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4
EDITORIAL
Tragedy has led to some good safety recommendations.
26
CLOSING THE GAP
A look inside the new standards for portable oilburning equipment.
12 GETTING IT ONLINE
Chris Clark is taking the rental business in a new direction.
34
PUSHING PROFITS
Snow plow blades are not all the same. Here’s how to pick the right one for your customer.
20 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Involvement in your association can help you adapt to change. by Mike Maltby
32 AT YOUR SERVICE Service is more than a contract – it’s a commitment. by Russ Dantu
22 2018 SHOW SEASON PREVIEW
There’s a show happening this spring to fit every need.
40 LANDSCAPING SHOWCASE
It’s not too early to think about spring. Here’s a look at the latest in lawncare.
46 SAFETY FIRST AND LAST
Penalties for workplace fatalities are too low. by Jeff Thorne
Safety recommended
A tragedy yields some good thinking about worker safety.
The electrocution death of 21-year-old Signature Events worker, Jeremy Bowley, in 2013 continues to reverberate around southern Ontario four years later. The inquest into the accident, where Bowley touched a power line with a tent pole resulting in his death and injuries to two other workers, concluded at the end of last year and issued eight recommendations as reported in the London Free Press. They constitute, in my view, an excellent potential road map to avoiding tragedies like this in the future.
Add basic occupational health and safety training to the high school curriculum.
This is one of those ideas that is so obvious it makes you wonder why it hasn’t been done before. Even a morning assembly informing students of their rights to refuse unsafe work would be better than nothing (my daughter’s high school had one of these). Better would be a unit within the business or technical streams that told students about the various dangers they might encounter at typical summer jobs in the agriculture, industrial and construction sectors and what to look out for. Thinking back to my summer jobs, I was put in circumstances where I was operating heavy equipment, working at heights, driving large vehicles without the proper license, lifting too much weight, working alone with potentially dangerous power tools, working without protective equipment, working in potentially unsafe structures and handling hazardous materials –all without any training outside of the occasional reminder to be careful. Being a young male and therefore immune (in my mind) to any injury except that which comes from looking wimpy, I accepted all these challenges without question. It’s only luck that I didn’t end up like Bowley.
Mandate health and safety training for small business owners
ON THE WEB:
Sign up for free training at the Rental Mart
There’s more than just machinery at the Canadian Rental Mart, March 67 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont. Free, hands-on MEWP operation training, presented by Genie, and free safety inspector training, presented by Sunbelt Rentals, is available to your staff. Training slots are limited - sign up online at canadianrentalmart.com today!
by Patrick Flannery
and new hires, with health and safety standards and training for all company health and safety representatives.
Let’s face it, exempting companies below a certain size from health and safety regulations that apply to larger companies has never made much sense. Workers aren’t less prone to injury because they are one of five instead of one of 1,000. There’s an argument to be made that small operations can’t afford comprehensive health and safety training programs. The answer to that is government help, not waiving of the requirements. And I’ll go on record as being appalled at the exemptions that exist for the agricultural sector. Why farmers should be able to let children and untrained temporary labourers work around power take-offs, drive tractors and climb silos is beyond me.
This would be a good time to remind you that you can get your workers trained as company safety officials for free at the Canadian Rental Mart this year. The excellent Lucie Giroux of Sunbelt Rentals will give your staff what they need to fulfill Ontario’s requirements to have a person with basic occupational health and safety training on staff. And they’ll still have time to walk around the show.
The Canadian Rental Association should inform the industry that tent raising and lowering falls under the construction regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and that proper surveys with a checklist should be conducted to spot hazards.
Here’s an important role for our national organization. When the CRA asks rental businesses for support, they often hear “What’s in it for me?” The answer is, even if there’s nothing in it for you directly (rarely true), the larger industry needs a unified voice that can act as a go-between with government. If governments can’t act through industry associations, they sometimes try to regulate things directly themselves. You don’t want that.
Require building permits for even temporary structures of more than 60 square feet, with drawings showing power line locations, or verifying there are no lines.
Most of the above recommendations are good ideas or are already being implemented. But this one seems likely only to create paperwork, discourage the industry and encourage cheating. Tents less than 60 square feet can still contact power lines. And what’s to prevent people putting up three 59-square-foot tents? You only need to look at homeowners planning renovations to see the lengths to which people will go to avoid getting building permits.
The Electrical Safety Authority should educate municipalities to warn erectors about the dangers of power lines.
I know the ESA does what it can to educate anyone who will listen – the Ontario CRA had an excellent presentation by ESA officials at its last conference. If municipalities are unaware of this safety issue...wow. CRS
VENTURE CAPITAL BUYS CUSTOM EQUIPMENT
An affiliate of Stratford-Cambridge Group (SCG) out of Plymouth, Mich., has acquired Custom Equipment of Richfield, Wis., with an additional manufacturing facility in West Bend, Wis. Founded in 1981 as a welding and fabrication business, Custom Equipment first developed lifts for the cemetery and mausoleum markets, which evolved into a full product range of scissor lifts and aerial work platforms under the HyBrid Lifts brand for the construction and industrial markets.
“Our family started this business over 36 years ago and are very proud of what we’ve built and the relationships that we’ve made,” said Steve Kissinger, who founded the business with his wife, Lynn. “Today, we are happy to announce our partnership with Stratford-Cambridge Group. They see the value in our products and understand the rich history that we have developed over the years with our customers, vendors and employees. We see this as a great opportunity to continue growing the company, while continuing to maintain those relationships.”
The sellers are going to retain a 20 per cent stake in the business post-close and chose to partner with SCG for their financial, strategic and operational expertise and in order to continue the growth trajectory that the company has enjoyed in its recent history.
“We are very excited at the prospect of partnering with the Custom Equipment management team to continue and accelerate their impressive history of growth and innovation. Custom Equipment checks all of our boxes in regard to our investment criteria: highly engineered product line, impressive growth trajectory and strong management team. We are looking forward to this next chapter in the history of Custom Equipment,” said Stephen Ellis, managing director of SCG.
