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Economic Performance of Small Engine Used in Trolley

AKM Saiful Islam
Senior Scientific Officer
Farm Machinery and Postharvest Technology Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur-1701.

JK Saha
Post graduate student
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted in two villages under sadar upazilla of Tangail district to investigate the economic performance of small engine used in trolley. The operating cost was varied from 36.43 to 36.14 Tk/hr from 1st year to 5th year of operation for trolley engine. The average annual repair and maintenance cost of the engine increased with the accumulated use (hours). The cost of repair and maintenance for trolley engine was found the highest of 5.05 Tk/hr at the end of 5th year. The repair and maintenance cost was also influenced by the repair rate. The average fuel consumption rate was found 0.8, 0.90, 1.10, 0.95 and 1.12 liter per hour (8 hp engine) from the 1st to 5th year, respectively. The results of the economic analysis indicated that benefit cost ratio was greater than unity. The average economic replacement age of the trolley engine was found to be about 4.5 years (4000 hrs). Various problems, such as scarcity of fuel, unavailability of good quality spare parts, trained mechanics and operators, etc. hindered the efficient utilization of engine which needs immediate attention to be resolved for efficient utilization of the engine in agriculture.

Keywords: Accumulated use, Repair rate, Operating cost

Location: Tangail sadar, Tangail

Start Date: 01-06-2001

End Date: 31-12-2001

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Performance evaluation

Objectives:

To assess the economic performances, useful life, operation cost, benefit-cost ratio of small engine used in trolley.

Methodology:

This study was based upon field survey where primary data were collected systematically by means of a questionnaire from individual trolley operator during 2001. Data were also collected from mechanics to validate the data obtained from engine owner. Data were collected from sadar upazila of Tangail district. Forty four trolley operator were randomly selected for this study. Person to person contact survey (Delphi) method was followed for data collection. The detailed information about purchase price, age of the engine, total number of repairing/replacement of the parts and their cost, mechanic charge, number of repairs, repairing time, annual use, operator’s level of training, knowledge about engines, problems of owners, facilities of repair and maintenance and availability of spare parts were collected by interviewing owners and operators. Decision for replacement of an existing engine was based on the economic life rather than the physical life of the engine. The engine became more expensive to maintain after a certain period of use, since the repair and maintenance cost increases and the output decreases. As a result, remaining value decrease. After a certain period, maintenance cost became so high that it is better to replace the old engine by a new one. Replacement age was calculated by plotting the yearly cost against the accumulated cost (Fig. 3). Yearly cost dropped to their lowest value and then began to rise if the annual repair cost increase with age. Accumulated cost curve drops more gradually and level out at the point where it crosses the yearly cost curve. Optimum replacement time was at the crossing point, since the accumulated cost curve was at a minimum, and is expected to rise after that point.

Source of Information: Intl. J. BioRes. 1(1):43-50.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The operating cost varied from 36.43 to 36.14 Tk/hr from 1st year to 5th year of operation for trolley engine. The results of the economic analysis indicated that B/C ratio was greater than unity. Repair and maintenance cost was gradually increased with the age of engine. As the repair rate was increased, the repair and maintenance cost of the engine was increased for different usage. The repair rate was increased with the age of the engine. High repair cost was occurred due to rapid breakdown of spare parts, lack of genuine spare parts, high price of spare and service charges. Poorly trained operators and lack of quality service were also the cause of rapid breakdowns. The average useful life (replacement age) of engine was varied according to their using purpose and operating hours. The useful life for the trolley engine was observed 4.5 years (4000 hours). Replacement of an old engine by a new one after useful life of use would be justified having long working hours and paying less for repair and maintenance. Un-availability of fuel, lack of spare parts, lack of experienced and reliable operator, capital problem hindered the efficient operation and maintenance of the engine. Trained operator was not available in the study area. Most of them were self-trained by doing and learning method and got some idea about repair and maintenance from other operators.

Knowledge Management: Journal