While modern wheel loaders continue to evolve with intelligent drivetrains, fuel-efficient designs and advanced hydraulics, the machines themselves are only half of the equation when it comes to return on investment (ROI).

Another important variable rests in the hands of the operator. Specific operator behaviors and habits can directly impact fuel efficiency, component wear and overall machine performance.

Following some key best practices and keeping total cost of ownership in mind can help operations reduce maintenance time and expenses and promote greater machine uptime and longevity. These tips can set operators apart to improve efficiency and productivity and help reduce lifecycle costs.

Tip 1: Always Conduct a Daily Walkaround.

Expert operators treat maintenance as part of the job. A rigorous, daily pre-operation walkaround acts as the first line of defense against unplanned downtime.

This check should include a visual inspection for damage, fluid leaks, hose chafing, structural stress cracks and any loose pins or bushings. Be sure the machine and pins are greased correctly and verify the integrity and positioning of bucket wear parts. Also check inside the cab, which should be kept clean to avoid injury risks due to loose material. All warning decals and safety items should be in place and operational. Check the lights, windshield wipers and visibility aids to make sure they're in proper working order.Expert operators treat maintenance as part of the job. A rigorous, daily pre-operation walkaround acts as the first line of defense against unplanned downtime.

An operator knowledgeable in daily maintenance can catch problems before they occur, avoiding unplanned downtime.

Tip 2: Keep Tires in Tiptop Shape.

Tires represent one of the highest ongoing operating expenses on a wheel loader. Premature tire wear directly translates to added costs and downtime for repairs.

Daily pressure checks can help prevent the problems that come with under inflation and over inflation. Improper tire pressure is a common cause of premature tire failure on these machines. Low inflation causes extreme heat buildup, especially on the side walls of the tire, causing cracking. Over inflation causes the tread to be worn prematurely in the center of the tread pattern, which causes a very uncomfortable ride. If your wheel loader has a tire pressure monitoring system with an in-cab display, that will help actively track tire pressure and temperature fluctuations throughout the seasons and weather shifts. Fuel consumption also is affected, especially when tire pressure is lower than specified. By using the tire pressure monitoring system, you can lower fuel consumption and your total cost of ownership.

It's also important to visually inspect tires each day for cuts, cracks or signs of irregular wear on both the tread and tire shoulders. Finding these issues early can help reduce the major problems that would require early tire replacement.

Also look for advanced traction features that allow you to adjust the wheel loader's torque to match the conditions of the work site. This helps reduce unnecessary tire spin and tire wear in poor or slick ground conditions to help significantly extend tread life.

Tip 3: Use Proper Pile and Loading Technique.

There are some specific loading techniques that help reduce machine and tire wear and drive profitability. It helps to eliminate the novice mistake of charging into the pile, which is hard on the frame and spins the tires. Instead, use a level bucket entry followed by smooth lift and tilt actions to maintain continuous hydraulic and machine momentum and control.

Using a tight Y loading pattern also helps optimize efficiency. The trick is keeping the trucks in a consistent position to avoid making the Y cycle too big or too small. It's possible to be too close to the truck and the pile, which makes maneuvering at an efficient speed difficult. This also can force you to have to steer more than necessary, which will slow your cycle time.

Tip 4: Avoid High Speed Directional Shifts.

Repeatedly shifting from forward to reverse (and vice versa) without bringing the machine to a complete stop can have long-term impacts on the machine, including eventual driveline failure and premature transmission replacement. Volvo's exclusive Reverse-By-Braking (RBB) technology automatically lowers engine rpms and applies standard service brakes when it senses the operator is changing loader direction. This decelerates the machine smoothly, protecting the driveline while saving fuel.

Another common, inefficient habit is resting a foot on the brake pedal or throttling high and then slamming into the pile. Instead, use lower gears to control speed naturally, reducing premature brake wear and unnecessary fuel burn.

Tip 5: Match Linkage to the Task.

Smart machine procurement and setup also is important to help optimize wheel loader performance and life. One question to consider is selecting z-bar or parallel linkage.

Z-bar linkage is optimized for raw breakout force and rapid bucket filling at the pile, so it's typically a good choice for high-production quarry, aggregate and heavy earthmoving applications. Volvo's Torque Parallel Linkage is designed to perform well in all loading applications, making it suited for all types of tasks.

Tip 6: Leverage the Latest Technology.

Several newer features and advanced technologies, such as automated system shortcuts and in-cab assistance, can help ease the effort required to load efficiently. Choosing a wheel loader with these technologies can help save time and improve total cost of ownership:

● Boom kickout: This is helpful when loading a truck at the same height for an extended period of time. On Volvo wheel loaders, the automatic boom kickout position can be set to any position between maximum reach and full lifting height, and it can be done with one stroke of the lever rather than having to hold it, saving time per pass.

● Return-to-dig: This function helps you return the bucket to the exact same position every time.

● Adjustable lever sensitivity: This allows you to choose the response level of the hydraulic levers to suit your operating style. For example, Volvo wheel loaders have three response modes: soft, active and normal. Soft is meant for slower or more precise tasks. Active works for fast-response, demanding productivity requirements. And normal is in between.

● Rim pull control: This useful feature allows you to adjust the power being sent to the wheels to compensate for ground conditions. This reduces wheel spin and slippage, thereby reducing tire wear and improving productivity.

● Telematics: Leveraging in-cab monitors and telematics allows you to receive real-time alerts if a system malfunction occurs, preventing running a machine dry.

● On-board weighing: On-board weighing systems improve efficiency by providing you with real-time material weight. This can significantly reduce both machine and truck overloading, which decreases wear on both units and avoids costly issues such as overweight fines and partial dumping. The data the scale provides also can be viewed remotely through the use of a cellular data connection or by USB download.

● Automatic lube system: Installing an auto-lube system allows you to control the right amount of grease to each individual pin and bushing, with different settings based on the harshness of the application.

● Auto Bucket Fill: This Volvo wheel loader feature is particularly useful for jobs like rehandling applications, where it performs a very specific, repetitive task. Once this function is activated, the wheel loader will drive itself into the material you want to collect while controlling the throttle function, boom lift and bucket curl/roll back to fill your bucket. Once the material is in the bucket, the function terminates, leaving your loader standing still so you can take back control for the next step of your cycle. It's a smooth, seamless process that simplifies one of the most critical parts of the loading process.

Building Culture of Site Efficiency Safety

In addition, keep in mind that jobsite efficiency and profitability can't exist without proper safety practices. Operator habits like maintaining a three-point stance during cab entry and exit can help reduce common slip-and-fall liabilities.

Proper operator training also is key. Volvo's Load Assist Operator Coaching add-on app helps operators understand when and how to use the many smart functions of a wheel loader to achieve optimum results. It helps operators make better decisions behind the controls because of instant feedback on behavior, combined with real-time on-screen guidance.

From bucket selection to best practices for digging into a pile and positioning the truck, operator behavior has a significant impact on uptime and productivity. By integrating operator training with advanced wheel loader technology, you can maximize component and machine longevity, and ensure your fleet remains reliable all season long.

(Chris Connolly is product manager, large-sized wheel loaders of Volvo Construction Equipment.)