Machine performance must ultimately be measured in unit cost of material moved, a measure that includes both production and costs. Factors bearing directly on productivity include such things as weight to horsepower ratio, capacity, type of transmission, speeds and operating costs. The Performance Handbook considers these factors in detail. There are other less direct machine performance factors for which no tables, charts or graphs are possible. Serviceability, parts availability and operator convenience are examples. In comparing machine performance, all factors should be considered.
The Caterpillar Performance Handbook is intended as an aid which, when coupled with experience and a good knowledge of local conditions, can assist in estimating true machine performance.