Hydraulic Excavators (II)

By
Er. Ashok Shrestha (DoR)
IOE-BEM
Construction Equipment(Elective)
August 2010
 Cycle time
• The sum of time required to load bucket, swing
loaded, dump and swing empty.
• Typical cycle element times under average
conditions, for 2 to 4 cum shovels will be
– Load bucket 7-9 sec. (depend on material type)
– Swing with load 4-6 sec (depend on machine size)
– Dump load 2-4 sec (depend on dumping target)
– Return swing 4-5 sec (depend on machine size)

16 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 2

 Factor affecting production
• Actual production of a shovel is affected
by the following factors:
– Class of material
– Height of cut
– Angle of swing
– Size of hauling units
– Operator skill
– Physical condition of the shovel

Production efficiency ranges from 30 to 45 min per hour

16 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 3

 Effect of height of cut and Angle of swing
• The effect of height of cut and Angle of Swing on
Shovel production published by PCSA from field
study can be used:

The percent of optimum height of cut, in the table, is

obtained by dividing the actual height of cut by the
optimum height for the given material and bucket, and
then multiplying the result by 100.

16 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 4

 Optimum height of cut
• The optimum height of cut ranges from 30 to
50% of the maximum digging height.
– 30 % for a easy to load materials (i.e. load sand,
gravel etc.)
– 40% for common earth
– 50% for poorly blasted rock, or sticky clay
• The ideal production of shovel is based on
operating at a 900 swing and optimum height of
cut.
• The ideal production should be multiplied by the
proper correction factor in order to correct the
production for any given height and swing angle.
16 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 5
 Excavator Production
• Steps for estimating production:
1. Obtain the heaped bucket load volume (lcm) from
the manufacturer performance data.
2. Apply a bucket fill factor based on type material
being excavated.
3. Estimate a peak cycle time:
(Load bucket+ Swing with load+ Dump load+ Return swing)
4. Obtain the factor for angle of swing and height of
cut from the table (% of optimum depth vs angle of
swing).
5. Apply a efficiency factor (usually 30 – 45 min per 60 min)
6. Conform the production units to desired volume or
weight (lcm to bcm) (lcm= bcm*(1+swell factor)

18 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 6

 Obtain heaped cubic capacity of bucket from
manufacturer’s specification for given model

Select the suitable Fill factor for

type of material to be excavated.

Estimate the pick cycle time base on machine

size, materials type and dumping condition.
Typical cycle element times under average conditions, for -Load time, for easy loading material take lower
2 to 4 cum shovels
Load bucket 7-9 sec. (Based on materials)
value (7sec) and higher value for difficult (9 sec)
Swing with load 4-6 sec (Based on size of m/c) -Swing time, take lower value(4sec)for smaller
Dump load 2-4 sec (Base on hauling unit) m/c and for higher(6sec) value for bigger size m/c.
Return swing 4-5 sec (Based on size of m/c) --Dump time, for dumping in a hauling unit take
higher value and lower value for free dumping.

Obtain AS:D from the table.

maximum depth of cut from manufacturer’s
specification and multiply it by a factor within
range of 0.3 – 0.5. Take lower value (0.3) for
easy to load material and higher value (0.5) for
very difficult material
 Average height of cut 
% of optimum depth =   × 100
Optimum depth of cut = 30% of maximum digging height (for easy to load material)  Optimum height of cut 
= 50% of maximum degging height (for difficult blasted rock etc)
= 40% of maximum digging height (for common averge material)

18 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 7

7. Compute the production rate, using following formula.
 3600 × Q × F × ( AS : D )   E 
P (lcm/hr) =  × 
 t   60 
 3600 × Q × F × ( AS : D )   E   1 
P (bcm/hr) =  × × 
 t   60   1 + S.F. 
Where;
P (lcm/hr) = Production in loose cubic meter (volume) per hour
P (bcm/hr) = Production in bank cubic meter (volume) per hour
P (ton/hr) = Production in tons (weight) per hour
Q = Heaped bucket capacity (lcm)
F = Bucket fill factor
AS:D = Angle of swing and depth (height) of cut correction factor
t = Cycle time in seconds
E = Efficiency minutes per hour (take 30-45 if not given)
S.F. = Swell Factor
Luw = Loose unit weight (N)

