South East Queensland’s potential for civil construction is booming with the likes of Coops exceeding expectations from developers and engineers with their cutting-edge solutions.
While currently delivering several projects throughout Queensland, ranging from the construction of large-scale residential subdivisions to water reticulation projects, the experienced team needed an effective way to track material leaving and entering site.
Loadscan’s load volume scanner (LVS) provided the perfect solution for Coops. Its cutting edge technology enables them to scan trucks, delivering true quantities of material in volumetric measures with 3D load profile.
Not only does an LVS end supply disputes between contractors, it can accurately account for bulking/compaction factors, eliminate hand written dockets and negates the need for a gateman or tallyman.
With a large shopping complex at Pimpama Home Focus Centre underway, Coops is accounting for 320,000 cubic metres of export material with their LVS system. By implementing the Loadscan technology Coops have minimised the risk involved with discrepancies on such a large project – it’s now become a simplified agreement with the trucking company – they charge Coops with the volume they’re exporting off site via the Loadscan report avoiding interpretation of the truck loads volume.
Milos Krivokapic, Project Engineer at Coops was unhappy with the previous form of measurement Coops was using.
“Previously we were using typical measurements used for truck and dog and quad dog. However, that was supported by cross checking with our GPS measurement and using calibrated size of the bucket used for loading. However, it always left a human error by changing operator (different capacity loaded in the bucket) and having a constant battle in between truck drivers and operator on the excavator if they are overloaded or underloaded. This was pretty much known as ongoing battle,” said Milos.
One of Loadscan’s most popular features is its Overview software app. Featured on Coops’ LVS, the Overview retrieves the measurement records enabling them to view, sort, edit and filter records and generate summary reports in Microsoft Excel, creating a greater operational intel.
“Key measurement that we are gaining from the LVS is a daily and summary report or even particular load report in case the truck driver did not record his load, as the app is very user friendly and allows you to cross check and filtrate required information.
For example, we filtrate a particular truck and check what his load was on his third run. In a few seconds information is right in front of you. Very handy,” said Milos.
“We gain an accurate loading volume on a daily basis, easily converted to excel format for continuous monitoring and statistics. It avoids confusion and definitely later argument if the load has been done or the truck was having inaccurate reading.”
Coops endeavour to exceed client expectations by being accountable and client focused in the safe delivery of quality projects, on time and on budget. The LVS has been able to improve client relationships.
“We provide load transparency to our trucking subcontractor as they are getting paid as per load scan report. LVS provides information of the volume of the load after each scan, hence everything is so transparent and black and white for all parties involved. On the end of day, all parties go home and eliminate doubt if they have been underloaded or overloaded comparing to what they get paid,” said Milos.
Like all civil companies, safety is the forefront of a functional business. An overloaded truck can cause many problems but can be easily detected with a scanner.
“The Loadscan makes everyone aware of the loading capacity and at the same time includes awareness of the excavator operator, truck driver and receiving end of loading capacity. Coops, as a Principal Contractor is closely monitoring this and if any overloading happens it is easily identified and brought to everyone’s attention. As always, safety comes first. With the Loadscan this is definitely easier to control,” said Milos. “In addition, we also get feedback from truck drivers who were using similar types of scanners that were a complete disaster. However, the feedback on LVS is that they are very happy with the simple instruction on the VMS board as they are approaching the Loadscan. Failure will only occur if you don’t follow instruction. After the first day everyone was on the same page and since then it’s been an easy procedure. The Loadscan process takes maximum 30 seconds including trucks stopping and recording volume reading on the reporting board.”