Problem
A contractor wants to investigate the production and cost differences of using a 7S blade on a D7H dozer or an S blade on an 824 dozer. The material is a dry clay, and it is to be moved a distance of 200 ft from the beginning of the cut. The dozing is uphill on a 5% grade. The operator will have average skill, the dozers have power-shift transmissions, and traction is assumed to be satisfactory. The site will be dusty. The material weighs 98 pef in the bank state. Job efficiency is assumed to be equivalent to a 50-min hour. Calculate the direct cost of the proposed eanhmoving operation in dollars per bcy. Assume that the 08t0 cost for the D7 dozer is $76.00 per hour and $73.00 per hour for the 824. The operator's wage is $16.00 per hour plus 35% for fringes, worker's compensation, and other benefits.
a. Which machine would you use on this job?
b. It rains and the coefficient of traction for the 824 is now 0.37. The coefficient of traction for the D7 is 0.55. Which machine would you use on this job?
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.