Equipment Utilization
Quick definition
Equipment utilization measures how much an asset is used over a defined period. The result depends on whether you count runtime, productive work or another activity.
What does utilization measure?
An equipment manager uses utilization to understand whether available assets are being used. Hours, mileage and other activity measures can be appropriate depending on asset type. A runtime report is not automatically a productivity report: an engine can run while a machine waits.
How to compare utilization across jobs
Choose a consistent period and definition, then compare similar assets doing similar work. A loader at an aggregate operation and an excavator waiting for a trench crew may have different expected patterns. Investigate low-use machines before deciding to move, rent out or dispose of them.
What to verify
Confirm the denominator, work definition and missing readings. Do not treat idle hours as productive hours or interpret a stale reading as proof that a machine has not worked.
Key facts
- Focus
- Asset use over time
- Important distinction
- Runtime versus productive work
Related terms
Sources
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More Glossary terms
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