HOW TO SAVE FUEL--TIPS FROM CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO

ONE OF THE IMPORTANT FACTORS IN TODAY'S EARTHMOVING INDUSTRY IS FUEL MANAGEMENT. A CAREFUL CONTRACTOR MAY SAVE UP TO THREE PERCENT OF HIS FUEL BILL THROUGH CONSERVATION PRACTICES. THIS IS A CHECKLIST FOR WAYS TO CUT BACK ON FUEL USAGE: 1. DON'T INCREASE THE FUEL SETTINGS TO TRY TO OBTAIN MORE POWER. 2. SET THE RACK LIMITER SO THERE IS NO BLACK SMOKE ON ACCELERATION. 3. DON'T SET THE IDLE SPEED ON THE GOVERNOR ANY HIGHER THAN NECESSARY. 4. DON'T IDLE THE MACHINE'S ENGINE UNLESS IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. SHUT IT OFF. 5. MAKE SURE THE TURBOCHARGER IS TURNING FREELY AND THE PROPER AIR-FUEL RATIO IS MAINTAINED FOR THE MOST EFFICIENT FUEL UTILIZATION. 6. DON'T OPERATE THE THE FIBROUS CONCRETE WAS SHOT ONTO THE SLOPE WITH A REED FUEL TANK TO THE BRIM. FUEL WHEN HEATED IN THE SUN WILL EXPAND AND OVERFLOW. 8. DON'T STALL THE CONVERTER OR OPERATE THE HYDRAULICS OVER THE RELIEF VALVE. 9. MAKE SURE THE AIR HOSES AND LINES ARE INTACT. 10. MAKE SURE THE BATTERY CELLS ARE OKAY. 11. KEEP THE AIR CLEANERS CLEAN. 12. OPERATE WITH THE PROPER TRACK TENSION TO PREVENT TRACK HORSEPOWER LOSS. ADJUST THE TRACK SO IT SAGS 1-1/2 IN. BETWEEN THE FRONT CARRIER ROLLER AND IDLER. 13. OPERATE WITH A THERMOSTAT ALL YEAR ROUND. 14. INFLATE THE TIRES TO THE PROPER PRESSURE. 15. BE CAREFUL NOT TO SPIN THE TRACKS OR TIRES. 16. SIZE THE MACHINE TO THE JOB. 17. DON'T UNDER OR OVERLOAD THE MACHINE. A MACHINE LOADED BETWEEN 75 AND 100% CAPACITY IS MOST EFFICIENT. 18. LOOK FOR WAYS TO LET NATURAL TERRAIN DO SOME OF THE WORK. DOZE DOWNHILL. USE THE JOB LAYOUT TO CONSERVE BOTH ENERGY AND TIME. 19. STOP PUSH LOADING WHEN A NORMAL LOAD IS OBTAINED. 20. USE MOTOR GRADERS TO KEEP THE HAUL ROAD SMOOTH.

• Publication Date: 1974-4

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 32
• Serial:
  • Western Construction
  • Volume: 49
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: King Publications

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air cleaners; Diesel engines; Energy; Equipment; Fuel consumption; Recommendations; Thermostats; Tires
• Subject Areas: Construction; Energy; Highways; Research; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00215717
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 5 1974 12:00AM