Total Cost of Ownership Guide
Eucalyptus Timber Mats Total Cost Of Ownership: The Complete Guide – was revised on January 7, 2026
Summary
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Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership is $2,204 per mat compared to $4,114 for mixed hardwood. The difference is $1,911 in savings per mat through lower transportation costs, extended 66-month lifespan versus 21 months, and reduced replacement expenses.
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Total cost of ownership for Eucalyptus timber mats includes purchase price, lifetime transportation costs, inflation adjustments on replacement mats, repurchasing costs from shorter lifespan, and disposal expenses to provide complete lifecycle financial analysis.
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Understanding Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership helps contractors make data-driven equipment decisions. One example is a 1,000-mat fleet saving over $1.9 million compared to mixed hardwood alternatives.
Part I: Understanding Total Cost Of Ownership For Timber Mats
Total cost of ownership for Eucalyptus timber mats represents the complete financial picture of owning and operating ground protection equipment over its entire service life. TCO goes far beyond the initial purchase price to include all costs incurred from acquisition through disposal.
Conversations with contractors, heavy lift companies, and project managers reveal three consistent concerns about timber mat procurement. Quality and longevity of purchased mats. Initial purchase price. Cost of moving mats to and between jobs.
These three factors directly determine your Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership. Addressing each concern creates opportunities for significant savings over the equipment’s lifetime.
Total cost of ownership is a comprehensive analysis of all costs associated with a product over its entire lifecycle. It includes not only the initial purchase price but also transportation costs, inflation adjustments on replacement purchases, disposal expenses, and the equipment’s useful service life. This methodology allows equipment managers to compare alternatives on equal footing and make informed purchasing decisions based on complete financial data.
Total Cost of Ownership Guide For Eucalyptus Timber Mats
The total cost of ownership calculation for timber mats includes multiple cost components that reveal the true financial impact of equipment choices. This comprehensive analysis accounts for every dollar spent from initial purchase through final disposal.
Complete TCO Components:
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Purchase Price. Initial investment per mat
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Lifetime Transportation Costs. All moves over the mat’s service life
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Inflation Adjustment on Replacement Mats. Price increases when buying replacement equipment
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Longevity Repurchasing Costs. Additional mats needed when shorter-lifespan options require replacement
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Disposal Costs. End-of-life handling and disposal expenses
Real-World Data From 16’x4’x8″ Mats:
Using actual field data and industry-standard assumptions, here’s how Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership compares to mixed hardwood for 16’x4’x8″ mats:
| Cost Component | Eucalyptus | Mixed Hardwood | Savings (Eucalyptus) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $650 | $550 | -$100 |
| Lifespan | 66 months | 21 months | +45 months |
| Mats/truck during lifespan | 23 | 18 | +5 mats/truck |
| Lifetime Transport Cost | $1,449 | $1,833 | $385 |
| Inflation Adjustment on Replacement | $0 | $165 | $165 |
| Repurchasing Cost (Longevity) | $0 | $1,179 | $1,179 |
| Disposal Cost | $105 | $388 | $282 |
| Total Cost to Operate | $1,554 | $3,564 | $2,011 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | $2,204 | $4,114 | $1,911 |
Component One: Purchase Price For 16’x4’x8″ Timber Mats
The initial purchase price forms the starting point of your Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership calculation. For 16’x4’x8″ mats, current market pricing shows:
Eucalyptus: $650 per mat
Mixed Hardwood: $550 per mat
Initial Price Difference: $100 more for Eucalyptus
This $100 premium for Eucalyptus represents an 18% higher initial investment.
The higher Eucalyptus purchase price reflects the quality investment that pays dividends through extended service life and lower operating costs.
World Forest Group Eucalyptus timber mats deliver value through direct-from-manufacturer pricing. That eliminates distributor markups while maintaining rigorous quality standards.
