3. Categorization of Equipment

Based on utility of the equipment generally the equipments are categorized into standard equipment and special equipment. See standard equipments are just common equipments which are commonly used in so many construction projects. In so many construction project sites you can see these common equipments like a common earthmoving equipment bulldozers, your excavators. So, similarly concreting equipments, concrete mixer machines. So, all these are common equipments which are used in so many construction project sites, but there are some special equipments which are of use only in some particular project sites.

In construction equipment management, understanding the difference between standard and special equipment is essential. Standard equipment refers to the tools and machinery that are broadly used across various projects, such as bulldozers and concrete mixers. These are readily available, meaning they can be found at many rental companies and manufacturers, allowing for quick delivery and easy maintenance when they break down.

In contrast, special equipment is customized for specific tasks or projects and is not usually found in general equipment inventories. Examples might include unique machines designed for specialized tasks like tunnel boring or creating specific structures. Because these special pieces of equipment are tailored for unique jobs, they may involve longer lead times for delivery and might not always have readily available spare parts.

Imagine a chef who needs to make both traditional dishes and a unique ethnic cuisine. For traditional dishes, she relies on common kitchen tools like blenders and ovens (standard equipment) that anyone can find. However, for the ethnic dishes, she might need a special spice grinder that only a few suppliers make (special equipment). This grinder is essential for making the cuisine authentic but is only useful in specific situations.

So, when you go for the choice of standard equipments they are basically commonly available because there will be lot of manufacturers available for the standard equipments. Because it is used commonly in so many construction project sites and its delivery will also be very quicker. And if your equipment breaks down due to some reason the spare parts availability will also be very quicker.

Choosing standard equipment carries multiple advantages. Firstly, the availability is much higher due to numerous manufacturers producing common equipment. This means quick delivery times when you need machinery on-site. Should any issues arise, spare parts can easily be sourced and replaced without major delays. Because these machines are used widely, technicians are also more familiar with their maintenance and repair, further reducing downtime.

Think of it like going to a large grocery store for items that are in high demand, like bread or milk. These products are readily stocked and there are usually multiple brands to choose from. If you want a specialty item, like a specific gluten-free bread that is only available at one limited store, you might struggle to find it if the store doesn't have it in stock. In this analogy, standard equipment is like the widely available bread, while special equipment is like the gluten-free bread.

But the issues with the special equipment which are custom made only for a particular project is it may not be easily readily available. So, we have some waiting time for the machine. So, it is delivery may not be quicker because it is being custom made for a particular project. Even if the equipment is going to break down the spare parts availability may not be easier.

While special equipment might meet unique job requirements, there are significant downsides. First, since these machines are not commonly manufactured, they may take longer to deliver. If a project is on a tight timeline, any wait for such equipment can lead to delays. Furthermore, if the special equipment breaks down, locating replacement parts can be challenging due to their unique nature, potentially leading to extended downtimes and financial losses.

Consider a non-standard vehicle designed specifically for a niche purpose like an off-road rescue vehicle. While it serves its unique purpose excellently, if it needs parts or repairs, the owner may have to wait a long time for those specific components to be manufactured or shipped. This waiting period can delay critical rescue operations, similar to how a construction project can be delayed by the lack of special equipment.

So, when you plan for procurement of such high end machines, we should do proper economic analysis, whether there is a likelihood of future jobs which may involve the utility of the particular machine. And you have to work out the economics before purchasing such high end machines.

Before investing in high-end or special equipment, it's crucial to conduct thorough economic analysis. This involves evaluating whether there will be future projects that can benefit from the high-tech equipment you're considering. If the machine is only beneficial for one project, it may not be worth the considerable investment. By forecasting future project needs that might utilize the machine, you can make a more informed decision that maximizes the return on your investment.

Think of a business considering to buy an expensive coffee machine. If the cafe is situated in an area with limited customer traffic or if it’s a one-off event, it doesn't make sense to invest heavily in a machine that might not bring in much return. However, if multiple cafes in busy areas are planned, the investment could lead to significant profit from quality coffee sales.

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