Loaders: how to optimize their use in your quarry?

Wheeled or tracked loaders are a vital part of your quarry's machinery fleet. Here are a few tips to optimize their use.

Monitor and optimize fuel consumption

Fuel consumption is a major expense for your quarry. And that's not going to get any easier with the end of the tax break on RNG!

You need to keep a close eye on fuel consumption to detect any over-consumption linked to technical problems (e.g. engine problems, worn tires) or human problems (e.g. poor maintenance, lack of eco-driving...).

To achieve this, a fleet management or CMMS software package is the essential tool to help you track the consumption of each machine, and make the most of their use (and send them for maintenance if necessary).

Ensuring maintenance and anticipating breakdowns

The maintenance of your site machinery is essential to ensure safe and efficient use of your fleet. Throughout the life of your loaders, you'll need to :

• Schedule preventive inspection visits (e.g.: general periodic inspections (VGP) every year);
• Schedule on-site maintenance operations (greasing, oil changes, replacement of small parts, etc.) or workshop operations (for major maintenance);
• Update the maintenance logbook.

But you'll need to organize all these repairs and inspection visits without disrupting production at your extraction site.

Here again, fleet management or CMMS software will help you keep track of the maintenance of each loader, so that your equipment is always up and running at maximum capacity.

Optimize loader operator working hours

The performance of your fleet depends not only on the condition of the machines: it also relies on clear organization of the drivers' work. A loader that is immobilized or badly assigned can quickly slow down production. The challenge is therefore to optimize schedules, improve communication and streamline loading operations.

Efficient scheduling of qualified drivers

Not every job can be entrusted to just any driver: only those with the CACES Engins de chantier qualification can handle a loader. Fleet management or CMMS software helps you to :

• quickly identify available and qualified drivers ;
• distribute assignments without overlapping;
• anticipate periods of high activity and absences.

This visibility improves profitability by reducing downtime and maximizing the use of each loader.

Streamline operations with on-board weighing

Loading times are another critical point in a quarry. Poor communication between the driver and the scale can lead to unnecessary waiting, overloading or return loads.

With Sinari CARSABE, on-board weighing ( CarsAPC module) enables you to :

• monitor weighing operations in real time ;
• tell the driver which vehicle to load and in which order;
• avoid unnecessary round trips and optimize truck rotation.

The result: smoother loading, less waiting for hauliers, and a better overall rate on site.

Improving eco-driving and limiting over-consumption

Part of excessive fuel consumption is linked to driving habits. Training your drivers in eco-driving (including on site equipment) can :

• reduce RNG consumption ;
• reduce premature wear and tear on equipment;
• adopt safer, more comfortable driving practices.

Data from your fleet management software enables you to identify areas for improvement and support your teams over the long term.

Conclusion

To optimize the use of your loaders and increase efficiency on your site, a comprehensive solution like Sinari CARSABE quickly becomes indispensable. Fleet management, consumption monitoring, planning, on-board weighing... you finally have a clear vision for improving both the productivity of your machines and the work of your drivers.