ALLU REBRANDS
A major rebrand of Allu has helped deliver impressive results for the Finland-based engineering company. The development of the Allu Transformer brand and strategy was undertaken by leading U.K. industrial marketing agency, Armstrong, in order to accurately portray the true attributes of the Allu equipment.
“Our core skill is technical translation of what our customers’ technology actually does. We then use this as a platform to develop a strategy, which forms the basis of communication to a global audience, thereby delivering a single strong brand identity,” commented Armstrong director, Daniel Owen. “Allu and its customers knew what the equipment was capable of, but the essential message was not getting across. From our research, we identified that the Allu equipment literally transformed material into something that is valuable.”
The new Allu Transformer brand was launched to critical and customer acclaim at CONEXPO/CONAGG in Las Vegas this year. “It’s obviously too early to tell how successful the Transformer brand will be, but the first signs are way above our expectations, with Las Vegas being the perfect stage for the launch. We are now working on the Allu brand architecture and associated technology brands, which will strengthen the entire portfolio and reinforce Allu’s market position,” said Daniel.
MORBARK BUYS RAYCO
Morbark has announced it has completed the acquisition of Rayco Manufacturing. The purchase of Rayco represents a significant move toward the company’s strategic focus on broadening the range of tree care and industrial equipment, aftermarket parts and service offered to its customers. Rayco was founded in 1978 in Wooster, Ohio, by John M. Bowling, who as the owner of a tree care service identified the unique needs of the tree and landscape industry and began to build equipment to meet and surpass those needs. Today the company is dedicated to the design and production of an innovative line of environmental equipment. The current range of Rayco products includes stump cutters, crawler trucks, forestry mulchers, multi-tool carriers and attachments, brush chippers and the all-new AT71 aerial trimmer.
John Bowling, CEO of Rayco, stated, “Our family is very proud of the legacy we have established and nurtured over the past 39 years. As a family-run and -owned business, we view today’s transaction as an opportunity to continue growing our business while joining an even larger family.”
Dave Herr, CEO of Morbark, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Rayco to the Morbark portfolio of companies. Rayco is a company that our senior management team has admired for a long time. We value the longstanding success of Rayco and are committed to providing the Bowling family and their dedicated employees the resources they need to continue the success they have built.”
The transaction is a positive, strategic fit for both companies. Bowling will continue his work with the team to develop new products and help improve the company’s existing product lines. He will continue to have an economic interest in the combined business and will be a member of Morbark’s board of directors. Morbark will operate Rayco as a new division maintaining its brand identity. Rayco’s experienced management team will continue to manage their operations.
Photo: Custom Equipment
INDUSTRY NEWS
LABOUR THE TOPIC FOR CRA ONTARIO
The final CRA Ontario meeting of 2017 was graced with some new faces among the old at the Wacker Neuson facility in Mississauga, Ont.. Representatives from Hertz, Home Depot and an online rental provider rounded out the group of about 50 attendees. Kashif Safdar, eastern Canada district manager for Hertz ProSolution division, said he thinks it’s important for his organization to get out into the various communities they serve to keep up the company profile. There were six Hertz employees at the meeting.
Wacker’s Dean Nasato hosted the evening as the group gathered in the clean, spacious warehouse to network then sat down for a buffet dinner and a presentation from the Canadian Federation for Independent Business’ Mike Kirwin and Ryan Mallough. Kirwin and Mallough spoke about federal and provincial issues of concern to Ontario small business, including the $15 minimum wage, which their research suggests could kill 50,000 jobs in Ontario.
Kirwin and Mallough discussed changes to labour regulations that will allow employees to take up to 10 “personal emergency days” –two of them paid – in addition to any sick time the employer provides. These days can be taken whenever the employee wants with no obligation to provide a doctor’s note or other justification of any kind, according to the proposal. Mallough’s recommendation, should the measure become law, was to immediately change the language in company policies to identify sick time as personal emergency time to avoid having to add the days to time already provided.
They also warned of measures to enforce equal pay for equal work, meaning employees with the same experience and qualifications who are doing the same job must be paid the same. Obviously this is only fair, but it could limit employers’ ability to temporarily put higher-paid employees into job functions that pay less, or to use part-time staff.
Mallough also warned of government plans to hire more than 100 new employment standards officers who will be tasked to pay surprise visits to companies and apply a zero-tolerance approach to any infractions seen. Not having the current employment standards poster up in the break room could attract an immediate $300 fine instead of a warning.
Aside from lobbying, CFIB provides many advisory services and member benefits. Kirwin gave one example regarding family members working in the business. Many stores deduct EI premiums from the paycheques of family members. But most family employees are unable to collect EI, and therefore cannot be legally required to contribute. The CFIB assists small businesses to get confirmation from the government that their family members cannot collect, and then assists them to recover payments made going back as long as three years.
Another significant benefit is the reduced Mastercard processing rates available to CFIB members, which are on par with the rates Mastercard gives to the world’s largest retailers.
Based on a show of hands, most of the rental stores in the room were members of the CFIB. Several spoke passionately about the organization and how it has helped them.
MASONLIFT JOINS LIFTOW
Liftow, Toyota’s largest forklift dealer in North America with 20 branches and 525 employees in eastern Canada and Wisconsin, has announced the recent acquisition of a controlling interest in MasonLift. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. MasonLift has been in business for more than 70 years, has a staff of 130 and operates out of 10 locations in British Columbia, representing Toyota, Kalmar and Load Lifter forklift products; Ottawa terminal tractors; and Atlas material handlers.
Roger Sutton, Liftow’s president and CEO, said the acquisition of MasonLift “will have a significant impact on Liftow’s presence in the forklift market. We plan on taking advantage of the respective strengths that exist in both companies to create overall improvement. This is a momentous day for our company and we are excited to welcome the talented colleagues at MasonLift to the Liftow family. Their addition will enhance the depth of our team.”
