Why is machine positioning important for productivity?

If you’ve ever watched a skilled excavator operator at work, you might’ve noticed how they seem to get more done without rushing about like a mad thing. The secret isn’t just experience—it’s all about smart machine positioning. Today, we’re going to discuss why positioning your machine properly is crucial for getting the job done efficiently and safely, and remember, you can also do excavator training online.

The Basics of Machine Positioning

Proper positioning means you’re not constantly shifting about or stretching to reach things.

For excavators and loaders, good positioning starts before you even turn the key. You want to be thinking about where you’re going to put your spoil (that’s the dirt you’re digging out), where your trucks are going to park if you’re loading them, and how you can get the most work done with the least amount of movement.

Safety First

Before we dive deeper into productivity, let’s talk about why good positioning is crucial for safety. When you position your machine properly, you’re creating a stable platform to work from. This is especially important when you’re working on slopes or uneven ground.

Picture this: you’re digging a trench with an excavator. If you position yourself too close to the edge, you risk the ground giving way under your tracks. Position too far back, and you might have to stretch your boom out too far, which could make the machine unstable and also increases your cycle time. The sweet spot is finding that position where you’re both safe and efficient.

The Three-Step Dance of Efficient Positioning

We often work on challenging terrain, so positioning becomes even more crucial. There are three main things to consider:

• Working radius. This is the area you can reach without having to move your machine. A good operator will position their machine so they can reach everything they need to within this radius.
• Material handling. Whether you’re loading trucks or stockpiling material, you want to minimise the swing angle between where you’re digging and where you’re placing the material. The ideal swing angle is usually between 45 and 90 degrees.
• Machine stability. You want to make sure you’re on level ground whenever possible. If you’re working on a slope, position your tracks or wheels parallel to the slope for better stability.

Fuel Efficiency and Machine Wear

Here’s something that might surprise you—proper positioning can save heaps on fuel costs and machine wear. When you position your machine correctly, you’re not wasting energy with unnecessary movements. Each time you have to reposition your machine, you’re using extra fuel and putting more wear on your tracks or tyres.

If you have to swing your excavator 180 degrees for every bucket of dirt because you’re poorly positioned, you’re doing twice the work you need to. Not only are you burning more diesel, but you’re also putting extra stress on your slew ring and hydraulic system.

Understanding Your Machine’s Sweet Spot

Every machine has what we call a ‘sweet’ spot’—that perfect working range where it performs best. For an excavator, this is typically when the bucket is between 45 and 60 degrees to the ground, and the arm is at about 90 degrees to the boom. When you position your machine to work in this sweet spot, you’re getting the most power and efficiency from your hydraulics.

Working with Site Conditions

Your positioning strategy needs to change depending on whether you’re working in summer hardpack or winter mud. On wet sites, you’ll want to position your machine on the firmest ground available. Sometimes this means creating your own stable platform to work from.

Take drainage work, for example. A clever operator will position their machine so they’re working ‘in the’ dry’—meaning they’re not sitting in water or mud. They’ll work backwards, creating their own solid platform as they go. This not only keeps the machine stable but also helps prevent getting bogged down.

Loading Truck Positioning

When you’re loading trucks, proper positioning is absolutely crucial. The ideal setup is to have your trucks at a 45-degree angle to your machine. This gives you good visibility of the truck bed and lets you load efficiently without excessive swing.

A common mistake among new operators is positioning trucks parallel to the excavator. While this might seem logical, it actually increases your cycle times because you have to swing further. Plus, it’s harder to see what you’re doing, and you might end up spilling material or damaging the truck.

Some operators prefer the truck on the left so that the boom doesn’t hide the view of the truck as you slew around to load it.

Production Line Thinking

Think of your machine positioning like setting up a production line. You want everything to flow smoothly from one step to the next. If you’re excavating a large area, plan your positioning so you can work in sections, moving systematically across the site. This means less tracking around and more actual digging time.

Technology and Machine Positioning

These days, many machines come with technology that can help with positioning. GPS systems can show you exactly where you need to dig, and some even have auto-stop features that prevent you from over-digging. But even with all this flash gear, understanding the principles of good positioning is still crucial.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, good machine positioning comes down to thinking ahead and understanding your machine’s capabilities. A well-positioned machine means:

• Less fuel used
• Less wear and tear
• Faster cycle times
• Safer operations
• Better quality work

Remember, the best operators aren’t the ones who move the fastest—they’re the ones who work the smartest. By taking the time to position your machine properly, you’ll get more done with less effort, and that’s what we call working smarter, not harder.

Good machine positioning isn’t just about where you put the machine—it’s about understanding the whole job and making each movement count. Whether you’re digging drains in Canterbury or shifting metal in Auckland, proper positioning will make you a more efficient and safer operator.