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Why eco-training for machinery operators can mean big savings

25 Jan 12 With savings of £4,000 a year in fuel costs for some machines, many firms which use earthmoving equipment are turning to 'eco training for their operators.

Training the operator effectively is key to efficient performance of the machine, Volvo argues.
Training the operator effectively is key to efficient performance of the machine, Volvo argues.

Construction machinery is becoming ever more environmentally-friendly – but are the operators?

Volvo Construction Equipment believes the people who sit in the cabs of its machines can make a huge difference – cutting carbon emissions generated, and the amount spent on fuel.

The manufacturer has recently introduced 'eco-training', which it offers to many of its customers in the UK and abroad.

The training aims to lower a machine's fuel consumption, reduce fuel bills and improve operator efficiency without lowering productivity. At the same time this reduces machine wear and environmental impact.

Leif Johansson, CEO of Volvo Group, explains: “No machines run without operators. There's the technical specification of the machine, but there's also how it is being used. So we work together with the operator to develop the best environment for them to do a good job.

“One person can make a big difference, and we should not underestimate that difference.”

In Volvo's homeland of Sweden, the eco-training has already made a big difference with contractor Skanska. The firm put 50 operators through the training, which resulted in a 5% annual saving on fuel, worth €250,000, or 500 tonnes of CO2.

Training in the UK

In the UK, engineering manager Martyn Brawn runs Volvo's eco-training programme.

“We've been doing it for about a year, and have demonstrated to about 30 firms so far,” he says. “One environmental company reckon they will make £4,000-a-year savings on one wheeled loader from fuel alone – and that's not counting other efficiencies the training encourages.”

However, Brawn says the take-up in Europe, particularly Sweden and Germany, has been much greater.

“We have a problem in persuading companies that the cost of the training will be paid back many times over in fuel savings and other efficiencies,” he explains. “They have to regard it as an investment, and also be willing to learn.”

No savings, no fee

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The way Volvo has packaged the training, the fee is refunded to the customer if they have not made a saving after six weeks.

The pricing is graded according to the number of operators taking the training, with one costing £500 (plus VAT), but the price dropping to £300 per person if five or six take the training.

The course is a mix of classroom and practical hands-on training.

After an initial introduction session, the trainer assesses the operators in their machine, including measuring the average fuel consumption.

Ideas and suggestions are then made to encourage use of the machine in a more efficient and environmentally friendly way.

Then the operator runs through the same work cycles as before, this time adopting the suggestions from the Volvo trainer. Fuel consumption is measured again to see if there is any improvement.

At the end of the training, each operator must commit to three things they will take away from the course and apply in practice when using their machine.

Follow-up assessment

Volvo returns six weeks later to assess whether the new working methods have been adopted, and what the impact has been. Crucially, the machine's fuel consumption since the initial training is measured, and sent to its owner showing how the machine has been operated and most importantly – whether there have been any savings in fuel and fuel consumption.

Brawn says there is a degree of scepticism to get past, when delivering the course.

“I've done training sessions, when I've pitched up and can tell from the body language of the operators that they're only there because they've been told to – you can't tell me anything,” he says.

“But when you come back later, they've said 'you taught me something I wasn't aware of'.”

For further information, email Volvo Construction Equipment, call 01223 257105, or visit volvoce.com

Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk

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