5.1. Economics of Equipment Selection

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is the difference between standard and special equipment?

   Hint

   Think about availability and usability across projects.

2. 2.

   What does productivity in equipment selection refer to?

   Hint

   Consider output in relation to time.

3. 3.

   What is the primary goal of equipment selection in construction?

   • To meet legal regulations
   • To maximize productivity and minimize costs
   • To please clients

   Hint

   Think about the impact on project success.

4. 4.

   True or False: Special equipment is generally easier to sell post-project than standard equipment.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider market demand for machine types.

5. 5.

   A contractor has a budget of $100,000. He can either buy a fleet of standard equipment that will cost him$75,000 and allow for quick delivery on jobs or invest in a specialized machine for $90,000 that will yield higher productivity but takes longer to arrive. Analyze which option is better given that jobs are lined up immediately after purchase.

   Hint

   Consider project timelines.

6. 6.

   Given a project with specific high soil volumes that need moving, two machines are available: A scraper with a 6 m³ capacity costing $50/hr and a bulldozer with a 4.5 m³ capacity costing$40/hr. If the site conditions favor the scraper, which should the contractor select if both machines can operate for the same duration?

   Hint

   Calculate total productivity versus costs.