SCRAPER OPERATIONS

In September 1974, a production efficiency study was conducted on four standard, single-engine scrapers. Each had a rated struck and heaped capacity of 21 and 30 cubic yards, respectively. Time utilization data, performance characteristics, and production rates were obtained. The total work time studied (TWTS) was 346.3 hours. This time included both productive and delay time. Productive time--the time the scrapers were used for their intended purpose--was 212.7 hours or 61.4 percent of the TWTS. The scraper cycle is made up of five elements--load, haul, dump, turn, and return--with the turn element occurring twice within the cycle, once at the cut, and once at the fill. The average cycle time maintained during the study was 5.38 minutes for an average haul length of 1750 feet. Major delays--delays lasting 15 or more minutes--accounted for 23.2 percent of the TWTS, and were primarily due to rain, wet grade, labor shortages, and mechanical repairs. Minor delays--delays lasting less than 15 minutes--although normally of short duration, amounted to a significant 15.4 percent of the TWTS, or approximately 20 percent of the Net Work Time Studied (TWTS minus major delays--NWTS). It is hoped that the information regarding productive time and the type and magnitude of delays encountered will be of value to the contractor in determining a priority listing of corrective measures he can take to increase the productive capacities of his scraper operations. /Author/

• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Clemmens, J P
  • Fowler, C M
• Publication Date: 1974-11

Media Info

• Features: Tables;
• Pagination: 16 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Economic efficiency; Excavating equipment; Labor; Performance; Productivity; Time; Traffic delays
• Uncontrolled Terms: Efficiency; Scrapers (Construction equipment); Work
• Subject Areas: Construction; Economics; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00082738
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-DP-PC-902
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 26 1975 12:00AM