Well-designed, superior mats priced competitively provide value from day one. The initial purchase price must reflect quality materials, proven manufacturing processes, and consistent specifications. If they do, they ensure long-term performance and justify the Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership advantage.
Component Two: Longevity And Service Life
Service life represents the most significant factor in Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership. The dramatic difference in lifespan between Eucalyptus and mixed hardwood drives total cost divergence.
Eucalyptus Lifespan: 66 months
Mixed Hardwood Lifespan: 21 months
Longevity Advantage: 45 additional months (214% longer service life)
This 3.1x longer service life means Eucalyptus mats remain in service through multiple mixed hardwood replacement cycles. While mixed hardwood mats require replacement after 21 months, Eucalyptus mats continue performing for 66 months.
Why Eucalyptus Lasts Longer
Material quality drives longevity advantages. Single-species Eucalyptus construction ensures consistent density, strength, and durability characteristics throughout every mat. Plantation-grown Eucalyptus delivers uniform properties that mixed hardwood cannot match.
The timbers selection process eliminates defects that accelerate deterioration. No rot. No bark. Substantially no wane. These quality standards ensure maximum usable fiber in every mat, directly extending service life and lowering Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership.
Standardized manufacturing processes produce consistent results. Quality control throughout manufacturing catches defects before mats ship. Design features like end sealant, end caps, and stronger bolts make a solid mats. Square edges means you aren’t paying for air.
The Repurchasing Cost Impact
Shorter lifespan creates hidden repurchasing costs. Mixed hardwood’s 21-month lifespan means contractors must buy replacement mats 3.1 times more frequently than Eucalyptus users over an equivalent period.
This repurchasing requirement adds $1,179 per mat to mixed hardwood total cost of ownership – money Eucalyptus users never spend because their mats simply last longer.
Learn more about how material quality affects mat performance and longevity in our article on timber mat quality standards.
Component Three: Transportation Costs Over Mat Lifespan
Transportation costs accumulate throughout a mat’s service life. Every move from initial delivery through inter-project transfers adds to Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership.
Key Transportation Data for 16’x4’x8″ Mats:
Eucalyptus: 23 mats per 48,000-lb flatbed
Mixed Hardwood: 18 mats per 48,000-lb flatbed
Flatbed Cost: $1,500 per load
Average Trips Per Year: 4
Calculating Lifetime Transportation Costs
Transportation costs per mat depend on how many mats fit per truck and how many times mats move during their service life.
Eucalyptus Transportation Cost:
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Cost per mat per move: $1,500 ÷ 23 mats = $65.22 per mat
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Lifespan: 66 months = 5.5 years
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Total moves over lifespan: 5.5 years x 4 trips/year = 22 moves
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Lifetime transport cost: $65.22 x 22 moves = $1,449 per mat
Mixed Hardwood Transportation Cost:
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Cost per mat per move: $1,500 ÷ 18 mats = $83.33 per mat
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Lifespan: 21 months = 1.75 years
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Total moves over lifespan: 1.75 years x 4 trips/year = 7 moves
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Lifetime transport cost: $83.33 x 7 moves = $1,833 per mat
Transportation Savings: $385 per mat favoring Eucalyptus
The combination of more mats per truck (23 vs 18) and longer service life (66 vs 21 months) creates substantial transportation savings that significantly reduce Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership.
Fleet-Scale Transportation Impact
For a 1,000-mat fleet, transportation advantages compound dramatically:
Annual Transportation Costs (1,000-mat fleet, 4 moves/year):
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Eucalyptus: ($1,500 ÷ 23) x 4 x 1,000 = $260,870
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Mixed Hardwood: ($1,500 ÷ 18) x 4 x 1,000 = $333,333
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Annual Savings: $72,463
Over a 5-year analysis period, transportation savings alone reach $362,315 for a 1,000-mat Eucalyptus fleet compared to mixed hardwood.
For more on how Eucalyptus timber mats improve project logistics, explore our solutions for different applications.