18 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 8

 Example-1
• A 3.8 cu.m. shovel having a maximum digging height of 10.4m is being
used to load poorly blasted rock. The face being worked is 3.7m high and
the haul units can be positioned so that the swing angle is only 600. What
is the adjusted ideal production if the ideal cycle time is 21 sec.
Bucket size (Q)= 3.8 m3 (Given)
Bucket fill factor = 0.9 (taken from the table, for poorly blasted 85-100%)
Ideal Cycle time (t) = 21 sec. (Given)
Optimum height = 0.5 x 10.4 = 5.2m (Taken highest %, for poorly blasted rock) (30–50%)
 Working height)  3.7
% of optimum height =   × 100 = × 100 = 71 .15 %
0
 Optimum height  5 .2
Angle of Swing = 60
Angle of Swing and depth (AS:D) =1.08 (by interpolation)
(from the table 1.03+(71.15-60)*(1.12-1.03)/(80-60)
 3600 × Q × F × ( AS : D )   E  Assuming Efficiency factor,
P (lcm/hr) =   ×   E= 45/60
 t   60 
 3600 × 3.8 × 0.9 × 1.08   45 
P (lcm/hr) =   ×   = 475 (lcm / hr )
 21   60 
18 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 9
 Example-2
• A 2.3 cu.m. shovel having a maximum digging height of 9.1 m, will be
used on a highway project to excavate well-blasted rock. The average
face height is expected to be 6.7 m. Most of the cut will require an
average 1200 swing of the shovel in order to load the haul unit. Determine
the estimated production in cubic meter bank measure. Take efficiency 30
min in 60 minute.
Bucket size (Q)= 2.3 m3 (Given)
Bucket fill factor (F)= 1 (taken from the table, for well-blasted 100-110%)
Ideal Cycle time (t) = (Load + Swing loaded + Dump + Swing empty)
= 9 + 4+ 4 + 4 = 21 sec
Assuming: Typical cycle element times under
average conditions, for 2 to 4 cum
Load = 9 sec (Taken maximum value, as material is rock difficult to load)
shovels:
Swing loaded = 4 sec (Taken smaller valve, as being smaller sized m/c) Load bucket 7-9 sec.
Dump = 4 sec (Taken maximum value, as it is to be loaded into haul units) Swing with load 4-6 sec
Swing empty = 4 sec (Taken smaller valve, as being smaller sized m/c) Dump load 2-4 sec
Return swing 4-5 sec

Optimum height = 0.5 x 10.4 = 4.55m (Taken highest %, for poorly blasted rock) (30–50%)
 Working height)  6 .7
% of optimum height =   × 100 = × 100 = 147 %
 Optimum height  4 . 55

18 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 10

 Example-2 (/contd…)
Angle of Swing = 1200
Angle of Swing and depth (AS:D)= 0.79 (by interpolation)
(from the table 0.81- [{(0.81-0.75)/(160-140)}*(147-140)]
Efficiency Factor (E) = 30/60 (Given)
% Swell = 60% (From the table for well blasted rock)

 3600 × Q × F × ( AS : D )   E   1 
P (bcm/hr) =     
× × 
 t   60   1 + swell 
 3600 × 2.3 × 1 × ( 0.79 )   30   1 
P (bcm/hr) =  × ×  = 97 .3
 21   60   1 + 0.6 

18 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 11

 Hydraulic Hoe: Production Estimating
• The same elements that affect shovel production
are applicable to hoe excavation operation.
• Hoe cycle times are approximately 20% longer
than similar size shovel and work.
• The optimum depth of cut for hoe is usually in the
range of 30 to 60%.
• Standard data for “Cycle time” based on bucket
size and average conditions (30-600 swing angle,
hauling unit at same level etc. is available).
• No standard data and factors based on angle of
swing and depth of cut is available.

18 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 12

Hydraulic Hoe: Production Estimating
• Step-1: Bucket size (From the(lcm)
manufacturer specification for the size of bucket to be
used. Many different size buckets will fit the same
machine. Interested in heaped capacity).
• Step-2: Fill Factor:(From the table for
corresponding type of material. Heaped capacity is base
on 1:1 material angle of repose. It must be adjusted
based on the characteristics of material being handled).
[Bucket volumetric capacity (lcm) = Heaped capacity *Fill Factor]

18 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 13

 Hydraulic Hoe: Production Estimating
• Step-3: Cycle time (sec) (Load + Swing load + Dump +
Swing empty).
Typical excavation cycle times based on machine (bucket) size

The cycle times

must be increased
when loads are
dumped into a
smaller haul units.
Small machine
swing faster than
large ones.

Depth of cut: 40 to 60%

Swing angle = 30 – 600
Loading haul units on the same level

10 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 14

 Hydraulic Hoe: Production Estimating
• Step-4: Depth of cut (Obtain maximum dig depth from manufacturer’s
data and check for optimum depth of cut within the range of 30% to 60%.)

18 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 15

Hydraulic Hoe: Production Estimating
• Step-5: Efficiency Factor:
– Bunching (In actual operation cycle time is never constant. When loading haul
unit they will sometime bunch. The effect of bunching is a function of the no. of
haul units.
– Operator efficiency: (Skill of operator)
– Equipment availability (Haul units availability ‘x’% of the time)

Machine’s working range based on size of machine

(bucket) fitted with standard items (Boom, Arm etc.)

18 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 16

Step-6: Compute production rate, using following formula.

 3600 × Q × F   E 
P (lcm/hr) =  × 
 t   60 
 3600 × Q × F   E   1 
P (bcm/hr) =  × × 
 t   60   1 + S.F. 

