Haul‐Unit Performance

Historically, haul‐unit speeds have been determined using alignment charts provided by equipment manufacturers. This paper presents a performance equation and outlines a procedure for determining the equation coefficients that determine speeds for off‐road haul units. The primary advantage of a performance equation is that it is the ideal algorithm for incorporation into a program for computing haul‐unit cycle times for any set of conditions likely to be encountered in the field. The performance equation shares advantages that are inherent when using an equation to determine numerical results. Some additional very desirable features are: (1) The performance equation will take advantage of the power of computers and hand‐held programmable calculators; (2) the data can be stored electronically (this type of storage is compact and data is available immediately); (3) calculations for speeds are very fast compared to determining speeds from alignment chart measurements; (4) significant amounts of time will be saved when using the equation in computer programs; (5) calculations are accurate and reliable; and (6) using an equation eliminates the use of performance handbook alignment charts.