Component Four: Inflation Impact On Replacement Purchases
Inflation affects total cost of ownership when equipment requires replacement during the analysis period. Shorter-lifespan mats face inflation-adjusted replacement costs that longer-lasting alternatives avoid.
Inflation Assumption: 5% annual inflation rate
Eucalyptus Inflation Impact
With a 66-month (5.5-year) lifespan, Eucalyptus mats typically do not require replacement within a standard 5-7 year analysis period. This eliminates inflation-adjusted replacement costs.
Eucalyptus Inflation Adjustment: $0
Mixed Hardwood Inflation Impact
Mixed hardwood’s 21-month (1.75-year) lifespan requires multiple replacements within any multi-year analysis. Each replacement purchase faces inflated prices.
At 5% annual inflation over the analysis period, replacement mat costs increase. The calculator shows this inflation adjustment adds $165 per mat to mixed hardwood total cost of ownership.
Mixed Hardwood Inflation Adjustment: $165 per mat
Inflation Savings: $165 per mat favoring Eucalyptus
This inflation advantage stems entirely from Eucalyptus longevity. Mats that last longer avoid the inflation penalty that shorter-lifespan alternatives cannot escape.
Component Five: Disposal Costs
End-of-life disposal represents the final component of Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership. These costs occur when mats reach the end of their useful service life and require removal from the fleet.
Direct Disposal Cost: $40 per disposal event (from calculator input)
Eucalyptus Disposal Cost
With a 66-month lifespan, Eucalyptus mats require disposal less frequently. Over an equivalent operating period, fewer disposal events occur.
Eucalyptus Disposal Cost: $105 per mat (normalized over analysis period)
Mixed Hardwood Disposal Cost
Shorter 21-month lifespan means more frequent disposal. The same operating period requires disposing of mats 3.1 times more often, multiplying disposal costs.
Mixed Hardwood Disposal Cost: $388 per mat (normalized over analysis period)
Disposal Savings: $282 per mat favoring Eucalyptus
Beyond direct costs, disposal events consume management time, create logistics challenges, and may involve environmental compliance requirements. Consequently, reducing disposal frequency through longer-lasting mats improves Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership while simplifying fleet management.
PART 2 CONTINUES BELOW FOR FLEET LEVEL ANALYSIS
Part II – Total Cost of Ownership Guide: Real Numbers From 1,000-Mat Fleet
Using the complete cost data for 16’x4’x8″ mats, let’s analyze Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership at fleet scale where savings compound dramatically.
Base Assumptions:
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Fleet size: 1,000 mats
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Flatbed trips per year: 4
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Analysis period: 66 months (Eucalyptus lifespan)
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Flatbed cost: $1,500 per 48,000-lb load
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Annual inflation: 5%
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Direct disposal cost: $40 per event
Purchase Price Investment
Eucalyptus Fleet Investment: 1,000 mats x $650 = $650,000
Mixed Hardwood Fleet Investment:
1,000 mats x $550 = $550,000
Initial Investment Difference: $100,000 more for Eucalyptus
This $100,000 additional initial investment represents the premium contractors pay for superior quality, extended lifespan, and lower operating costs.
Total Cost to Operate (1,000-Mat Fleet)
Total cost to operate includes all expenses beyond initial purchase: transportation, inflation adjustments, repurchasing due to shorter lifespan, and disposal.
