3.2. Special 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.

Special equipment refers to machinery and tools specifically designed or customized for particular tasks that are not typically addressed with standard equipment. While standard equipment includes common machines like bulldozers and concrete mixers that can be used in many projects, special equipment caters to unique construction needs. For instance, if a certain construction project requires a specialized machine not available in the market, it may be custom-built for that specific task, making it a special piece of equipment.

Think about how certain jobs need unique tools. Just as a chef might require a specific type of pan for a particular dish, construction projects may require customized machines. For instance, if a project involves building a tunnel, a custom tunnel boring machine might be necessary, which would not be found among standard construction equipment.

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.

Standard equipment holds several advantages, primarily that they are widely available and produced by multiple manufacturers. This abundance typically means faster delivery times and ease of replacement should the equipment break down. Since these machines are used across various projects, spare parts and maintenance services are also readily accessible, preventing potential delays on the project site.

Consider a popular smartphone model. Because many people buy it, there's a plentiful supply of cases, repair shops, and accessories. If your phone breaks, you can easily find a technician to help you. Similarly, standard construction equipment can be repaired or replaced quickly because they are common in the industry.

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.

A significant drawback of special equipment is that it often requires additional time to manufacture and deliver, given that it is tailored to specific tasks. This can lead to potential delays if the project timeline depends on the availability of this machinery. Furthermore, if a breakdown occurs, sourcing parts for unique equipment can be challenging and time-consuming, which may hold up project progress.

Imagine ordering a custom-made suit tailored to your measurements. It will take time for the tailor to complete the suit, and if you require adjustments later, finding the same fabric or style might be difficult. Likewise, special equipment may have a longer lead time and may not be readily available when you need it for your construction project.

So, before 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.

When considering the purchase of special equipment, conducting a thorough economic analysis is crucial. This involves assessing whether the investment in such machinery will be justified by future projects requiring its use. If multiple upcoming jobs can utilize the special equipment, it can spread out the initial purchase costs across several projects, making it economically viable.

Think about a filmmaker considering whether to buy an expensive camera. They would evaluate if future film projects would require that camera, allowing them to justify the expense. If they anticipate using it for several movies, the investment makes sense. This same principle applies to purchasing special construction equipment.

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