Report: Digger Derrick Operating Costs Grow by 81% Over 10-Year Cycle
Utilimarc’s newly released digger derrick report collected data from more than 50 of its utility and municipal fleet benchmarking clients and their active digger derricks.
by Staff
October 5, 2015
Graph courtesy of Utilimarc
2 min to read
Utilimarc’s newly released digger derrick report shows that the vehicles are driven about 6,000 miles per year, get less than 5 miles per gallon, and are on average 8.5 years old.
Utilimarc collected data from more than 50 of its utility and municipal fleet benchmarking clients and their active digger derricks. The sample shows the average of nearly 12,000 vehicles weighing less than or equal to 55,000 GVWR. The average purchase price of a 2014 digger derrick was $237,225, according to the company.
Ad Loading...
The graph below shows the operating cost (all parts and labor) net of fuel per mile for digger derricks. As the vehicles age, operating cost per 1,000 miles also increases.
Graph courtesy of Utilimarc
The overall operating cost for digger derricks in year one was $1,430 per 1,000 miles, while in year ten it was $2,589 per 1,000 miles, an increase of $1,159 or 81% over the 10 years. The average operating cost per 1,000 miles for the digger derrick over the same 10-year period was $2,132.
Graph courtesy of Utilimarc
This graph shows the average miles driven from 2010 to 2014 for the digger derrick. The annual average miles driven between 2010 and 2014 varied, with the most being 6,301 miles and the least being 5,795 miles. The average miles driven from 2010 to 2014 is 6,094.
Graph courtesy of Utilimarc
This graph shows the average miles per gallon (MPG) from 2010 to 2014. The annual average MPG between 2010 and 2014 varied, with the highest MPG being 4.95 and the lowest MPG being 4.45. The average MPG from 2010-2014 is 4.68.
Graph courtesy of Utilimarc
This graph shows the average number of days between an unscheduled/demand repair event from 2010-2014. The digger derrick historically has an average of 16.8 days between unscheduled/demand repair event.
Ad Loading...
Graph courtesy of Utilimarc
This graph shows the average number of days between a scheduled/preventive maintenance event from 2010-2014. The digger derrick historically has an average of 49.9 days between a scheduled/preventive maintenance event.
Graph courtesy of Utilimarc
This graph shows the average age of the digger derrick from 2010-2014. The average age has varied since 2010, with the highest age of 9.03 years in 2011 and the lowest age of 8.56 in 2013. In comparison, the year with the highest average age for the heavy-duty bucket truck was 2013, at 8.07, and the average age from 2010-2014 was 7.65. The digger derrick historically has an average age of 8.76.
Through the RoadFlex mobile app, drivers can access their assigned cards, view recent transaction activity, and upload receipts directly from their mobile devices.
A new addition to Maryland’s marine enforcement fleet is bringing expanded capabilities to Chesapeake Bay operations while honoring a legacy within the agency. The high-performance patrol vessel reflects how law enforcement fleets are adapting to growing demands on the water.
The new X-Tier machines bring together advanced electrified drivetrain technology, intelligent machine controls, and optional operator awareness features.
At look at where to find good talent, what fleets are doing to incentivize those techs to stay within the fleet, and what promotion looks like for a technician within the public sector.
Samsara introduced three AI-powered public sector solutions focused on road condition monitoring, waste service verification, and student ridership management for government agencies and school districts.
Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This whitepaper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.
Fleet leaders are under pressure to reduce costs, adapt to economic uncertainty, and make smarter decisions. See how peers across North America are responding with real data, proven strategies, and forward-looking insights. Download the 2026 Market Pulse Report to benchmark your strategy and uncover where you can gain an edge.
Taxpayers judge public services by what they can see. Learn how state and local government fleets are using data and transparency to demonstrate reliability, strengthen accountability, and build public confidence in every mile driven.
April covered a lot of ground for government fleets, from Long Beach testing electric refuse trucks to new data on AI adoption, aging assets, and rising service costs.