Where;
P (lcm/hr) = Production in loose cubic meter (volume) per hour
P (bcm/hr) = Production in bank cubic meter (volume) per hour
P (ton/hr) = Production in tons (weight) per hour
Q = Heaped bucket capacity (lcm)
F = Bucket fill factor
t = Cycle time in seconds
E = Efficiency minutes per hour (take 30-45 if not given)
S.F. = Swell Factor
Luw = Loose unit weight (N)

18 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 17

 Example-3
A crawler hoe having a 2.8 cu.m bucket is being considered for use on a
project to excavate dry clay from a borrow pit. The clay will be loaded in
trucks having a loading height of 3m. Soil-boring information indicates
that below, 2.5 m, the material changes to an unacceptable silt material.
What is the estimated production of the hoe in cubic meter bank
measure, if the efficiency factor is equal to a 50-min hour.?
Step-1: Size of Bucket (Q)= 2.8 cu.m
Step-2: Bucket fill factor (F)= 85% (taken average of 80-90 from the table,
. for hard clay)
Step-3: Cycle times (t) = 22 sec (from the table, for nearest bucket size 3 cum)
Step-4: Optimum depth of cut to be within 30% to 60%
From the table maximum depth of cut 7 – 8.2 m
Depth of cut = 2.5 m
 2.5 
  * 100 = 35 .7 %
 7  Checking for optimum depth of
cut range 30% to 60%.
 2.5 
  * 100 = 30 . 4 %
 8.2 

18 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 18

 Example-3 /….contd
Step-5: Efficiency factor (E)= 50 min per hour (given)

Step-6: Production rate Calculation

 3600 × Q × F   E 
P (lcm/hr) =  × 
 t   60 

 3600 × 2.8 × 0.85   50 

P (lcm/hr) =   ×   = 324 .5 (lcm/hr)
 22   60 
Swell factor = 35% for type of materials from the table
P (lcm/hr)  324 .5 
P (bcm/hr) = =  = 240 .37
1 + Swell factor  1 + 0.35 

18 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 19

 PRODUCTIVITY OF HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR:
(Quick Method)
The hourly production of hydraulic excavator can also be
calculated as :-
 3600 × Q × E   3600 × ( q × k ) × E 
P (lcm/hr) =   =  
 Ct   (t × F ) 
Where;
P (lcm/hr) = Production in loose cubic meter (volume) per hour
Q = Production per cycle (cu.m)
= (q*K) Bucket Factor (k)
q = bucket heaped capacity (cu.m) Material Bucket factor (K)
K = Bucket factor Moist loam or sandy clay 1.0 - 1.1
E= Job Efficiency factor Common soil 0.9 - 1.0
t = Standard Cycle time in seconds Sand and gravel 0.85 – 0.95
F = Time factor
Hard tough clay 0.8 - 0.9
Ct = Cycle time in seconds =(t*F)
Rock –well blasted 0.6 - 0.75
Rock – poorly blasted 0.4 - 0.5

18 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 20

Standard Cycle time (t)= excavating time + swing time
loaded+ dumping time +swing time empty
OR
Actual cycle time = standard cycle time * time factor

Time Factor (F) Cycle Time (t)

Standard cycle time based on bucket
Dumping Conditions
Capacity
Digging
NORMAL RATHER Swing Angle /Time (Sec)
Conditions EASY (Average) DIFFICULT BUCKET
DIFFICULT
CAPACITY
40 - 90 90 -180
BELOW 40 % 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.4 0.25 13 -15 15 -17
40 % - 75 % 0.8 1.0 1.3 1.6 0.4 13 -15 15 -17
0.45 14 -16 16 -18
OVER 75 % 0.9 1.1 1.5 1.8 0.7 16-18 18 – 21
Digging condition= (Digging depth/ Max. depth of cut)*100 0.9 18 - 20 20 – 23
Easy = Dump onto spoil pile
1.2 20 - 22 22 - 25
Normal = Large dump target
Rather difficult = Small dump target
Difficult = Small dump target requiring maximum reach.

18 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 21

 Example-4
A contractor has a project to construct a large office building with an underground parking
garage. He has decide to use a Hydraulic excavator to excavate for the parking garage
and load the excavated material into a dump trucks. The maximum digging depth of the
excavator is 6m and it is equipped with a 1.2 cum bucket size. The material to be
excavated is a tough clay at average depth of cut 3m and job condition are considered to
be average. Angle of swing 600 and work an average of 50 min per hour. What is the
estimated productivity in bank Cum per hour if the swell of the excavated material is 35%.
Bucket size (q) = 1.2 cum
Bucket factor (k) = 0.85 (taken average value of 0.8 and 0.9)
Digging condition = (3/6)*100 = 50%
Time Factor (F) = 1.3 (for digging and rather difficult dumping condition (dump truck))
Standard time (t) = 22 sec (1.2cum bucket size and 600 angle of swing)
Job Efficiency (E) = (50/60)=0.83
 3600 × 1.2 × 0 .85 × 0 .83 
P (lcm/hr) =   = 106 .5
 ( 22 × 1.3) 
 106 .5 
P (bcm/hr) =   = 78 .9 → (For given 35% of swell)
 1 . 35 

18 August 2010 IOE-BEM-CE(Elective): Excavators: By Ashok Shrestha Slide No. 22