OVER 60% REDUCTION IN IDLE TIME DRIVES LOWER FUEL COSTS & LONGER ENGINE LIFE

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1. HIGH IDLE LEVELS IDENTIFIED AND THEIR OPERATIONAL IMPACT

In August, the SmartFleet^DX team began monitoring idle time across the client’s dozer fleet and identified a significant inefficiency, with idle levels exceeding 30% on all monitored units.

While fuel consumption is the most visible consequence of idling, excessive idle time also results in the accumulation of engine hours without productive output. This accelerates engine wear, increases maintenance demand and reduces effective fleet utilisation, driving up operating costs and distorting true asset performance.

Diesel engines are designed to operate under load at optimal temperatures. Prolonged idling results in incomplete combustion, leading to:

• Carbon buildup on valves and combustion components
• Increased blow-by and oil degradation
• Higher wear with zero productive output
  

SmartFleet^DX Insights was deployed to monitor operator behaviour, reduce unnecessary idling, and improve productivity while protecting asset life.

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2. MEASURING THE IMPACT

SmartFleet^DX Insights enabled precise tracking of idle time across all dozers from September through June of the following year.

The platform provided:

• Fleet-wide idle trends
• Operator-level visibility
• Benchmarking to identify abnormal behaviour
  

This enabled supervisors to pinpoint areas for improvement and implement specific corrective actions.

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3. INSIGHTS UNCOVERED

SmartFleet^DX provided clear visibility of idle behaviour across the fleet, revealing significant improvements during the monitoring period.

Key results (September to June):

D375A Dozers:

• Idle percentage reduced from 45.75% to 19.43%

• 57.5% improvement overall

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D475A Dozers:

• Idle time reduced from 37.29% to 11.25%

• 69.8% improvement overall

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These improvements not only reduced fuel waste but also mitigated engine stress, slowing the degradation of critical components and extending service hour intervals.

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4. TURNING INSIGHTS INTO ACTION

SmartFleet^DX’s continuous idle-time monitoring empowered both our team and the client’s on-site leadership to take targeted, data-driven actions to reduce unnecessary idling across the fleet.

Over eight months, these actions achieved a 24.3% reduction in idle time, showcasing the impact of combining precise data visibility with disciplined operational execution.

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5. RESULTS ENABLED BY SMARTFLEET^DX

The reduction in idle time delivered measurable financial and operational benefits for the client.

• Reduced fuel consumption from unproductive idling

• Lower engine wear and extended service intervals

• Improved fleet availability and utilisation

• Reduced maintenance pressure on workshops

• Longer asset life and improved return on capital

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By addressing idle time at the operator and fleet levels, the site achieved lasting efficiency gains and protected the long-term performance and cost structure of equipment.