MasonLift’s majority shareholder, George Peles, stated, “The culture of the two organizations were aligned with both believing in the same old-fashioned values and principles throughout their storied histories and it is anticipated that shared best practices will create further efficiencies for the combined entity”.
SAUER TO MANAGE TECHNICAL TRAINING FOR DEUTZ
Russell Sauer is Deutz Corporation’s new manager of technical training. Sauer will be responsible for day-today training operations in the Americas, which includes coordinating and supporting training programs taught by 16 certified instructors at 15 different locations. Sauer will also develop training materials designed to address existing and future technological challenges in the diesel and natural gas engine industries. Sauer started his Deutz career in 2006 as a warranty service technician. In 2011, he was promoted to the position of corporate trainer; in 2015, he became the supervisor of technical training.
“Russell spent many years working as a technician, which really helps him personally relate to the individuals attending our classes,” said Steven Corley, Deutz Corporation’s chief sales officer. “That experience, combined with his knowledge of training principles and course development make him the ideal person to manage our technical training department.”
Deutz Corporation’s unique approach to technical training provides attendees with the information and hands-on instruction they need to operate, understand and maintain their Deutz engines. The company’s “Train the Trainer” network is composed of 16 fully trained and certified instructors – now under the guidance of Sauer – who are employed by key Deutz distributors. These instructors attend updated training seminars each year in addition to the core classes needed to maintain their certification levels.
“Our technical training program’s primary goal is to enable our service network to efficiently support our customers,” Sauer said. “However, I think there’s far more to be gained through our training initiatives. Training not only keeps end users, OEMs and service technicians up-to-speed on all the latest Deutz technology, but it also gives us a chance to regularly interact with our customers on various levels. As I begin this latest chapter in my Deutz career, I’m excited to find new ways to elevate our technical training program, making it as engaging and enlightening as possible. I plan to work closely with our certified trainers and our customers, using their feedback to improve and extend our training capabilities throughout the Americas.”
HATZ OFF TO WESTQUIP
Hatz Diesel of America has announced that Westquip Diesel Sales, with headquarters in Edmonton, has been added to its list of full-service Canadian distributors. Westquip will be the western Canadian distributor for Hatz engines and parts and serve the needs of OEMs and dealers from its two locations in Edmonton and Calgary. “Westquip is excited to be the new western Canadian distributor for Hatz Engine and Parts,” said Mark Dumont, president of Westquip. “We chose to represent Hatz because of their longstanding reputation for building quality, reliable products. Their diesel engine line allows us to offer a wide range of power solutions to our OEM and end-user customers including off-the-shelf Tier 4 Final air-cooled engines and their new three and four-cylinder liquid-cooled models that feature a compact footprint, lightweight design and a simplified after-treatment solution to meet the current emission regulations.”
COMING EVENTS
Feb. 7 - 8
Canadian Concrete Expo Mississauga, Ont. canadianconcreteexpo.com
Feb. 10
Atlantic Regional Trade Show Moncton, N.B. crarental.org
Feb. 18 - 20
IEDA AGM & Expo Orlando, Fla. iedagroup.com
Feb. 18 - 21
The Rental Show New Orleans, La. therentalshow.com
March 6 - 7
Canadian Rental Mart Mississauga, Ont. canadianrentalmart.com
March 6 - 8
World of Asphalt Houston, Texas worldofasphalt.com
March 7 - 8
IPAF Summit Miami, Fla. ipaf.org
March 10
Prairie Regional Trade Show Edmonton, Alta. crarental.org
March 26 - 28
Quebexpo Drummondville, Que. crarental.org
For more event information, visit canadianrentalservice.com
INDUSTRY NEWS
CHINESE CONSTRUCTION GIANT BUYS AECON
Aecon Group and CCCC International Holding Limited (CCCI) have announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which CCCI will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Aecon for $20.37 per share in cash, representing
president of CCCI. “Aecon has a strong management team and a very impressive track record that have made it a leading construction company in Canada and a pioneer in public private partnerships and concession operations. It will now gain access to
ambitions. The vision and leadership of John Beck, president and CEO, have built Aecon into the successful company it is today, a diversified business focused on innovation and customer service with a formidable management team. We will continue to rely on John’s experience and leadership as we together take Aecon to a new level.”
CCCI said it recognizes Aecon as a leading provider of construction services spanning the four core segments of infrastructure, energy, mining, and concessions with competitive know-how, state-of-the-art facilities, experienced personnel and leading market positions. CCCI recognizes Aecon’s importance to Canada and is committed to ensuring that the transaction will deliver benefits to Canada. CCCI said its size and financial strength will augment Aecon’s access to capital and its ability to bid for larger and more complex projects in Canada, enhancing domestic competition for construction services, and will enable it to compete for more international projects. CCCI will seek out areas in which Aecon can deploy its unique expertise across CCCI’s international network. Aecon will continue to be headquartered in Canada with retention of Aecon’s Canada-based employees, offering opportunities for Canadians to benefit from expected future growth. The buyer promised continuity of Canadian management and ongoing adherence to Canadian standards of corporate governance with preservation of the iconic Aecon brand in Canada.
CCCI is the overseas investment and financing arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), one of the world’s largest engineering and construction groups. Its core business activities include infrastructure construction, infrastructure design and dredging. It is primarily engaged in providing customers with integrated solutions services for each stage of infrastructure assets.
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by JACK KOHANE
ONLINE, ABOUT TIME
TheRentalGuys.ca comes at the rental business from a new angle.
Chris Clark has been an entrepreneur for as long as he can remember. He started his own lawn care company in 2000, calling it Peaks and Valleys Landscaping.
Today, he’s also the president of Calgarybased TheRentalGuys.ca, among Canada’s first and exclusively online equipment rental companies. He founded the company in September 2013 and credits his lengthy experience in landscaping as a solid foundation for his rental start-up.