Eucalyptus:
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Lifetime Transport: $1,449 per mat x 1,000 = $1,449,000
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Inflation Adjustment: $0 x 1,000 = $0
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Repurchasing Cost: $0 x 1,000 = $0
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Disposal: $105 per mat x 1,000 = $105,000
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Total Cost to Operate: $1,554,000
Mixed Hardwood:
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Lifetime Transport: $1,833 per mat x 1,000 = $1,833,000
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Inflation Adjustment: $165 per mat x 1,000 = $165,000
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Repurchasing Cost: $1,179 per mat x 1,000 = $1,179,000
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Disposal: $388 per mat x 1,000 = $388,000
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Total Cost to Operate: $3,565,000
Operating Cost Savings: $2,011,000 favoring Eucalyptus
Total Cost of Ownership (1,000-Mat Fleet)
Total cost of ownership combines initial investment with all operating costs:
Eucalyptus:
Initial Investment + Operating Costs = $650,000 + $1,554,000 = $2,204,000
Mixed Hardwood:
Initial Investment + Operating Costs = $550,000 + $3,565,000 = $4,115,000
Total TCO Savings: $1,911,000 favoring Eucalyptus
Per-Mat TCO Summary
Breaking down to per-mat totals reveals the magnitude of Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership advantage:
Eucalyptus: $2,204,000 ÷ 1,000 mats = $2,204 per mat
Mixed Hardwood: $4,115,000 ÷ 1,000 mats = $4,115 per mat
Savings: $1,911 per mat (46.4% lower TCO for Eucalyptus)
The ROI Calculation: Switch to Eucalyptus Profit
The calculator shows a “Switch to Eucalyptus Profit” of $2,010,501 for a 1,000-mat fleet. This represents the financial advantage of choosing Eucalyptus over the analysis period.
Components of Switch Profit:
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Avoided operating losses from shorter lifespan: $2,011 per mat
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Return on investment multiple: 20.11x
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Total fleet profit from switch: $2,010,501
This 20x return on the incremental $100,000 investment demonstrates the dramatic Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership advantage at scale.
How Design Elements Reduce Total Cost Of Ownership
Design decisions made during mat development directly influence Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership. Every design element affects durability, handling, performance, or maintenance requirements.
Reduced And Eliminated Notches
Traditional timber mat notches create weak points and tripping hazards. World Forest Group’s approach reduces or eliminates notches where possible, creating stronger, safer mats that last longer in service.
Reduced notches mean more continuous timber fiber. This improves bending strength and shear resistance under load. Fewer weak points translate to the 66-month service life that drives Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership advantages.
Eliminated notches on no-notch models remove tripping hazards entirely while meeting transmission industry specifications. The cleaner design simplifies handling and reduces safety incidents.
End Sealant Protection
End sealant prevents moisture intrusion that causes checking, splitting, and decay. This design feature extends mat life by protecting vulnerable end grain from water damage.
Moisture damage represents a primary cause of premature mat failure. End sealant addresses this vulnerability, contributing to the 66-month lifespan that reduces total cost of ownership.
End Cap Reinforcement
End caps protect timber ends from internal wood stresses. End caps are also called truss plates. They are used in every timber application worldwide…except with USA timber mats. This reinforcement prevents splitting and extends usable life.
The small additional cost of end caps pays returns throughout the mat’s 66-month service life. Fewer damaged timbers mean longer life and lower Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership.
Square Edge Specifications
Square edges maximize usable timber cross-section. Every mat delivers maximum load-bearing capacity without wasted wood from wane, irregular edges, or air.
Square edges also create uniform stacking and handling characteristics. These operational benefits reduce incidents and extend service life to the full 66-month potential, lowering total cost of ownership.
ASTM F1554 Hardware
Specifying ASTM F1554 or better bolts ensures consistent hardware quality. Quality hardware resists loosening, corrosion, and failure under repeated loading throughout the 66-month service life.
Hardware failures cause premature retirement of otherwise serviceable mats. Investing in quality hardware from the start supports the full lifespan that makes Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership superior.
How Standardization Reduces Total Cost Of Ownership
Standardization plays a crucial role in Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership by ensuring every mat delivers the full 66-month service life through consistent quality.
Single Species Construction
Using a single Eucalyptus species ensures consistent material properties throughout every mat. Every timber exhibits similar density, strength, and durability characteristics.
