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Serving the Canadian rental industry for 45 years.
The Rental Mart heads west for 2024.
Mobile flood barriers can save properties and drive rental business in many parts of Canada.
Action at Cooper...Campo bought...McDougall to step down...
Little Electric started out hooking farms up to electricity in the early 1900s.
Post-storm cleanup is a big job. Know what to have on hand to help.
www.canadianrentalservice.com
Don’t let eagerness to make a sale impact your relationship with your customer. by Russ Dantu
Know what to expect and how to communicate with safety inspectors. by James
Adam Snook has gone fishing.
Calgary, here we come
by Patrick Flannery
We’re taking the Rental Mart west in 2024, in partnership with our friends at Turf & Rec.
There’s a well-known principle in psychology called risk aversion. Study after study has shown that most people will prefer a sure thing to a gamble, even when the gamble is very likely to generate a better return. The classic example is when a study group is told they can choose to take an 85 percent chance to win $1,000 (with a 15 percent chance to get nothing) or simply receive $800. Any rational analysis of the choice reveals that the first offer amounts to an offer of $850 ($1,000 times 85 percent) and is therefore preferable, especially since nothing is wagered and the person stands no chance of being worse off than they are presently. But almost everyone chooses to take the assured $800. With more study, psychologists have explained that people weight the emotional cost of losing out entirely against the emotional cost of recognizing they could have gotten more money and decide they’d be more upset if they got nothing. Somehow casinos seem to have gotten around this problem, but that’s another topic.
We’ll have an adjacent event full of the latest equipment for lawncare and landscaping.
Since we are nothing if not cold-bloodedly rational here at Canadian Rental Service, we’ve made a decision to take a gamble on something we feel strongly could be a very good thing for our biennial trade show, the Canadian Rental Mart, and for you, our reader and potential show attendee. In 2024, for the first time in its 36-year history, we are going to move the Rental Mart out of Ontario and host it in Calgary at the BMO Centre on Sept. 11 and 12, 2024.
We won’t lie, this is a bit scary for us and perhaps for many of you, our long-time supporters. So here’s our steely-eyed look at the risks and
benefits that we hope you’ll agree adds up to a good rationale for such a radical change.
The big risk, of course, is that not enough of you will come out. Alberta certainly doesn’t have as many rental stores as Ontario and they are relatively spaced out over a larger area unlike Ontario’s dense concentration in the south and around Toronto. Travel times from B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba are daunting. Against that we put the obvious need, communicated to us by many readers and vendors, for a major rental equipment event in Canada’s western region. With the Canadian Rental Association’s western events scaled down to conferences, there’s no other opportunity for our western readers to attend a rental-focused show featuring the wide diversity of equipment they need for their fleets. We’re hoping the novelty of Canada’s largest rental show arriving in this underserved market will generate some extra interest and excitement.
To boost those, we’ve partnered with our sister publication, Turf & Rec, to make the Rental Mart part of a larger event bringing landscaping and property maintenance contractors together with you, the rental store operator. In addition to the Rental Mart and its exhibits of just about everything you need for a rental fleet, we’ll have an adjacent event focused on the latest and greatest in equipment for lawncare and landscaping: mowers, brush cutters, trimmers, aerators, seeders, loaders, dumpers, sod cutters...you name it. The crossover appeal is obvious, and your ticket to one will get you into both.
We’re taking a chance with our popular event brand because we think we can make it even bigger and better than it is. Whether our bet pays off is up to you. CRS
@CRSmagazine
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INDUSTRY NEWS
MAJOR MOVES AT COOPER
Cooper Equipment Rentals has announced the acquisition of Warner Rentals and Scotty’s Rentals and Landscaping, expanding Cooper’s branch and specialty footprint in western Canada.
“Our entire team is excited about these two acquisitions. They reaffirm our ongoing commitment to building a truly Canadian, coast-to-coast equipment rental company,” says Justin Wharton, Cooper’s western Canada director of operations.
Warner Rentals was founded in 1975 by owner Ralph Warner and currently has five locations in Kamloops, Princeton, Revelstoke, Salmon Arm and Scotch Creek, B.C. Over the past 48 years, Warner Rentals has become a staple of the communities it serves, with a reputation for quality, integrity, and community involvement. The acquisition of Warner Rentals sees Cooper expand the company’s footprint in the central British Columbia interior and intensifies their service coverage in a rapidly growing and important western Canadian market.
“Warner Rentals brings a highly experienced and respected team to the Cooper family, sharing the same deep passion for customers and community.” says Rob Potter, British Columbia regional manager for Cooper.
“We knew of Cooper’s well-established presence in the market and already have a great working relationship with their team in British Columbia, enhancing our ability to serve customers better across western Canada,” says Ralph Warner, owner of Warner Rentals.
Headquartered in Rock View County, Alta., Scotty’s specializes in providing climate control equipment –including heaters, generators and tarping services – as well as fencing for residential construction. Since their founding in 2007, the company has built a reputation for providing excellent service and support. The addition of Scotty’s bolsters Cooper’s climate control division, while also adding a new product line in fencing.
“We are excited to join the Cooper family. The company being Canadian was a key factor in this decision, and Cooper’s size allows us to continue to service our customers with a variety of equipment solutions,” says Peter Jensen, owner of Scotty’s. “Our team is looking forward to continuing to deliver
MK POWER TO CARRY ATLAS COPCO
the exceptional service we have built our business on, while being part of a larger company that is also committed to servicing local communities with a customer-first approach.”
