Excavator Hourly Production Calculation in Mining (With Formula & Example) | Indian Minerology

Excavator Hourly Production Calculation in Mining

Excavator hourly production calculation is a very important topic in opencast mining for production planning, cost estimation, and equipment selection.

What is Excavator Production?

Excavator production is the quantity of material excavated and loaded by an excavator in one hour. It is generally expressed in cubic meter per hour (m³/hr) or tonnes per hour (TPH).

Types of Excavators Used in Mining

• Hydraulic Excavator
• Front Shovel Excavator
• Backhoe Excavator

Data Required for Excavator Production Calculation

• Bucket Capacity (m³)
• Fill Factor
• Cycle Time (seconds)
• Material Density (t/m³)
• Job Efficiency

Excavator Hourly Production Formula

Basic Formula (m³/hr)

Production = Bucket Capacity × Fill Factor × Cycles per Hour

Cycles per Hour

Cycles per Hour = 3600 / Cycle Time (seconds)

Production in Tonnes per Hour

TPH = Production (m³/hr) × Material Density

Example Calculation

Bucket Capacity = 5 m³
Fill Factor = 0.9
Cycle Time = 25 seconds
Material Density = 1.8 t/m³

Step 1: Cycles per Hour

= 3600 / 25 = 144 cycles

Step 2: Production in m³/hr

= 5 × 0.9 × 144 = 648 m³/hr

Step 3: Production in TPH

= 648 × 1.8 = 1166 tonnes/hr

Factors Affecting Excavator Productivity

• Bucket fill factor
• Cycle time
• Material hardness
• Bench height
• Operator skill
• Machine condition

Typical Fill Factor Values

• Loose material: 1.0 – 1.1
• Blasted rock: 0.8 – 0.95
• Hard rock: 0.7 – 0.85

Advantages of Accurate Production Calculation

• Better mine planning
• Reduced operating cost
• Correct equipment selection
• Improved productivity

Common Mistakes in Production Estimation

• Ignoring job efficiency
• Wrong density assumption
• Incorrect cycle time

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is average excavator production in mining?

It varies from 300 m³/hr to 1500 m³/hr depending on machine size and working conditions.

Q2. Which excavator is best for opencast mining?

Hydraulic front shovel excavators are best for large opencast mines.

Conclusion

Excavator hourly production calculation helps mining engineers to optimize productivity and reduce cost. Accurate data and proper calculation are essential for efficient mining operations.