5.1 - Economics of Equipment Selection
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Practice Questions
Test your understanding with targeted questions
What is the difference between standard and special equipment?
💡 Hint: Think about availability and usability across projects.
What does productivity in equipment selection refer to?
💡 Hint: Consider output in relation to time.
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Interactive Quizzes
Quick quizzes to reinforce your learning
What is the primary goal of equipment selection in construction?
💡 Hint: Think about the impact on project success.
True or False: Special equipment is generally easier to sell post-project than standard equipment.
💡 Hint: Consider market demand for machine types.
1 more question available
Challenge Problems
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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.
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.
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