In other Cooper news, the company has announced the promotion of Brian Spilak to the position of chief operating officer. Since joining Cooper in 2016, Spilak has played a central role in the company’s growth and development, becoming an integral part of Canada’s largest independent construction equipment rental company. With nearly 30 years of experience in the equipment rental industry, he has held various leadership roles encompassing operations, fleet management, customer relationship management and technology. As COO, Spilak will continue to spearhead the company’s initiatives aimed at driving profitable business growth, efficient team management, expansion into new markets and the implementation of optimized technology solutions across 65 locations nationwide.
“We are thrilled to announce Brian’s promotion to the role of Cooper’s chief operating officer,” stated Doug Dougherty, CEO. “Over the past seven years, Brian has been a driving force, actively contributing to the company’s growth. His leadership has been instrumental in establishing Cooper as a top-tier provider in the construction equipment rental industry. Brian’s focus on innovation, customer-centricity and team building has made him an outstanding leader within our organization, and we have full confidence in his ability to excel in his new role as COO.”
MK Power, a leading provider of power generation solutions in Mississauga, Ont., has joined the Atlas Copco Power Technique dealer network. This partnership will allow MK Power to offer a wider range of high-quality power generation equipment to their customers. As a Platinum dealer in the Atlas Copco dealer network, MK Power will add a broad range of power generation equipment to its fleet, including generators, air compressors, handheld tools, pumps and light towers. This will enable the company to offer their customers a one-stop-shop for all their power generation needs.
“We are thrilled to be joining the Atlas Copco Power Technique dealer network,” said John Paul Ouellette, business development manager of MK Power. “This partnership will allow us to provide our customers with a wider range of top-quality power generation equipment, backed by Atlas Copco’s reputation for reliability and innovation.”
“We are excited to welcome MK Power to our dealer network,” said Ashraf Zaghloul, regional sales manager for Atlas Copco Power Technique. “Their expertise in power generation, combined with our extensive range of products, will allow us to better serve customers in Ontario and the surrounding areas.”
Ralph Warner
Brian Spilak
PHOTO: WARNER RENTALS
INDUSTRY NEWS
MCDOUGALL ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM SKYJACK
Skyjack has announcd the retirement of president Ken McDougall and the subsequent appointment of Charlie Patterson as president effective Jan. 1, 2024. The two will be working together over the next several months to ensure a seamless transition for the organization.
McDougall started his career at Skyjack parent company, Linamar, in 1987 as a tool designer, moving up into various key roles including global sales and estimating manager and vice-president of operations.
Two-time Skyjack president McDougall’s tenure also saw the acquisition of two telehander lines from Carelift/Zoom Boom and Volvo, a crucial foundation for the company’s existing telehandler lineup. More recently, McDougall led Skyjack’s immense global capacity increases. Taking the number of manufacturing plants from two in Canada to five globally, Skyjack’s potential global unit capacity is expected to increase 235 percent when compared to 2022.
“It has been an honour to serve as Skyjack president during this period of immense growth and transformation. 2023 marks my 36th anniversary with Linamar and Skyjack, and over those years I have had the great pleasure of working for and with countless
talented and dedicated individuals,” shared McDougall. “It has been an honour to lead the Skyjack team and I am confident that with his experience, knowledge and leadership skills Charlie Patterson will do an outstanding job in moving Skyjack forward.”
Currently vice-president of international operations, Charlie Patterson started with Skyjack in 2000 as U.K. sales manager and went on to head the U.K. and European operations for the organization. Patterson oversaw the opening of Skyjack offices in the U.K., Germany, France, Sweden and Australia and previously led sales in Asia-Pacific.
“I am thrilled and honoured to take on the role as Skyjack president,” shared Patterson. “Ken has done an exceptional job moving Skyjack forward to date, and I look forward to continuing to build upon that momentum. As always Skyjack will be dedicated to being easy to do business with, while developing simple and reliable solutions for rental companies worldwide.”
Canadian Rental Service interviewed Ken McDougall for the CounterTalks podcast at the ConExpo show last March. The conversation is available at canadianrentalservice.com and on major podcasting services.
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Ken McDougall (left) and Charlie Patterson
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Cross-Canada Rate Report
The Cross-Canada Rate Report is provided to Canadian Rental Service as a free service to the Canadian rental industry. Rate data shown are national averages generated by quarterly surveys of hundreds of Canadian rental companies. Rates shown are reported list rates and may not reflect the actual changes to any particular customer. For in-depth analysis, subscribe to CounterTalks at canadianrentalservice.com or through your favourite podcasting service.
Number of rental companies:
Number of stores:
Number of rates collected in Q1 2023:
ELECTRIC LEGACY
Little Electric has been getting power to where it’s needed for over 100 years.
Imagine for a moment that you own a restaurant in a busy city or town. All is going well on this particular afternoon, but suddenly you’ve lost power. You find out a vehicle accident just happened at the intersection nearby, causing an outage that will take some time to repair. All the food in your fridges and freezers is going to spoil. Who do you call if you’re in southern Ontario? Very likely, Little Electric.
by TREENA HEIN
Over the years, Little Electric has learned a lot about how to select, configure and package temporary power equipment so that it stands up to the demands of rental and delivery.