“Over the last 17 years Peaks and Valleys has evolved into a full-service maintenance and construction company, serving commercial and industrial customers all over Calgary,” says Clark, 33, who still helms the business. “Being in landscaping, we were regular customers of the local rental retailers, renting a wide range of tools and equipment five days a week. After all
those years I felt I understood the ins and outs of what makes the rental market tick.”
But it took one bad experience, a petty squabble over a $75 tool rental in the summer of 2013, that sparked Clark into starting up another new enterprise – his own online rental company. “I was frustrated with the inconvenience and time that was involved in the traditional rental process,” he recalls. As a contractor with a tight schedule, he viewed the drive to and from the rental store as a major inconvenience and huge cost not only in time, but money. Looking at the direction that today’s retail is headed – increasingly to online sales – Clark had a gut feeling that there could be a better
RIGHT: Aggressive branding is part of TheRentalGuys.ca strategy. Rather than maintaining a storefront and showroom, franchisees benefit from company-wide initiatives that make the best use of online media to drive customers to the rental service. But as we see here, some more oldschool tactics are not overlooked.
Doing business online allows TheRentalGuys.ca to save overhead and pass on some perks to customers, like free delivery seven days per week. Clark says customers appreciate not having to drive to the store.
way to streamline, modernize and simplify the entire rental process. “For me, providing convenience and the best rental rates were key items in creating a successful rental company,” he asserts.
His vision: an online ordering solution that utilizes customized front-end websites and back-end software designed to help improve customer experience.
The first step, as Clark discovered, was figuring out how to complete an entire rental transaction online in a fast and efficient way. “There were no out-of-the-box solutions for this at the time,” he says. Off-the-shelf software was the only option at the outset, but generic technology proved too restrictive to what the customer could do online. Clark notes, “The biggest obstacle at start up was that nobody was doing what we wanted to do in terms of being able to complete an entire rental transaction
online (i.e. showing live equipment availability and allowing real-time guaranteed bookings). The solution was to develop an all-new system in order for the online experience to be more user-friendly and versatile.”
Then there was the challenge of snagging top suppliers. As Clark explains, they didn’t understand and had never seen a concept like this before. “Their biggest hurdle was trying to understand the lack of a retail store environment in our business model. No showrooms, no counter space. It was a learning curve for them and we had to educate them about how we would interact with our customers.” Among the first suppliers to come on board were Bobcat, Kubota and Skyjack. Today, TheRentalGuys.ca offers skid steers, excavators, scissor lifts, generators, shipping containers, lawn-and-garden equipment and small tools.
One by one, things then fell into place. The first breakthrough came in the form of 24/7 online booking for customers. Clark saw that contractors and homeowners particularly appreciated the convenience of this feature because it allowed them to complete their booking outside of regular business hours. The next step was having customers pay for their rental at the time of booking. This would alleviate a lot of administrative tasks. “It also has the effect of getting rid of any receivables, thus improving cash flow,” Clark points out.
Next was inventory control. Again, looking at this problem from the outside in, Clark realized that not only would he need to know what equipment was available when, but this would also be very valuable information for his customers. This would help alleviate phone calls
from customers wanting to know if something was available on a specific date, so he added online availability calendars. At this point, from the customer’s point of view, everything was working to plan. But Clark and his team didn’t stop there: they added a host of back-end software tools to help with planning deliveries and pickups as well as keeping a close eye on sales and equipment utilization. A full redesign of TheRentalGuys.ca website completed this solution.
Even as they put all this effort into the online platform, TheRentalGuys. ca’s first rental sale was done over the phone in July 2014 before the website was complete. “What I found once this new venture was up and running was truly exciting. Our customers were impressed from the get-go,” states Clark. Four years later, he and his staff of five at
the 8,000-square-foot Calgary head office (in addition there’s 35,000 square feet of yard space) have continued to update and improve the software and website, based on customer needs and feedback.
“Most people thought we were crazy when we said we would change the equipment rental industry,” says Clark. “But our customers certainly don’t think so. They rave to us about how finally someone has figured out how to make renting simple.” Much of that client excitement stems from TheRentalGuys. ca offering free delivery and pickup seven days a week. “Our goal is to provide the most convenient and stress-free rental experience for our customers,” affirms Clark. A transaction takes, on average, about 90 seconds to complete, including product selection, availability, costs, delivery and billing details. In response,
Convincing suppliers his system would work was an early challenge for Clark, but now he carries a full line of rental equipment from several major providers.
“Most people thought we were crazy when we said we would change the equipment rental industry.”
the customer is sent a full rental contract and paid invoice copy by email, within seconds. Rental costs are another feature that’s attracted TheRentalGuys.ca’s best customers (small to medium contractors as well as homeowners and DIYers). There are no weekend discounts or volume specials. “All of our customers pay the same low rate seven days a week,” adds Clark.
Others are also taking notice – independent rental operators have inquired about joining TheRentalGuys.ca team. “They see our success and they want to be a part of it,” says Clark. “They are coming to us. They see big potential for our rental system in their area of the country.” That led to the launch of franchise.therentalguys.ca, igniting a new beacon of opportunity in the franchise world. The first franchise location opened in Mississauga, Ont., in April 2017; the second in Guelph, Ont., in June 2017; and Edmonton opened the third franchise in July 2017.
For an initial investment cost of between $125,000 to $175,000, franchisees gain access to the rich marketing strategies and sophisticated software resources offered by the TheRentalGuys. ca system as well as the huge benefit of being part of TheRentalGuys.ca buying group. This investment also includes everything needed to get their location up and running.
Clark notes that the cost to invest may vary for each franchise location depending on size, local population and individual start-up requirements in determining the specific cost of investment on a caseby-case basis. “Previous business experience is essential, but it does not need to be rental industry specific,” he explains.
Renovate This Spring
“We select our franchisees through numerous phone interviews and one in-person interview. They need to be willing to bring innovation to a very traditional industry.”
