Four Tips for Successful Fuel Management

For any successful business, keeping costs low is key; and with prices fluctuating to the high side, fuel management has become a great concern. Today’s machines are extremely fuel efficient in comparison to older models but by considering some of the following, you can save fuel, save money, and ultimately maximize profits.

Follow all scheduled maintenance procedures – This doesn’t stop at engine maintenance. Any components that aren’t properly maintained will cost you productivity, time, and fuel. Follow recommended service intervals for all components and always use high-quality fuels, filters, and oils.

Keep air filters and cooling system clean – An engine that works harder in the same conditions is less efficient. A clean cooler core is more efficient and keeps the fan running slowly. By blowing out coolers and filters regularly, you can keep your machine running cool and your fuel costs down.

Maximize productivity – Avoid partial load trips or cycles. Ensure operators understand all functions and most efficient practices for operation. Your operators are essential to fuel savings and by using the machine to its full capacity, you can get the most out of the fuel you are burning.

Operator training – Your operators can be the first line of defense against fuel waste. Take a moment to offer tips on how they can significantly reduce fuel burn by modifying their behavior during operation. Eliminate or avoid stopping and starting and harsh accelerations. Setting the machine up to properly match the job can have a major impact on fuel consumption. Reducing idle and standby time also helps to reduce fuel consumption; in fact, many machines now feature auto-idle and auto-shutdown modes to further reduce fuel usage.

By making just a few small changes, you can dramatically reduce your fuel usage. While monthly savings may seem low from a percentage standpoint, multiplying over the course of a year can be significant.