This Cambridge-based firm, started by Scott Little’s great grandfather, specializes in what’s called temporary power. The company not only swings into action for emergencies like the one just described, but also provides temporary power for a wide variety of industry scenarios and a huge number of festivals and events each year. In other words, the Little Electric team doesn’t only rent generators and other power-related equipment, but also hooks it all up, does repairs and much more. That’s because the team has eight electricians (including Little and co-owner Rakesh Singh as master electricians) and eight eager apprentices.
Scott’s great-grandfather, John Little, worked in the local rural areas in the early 1900s to bring
electricity to buildings and businesses from a private water-driven power plant owned by a local company. As Ontario Hydro expanded its provincial power grid, private generating sources were replaced, while John and his sons (including Scott’s grandfather, James) worked to continue the initial electrification of the area.
After John’s death, most of his sons left to work in the booming U.S. auto industry and Scott’s grandfather, James, continued on, eventually working with his two sons, one being Scott’s father, Ray. Ray went on his own after World War II with electrical contracting for homes and businesses. A few of his customers had events in and around their buildings and, as the electrician for these businesses, he became involved in power-
ing the equipment needed for the event, whether it be a trade show, festival or performance. Through a series of events, he ended up being more deeply involved than he intended and ended up buying and eventually renting our equipment over an ever-expanding area.
The business started doing wiring for festivals and stage shows in the 1950s and, in the decades after, renting out generators and more. Scott got his electrician license and had taken over for his father Ray for about a decade before Ray died many years ago.
Meanwhile, Singh, back in high school, had gotten his own DJ business going, showing early entrepreneurial spirit. One
day a friend who worked for Scott asked Rakesh if he wanted some extra money. “I started doing general labour work after school and on the weekends for events and found I liked learning about electricity, the background of what went into powering my DJ equipment and larger productions,” he says. “I started an electrician apprenticeship at another company and still worked the odd time for Scott. Then, a few years later, I decided to ask Scott about working for him again full-time.”
It was 2006, and Singh quickly convinced Little there were very good opportunities in temporary power. Singh started growing that part of the business, little
by little. “We both have our strengths,” says Little. “I do more technical support and Rakesh likes the hands-on but also the business development. I’m a technically-minded person. I like the variety of having different problems to solve.”
The collaboration has been s success. Due to its excellent work, Little Electric has never done a lot of advertising, growing by keeping lots of repeat customers and gaining new ones through word of mouth. “The business grew organically, I’d say,” explains Singh, “saying yes to more jobs and then working hard and long hours until we were at a level where we couldn’t keep up and it was the right time to hire another electrician. And then
Big screens stream real-time information about weather, the rental schedule, fleet availability, delivery status and more in the updated office.
PROFILE
Adding transportation capacity has been a big part of Little Electric’s growth. The company prides itself on being able to react quickly to customer emergencies such as power outages.
doing that again and again.”
On the equipment side, Singh explains, “frequently we also sit down and look at our equipment and say ‘We could have used two more generators this year,’ for example, and then look at ROI. We also have grown our amount of distribution equipment, our amount of cable, transformers, electronic breakers, distribution panels, transfer switches, etcetera.”
Over the years, the team has grown from four to its present 25, from a 5,000 square-foot shop to one of 15,000 square feet. By 2013, Little was ready to look at a succession plan, and he and Singh started transitioning to a partnership.
On any particular day you might find a Little Electric crew hooking up testing equipment at a manufacturing plant for prototype testing. Or maybe another call has come in from a business that’s had its power knocked out. Some of the crew might be dropping off rental light towers and generators at a plant in preparation for a planned outage, or setting up power on a festival stage.
During COVID, these events and festivals obviously dropped to nothing for a while, but Little says, “The nice thing is that we’ve always had different areas that we can work in and they all cross over. So, even though there were no events, we picked up a lot of electrical contracting relating to home renovations, putting in pools and hot tubs, that sort of thing, along with commercial and industrial service.” This year, however, Little Electric expects to do about 60 festivals in addition to other indoor and outdoor events. They’ll also continue to deliver custom solutions.
CUSTOM CONFIGURATIONS
About 15 years ago, the Little Electric crew started building custom electric equipment for a wide range of applications, and they now complete about 100 projects a year.
“A lot of our rented equipment we’ve built ourselves,” Singh explains. “These units are easy to set up, plug-and-play, framed in custom enclosures so they
don’t get damaged and they transport well. The different configurations can include transformers, electronic breakers, distribution panels and transfer switches. The customer comes to us with a specific request, with dimensions and what they need the equipment to do. There are usually restrictions on accessibility for connection, or a need to shield the unit from the elements.”
Through experience, Little Electric is turning itself into an expert in building custom power distribution equipment. Little reports, “We’re actually working towards having a steady, dedicated team just for this, making units for rental or for sale, or modifying what the customer has. The specifics can vary a great deal, and so do the customers. You can have facilities that have ongoing events, for instance they’ll have a food truck or two coming in every weekend for the summer. We also supply transformers so that companies here can test equipment to go overseas or so they can power equipment that came here from overseas.”
Javaughn McPherson checks to make sure every generator is rental-ready before it goes out the door. He’s one of a team of 25 employees.
CHALLENGES
Most of the challenges for Little Electric have come from growth (specifically, the need to hire more electricians) and Little and Singh are sure that growth will continue. They think growth will come from new events and festivals, but also small construction projects and all the rest of their divisions. “But,” they explain, “to move up from our 25 employees to the next tier, there’s a lot of moving parts to sort out. A bigger building, more hiring. It’s exciting and we haven’t found that we’ve got a lot of competition. There has been a lot of mergers and acquisitions that have happened by the chains. And we actually do a fair amount of subcontracting work for them as we’re licenced electricians and
they aren’t, so there are good relationships there.”
