Recently we manufactured an onsite Fuel and Lube truck. My question is what are the most common methods of refueling and maintenance in your experience? Is it subcontracted or is it the operators job to take the machine to the closest tank on the project etc... This is only for research purposes to gain more knowledge about the different methods on different markets around the globe. Thanks in advance for your help. Alex
Alex I would think that would depend on the location. I can see where if it is a smaller operation then the operators can just walk over to the tank and fuel it themselves. But you would not want an operator walking a machine 2.3 miles to the maintenance building to fuel it and 2.3 miles back to the hole.
where I work all the operators have a 100 gallon fuel tank, toolbox, and a small air compressor in the back of their pickup truck. they fuel their own equipment, and use the compressor to blow out air filters, blow up tires, and run a pneumatic grease gun. they all carry a basic set of tools, grease, fittings, motor oil, hyd. oil, and antifreeze. anything beyond that, and I get called in with the service truck.
I've done it a couple of ways. Small companies make it the operator's responsibility if they have company trucks. Larger companies have a fuel and lube truck or a service contract with a fuel supplier to do it each day. Large companies like mines will have their own fuel systems with a truck and driver to does the entire spread each shift. Regular fuel nozzles are the most common end on the hose but big boys pumping hundreds of gallons a day or more usually use the quick couplers that automatically shut off when full.
Yeah that''s why i am doing this research to see the differences and similarities between regions. Those 2.3 miles is where our truck comes in play. Thanks for the info. Alex
That is good to know info. So they basiclally have a mini service truck in the back of their pick up. Thanks for the info Mike. Alex
Thanks for the info John, that is our target market small to large scale projects or mines, our goal is to have a more affordable option to those big Lube trucks based out of articulated dumpers like the CAT 730 and such. Thanks again. Alex