Enter data in yellow colored cells only. Use tab key to advance to open cells.  
 
Seconds-Minutes Calculator          
Enter seconds here:   Read decimal minutes here:    
Enter decimal minutes here: Read seconds here:  
 
Base Cycle Time of Excavator (Can Be Wheel Loader) & Wait-Repositioning Allowance
The three listed cycle times are only a guide. Cycle time depends on where the excavator is situated, material hardness, arm length, etc. In mass excavation, a base cycle time of 15 sec. is not uncommon with a skilled operator. Prospect experience is the best guide. Repositioning normally averages only a second or two per cycle. Excavator wait time can affect the job immensely. If the excavator operator cannot immediately load the next truck in position and has to wait until the loaded truck pulls out and the next one pulls into position, you might have a half minute or more of wait time (to be prorated over three or more cycles--whatever is normal for the size of excavator). This can greatly affect the number of trucks put on the job.
 
Once you have entered data for the first four cells, the spreadsheet calculates (on the right) the number of unrounded excavator cycles per truck load. If this figure is not a whole number, it will be rounded up to the nearest whole number for the load time calculation. Example: 3.5 will be rounded to 4 because the excavator must make 4 passes for 3.5 bucket fulls. It is often more efficient to make only fully loaded passes, especially if the excavator becomes a bottleneck in the operation (see below). If your prospect makes only fully loaded passes and does not want the excavator cycles automatically rounded up--say, from 3.2 to 4, enter on X in cell B17. Using one fewer cycle per truck load will shorten all cycle times and should allow more trucks to be used on the job.
Haul  
The haul can have several sections. If the grade or haul road condition changes more than nominally, you will need to add a new section. Enter the section distance in feet/meters, the percent of an adverse grade, or a favorable grade, and the haul road factor from the list on the sheet. Use whole numbers only. The maximum total resistance (grade + haul road) is 60. If you have the degree or the ratio of a grade, use the grade calculator to obtain the percent of the grade. Note that the haul road factors must be increased or decreased by a factor of one for each 2,000 lbs. (907 kg) over/under the rated payload (do not round up). The increase or decrease factor is calculated for you in Cell D47, and is limited to three points of increased or decreased resistance.
 
Fill  
Depending on the size and the amount of maneuvering on the fill area, select a positioning and dump time--three times are listed as guides.
 
Return  
Note that the return is not necessarily the reverse sections of the haul. The departure spot from the fill may be different, and even the haul road may not be the same. Make careful note of any sharp turns on the return. The program calculates for straight travel. A sharp turn on a high speed haul road will cause a delay usually of 8 - 12 seconds.
 
Delay  
Confer with the prospect about anticipated delays. The spreadsheet accounts for acceleration and deceleration times between sections, but does not account for sharp turns or obstacles.. Add about 12 seconds for each sharp curve or other obstacle on a high speed section, especially on the haul where it takes longer to accelerate to max speed. Do not factor in any wait time in the loading area. The spreadsheet is based on just-in-time arrival, so any positioning time where the excavator is waiting for the truck to be spotted must be accounted for in the excavator load time.
   
Total number of BCY/BCM (or Tons) to be moved and  
Number of hours for job completion  
Although the spreadsheet will calculate cycle times and production without inputting the two numbers called for above, most users will want to know how many trucks to run on the job, and they would also want to use the separate Job Cost Analysis spreadsheet to calculate cost per yard of material moved and total cost. Use the Tons per Hour entry section for material handling applications.
   
Production Estimate    
These are calculated values. Cycle times are listed in minutes and then separately in seconds. Average speed is based on the haul, return, and delay, not on total cycle time. Compare the number of ADTs needed to complete the job on time with the maximum number that can be employed. The latter figure means that you cannot increase production by adding more trucks--excavator size or cycle time or wait time won't permit it. Also computed is the time required for various numbers of ADTs to complete the job. If the prospect wants fewer than what is listed, input the number in the yellow highlighted cell.