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Benchmarks

Loader pass-time benchmarks by phase

Published 2026-11-11 · CycleStudy Pro

Benchmarks give you a starting question: is this machine in the normal range? The figures below are working targets for hydraulic shovels and backhoes in typical open-pit conditions. Your own targets will move with machine size, material and bench geometry, so treat them as a first comparison, not a verdict.

Phase	Top range	Target	Investigate above
Dig	8.5 to 10.5 s	11.0 s or less	14.0 s
Swing loaded	5.5 to 7.0 s	8.0 s or less	10.5 s
Dump	3.2 to 4.0 s	4.5 s or less	6.0 s
Swing empty	5.0 to 6.0 s	6.5 s or less	8.5 s
Full pass	24.0 to 27.5 s	30.0 s or less	38.0 s

What a slow phase tells you

• Slow dig: poor fragmentation, engaging the face too high, or stabbing an unblasted toe. Check the blast before blaming the operator.
• Slow swing loaded: a wide swing angle. Spotting the truck at roughly 60 to 75 degrees instead of 90 or more shortens every pass. Double-sided loading helps where the bench is wide enough.
• Slow dump: over-careful loading or a sticky material. Cushion the first pass, release the rest smoothly as the swing slows.
• Slow swing empty: the operator is not lowering the boom and curling the stick while rotating back.

From seconds to tonnes

Passes per hour is 3600 divided by the pass time. At 28 s that is about 129 passes; at 27 s about 133. One second per pass is roughly 3.7% of instantaneous digging capacity. Multiply by bucket payload to compare with your production target.

Measure the whole cycle too

Pass time shows operator skill. Gross cycle (dig to dig) shows how well the machine is supported. Report both, and keep delays separate from phase times so a waiting truck never counts against an operator.