Both Little and Singh want to recognize their experienced and dedicated staff members, whom they highly value. “We have low turnover,” says Rakesh. “We go above and beyond for our staff. We do social nights at restaurants and BBQs here, and we have monthly townhall meetings to talk about how it’s going, what they need, any concerns.”
“Every day brings a new challenge,” says Little. “Some are more routine the others, but we’re always solving things for people and we’re very good at it. Our experience shows through. If you have that experience, people know they can rely on you. We get a lot of positive feedback and we are very proud of what we have built.” CRS
AT YOUR SERVICE
When sales sinks service
Aggressive efforts to make deals happen can hurt your brand.
by Russ Dantu
Ijust leased my third Toyota 4Runner a month ago. All have been leased through the same Toyota dealership here in Calgary. I love my 4Runners, as you can tell. When we do repeat sales, the cycle should be so much easier. Unfortunately, my third experience with this dealership was a nightmare.
I got a call from a sales representative back in April, asking if I’d like to trade in my 2019 model for a 2023. I was clear right from the start that I was open to a deal only if my payments didn’t go up and I got some money back after the trade-in, which is how it had worked in the past. After getting me in to the dealership to have my 2019 assessed, she came back with offer after offer with hugely higher monthly payments. She was clearly hearing only what she wanted to hear and hoping I’d drop my requirement that my monthly costs not go up.
Someone, somewhere, should have reflected on the long-term impact.
After five such attempts, I pointed out that it didn’t look like they were able to make the deal I wanted and that I was content to walk away and keep my 2019. Her reaction was to promise she’d be able to get there but, for some reason, I had to come in to the dealership again. She then rescheduled our first appointment and kept me waiting for 20 minutes past the time for the second. Only to present a deal for a model that was not the one we had discussed. They promised to update the offer with the correct vehicle details. I had to chase her for
two more weeks before that information was forthcoming, by which time I’d made another payment on my 2019. I mentioned this and was told my new payments would be adjusted to reflect the additional payment I had made. But when I went to sign the paperwork for the new vehicle, not so much.
The finance person told me the payments couldn’t be adjusted and the amount of my additional payment would have to be added to my refund on the trade-in, which I’d need to discuss with the sales manager and representative. After trying to ignore me for two weeks, the sales manager first tried to deny the existence of the deal to reimburse me for the payment (difficult, as I had a text string), then cried poverty, then tried to pawn me off with a credit card back charge when the agreement had been cash. I navigated these rapids and arrived at an appointment to (again) come into the dealership to receive my refund. This appointment was cancelled no fewer than three times before I was finally able to close the deal on the agreed terms and walk away from this dealership, likely never to return again.
It’s pretty clear what was happening here. An eager sale representative, probably with too much on her plate, was pushing the envelope to make a sale in an environment were prices are up and deals hard to come by. Then management tried various tactics after the fact to protect their margins. But someone, somewhere, should have reflected on the long-term impact to their business of giving a longtime repeat customer such a run-around. Please think about this story the next time you or your sales person is tempted to just get the deal then make it work on the balance sheet by other means. CRS
Russ Dantu is a 30-year veteran of the rental industry and has been delivering workshops, seminars and keynotes on customer service for over 15 years. Visit russdantu.com.
by RICHARD ADLER
A FLOOD OF PROFITS
Flood barriers can be a unique and lucrative addition to your rental fleet.
Water inflatable barriers for flood protection, water diversion and storage and coffer dams are now readily available in the Canadian market. Due to the high number of contractors requesting to rent barriers for coffer dam construction, some Canadian manufacturers have decided to work with rental companies to supply contractors and homeowners with water inflatable barriers.
Flood barrier systems are most easily described as huge, watertight bags made of an extremely durable PVC-based material. They come in a variety of sizes ranging up to six feet in height and 100 feet in length. The largest standard barrier can hold over 180,000 liters of water, essentially using water to hold back or divert water. Several different kinds of barriers are on the market, including kits for low-level flooding; inflatable barriers from 12 inches in height up to 100-foot lengths and 24- and 48-inch heights up to 50 feet long; and “premium” barriers which include an attached apron. Premium barriers are available in 8-, 30-, 72- and 48-inch heights. Rapid Barrier
Systems, a flood barrier provider in B.C., has developed systems over more than a decade. So, what is the opportunity for rental stores? Let’s face it, flood and coffer dam barriers are not cheap, and most homeowners cannot afford to surround their homes with 250 feet or more of barriers. Contractors looking at inflatable barriers are facing purchases equal to thousands of dollars for each jobsite. Equipment rental companies have storage facilities; a crew to clean, inspect and repair the barriers; local distribution; and name recognition. They can profitably offer customers the products their client needs, be it flood protection or coffer dam construction. Often, when an
Water inflatable flood barriers are essentially huge bags that can be filled with water to create a waterproof barrier anywhere. They can be as large as six feet high and 100 feet long.
inflatable barrier is needed, pumps and their accessories provide an additional source of revenue.
There is some learning curve to providing flood barriers and educating customers in their use, so look for a supplier that can provide technical expertise and offers a range of barrier choices, fast shipping of in-stock material, direct advice to the rental clients and, importantly, referrals.
