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Use of suitable equipment with matching features at projects with minimum operating and maintenance cost will help in achieving optimum utilisation of construction equipment. <p></p><p> Construction equipment plays an important role in the successful execution of a project in a productive manner. As per general estimates, about 30 per cent of the project cost incurred is capital expenditure which includes procurement, operation and upkeep of construction equipment at project site. So, optimum utilisation of the construction equipment is of utmost importance in order to execute the project efficiently. This will bring in productivity and economy to the contractor. Optimum equipment utilisation depends on various factors starting from equipment procurement to deployment at project site, operation and maintenance of the equipment, and effective utilisation of technology across these stages. With construction projects becoming complex in nature, proper planning is highly important for the success of a project. </p><p>Before starting any project, its planning is done with great care, as the efficiency of the whole project largely depends upon its planning. </p><p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Equipment procurement</span><br />Reducing downtime, achieving optimum equipment utilisation and increasing production at minimum cost are the key factors in equipment utilisation. Before procuring the equipment, the contractors need to do cost analysis and study well on adopting proper techniques suited to the situation and the project. So, there is need for a rational planning, proper selection and judicious deployment of equipment in relation to the conditions so as to achieve optimum utilisation. </p><p>The procurement of equipment depends on the type of project, nature of the project site, and duration of execution. On these factors, the contractor can decide on which equipment to buy, take on rent and lease. Also the effectiveness of construction machinery is a major factor that differentiates construction companies in terms of heavy construction and light construction. The time and cost are the most important factors for the success of a project. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ratan Lal Kashyap, Senior Vice President-Procurement, GR Infraprojects</span>, says, &quot;The equipment deployed or selected should be in sync with construction methodologies to be adopted for execution of projects. The timelines of project also become a factor for identification of any construction equipment.&quot; Construction equipment has a profound effect on the cost and productivity of construction activities as well as the methods used for construction itself. Thus, in order to increase job-site productivity, it is always beneficial to select equipment with proper characteristics and a size most suitable for the work conditions at a construction site.</p><p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Equipment deployment and operation </span><br />Various equipment are deployed at project sites when all set to start the project execution so that the equipment can start operations as fast as possible. Utilisation of the equipment to its optimum capacity is important for the cost-effective operation of the equipment. Only a trained and skilled operator can do this. So skill development of equipment operators is an important initiative that is needed from the contractor in association with the equipment provider. &quot;A skilled operator will know an equipment's highs and lows. Today, the typical challenge faced by contractors is lack of skilled manpower to operate equipment,&quot; says <span style="font-weight: bold;">SP Rajan, Head-Plant and Machinery (Roads, Runways &amp; Elevated Corridors), L&amp;T Construction.</span></p><p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Maintenance</span><br />Frequent breakdown of the equipment adversely impacts the project execution. Regular and proactive maintenance of the equipment is imperative for maximum equipment uptime at the project site. The equipment in use should be maintained properly by scheduling preventive maintenance periods. Scheduled maintenance reduces the incidents of failure, and thus minimises costly breakdowns and stoppages on the project site. Proper selection and training of operators and maintenance personnel and safety of both the operators and the equipment will help in optimum equipment utilisation.</p><p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tracking equipment utilisation</span><br />Improved equipment utilisation can bring in faster return on investment (ROI) and economy in equipment operations. For a rented equipment, you can complete the job faster and return it so that saving additional rental cost for the company due to a possible delay in completing the job. At the same time, over-utilisation of the equipment also may impact the job sometimes. </p><p>Digital and automation solutions play their roles effectively in managing the efficiency gap of equipment fleet. GPS, telematics and IoT-based solutions are helping the contractors improve their bottom line by providing critical insights into consumption and utilisation. These enable the contractors to do more with less equipment and even help them reduce spend on rented equipment by prioritising owned equipment. 'Equipment with live monitoring system has helped us in the optimum utilisation with maximum uptime,' says Kashyap. According to Rajan, an automated 3D-enabled grader can outperform normal one by miles and so can be a 3D-enabled excavator for a quicker and accurate work.</p><p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Looking forward</span><br />As per industry records, the cost of equipment in a project varies from 10-30 per cent of the total project cost, depending upon the extent of mechanisation. Proper planning, selection, procurement, installation, operation, maintenance and equipment replacement policy plays an important role in efficient equipment management and optimum utilisation of the equipment for successful completion of project. Use of the right equipment at the right place with minimum operating and maintenance cost will lead to productivity.</p>