Calculated Results
The result block stays above the form after submission.
Enter project values below and submit the form. The calculator will show cycle time, cycles per hour, production volume, truck loads, and a Plotly graph here.
Calculator Inputs
Example Data Table
| Scenario | Cycle Time (sec) | Bucket (m³) | Fill (%) | Efficiency (%) | Loose Prod. (m³/hr) | Bank Prod. (m³/hr) | Tonnes/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban trenching | 32.00 | 1.20 | 95 | 83 | 106.45 | 85.16 | 191.61 |
| Bulk excavation | 37.00 | 1.60 | 90 | 79 | 110.68 | 85.14 | 210.29 |
| Pipeline backfill handling | 28.00 | 0.90 | 98 | 88 | 99.80 | 83.17 | 169.66 |
These sample values illustrate typical planning comparisons. Always confirm field timing with site observations.
Formula Used
Total Cycle Time (sec) = Dig + Swing Loaded + Dump + Swing Empty + Reposition + Delay
Theoretical Cycles per Hour = 3600 ÷ Total Cycle Time
Effective Cycles per Hour = Theoretical Cycles per Hour × (Job Efficiency ÷ 100)
Bucket Payload (Loose m³) = Bucket Capacity × (Fill Factor ÷ 100)
Loose Production (m³/hr) = Effective Cycles per Hour × Bucket Payload
Bank Production (m³/hr) = Loose Production ÷ (1 + Swell Factor ÷ 100)
Tonnes per Hour = Loose Production × Material Density
Truck Loads per Hour = Loose Production ÷ Truck Capacity
These equations help convert observed machine motion into hourly planning outputs. They are useful for estimating productivity, truck matching, and short-term scheduling.
How to Use This Calculator
- Measure each excavator motion in seconds.
- Enter dig, loaded swing, dump, empty swing, reposition, and delay times.
- Enter bucket capacity and expected fill factor.
- Apply realistic job efficiency for field conditions.
- Add swell factor to estimate bank volume from loose material.
- Enter material density to estimate tonnes per hour.
- Enter truck capacity to estimate hourly truck body fills.
- Submit the form and review results above the calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is excavator cycle time?
Cycle time is the total seconds needed for one complete excavation cycle. It usually includes digging, loaded swing, dumping, empty swing, repositioning, and small delays. Shorter cycles generally increase hourly production when bucket size and fill remain steady.
2) How does job efficiency affect output?
Efficiency reduces theoretical cycles to a realistic field value. Breaks, waits, grade checks, traffic, and operator pauses all lower productive time. Applying efficiency makes the estimate more useful for scheduling, costing, and truck matching.
3) Why use fill factor?
Buckets rarely carry exact struck capacity on every pass. Fill factor adjusts bucket volume for real loading conditions. Sticky material, poor fragmentation, or careful trench work can reduce fill, while loose material may improve it.
4) What does swell factor do?
Excavated soil often expands after digging. Swell factor converts loose bucketed volume into estimated bank volume. This matters when plans, haul studies, or payment quantities are based on in-place material rather than loose spoil.
5) Is this calculator suitable for every material?
It works well for early planning across soil, sand, gravel, and similar materials. Highly variable rock, underwater work, restricted access, or severe weather can change cycle behavior. Use field observations to refine inputs before final production decisions.
6) Can I use it for truck matching?
Yes. Enter truck body capacity to estimate approximate loads per hour. Compare that value with truck turnaround time to check whether the excavator is waiting on haul units or the trucks are queuing at the dig area.
7) Why separate delay time and reposition time?
Separating them helps identify where improvement is possible. Repositioning relates to machine movement within the cut, while delay time captures interruptions. Tracking both values can reveal operator habits, congestion, or layout issues on the jobsite.
8) Should I use seconds or minutes?
This calculator expects seconds for each cycle component because excavator motions are short. Using seconds keeps the estimate precise and makes comparisons easier. Convert any field notes recorded in minutes before entering them.