Plant development occurs all the time at the larger end of the scale (cranes and excavating equipment) right down to hand tools, drills and saws. Some of these advances can have significant effect on productivity and costs. In small tools the development of battery-driven hand tools now have enough power and duration to be effective, has eliminated the need for a supplied power source. On larger plant, developments of hydraulic systems, laser guidance and control mechanisms have dramatically improved productivity.
It is important therefore, that the estimator is well versed in these so the appropriate piece of plant can be selected for the work on the site. There is an academic debate in many of the texts as to whether or not plant should be hired or owned, but increasingly, in a specialist area such as piling, most medium and large contractors hire plant as required so as to offer the greatest flexibility and ability to use the most up-to-date, purpose made equipment. The major exception to this is if the contract duration is of such a length as to make the economics of purchase and maintenance stack up.
Tags: Economics, Maintenance, Purchase, Stack Up