Mixed hardwood mats blend multiple species with varying properties. The weakest species in the mix limits overall performance and contributes to the shorter 21-month lifespan that inflates total cost of ownership.
Standardization through single-species construction eliminates this variable. Performance becomes predictable. Service life reaches the full 66-month potential.
Learn more about how standardization improves mat quality in our detailed article.
Precision Manufacturing Processes
Precision manufacturing processes produce consistent results. World Forest Group uses the same raw materials, fiber sources, manufacturing facility, and quality control procedures for every mat.
This consistency enables the 66-month service life that drives Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership advantages. When every mat meets rigorous standards, performance remains predictable across the entire fleet.
Quality Control Standards
Comprehensive quality control catches defects before mats ship. Inspecting timbers twice, verifying hardware specifications, checking dimensions, and documenting results ensures mats achieve their full 66-month service life potential.
Quality control represents an investment in lower total cost of ownership. Prevention costs less than premature replacement.
Environmental Considerations And Hidden Costs
Total cost of ownership extends beyond direct equipment expenses. Environmental considerations represent real costs that increasingly matter to contractors and project owners.
Lower Clean-Up Costs
Eucalyptus timber mats require less environmental clean-up compared to alternatives. Standardized manufacturing reduces debris and degraded material on job sites.
Cleaner mats mean less site clean-up, lower labor costs, and faster mobilization. These hidden costs improve project profitability.
Regulatory Compliance
Bug treatment compliant with Federal USDA regulations comes standard on Eucalyptus timber mats. This compliance prevents regulatory delays and penalties that inflate hidden costs.
Understanding The TCO Components
Let’s break down each component of the Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership calculation to show exactly where savings occur:
Purchase Price Component
Eucalyptus: $650 per mat
Mixed Hardwood: $550 per mat
Difference: -$100 (Eucalyptus costs more initially)
The purchase price represents the smallest component of total cost of ownership. While Eucalyptus costs $100 more per mat initially, this 18% premium delivers dramatic returns through extended lifespan and lower operating costs.
Longevity Component (Service Life)
Eucalyptus: 66 months
Mixed Hardwood: 21 months
Advantage: 45 additional months (214% longer)
This 3.1x longer service life represents the single largest driver of Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership advantage. Extended lifespan reduces all per-use costs by spreading initial investment across far more applications.
Mats Per Truck Component
Eucalyptus: 23 mats per 48,000-lb flatbed
Mixed Hardwood: 18 mats per 48,000-lb flatbed
Advantage: 5 additional mats per truck (28% more capacity)
This transportation efficiency compounds with every move. At 4 trips per year over 66 months, transportation advantages accumulate to $385 per mat in lifetime savings.
Lifetime Transport Cost Component
Eucalyptus: $1,449 per mat (over 66-month lifespan)
Mixed Hardwood: $1,833 per mat (over 21-month lifespan)
Savings: $385 per mat
Lifetime transport costs reflect both mats-per-truck efficiency and total number of moves during the mat’s service life. Eucalyptus’ combination of lighter weight and longer lifespan creates substantial transportation savings.
Inflation Adjustment Component
Eucalyptus: $0
Mixed Hardwood: $165 per mat
Savings: $165 per mat
Eucalyptus’ 66-month lifespan avoids replacement purchases within typical analysis periods. Mixed hardwood’s 21-month lifespan requires multiple replacements at inflation-adjusted prices.
At 5% annual inflation, replacement costs compound. Eucalyptus users avoid this inflation penalty entirely by purchasing mats that simply last longer.
Repurchasing Cost Component (Longevity Impact)
Eucalyptus: $0
Mixed Hardwood: $1,179 per mat
Savings: $1,179 per mat
This represents the largest single cost component difference. So, mixed hardwood’s short 21-month lifespan requires buying replacement mats 3.1 times more frequently than Eucalyptus over an equivalent operating period.
