside the trench)


• The trench is 300 mm wide x 600 deep. • 1 m of trench is 0.18 m3 (nett)


• The soil being dug is loamy topsoil with a bulking factor of 20%


• The excavated material is therefore 0.18 in the ground multiplied by 1.2 which gives a total


volume of = 0.2160m3


• A 5 tonner digging trenches generates 11.7 m3 per hour (gross) or if you divide by the bulkage


factor = 9.75m3


• 9.75/0.18 =54 m of trench if it were a clear run and the trench was in a straight line.


• The cost of this trench therefore from Table 4 is:-


the cost of the machine per hour £52.23 the output in linear metres (54) =0.96p / linear m


• I know, however, that my machine will not dig 54 m of trench on a sustained basis so I would


apply a factor to this trench to allow for banksmen, sustained output, and setting out time moving, alignment etc. This is where your site knowledge and experience comes in.


• Don’t forget to add on your profit! CONCLUSION


• Using these tables gives you the theoretical cost of the machines and represents the true cost in an ideal situation.


• Very rarely are landscape sites absolutely ideal so readers should apply productivity factors to


the tables.


• Readers should use these tables and then adjust the base figures using factors of


productivity and bulkage for the soil types being excavated.


NEXT ISSUE We will examine some of the actual costs for common tasks in our industry. Readers are invited to submit their suggestions to:- editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Sam Hassall is the UK’s only dedicated specialist landscape cost consultant. As Managing Director of LandPRO Limited he consults with Landscape


professionals both on cost and implemen- tation of Landscapes. His range of services are to provide cost information to both Landscape design professionals and Landscape contractors. Sam’s expertise is gained from his formal training and many years of experience in the landscape industry. As part of his portfolio Sam also compiles the Spon’s External works and Landscape price book and developed the market leading LiberRATE Estimating system. Further information is available from www.landpro.co.uk or by calling direct to LandPRO Ltd 01252 795030


Volume1 | Issue2 | October 2011 |


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