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You’ve probably heard the countless reasons machine technologies save you time and money. Caterpillar put these to the test by building two roads in a production study.

One road used traditional road construction processes while the other used the latest in technology. The results speak for themselves.

The setup

Two roads, each 120m in length, were constructed at the Peoria Proving Grounds in Peoria, Illinois. The first was built using traditional processes. The second was built with Cat® Connect Technology & Services including telematics, machine control and guidance, payload, and intelligent compaction technologies.

The test was built to replicate an authentic worksite – a variety of machines, some Cat and some non Cat, were used. They included dozers, motor graders, soil compactors, articulated trucks, wheel loaders, pavers, dual drum vibratory compactors and on-highway trucks. 

In the study, labour, material, equipment, and fuel utilisation were quantified and used to calculate total costs and project hours for both roads. The cost savings using technology were then applied using an increment of 1.6km to determine the return on investment and subsequent profitability.

The results

The technology constructed road resulted in:

31% fewer man hours

34% fewer equipment hours

46% fewer project hours

37% less fuel consumption

And an environmental benefit of saving 12 acres of forest

How far down the road do you have to go until you reach profitability?

The investment in technology on this new road is about $250,000.

On a road construction project of about 5km in length, it takes 79 working days with technology vs the 147 working days with traditional methods. But it’s still short of a return on investment. However, 8km is nearly the break-even point. That means for every kilometre thereafter, the customer is banking the profits.

Customers report the road to payback, using Cat Connect Technology, takes six months to a year. This investment puts them in the fast lane to less cost, increased quality and safety and on to the next project in record time.

Watch the video to see the full results or download the full jobsite study report.

With Queensland and Northern Territories largest range of paving equipment, parts, service and training, Hastings Deering is committed to supporting you from the ground up.

We are focused on building relationships that extend well beyond machines. That means sharing our expertise to help you select, acquire, operate and maintain your paving equipment, then standing by your side to keep that equipment – and your business – running smoothly. Invest with confidence knowing it’s more than just parts, service and support.

It’s a partnership designed to deliver more for you.