These additional purchase cycles add $1,179 per mat to mixed hardwood total cost of ownership – money Eucalyptus users never spend.
Disposal Cost Component
Eucalyptus: $105 per mat (normalized over analysis period)
Mixed Hardwood: $388 per mat (normalized over analysis period)
Savings: $282 per mat
More frequent replacements mean more frequent disposal events. Eucalyptus’ 66-month lifespan reduces disposal frequency by 70% compared to mixed hardwood’s 21-month lifespan.
At $40 per disposal event, this frequency difference saves $282 per mat over the analysis period.
Real-World Applications: Who Benefits Most From Lower TCO
Certain contractor types and operating profiles benefit most dramatically from Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership advantages.
Transmission And Utility Contractors
Large transmission projects use 5000-50,000 mat fleets moved frequently between tower locations. High movement frequency amplifies transportation savings.
Example: 1,000-mat transmission fleet
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Movement frequency: 4-6 times per year
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TCO savings: $1,911 per mat x 1,000 = $1,911,000
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ROI period: Savings recovered in 1 analysis cycle
Pipeline Construction Companies
Pipeline projects require complete fleet mobilization between projects. Sequential project cycles highlight longevity advantages.
Example: 10,000-mat pipeline fleet
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Movement frequency: 3-4 complete mobilizations per year
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TCO savings: $1,911 per mat x 10,000 = $19,110,000
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Additional benefit: Geographic flexibility from lower transport costs
Heavy Lift And Crane Companies
Crane companies move mats frequently between industrial sites. Extended service life reduces replacement purchasing that disrupts operations.
Example: 300-mat heavy lift fleet
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Movement frequency: 2-4 times per year
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TCO savings: $1,911 per mat x 300 = $573,300
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Additional benefit: Predictable replacement cycles
Equipment Rental Operators
Rental fleets achieve high utilization with frequent customer turnover. Durability and lifespan directly impact rental margins.
Example: 2,000-mat rental fleet
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Movement frequency: 5+ times per year
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TCO savings: $1,911 per mat x 2,000 = $3,822,000
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Additional benefit: More rental periods per mat investment
Using The TCO Calculator For Your Fleet
World Forest Group provides an interactive TCO calculator that allows you to input your specific operating parameters and compare alternatives with your actual data.
The calculator accepts inputs for:
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Your fleet size
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Your movement frequency (flatbed trips per year)
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Your actual flatbed costs
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Expected lifespan based on your applications
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Disposal costs in your area
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Inflation assumptions
This customization reveals your specific Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership advantage based on real operating conditions.
Key Variables To Test
Fleet Size: Larger fleets amplify per-mat savings into substantial total advantages. Test fleet sizes from 100 to 100,000 mats.
Movement Frequency: More frequent moves increase transportation’s share of total cost, amplifying Eucalyptus advantages. Test 2-8 moves per year.
Flatbed Costs: Regional freight rates affect results. Use your actual contracted rates for accurate analysis.
Service Life: Conservative estimates protect against optimistic assumptions. The calculator uses field-proven 66-month and 21-month lifespans.
Next Steps: Calculate Your TCO And Make Informed Decisions
Understanding Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership provides the foundation for equipment purchasing decisions. The $1,911 per-mat savings represents real money that improves project margins and competitive positioning.
For a 1,000-mat fleet, this translates to $1.9 million in total cost of ownership savings. That’s capital available for growth, improved margins on bids, or return to ownership.
World Forest Group offers tools and support to help you calculate TCO for your specific fleet:
Interactive Calculator: Input your operating parameters and see your specific savings
Expert Consultation: Discuss your fleet requirements with our team
Quote Request: Get accurate pricing for your specifications
With lower Eucalyptus timber mats total cost of ownership, you win through:
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$1,911 per-mat savings
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66-month service life vs 21 months
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28% more mats per truck
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Zero inflation penalties on replacements
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70% fewer disposal events