AN INTRODUCTION TO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
ME 78502

Course Objective:

To be familiar with the types, repair and maintenance and management of construction equipment used in Nepal.

Course Outlines:

1. Introduction to construction equipment
   (4 hours)
   1. Types: Graders, loaders, excavators, dozers, road roller, compressor, rock crusher, asphalt equipment
   2. specifications (general)
   3. Application of Construction equipment
   4. Terminologies used in construction equipment
2. Chassis components
   (12 hours)
   1. Hydraulic system
      1. Introduction to hydraulic units: pump, valve, cylinders and motors, accumulator and motors, accumulator and filters, reservoirs, hoses, pipe, tubes and couplers, seals and fluids.
      2. General maintenance of hydraulic system
   2. Transmission
      1. Production to power trains: clutches, mechanical transmission, hydraulic assist transmissions, power shift transmission, hydrostatic drive, torque converters, differential, final drive, power take-offs, special drives
      2. General maintenance of power transmission
   3. Undercarriage
      1. Introduction to undercarriage: track chain, idler, sprocket, track rollers, tyres
      2. General maintenance of power transmission
   4. Implements and tools
      1. Introduction to implement and tools: blades rippers, bucket
      2. General maintenance of implement and tools
3. Electronic components and their functions
   (7 hours)
   1. Components pressure sensor, pressure switch, proportional solenoid, pump and valve controller, engine controller and their related signs and symbols
4. Repair and maintenance of construction equipment
   (10 hours)
   1. Maintenance objectives
   2. Maintenance polity types, replacement, factors affecting maintenance policy
   3. Lubricants, uses, storage and their specifications
   4. Strategy for maintenance of construction equipment
      1. Maintenance cost (direct and indirect)
      2. Inventory control (stock control and spare parts policy)
      3. Safety inspections special care and precautions required for repair and maintenance of components of construction equipment
5. Management of construction equipment
   (12 hours)
   1. Equipment policy
      1. Equipment acquisition: methods purchase, Lessing, hitting
      2. Comparison between leasing and purchasing
      3. Estimation of owning and operating cost and hitting cost
      4. Analysis of equipment utilization and price variance
   2. Equipment procurement
      1. Marketing aspects of construction equipment (availability, dealers)
      2. Procurement methods and practices
      3. Commissioning of equipment

Practical:

1. Related practical classes will be conducted on hydraulic system and transmission
2. Students will be attached to constructing sites and repair and maintenance workshops
3. Perform repair and maintenance of construction equipment

Reference:

1. Technical book, “Construction Machinery Training”, Instate, Imlambad
2. Harris, F. and McCaffer, “Management of Construction Equipment”, Macmillan Education Ltd. London, UK.
3. Erich J. Schulz, “Diesel Equipment I and II”, Mcgraw-Hill book co.
4. Frank Harries, Ronald McCaffer, “Construction of Plant Excavating and Material Handling”, Granda Publishing.
5. SAE Handbook Volume 4
6. “Caterpillar performance Handbook”, Edition 33, Caterpillar Inc, Peoria, Illinois, USA.

Evaluation Scheme:

The questions will cover all the chapters in the syllabus. The evaluation scheme will be as indicated in the table below:

*There could be minor deviation in mark distribution.