Landscaping equipment - Notable Manufacturers

Notable Manufacturers

The largest 10 construction equipment manufacturers in 2015 _{based on revenue data of top 50 manufacturers published by KHL Group}

No.	Company	Country	CE Sales (million USD)	Share of total
1	Caterpillar	United States	28,283	17.8%
2	Komatsu	Japan	16,877	10.6%
3	Hitachi Construction Machinery	Japan	7,790	4.9%
4	Volvo Construction Equipment	Sweden	7,785	4.9%
5	Terex	United States	7,390	4.6%
6	Liebherr	Switzerland	7,129	4.5%
7	John Deere	United States	6,581	4.1%
8	XCMG	China	6,151	3.9%
9	Sany	China	5,424	3.4%
10	Doosan Infracore	South Korea	5,414	3.4%

Other manufacturers include:

Landscaping equipment - Models

Models

Die-cast metal promotional scale models of heavy equipment are often produced for each vehicle to give to prospective customers. These are typically in 1:50 scale. The popular manufacturers of these models are Conrad and NZG in Germany, even for US vehicles.

Landscaping equipment - Equipment cost

Equipment cost

Due to the small profit margins on construction projects it is important to maintain accurate records concerning equipment utilization, repairs and maintenance. The two main categories of equipment costs are ownership cost and operating cost.

Ownership Cost

To classify as an ownership cost an expense must have been incurred regardless of if the equipment is used or not. These costs are as follows:

purchase expense
salvage value
tax savings from depreciation
major repairs and overhauls
property taxes
insurance
storage

Depreciation can be calculated several ways, the simplest is the straight-line method. The annual depreciation is constant, reducing the equipment value annually. The following are simple equations paraphrased from the Peurifoy & Schexnayder text:

m = some year in the future

N = equipment useful life (years)

and D_n = Annual depreciation amount

D_n = purchase price / N

Book value (BV) in year m

BV_m = purchase price - (m x D_n)

example:

N = 5

purchase price = $350,000

m = 3 years from now

BV₃ = $350,000 - ( 3 x $350,000/5) = $140,000

Operating cost

For an expense to be classified as an operating cost, it must be incurred through use of the equipment. These costs are as follows:

F.O.G.
- fuel
- lubricants, lube oils, filters (oil, air, fuel, hydraulic), and grease

repairs
- repair parts
- repair labor

tires
3rd party service contract
replacement of high-wear items

The biggest distinction from a cost standpoint is if a repair is classified as a major repair or a minor repair. A major repair can change the depreciable equipment value due to an extension in service life, while a minor repair is normal maintenance. How a firm chooses to cost major and minor repairs vary from firm to firm depending on the costing strategies being used. Some firms will charge only major repairs to the equipment while minor repairs are costed to a project. Another common costing strategy is to cost all repairs to the equipment and only frequently replaced wear items are excluded from the equipment cost. Many firms keep their costing structure closely guarded as it can impact the bidding strategies of their competition. In a company with multiple semi-independent divisions, the equipment department often wants to classify all repairs as "minor" and charge the work to a job - therefore improving their 'profit' from the equipment.

Landscaping equipment - Heavy equipment operator

Heavy equipment operator

A heavy equipment operator drives and operates heavy equipment used in engineering and construction projects. Typically only skilled workers may operate heavy equipment, and there is specialized training for learning to use heavy equipment.

Much publication about heavy equipment operators focuses on improving safety for such workers. The field of occupational medicine researches and makes recommendations about safety for these and other workers in safety-sensitive positions.

Landscaping equipment - Control and Information

Control and Information

"The control and information systems. These systems enable the operator to direct and control all the other systems and provide information to guide operations or to monitor the performance and health of the equipment."

Landscaping equipment - Structure

Structure

"This system connects components, transmits loads, provides attachment points for implements, and allows the machine to travel over uneven ground. The machine's frame, articulation, and steering for wheeled equipment are the major parts of this system."

Landscaping equipment - Traction: Off-the-road tires and Tracks

Traction: Off-the-road tires and Tracks

Continuous track (circa 1909)

Caterpillar track (circa 2009)

Heavy equipment requires specialized tires for various construction applications. While many types of equipment have continuous tracks applicable to more severe service requirements, tires are used where greater speed or mobility is required. An understanding of what equipment will be used for during the life of the tires is required for proper selection. Tire selection can have a significant impact on production and unit cost. There are three types of off-the-road tires, transport for earthmoving machines, work for slow moving earth moving machines, and load and carry for transporting as well as digging. Off-highway tires have six categories of service C compactor, E earthmover, G grader, L loader, LS log-skidder and ML mining and logging. Within these service categories are various tread types designed for use on hard-packed surface, soft surface and rock. Tires are a large expense on any construction project, careful consideration should be given to prevent excessive wear or damage.

duminică, 25 decembrie 2016