Good flood barrier products are suitable for use multiple times and, due to their heavy-duty material composition, will last for many years: estimates range from 15 to 20. Given sufficient lead time, flood barrier manufacturers can produce custom versions fabricated from ”super-heavy duty” material to further reduce damage by abrasion or puncture. In most cases, repairs to flood barriers are easily made.
Flood barrier suppliers are usually willing to provide water-inflatable barriers to rental stores at discounted prices with a warranty of two years. Look for a supplier that can provide emergency shipping in
As climate change makes flooding more frequent, more and more homeowners will be looking for ways to protect their property against rising water.
case your area suddenly has severe flooding and demand skyrockets. Reputable flood barrier providers will provide referrals and help promote their rental clients with website listings of contracted users. Flood barriers present a great opportunity for rental companies to expand their market reach and work with new customers. Climate change is bringing more fre-
quent severe flooding. Governments require contractors to be diligent in how they protect their construction jobsites. Working with an established flood barrier provider to exploit these opportunities can open the floodgates for a rush of new revenue.
Richard Adler is president of Rapid Barrier Systems. Online at rapidbarrier.ca.
MINI TRENCHER, MANY USES
Versatility multiplies the fleet value of mini-trenchers.
These days, everyone talks about versatility. With business owners and homeowners alike striving to bring down expenses and maximize productivity, manufacturers are pressed more than ever to back up their claims of fast ROI. This often steers the conversation toward versatility. The greater the number of applications a product can handle, the more “worth it” its purchase or rental becomes.
by JOE HAYNES
In the case of mini trenchers, versatility happens to be their best subject. Contractors, do-it-yourselfers and even golf course superintendents find multiple solutions in their respective industries from a single, easy-to-operate machine.
DIFFERENT STROKES
One reason mini trenchers appeal to many applications is their common-sense cutter wheel design. Where some trenchers require teeth to be welded directly to the cutter
wheel, industry-leading mini trenchers have a time-saving bolt-on tooth system. This design not only speeds up maintenance but also allows the operator to quickly change out teeth to match the application.
Width and depth options add to the mini trencher’s versatility. With one- to four-inch width settings and adjustable depths up to 12 inches depending on the model, operators can cater trench dimensions to the job at hand. This improves efficiency by reducing the inevitable manual labour that comes with trying to
work with wrong-size trenches.
DIFFERENT FOLKS
A practical cutter wheel design for quick tooth changes, useful width and depth settings and model options for unique application requirements make a mini trencher an attractive solution for a wide range of people in varying industries.
Landscaping contractors use mini trenchers for professional edging, installing silt fences and burying wires for landscape lighting. Professional contractors can also take advantage of fast cutting speeds to quickly bury propane, plumbing and drainage lines, as well as low-voltage wiring for satellite dishes, cable or phone lines.
Homeowners, on the other hand, find mini trenchers a user-friendly solution for the projects that often come with home ownership, such as installing sprinkler systems or burying electric dog fences. And golf course superintendents and grounds professionals can
The value of an item in your fleet multiplies with the uses it can be put to. Minitrenchers are easy for homeowners to transport and use and can be reconfigured for a wide range of tasks.
rely on carbide-tipped, hardened steel teeth to manage problem tree roots and dig clean trenches to perform maintenance on irrigation systems.
Thanks to its common-sense design, convenient model options and wide
application appeal, mini trenchers prove a versatile addition to any landscaper’s toolbox, and a cost-effective trenching solution for the do-it-yourselfer. CRS
Joe Haynes is president of Little Beaver
AFTER THE DISASTER
Here’s how to prepare to help your customers in storm season.
July, stand by, August, come they must, September, remember, October, all over. That’s the old rhyme that told sailors when to expect hurricanes. Most of us don’t have to worry about actual hurricanes in Canada, but our season for strong storms and tornados is not much different. Here are some tips on what you need in your fleet to help customers clean up after a big blow devastates their property.
by MATT NELSON
Advanced mulchers can chew up trees up to 14 inches in diameter – essential for clearing damaged wooded areas and preparing the ground for future growth.
Natural disasters can leave a trail of destruction and debris in their wake that litters the landscape and creates significant issues for landowners. When clearing vegetation and trees left behind by storms, floods and forest fires, the right equipment is essential for helping return the land to its natural state.
“If your customers are in the disaster recovery business or handle storm and fire cleanup, you need equipment that can cut, shred, mulch and process downed trees, broken branches and burnt brush,” says Matt Nelson, director of
development for Diamond Mowers, a manufacturer of industrial mowing, mulching and brush cutting equipment for the municipal, skid-steer, and excavator markets.
Here are some must-have tools Nelson recommends for landowners, farmers, ranchers and contractors tackling disaster cleanup, fire prevention and recovery.
MULCHERS
After severe weather or fire, the land can be layered with hazardous trees and brush. Removing
these hazards calls for the powerful processing and rotation speed of a disc or drum mulcher designed for large mulch and brush management applications.
Engineered to act like a flywheel, the distinctive disc mulcher design combines stored energy with hydraulic power to enable operators to cut and mulch trees and brush in their path effectively and efficiently. Conversely, drum mulchers get their name from their cylindrical, drum-like shape. These heavy-duty land clearing mulchers shred small trees and brush with a forward spinning motion – a quality that makes them great for quick brush and undergrowth removal.