All franchisees attend an initial Discovery Day in Calgary. Once they are selected to come on board, they attend two weeks of training in Calgary. TheRentalGuys.ca provides continuing
The internet is everywhere, but Clark still relies on franchisees to understand their local market and stock the right equipment.
and ongoing training and mentorship to all employees and franchisees.
With a business acumen fostered over almost two decades of successful entrepreneurship, Clark has no hesitation in predicting that TheRentalGuys.ca will boast six new locations by the fall of 2018. “Just the start of the momentum we’re building,” he affirms, adding that he targets Ontario and British Columbia as the hottest areas of growth for his franchise model. TheRentalGuys.ca concept is a manageable investment model that has already yielded tangible results. Clark describes his company’s brand to potential franchisees as one offering hard assets (owning a fleet of rental equipment), a repeat customer base, ongoing customer service support, strong group buying power, exclusivity in prime territories in all major urban centres across Canada, and of course, access to that all-powerful online tool that’s catapulted TheRentalGuys.ca to be among the leaders in online rental sales.
The lineup to become a franchisee of TheRentalGuys.ca grows daily. Clark isn’t surprised. “Many want to be their own boss,” he says. “I’ve never worked for anyone else. I do things by knowing the market, my customer’s needs and being ahead of the curve.” CRS
MEET THE NEW KING OF CAPACITY.
THE KEYS TO CHANGE
Involvement can help your business survive shifting conditions.
by MIKE MALTBY
Change.
If you’re not familiar with that word, I’m sure a quick Google search should give you plenty of funny memes (or inspirational quotes, if that’s your thing), so I won’t bother adding one here. Change is coming for this industry on many fronts in the coming year, and your association is positioning itself to help you adapt to all of them.
The coming year promises to be a challenging time for compliance with regulations. Adapting to legal use of marijuana across the country, changes in employment standards legislation in Alberta and Ontario, changes to minimum wages in most of Canada – rental businesses will have their hands full. Of course, companies will have continued challenges complying with rules for fuels handling, heat and fire/building codes along with the unknowns of whatever election year promises materialize as Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick residents go to the polls.
Those changes come from outside, but change seems to be accelerating inside our industry, as well. The digital world continues to take over. Connecting with your market online seems to get more important every year and new online rental businesses that don’t have counters or showrooms are popping up all the time. You can already buy many kinds of construction equipment that can be operated remotely, and fully autonomous models look to be right around the corner with selfdriving trucks and other vehicles. There was a video online recently of a device like a big 3D printer building an entire house out of concrete with no human labour. Will these changes present challenges or opportunities or both?
time with the association in 2006, and looks forward to connecting with CRA members nationally in the coming years.
Canadian Rental Association members are well positioned to share experiences with each other and collectively adapt to whatever the reality will be for business in the future. To that end members should get involved. Attend your local meetings and network with others in the industry. In addition, your provincial directors, association staff and the executive team are available to answer any rental-related question you may have.
Members should also be filling their calendars and planning to attend the regional trade shows in Surrey, B.C., (Jan. 19 and 20), Moncton, N.B., (Feb. 10), Edmonton (March 10), and Drummondville, Que., (March 27 and 28), as well as the Ontario Awards Banquet (March 6) held in conjunction with the Canadian Rental Mart (March 6 and 7). All of these events will allow plenty of time for members to interact with other members. The association staff, executive team and provincial directors will be on hand at all of these events as well and we’d love to talk with you about how your association can better support your business.
If you are not currently a member or know someone who isn’t, we’ve got another great reason to join now. Through our partnership with the American Rental Association, any rental business that becomes a member of the Canadian Rental Association before February 21 will receive one free full registration (a US$399 value) to The Rental Show 2018 in New Orleans. Just make sure that if you take advantage of the offer you take some time to attend the Canadian Hospitality Event at Generation Hall.
Until next time, happy renting and I hope to see you at the shows! CRS
Mike Maltby is vice-president of Ingersoll Rent-All in Ingersoll, Ont. He’s been in the rental industry all his life. Mike has been a fixture at CRA Ontario events since beginning his
INDUSTRY EVENTS
SHOW SEASON 2018
Our look at trade shows across the industry.
Iby PATRICK FLANNERY
t’s show season again – your chance to spend a day meeting the suppliers in your area and swapping tall tales with your friends in the rental industry over a beverage or three. If you are looking for a big selection of the latest equipment and a chance to score some free training for your staff, you are in luck because it is a Rental Mart year. Come see the new venue at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont. If you don’t mind some travel and want an even larger array of new equipment and education opportunities, take the trip to the American Rental Association’s Rental Show in New Orleans.
This industry is lucky to have so many opportunities to get together for profit, fun and education. No matter your time for travel, your interest in learning or your need to see the latest technology, there’s a show that hits the sweet spot. Some of us just want to do some comparison shopping and pick up items from our local sales force. Others are looking for ideas to improve our profitability and our offerings to our customers. Depending where you fall on this scale, you can select small and close, medium-sized and still within Canada, or a destination trip to see the most.
No matter which show you choose, Canadian Rental Association president Mike Maltby makes a good point in his President’s Message about a core benefit of attending shows: adaptation to change. If the same customers showed up at your store every week ready to rent from you and you only; if technology never advanced; if governments never brought in new regulations and taxes; if workers never quit or retired – there would be little reason to go to shows. But since all these changes happen all too frequently, getting together to stay informed and compare notes becomes part of your responsibility as a businessperson.
Here ends the lecture. Now for our primer on the local CRA shows, The Rental Show and the Canadian Rental Mart.
ATLANTIC REGIONAL TRADE SHOW
Date: Feb. 10
Time: 10:00 - 4:00
Location: Casino New Brunswick, Moncton, N.B.
Hotel: Hotel Casino N.B.
Banquet:Friday, Feb. 9, 6:00 - 10:00 at Hotel Casino New Brunswick
Banquet charge: $55 per person
The Atlantic show will include a Saturdaymorning breakfast meeting for members at 8:00 am. Members who sign up for the banquet get breakfast for free! Registration for the banquet costs $55 with a hospitality suite to follow.
