Two quotes for the same machine can look far apart simply because one includes diesel and the other does not. Fuel is one of the biggest running costs of construction equipment, so it is worth understanding how it is handled before you compare rates.
- For monthly hire, diesel is usually the customer's scope, issued at site.
- Diesel-included rates are common for some short-term and specialised hires, but they assume a set number of hours.
- Consumption varies with the work, so ask for an expected range, not a single figure.
Diesel excluded (customer provides fuel)
This is the usual arrangement for monthly hire of excavators, cranes, generators and similar machines. The site issues clean diesel to the machine, and the supplier's rate covers the machine, operator (if included) and maintenance. You control the fuel and can check consumption against the log sheet.
Points to agree: who records fuel issued, how contaminated fuel is handled, and the expected consumption. Quotes we have seen note that average consumption can vary by around 20% either way with site terrain and utilisation.
Diesel included
Some suppliers quote an all-in rate that includes diesel, for example for boom lifts on industrial sites. These rates assume standard operating conditions and a fixed number of hours per day. Running longer, idling for long periods or misuse can lead to extra charges, so check the hours and conditions written into the quote.
How to compare the two
- Ask each supplier for the expected fuel use of the offered machine for your kind of work.
- Multiply by your expected hours and your diesel price to estimate the monthly fuel cost.
- Add that to the diesel-excluded quotes, then compare with the diesel-included ones.
- Check the hours each diesel-included rate assumes and the overtime rate beyond them.
Generators and electric machines
For diesel generators, fuel is almost always the site's scope, and the rate includes a set number of running hours. For battery machines such as electric forklifts and scissor lifts, the equivalent question is electricity and a charging point, which are normally provided by the site.
When you request quotes through Clexen, you can say whether you will provide diesel, and each quote shows whether fuel is included, so the comparison table on your request page lines them up correctly.
Frequently asked questions
Is diesel included in equipment rental in India?
For monthly hire of construction equipment it is usually excluded and provided by the site. Some suppliers offer diesel-included rates for specific machines, based on a set number of hours.
How much diesel does a machine use?
It depends on the machine, the work and the site. Ask the supplier for an expected range for the offered model, and track actual issue against the log sheet.
What happens if I run a diesel-included machine longer?
Diesel-included rates assume standard hours. Extra hours or abnormal use are usually charged as overtime or reviewed commercially. The quote should say.