“By mulching downed vegetation and debris, you can return the materials and nutrients back to the ground, preparing the land for replanting and new growth,” explains Nelson.
Look for a a mulcher that is compatible with standard- and high-flow hydraulic skid-steers. Common sizes range from 48- to 60-inch cutting
widths. They can slice through trees and brush up to 14 inches in diameter and shred material up to six inches in diameter. For heavy-duty land reclamation projects, excavator-mounted versions are available in 36- or 48-inch cutting widths and can process material up to 12 inches in diameter.
Drum mulchers are also usually compatible with standard- and high-flow skid-steers and excavators. These attachments can continuously mulch material up to nine inches in diameter and are available in 60- and 72-inch sizes.
“Unlike other land-clearing techniques, mulching doesn’t cause disturbance to the soil, which is vital for reducing erosion and aiding in water conservation by preventing moisture loss,” adds Nelson. “Employing a disc or drum mulcher can improve soil fertility and deliver essential nutrients that will serve future vegetation.”
STUMP GRINDERS
Another must-have piece of equipment
Excavator-mounted drum mulchers excel at the heavier projects requiring fast removal of many damaged trees and bushes.
After the trees are removed, your customers may to need to take out the stumps. A skid steer stump grinder attachment will do the trick.
for anyone involved in disaster cleanup and prevention is a stump grinder. Essential for removing stumps after trees have been broken, burnt or carried away by fierce winds, fire or flooding, this tool uses a rotating cutting disc that mulches stumps into small pieces. There are two main styles.
A miller stump grinder allows the operator to cut stumps up to 36 inches in diameter without ever moving the carrier. Look for one with at least a 26-inch, six-way grinding wheel with swing, lift and telescoping functions that allows users to process a stump while the loader is parked in one position, reducing the risk of soil or turf damage. These are the ideal solution for arborists or where esthetics are a significant consideration. Make sure there is a chain guard that helps protect the grinder and operator from flying debris, along with a push blade that fills in holes created while clearing stumps below ground level.
Reflex stump grinders are an excellent choice for rural grinding appli-
cations, tree farms and land-clearing operations. They use the skid-steer’s lift arm to position its heavy-duty wheel in the stump before driving it through the wood with the machine’s wheels or tracks. These easy-to-operate grinders should be equipped with a cushioning device that protects the wheel from too much pressure, alleviating overload by flexing and keeping the wheel out of harm’s way. Grinding wheels are commonly available in 24- or 26-inch cutting widths and are paired with an appropriately sized motor to match the machine’s hydraulic flow.
“Removing stumps after storm or fire damage is essential for esthetics, safety and sustainability,” notes Nelson. “Stump removal minimizes maintenance obstacles and prevents insects or wild animals from settling in and causing further damage.”
SUPPLEMENTAL EQUIPMENT OPTIONS
In addition to the previously mentioned tools, most reclamation jobs will also require one or more of the following depending on the nature, size and scope of the disaster event.
Backhoe – Good for light-duty shoveling
Removing stumps after a storm or fire is essential for esthetics, safety and sustainability.
and material handling in storm-damaged areas cluttered with debris.
Brush cutter – Tackles land and vegetation management challenges from cutting through tall, thick grass to clearing large-scale brush and small trees.
Bulldozer – Can push large quantities of scattered debris into piles for disposal. Plus, its tracks provide enhanced stability and traction on treacherous terrain.
Front loader/wheel loader – Acts like a mobile shovel that can lift, transport and load debris onto vehicles for removal.
“Whether they are cleaning up after a hurricane, flood, or fire, it’s important for disaster cleanup crews to have the correct tools at their disposal,” says Nelson. “Clearing the land of harmful debris quickly and efficiently reduces hazard potential, gets the landowner back to work and keeps the area looking beautiful.”
Matt Nelson is director of development for Diamond Mowers, a leading manufacturer of industrial mowing, mulching and brush-cutting attachments.
TOWER ABOVE
46 million parts and counting at all of our 15 strategically located distribution centers to keep your rental equipment running at its
Heater technology marches on, with each year bringing products that are more powerful, efficient and reliable.
CONSTRUCTION HEAT
MORE POWER IN THE SAME PACKAGE
8 frost-fighter.com
The new IHS1000 from Frost Fighter provides 900,000 BTU with the same physical footprint as the IHS700, but with more BTU, CFM and static pressure. It’s available in both oil and liquid propane/ natural gas versions, with advanced PLC operation for easy troubleshooting and simplified maintenance. Options include a status beacon indicator and a 175-gallon oil tank for the diesel models. The
backward-incline fan produces up to 8,000 CFM and five inches of static pressure, with multiple different voltage options. The fan is controlled by a variable speed drive with two selectable fan speeds and reduced start-up requirements. Standard duct configuration is a two-by-16-inch inlet and outlet on the same side for easier connections on the jobsite. The IHS1000 is available with a complete lifting and stacking frame and forklift pockets. Approved by CSA.
BIG HEAT MADE SIMPLE
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L.B. White recently introduced a new indirect heater called the Journeyman 360. The target user is someone looking for simplified big heat in the 250-500,000 BTU range. The anticipation is that the Journeyman 360 fills that gap. The value proposition is simplification. It presents this through very simple straightforward controls. There is a basic selector switch for either the fan to circulate the air or toggle the selector for heat. It is built to last with a rugged frame. Optional fork pockets are available, too. Even though simplified it does come in a dual-fuel version, which means you simply change fuel types to either propane or natural gas using a selector valve. There is also a diesel fuel option with an on-board 40-gallon tank. Keeping the electrical requirements simple allows for a 120V power require -
ment. While the product can function in manual mode, there is a thermostat option offered as an accessory to provide flexibility to tether the thermostat closer to a work area. When looking for big heat and simplification the Journeyman 360 is ideal.