Atlantic show attendees are entered to win 500 Show Bucks eligible to be spent with any show sponsor.
THE RENTAL SHOW
Date:Feb. 18 - 21
Time: Varies - exhibit hall opens at 9 or 10
Location: Ernest N. Morial Convention Centre, New Orleans, La.
Hotel: Hilton Riverside
Canadian Hospitality Night: “New Orleans
Jazzy Style” Sunday, Feb. 18, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins Dr. The ARA’s Rental Show welcomes more than 600 exhibitors and includes over 20 educational sessions (see below). New Orleans is always a
INDUSTRY EVENTS
favourite destination for this show. This year’s keynote speakers are Jonathan and Drew Scott of HGTV’s “Property Brothers.” Key events for Canadians include the Hospitality Night (see above), the CRA Annual General Meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 19, and the Region 10 Reception right after at 5:00 p.m.
PRAIRIE REGIONAL TRADE SHOW
Date: March 10
Time: 9:00 - 3:00
Location: Edmonton Expo Centre - Hall B, Edmonton, Alta.
Hotel: DoubleTree West Edmonton
Banquet: Saturday, March 10 6:00 to 1:00 am at the DoubleTree hotel
Banquet charge: $65 per person
Prairie Show attendees are encouraged to arrive on Friday, March 9, for a social night at 6 p.m. The social night will take place at the hotel with a silent auction and funny-money casino. The Prairie show banquet always enjoys a great turnout with entertainment and presentation of the legendary Dickie Doo award. Show attendees will be entered to win 1,000 Show Bucks, eligible to be spent with any show sponsor.
“I am extremely excited for this year’s trade show,” Warren Carriere, Alberta CRA president says. “We have the Prairie show co-chairs M.J. Hutton from Doosan and Sheldon Fingler from Infinite Event Services working very hard to create an event all our members, construction and party, can attend and enjoy. These shows are what keep industries and associations moving in a profitable direction.”
Hotel: Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto Airport (formerly International Plaza) CRA Ontario Banquet:Tuesday 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Delta Hotel by Marriott Toronto Airport
It’s a new venue and a new approach for the Canadian Rental Mart. The show moves from its long-time location at the Toronto Congress Centre around the corner to the International Centre.
Parking is still free and it’s even closer to the airport. The official hotel remains the same, though hotel ownership has changed and it is now run by Delta. Instead of sitdown education sessions the Rental Mart offers free training for rental store staff that meets provincial requirements. Scott Owyen of Genie will conduct MEWP training from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Lucie Giroux of Sunbelt Rentals will conduct safety officer training from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Rental Mart attendees are entered to win a travel voucher for a trip for two to the destination of their choice!
Look for full details of the Canadian Rental Mart in March Canadian Rental Service.
Banquet: Cocktail reception Tuesday, March 27 5:30 to 7:30 on the show floor Quebec regional awards will be handed out at the members-only breakfast on the morning of Wednesday, March 28.
RENTAL SHOW EDUCATION
The Rental Show education sessions take place in four streams on Sunday, Feb. 18. Here’s a selection of some of the more interesting options.
Seven steps to building brand value
8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Bruce Turkel, Turkel Brands, Coral Gables, Fla.
Seven rules, three words each. That’s all it takes to harness the power of branding. Attend this session and discover how to move your business forward in today’s rapidly evolving world. Through entertaining anecdotes and simple real-life examples, you will find out exactly what to do to put the power of branding to work for you.
Enjoy the ride
8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Steve Gilliland, Steve Gilliland Inc., Mocksville, N.C.
This session, based on Steve Gilliland’s best-selling book, is a blueprint for getting the most out of life. It’s a humorous and uplifting approach to examining where you are personally and professionally. You’ll take away the inspiration you need to evolve and appreciate life, rather than simply to maintain and exist.
The principles of power distribution
8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Rental industry panel
Electrical power is one of the most useful tools in all of history. Your customers count on you to rent them an appropriately sized generator for their needs. One that produces too much or too little power can cause harm to their equipment as well as yours. It also will drastically reduce your customer satisfaction rating. Attend this session to learn from your rental peers about generators over 25 kVA.
Influencing safety
9:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Garrison Wynn, Wynn Solutions, Houston
Presented by ARA Insurance
Whether you are trying to reduce your number of recordable accidents or prevent a good safety record from creating complacency, this dynamic session is for you. You’ll learn how to develop the personal influence to make things stick, from helping leaders implement change at their locations to motivating workers to look out for each other on the job site.
Buying a business - what you need to know
1:15 - 2:45 p.m.
James R. Waite, Esq., Winters & Waite, Denver
Nationally renowned attorney and author, James R. Waite, will discuss the most important things to consider and what to do first when you find a business you’re interested in. He also will touch on how to determine a fair offering price and terms, how to protect yourself if the seller misrepresents the business, and much more. CRS
Booth #301
CLOSING THE GAP
A new standard for portable oil-burning equipment.
After several years of input from many in the Canadian rental industry, there is a now new standard which will simplify the installation requirements for operators of portable oil-burning equipment. The standard is now published and provinces will begin the process of adoption, after which enforcement will begin.
by BOB LENNOX, Western Global
“The story behind the necessitation for this code is a long one,” says Bob Lennox of Western Global, who is the vice-chair of the technical committee that wrote the standard.
It all came to fruition in late 2008, when new Transport Canada regulations and existing provincial regulations began to be more fully enforced across the rental industry. It became clear that compliance with the stationary codes, in many cases, violated the transport codes. This conflict meant that rental companies had a very hard time installing, operating and transporting oil-burning equipment and the associated tanks, connection hoses and other accessories in a compliant way. Additionally, it resulted in
confusion for end users and, ultimately, was creating more non-conformance than necessary.
