In the equipment setup (Advanced and Comprehensive Versions) you can specify for EOE (Equipment Operating Expense) the fuel burn. Approximately 10 years ago diesel equipment manufacturers were required to install a tank for DEF fluid that injects into the fuel mixture to reduce the nitrous oxide emissions. DEF fluid can cost anywhere from $3.50 to $5.00 per gallon so the cost is not insignificant for high burn rates and DEF usage is usually around 3% of the diesel burn rate. So for example take a CAT D6 which burns around 6 gallons per hour. The DEF rate would be 6 x 0.03 = 0.18 gallons. Now if I only did small projects I probably wouldn’t worry about it but for a large earthwork project with lots of big iron running for a multi-year project the cost of DEF can be significant.

So how can DEF burn rate be inputted into the equipment setup? The fact is that most companies don’t use the usage rate for lube. If they put anything at all it is cost per hour and not a burn rate per hour but HeavyBid can accept this rate. So a workaround is to use the Lube column for the DEF usage rate. There is no option to rename it but you just have to know it is DEF. Still want a cost breakout for lube? Use one of the five misc cost types and change the description to Lube. It will have to be cost per hour.

I took a D8 for 2000 hours, and the total came up to $4,300. So a large project with many major pieces of iron can bring the DEF cost to be significant cost and this cost would be to the contractor even if it is an outside rental piece. Since adding DEF usage to your master estimate is so easy I would recommend this change.