THE RENTAL STORE’S FRIEND
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Construction Equipment
Solutions continues to provide quality heating products as well as service parts and technical assistance to the Canadian rental industry. CES carries a complete line of heating products for all heating applications and fuel choices, including propane, natural gas, electric and oil-fired units. As well, it supplies units that are direct-fired, indirect-fired and infrared as well as convection. The Val 6 heaters are designed with the high -
est quality and dependability in mind. Val 6 radiant heat is able to heat an object without heating the air and losing efficiency at the same time. Val 6 heaters are not affected by wind or cold ambient temperatures the same way forced air heaters are. Not only are Val 6 heaters eco-friendly, releasing only one to two parts per million of carbon monoxide, but they are able to convert almost 100 per cent of their fuel to energy. This makes the Val 6 a very efficient form of heating. CES also offers the full line of Marley Engineered heating products. The TBX series mobile warmer comes in two sizes. The mobile warmers have a thermostat with positive “off” and “fan-only” positions with a range from 40 to 100 F. Ten-inch wheels allow for easy rolling over obstacles on a job site to the spot where heat is required.
CONTROLLED CONCRETE CURING
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Hybrid Light Solutions has launched two new products to its range: the 2.5-million and 4.5-million BTU Temporary Makeup Air Heating Systems. Hybrid’s makeup air systems deliver forced mechanical ventilation to construction sites, circulating treated air to create a more efficient and controlled environment. The advanced technology in the
heating systems raises the surface temperature of curing construction materials, speeding up and optimizing the curing process without compromising on air quality. Crucially, the systems are designed to manage site humidity by providing treated air. This pressurization capability allows the system to control humidity, accelerating curing periods and limiting the risk of mould development. Hybrid’s new models are equipped with cutting-edge variable controller technology that adjusts to the ambient temperature. This feature provides consistent heat to the project while effectively reducing fuel use, striking a balance between environmental sustainability and operational efficiency. The manufacturer’s commitment to reliability is embodied in the product design. Understanding that heating equipment must be operational under all conditions, Hybrid systems are built to function even in freezing weather or other challenging scenarios. A standout feature of the new systems is the stainless burner head. This modulating component gives users complete control and is designed to respond to frequent changes in ambient temperature, ensuring a dependable response in all circumstances.
MODULATING BURNERS FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE
8 ecopowerequip.com Eco Power Equipment has introduced innovative modulating burner technology within the indirect-fired temporary construction heating space. By combining an
Self-Propelled Walk-Behind Lawn Roller
The LR30 lawn roller from Reist, is powered by a 5.5HP Honda engine. Self-propelled, an Eaton hydrostatic transmission allows the unit to be run in forward or reverse.
application-based approach with cutting-edge technology, Eco Power is changing how temporary heating is achieved. Air movement ranges from 16,000 to 30,000 CFM. With the ability to modulate fuel consumption based on ambient conditions, Eco Power heaters offer enhanced application flexibility. Eco Power Equipment heaters deliver the precise level of heat where needed. The Albertabased manufacturer understands the challenges of extreme weather conditions, particularly in Canada’s harsh winters. That’s why the heaters are designed to provide constant uptime. Once commissioned at the start of the season, Eco Power heaters remain lit throughout, eliminating short cycling issues and blown heat exchangers. This superior reliability translates into a significant reduction in service calls and interrupted performance. The burner modulation technology enables Eco Power to deliver the exact amount of heat necessary to maintain the desired ambient temperature inside a building. By minimizing fuel consumption and optimizing energy usage, Eco Power heaters empower users to achieve substantial savings on fuel expenditures. This efficiency benefits the bot-
tom line and supports timely project completion and adherence to budget constraints. In an era where sustainability is paramount, Eco Power Equipment stands at the forefront of environmentally conscious solutions. Rental stores can make a tangible contribution to promoting a more sustainable future by choosing Eco Power heaters.
LINEAR AIR FLOW
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The IX4 is the newest indirect heater from Sure Flame. Rated at 400,000 BTU this duel-fuel model and its twin (oil-fired) ID4 represents a fresh design concept with many advantages. Utilizing patented burner technology, the burner and fan are placed at opposing ends, creating an optimized linear airflow. Moving air in straight line has many advantages in a heater, including higher efficiency, longer duct runs and increased durability as the combustion chamber stays cool. If problems do arise, these heaters are a technician’s best friend. The standard cold-rated OLED screen displays over 80 common heater warnings or issues in text, right on the screen. It’s even configurable in English or French.
JOBSITE FLEXIBLE
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Campo is pleased to introduce the latest addition to its complete line of makeup air
heaters. The Campo DF4500 is a makeup air heater that delivers up to 4.5 million BTU with a maximum heated air output of 25,000 CFM. It boasts Campo’s unique “fan first” design which keeps the heat off critical components and eliminates the need for drive belts, pulleys and bearings, which in turn mitigates premature failures and keeps the rental user happy. The DF4500 is fueled by liquid propane or natural gas. The burner system incorporates wide scope modulation (from 742,000 to 4.5 million BTU), which means the heater will hold the desired temperature while burning the minimum amount of fuel, saving the rental customer big fuel bucks. The DF4500 is also jobsite flexible. Standard features, such as the dual voltage selector
AD INDEX
switch (between 220 and 480V) and the dual power hookups (cam locks and 50A twist) behind a tamper-proof door give your technicians choices and makes the installation process on any jobsite a breeze.