Rental operators are unique in the fact that the equipment offered is often both in transport and in use for temporary stationary installations. The existing codes were not suited or written for a rental operator’s or rental client’s needs.
“There was a gap between CSA B139 – that applies to permanent installation – and the rental world where equipment might be in use for a few days or months,” says Daryl Follett, operations supervisor at Toromont Cat Power Systems. “The issue we were having is that the authorities doing the inspections didn’t have a
RIGHT: Old standards envisioned oil-burning equipment to remain mostly stationary. But in the rental world, things move around a lot, as in this typical ground heater installation at a construction site.
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TECH TIPS
standard to use and the result was trying to apply B139 (for stationary equipment) to transportable equipment. This led to different interpretations by inspectors.”
Ultimately, it was the end users or rental customers who were suffering from this confusion. Equipment could be delivered by the rental company, but compliance questions could result in delayed fuel delivery on the site. “The objective was to alleviate the delays that were happening for the end user. It’s really the end user of the rental equipment that benefits,” continues Follett.
On the advice of a member of the Canadian Oil Heat Association and provincial regulators, it was deemed appropriate that the industry work together and create a new standard for the manufacturing and installation of portable oil-burning equipment.
Early in 2009, Lennox arranged an industry meeting with the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), Transport Canada and many significant players in the power generator sector to discuss solutions to certain voids, contradictions and grey areas in the installation codes applicable to rentaltype oil-burning equipment and accessories. Over the following six years, a large group from the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry and general rental industry met several times, arranged virtual and face-to-face meetings and championed the cause to rental industry stakeholders.
By 2013 it became clear that the
group needed to partner with an agency experienced in standards writing, so they partnered with CSA Group to prepare the standard in line with the Standards Council of Canada requirements. Industry members were solicited for donations to help fund this initiative. Sufficient funds were raised for the creation of the new CSA standard to commence later that year.
The committee began writing the standard from square one, as no existing codes addressed the concerns of the group. “The purpose of this standard was to try to have some clear requirements where they didn’t exist before. Previously, there was no standard. Inspectors were applying CSA B139, which is the installation code for oil-burning equipment, but it is more suitable for stationary equipment,” says Kay Penn, fuels and appliances project manager at CSA Group. Because the code didn’t apply to transportable equipment or fit the needs of rental customers and users, it didn’t always make sense. “Additionally, provincial and federal jurisdictions had contradictions and were not enforcing requirements in a standardized way.”
CSA is a standards development organization, not a government agency. They help create the standards by recruiting technical experts from industry, government and end users to form committees who write the standards. The technical committee for CSA B138.1 / B138.2 included regulatory authorities, manufacturers, end users,
and general interest members so they could fully address the needs and interests of each stakeholder group.
The standard was drafted through numerous revisions and votes by the technical committee. There was also a 60-day public review period during which comments from the public were gathered to be addressed by the technical committee. Every comment was reviewed. The final draft of the standard was put to ballot and approved by the committee. In all, the process took approximately 15 months to complete.
“The hard work and dedication of the committee helped create the standard so quickly,” says Penn. This process typically takes 18 to 24 months. “We had an aggressive meeting schedule, meeting every month or every six weeks. But the work and preparation they did outside of the meetings helped us carry the project to completion.”
The standard was officially published in June 2017 in English; a French translation is currently in the works. Once adopted and enforced in the provinces, this standard will significantly clarify the requirements of short-term installations of oil-burning equipment, bringing safety, clarity and predictability for the rental industry and regulators alike.
This milestone was achieved by working closely with CSA, TSSA, provincial regulators and a great team representing engineers and members of rental companies, manufacturers and installers across Canada. The new standard consists of two parts. The first part covers the requirements for manufacturing, testing and marking of equipment. The second part of the standard covers installation of the equipment and responsibilities of those using such equipment.
The new standard is called “CSA B138.1 / B138.2, Portable oilburning equipment — Packaged equipment requirements / Installation requirements.” The standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Generators and Portable Powered Equipment, under the jurisdiction of the Steering Committee on Fuels and Appliances, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee.
The new CSA standard covers just about every aspect of installing and operating oilburning heaters and generators. Provincial regulators are taking note.
FROM RAMMERS TO ROLLERS, THE LIGHT COMPACTION TOOL YOU NEED.
The Ammann light compaction product line comes in all shapes and sizes, just like the jobsites you work on.
The product diversity ensures you have a perfect fit for virtually any application, creating efficiencies that impact your bottom line.
For more information on how to find cost effective light compaction tools for your jobsite or rental operation, contact your local Ammann dealer.
Alberta – Williamson Equipment Ltd. Tel 780 - 450 - 0055, gwill @ williamsonequipment.com | British Columbia – Westerra Equipment Tel 800-563-7313, www.westerraequipment.com
Manitoba – CUBEX Ltd. Tel 204 - 336 - 0008, ammannsales @ cubexltd.com | New Brunswick – Maritime Case Ltd. Tel 506 - 455 - 2380, chase.mcgrath @ maritimecase.ca
Newfoundland – Madsen Construction Equipment Tel 709-747-7841, info@madsenconstructionequipment.ca | Ontario – Construction Equipment Solutions Tel 905-420-2243, ceswiles@hotmail.com
Ontario – McDowell Equipment Tel 705 - 566 - 8190, www.bmcdowell.com | Ontario & Quebec – Top Lift Enterprises Tel 866.TOP.LIFT, www.toplift.com
Quebec – Équipements FDS Inc. Tel 800 - 361 - 3346, www.equipementsfds.com | Saskatchewan – Bobcat of Regina Tel 306-347-7600, b.macfarlane@bobcatofregina.com
BC Regional Trade Show: January 19 20 Cloverdale Rodeo & Exhibition, Surrey BC Atlantic Trade Show: February 10 Casino NB, Moncton NB The ARA Rental Show: February 18—21 Ernest N. Morial Convention Centre New Orleans, LA Prairie Regional Trade Show: March 10 Edmonton Expo Centre, Edmonton AB
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Although the committee was focused on transportable equipment, the new standards are easily comprehensible by those familiar with B139. Says Follett, “During the entire process, we had in mind that B139 existed and we didn’t want to end up with a standard that was a watered-down version of that.” Instead, the committee sought to establish the equivalent safety measures that could be applied to the unique circumstances of rental companies and clients in temporary applications.
