Quick answer
Compare fuel used during equivalent work, not an unsupported litres-per-hour claim. Record the inventory ID, task, attachment, operating mode, elapsed time, idle time and completed output. Calculate both fuel per hour and fuel per unit of work; a machine burning less each hour may also be completing less work.
Key takeaways
- Model year and engine power do not establish actual fuel consumption.
- Use comparable work and documented measurement methods.
- Keep idle time visible in the record.
- Treat fuel cost as one part of the purchase decision.
- Record the measurement uncertainty with every comparison.
1. Ask what the fuel figure describes
When an offer quotes litres per hour, ask whether it is a measured result, a display reading, a manufacturer test or an unsupported claim. Request the date, task, conditions and measurement method. A tank's capacity divided by an assumed working day is not a measured fuel rate.
Fuel consumption depends on the work, operator, operating mode, attachment and machine condition. Caterpillar's fuel-efficiency guidance also considers productivity and idle time. A brochure comparison from another market or generation should not be presented as the measured performance of a used inventory unit.
2. Request a comparable work record
Agree a task that represents your intended use and have a qualified operator or inspector carry it out under the applicable manual and site rules. Record material, working distance, bucket, mode and any waiting time. Do not ask a seller to improvise unsafe loading to obtain a more impressive result.
Keep the same measurement boundary for both machines. Include or exclude idle periods consistently and identify how output was measured. A short video can show operation, but it does not by itself prove a full-shift fuel rate or long-term reliability.
| Record | What to write | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Machine identity | Inventory ID, date and fitted attachment | Connects the result to the offered unit |
| Work and time | Task, elapsed hours and idle periods | Makes the comparison repeatable |
| Fuel | Litres consumed and measurement method | Separates measured data from claims |
| Completed output | Measured volume, mass or completed task | Shows the cost of useful work |
3. Calculate hourly and job costs separately
Average fuel use in litres per hour equals measured litres consumed divided by elapsed hours for the defined test. Hourly fuel cost equals that rate multiplied by your local fuel price. Use the same units and state whether the time includes idling.
Fuel cost per unit of output equals total fuel cost divided by measured output over the same period. Add labour, maintenance, transport and other relevant costs separately when comparing total job cost. Keep unknown figures blank until supported; this guide assigns no fuel rate to any Plinton machine.
4. Keep the measurement limits visible
Use a consistent documented fuel-measurement method and record its limitations. Do not compare a rounded dashboard figure with a precisely measured refill as if both had identical accuracy. Where the difference between machines is small, repeat comparable work before drawing a conclusion. Keep the original readings as well as the calculated result.
5. Separate working demand from waiting time
Record why the machine idled: waiting for trucks, site coordination or another interruption. These causes can affect fuel cost without establishing a mechanical fault. Compare the same work schedule when evaluating machines. Any change to operating or idle settings must follow the applicable manual and site requirements, including necessary warm-up or cool-down procedures.
6. Turn the result into purchase questions
If one result looks unusually high or low, review the task, output, idle time and measurement first. Ask the inspector to investigate relevant faults or maintenance concerns rather than diagnosing an engine from a single fuel number. Request evidence after any agreed repair.
Send Plinton the inventory ID, intended work and the evidence you need for comparison. Ask for available operating video and an agreed inspection scope. The published photographs and hour status remain separate from any fuel test; a newer model year does not fill a missing measurement.
Frequently asked questions
Can I estimate fuel use from engine horsepower?
Power alone does not establish consumption under your workload. Request a relevant manufacturer test or a documented test of the offered machine, with its limits clearly stated.
Does lower hourly fuel use always mean lower cost?
No. Compare completed output and total time as well. A slower machine or a different task can make the hourly figure misleading.
References
- Questions for Improving Fuel Efficiency ↗Caterpillar · Accessed 2026-09-19
- New Ways to Burn Less ↗Caterpillar · Accessed 2026-09-19
Editorial standard: Updated 2026-09-19. This guide separates general process guidance from machine-specific facts. Confirm the current inventory ID, machine evidence, inspection scope, carrier quotation and destination requirements before making a transaction decision. Read our editorial and verification standard.