NO BOILER TICKET REQUIRED
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The Hydro Heat Pro is targeted to provide emergency heat when a building’s boiler is down for maintenance or replacement, but it can also be used on any number of industrial fluid heating applications. One of the many advantages of the HHP unit is that it is open to atmospheric pressure, so it is not considered a boiler and does not require a ticketed operator or boiler watch. The 1.8 million-BTU Hydro Heat Pro combines the heating power of the efficient DryAir water heater and two plate
heat exchangers into one ready-to-rent trailer package. Features include two plate heat exchangers, each with 2 million BTU-per-hour capacity that are capable of handling 100 percent of the output from the water heater. This allows one plate heat exchanger loop to remain dedicated to heating potable water without the risk of contamination. The two plate heat exchangers can also heat two different fluids (process and potable) at two separate temperatures simultaneously. Each plate heat exchanger has a pump to circulate the heated fluid to its respective output loop. The Hydro Heat Pro is tri-fuel capable (diesel, natural gas and propane) with the ability to switch fuels with a quick burner change-out. Convenient designated storage is provided for the burners that are not in use. The 1800 HHP starts and operates efficiently all the way down to minus 40 F thanks to DryAir’s innovative combustion environment control system that maintains fuel and combustion air at optimal temperatures for the burner, regardless of ambient conditions.
HIGH EFFICIENCY GROUND THAWING
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Wacker Neuson offers surface heaters to keep projects on schedule and within budget with hydronic technology. Hydronic surface heaters are designed to quickly and economically thaw frozen ground, cure concrete, prevent frost and provide temporary heat during cold weather conditions. Wacker Neuson’s heaters have proven to effectively manage cold weather projects by significantly reducing project costs, delivering high quality and maintaining tight project schedules. Wacker Neuson’s most popular model is the E3000. Engineered for reliable performance and trouble-free starts, the E3000 will provide a maximum flow and ensure consistent heat delivery for thawing and curing applications. The E3000 thaws or cures up to 6,000 square feet and with accessories can manage up to 18,000 square feet or provide 535,000 cubic feet of dry heat at 83 percent efficiency. CRS
WHAT WENT HONG
Working with safety inspectors
by James Hong
If your company has ever had a reportable onsite incident you may be aware of how stressful that situation can be. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety defines a workplace incident as “an occurrence, condition or situation arising in the course of work that resulted in or could have resulted in injuries, illnesses, damage to health or fatalities.” It is intimidating for workers to report an incident to their company and even more intimidating for the company to report an incident to a government authority. There are major penalties for breach of responsibility on both the worker and employer sides, as well as potentially destructive lawsuits not to mention serious longterm disability claims in some cases. Penalties for failing to report or neglecting to provide documentation can lead to suspension of operational licencing as well as the downgrading of business ratings for insurance purposes and project bidding. If you have any questions about procedures, the nature of an incident or safety requirements, there are toll free numbers for each province.
Let’s go through the steps of working with provincial authority regional safety advisors and regional safety inspectors. Once an incident occurs there are reporting protocols. If the incident involved city authorities coming to the scene, they are required by law to report the incident to regional authorities. This triggers an onsite attendance by the regional safety inspector. The company representative, safety officer or designated individual must also attend and immediately report the incident to the reporting authority, providing a statement to the attending safety inspector. Once this has been done, a permanent regional safety inspector will be assigned to the case and follow up with a request for a written report. It is not unusual for a worksite to be shut down until code breaches are rectified depending on the nature of the incident. Incident reports have six basic requirements: provide information, take note of damage and injuries, identify affected individuals, identify witnesses and take statements, create an action
plan and submit a report.
Officials will provide deadlines for your reporting requirements. Each step is critical to the process. Steps 1 through 3 are self explanatory so I’ll jump to Step 4: identify witnesses and take statements. This step can be extremely time-consuming and it’s important to start this at the scene of the incident. Collect the names, contact details and work roles of everyone at the scene. If there is time to do so, also record brief statements. Following the actual incident, contact your witnesses, ask questions and record full statements. Again, what, where, when, who and how. These statements will either corroborate the city and regional safety inspector reports or fail to be consistent. You may want to inform yourself of the official authority reports prior to your internal investigation to be prepared to dispute and or verify what witnesses say to you. Once your internal investigation is finished include all the information in the final report.
Step 6, creating an action plan, is one of the most important things you can do for the future safety of both the workers and the company. It goes without saying that this can also be very time consuming. It requires involvement from everyone concerned, including management, workers and the safety representative. Take into consideration everyone’s input, deconstruct the incident to determine the cause and apply the preventive measures required. Take the end result and create a step-by-step implementation process with preventive outcomes and summarize the efficacy of your plan in your report.
After the final report is submitted to authorities, the regional safety inspector will review and either accept or recommend further steps and requirements.
And finally and importantly, hold a company wide meeting and debrief everyone with the findings and solutions. CRS
James Hong is an OH&S consultant, independent writer and journalist..