The first part of the standard, CSA B138.1, applies to portable oil-burning equipment that is operated while stationary and may be relocated to other locations. The products covered by the standard may include oil-burning appliances, their fuel systems, related components and accessories and their associated electrical features. Portable oil-burning equipment covered by the standard may incorporate internal combustion engines, powergenerating equipment or other shaft-driven process equipment.
Also, included in the first part of this new standard are minimum requirements for components used in portable oilburning equipment, including but not limited to piping and tubing systems; fuel transfer pumps; control devices; tank fill and venting systems; appliance venting systems; packaged equipment enclosures; skid, trailer or vehicle mount systems; and electrical wiring.
The second part of the standard applies to the operation and use of portable oilburning equipment which conforms to CSA B138.1 and includes requirements for placement of equipment; requirements for field installation of associated equipment and interconnecting piping; requirements for the responsibilities of the operator of the packaged equipment; and requirements for the responsibilities of the owner of the packaged equipment.
The new standard is available for purchase on the CSA website, and is a must-have for rental operators in Canada. The provincial authorities having jurisdiction are aware of the standard and are working to see it adopted in their provinces. In the meantime, this standard will certainly colour their interpretation of existing codes, equivalent level of safety permits and more. CRS
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TB216H Hybrid Excavator
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AT YOUR SERVICE
Hotel from Hell
by Russ Dantu
Iam a 20-year member of Toastmasters International. Each year, we get together for a spring convention and a fall conference. Our last district meeting was in Medicine Hat at a small hotel and conference centre. I am not sharing the name of the venue, as this story is pretty darn sad. At Toastmasters conferences and conventions, there is always a call for volunteers to help out in various capacities and this year was no different. But what actually took place, led to some very unusual issues. The original contract was signed over a year before our conference. Four months out, the hotel notified our organizers that they had fired all their conference staff and we needed to sign a new contract. No problem, it was done. Three months out, the hotel called again and said they had just fired all the new conference staff and we would need to sign a new contract. Really? Ok, done. Less than one month out, the hotel informed our planning committee that they had fired all of the brand new conference staff and were no longer offering conference services. We could leave the hotel or figure it out for ourselves how the food would come into the hotel and be served. Are you kidding me? One month out – there was no way to find another venue that could house us in Medicine Hat. Who pulls that sort of crap with their customers? Unbeknownst to the 95 of us sitting in the conference (only the seven or eight on the planning committee actually knew), there were no wait-staff at our conference. Between the efforts of our caterer and some good-humoured volunteers from our group, we made it through the weekend.
There is so much that went wrong with this occurrence and a few things that went right. The good that came of it was a group of volunteers stepped up to make the conference meals happen and did it with a smile on our faces to help out our poor organizers who must have felt a bit overwhelmed with how it unfolded. We could have complained, demanded our money back or even left, but we decided, as leaders, to roll up our sleeves, and dig in to get the work done. As a leader, do you roll up your sleeves when
the going gets tough? Do you assist your team when needed? Do you motivate your team when the morale is low?
On the bad side, this hotel and conference centre, dropped the ball several times. Who goes back on a signed contract, not once, not twice, but three times? Who on the third time says, “Can’t help you. Deal with it yourself or leave.”
In the rental industry, contracts are a given. This is the glue that binds our agreement together. It protects us as a business and it protects our customers as well. What would happen if you treated one of your customers like the hotel treated us? Sometimes things happen in our industry where we are out of what a person wishes to rent or possibly equipment is damaged upon return and cannot be rented to the next person who is waiting for it. What we do in those situations shows our customers whether we are reputable companies to work with or if they should be shopping elsewhere. If you are renting a $100,000 piece of equipment and it breaks down, it may not be that you have a replacement piece that you can easily swap out but you do need to do all you can to get it back up and running as soon as possible. If it’s as easy as swapping out for another piece of equipment you have in stock, you do it, and if your customer is calling from their site, you put it in a truck and deliver it to them if you can. If you don’t have a replacement piece, you offer a free upgrade or rent it off a friendly competitor. When things go wrong, and they will go wrong, strong leadership is needed to weather the storm and help your team get through them. Deserting your customers in not an option! 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. For more information, visit russdantu.com or email russ@russdantu.com.
PUSHING PROFITS
How to choose a profitable snow removal blade.
Light and fluffy, heavy and wet, or dense and hard; regardless of the snow adjectives facing a contractor they certainly play a role in choosing the most effective and efficient snow removal equipment. But choosing a profitable tool requires digging a little deeper than snow type. Optimal versatility, efficiency, equipment longevity and uptime are all factors contractors must address and to do that means taking a close look at all contributors to the blade selection process, from applications and budgets to carriers and dealer support.
By RYAN FREY, Horst Welding General Manager
VERSATILITY BREEDS EFFICIENCY
Efficiency is the hallmark of any successful business, because in most cases it equates to higher profit margins. One of the most effective ways to improve snow removal efficiency is to match the blade to the application.
Contractors or municipalities clearing streets need a blade that can windrow snow to one side, allowing fast street clearing without stopping to push snow into a pile. This is why a blade that can angle to either side is critical
for street clearing. When it comes to large parking lots, on the other hand, a box pusher works well since it allows operators to push a lot of snow long distances and stack it into piles. The challenge to maintaining efficiency, however, comes when contractors want to go from streets to parking lots and vice versa. They must stop, disconnect and attach the new blade, which is a hassle and, if it needs to be done multiple times a day, can quickly eat into profits. The ideal solution for maximum versatility is a two-in-one wing blade.
RIGHT: A wing blade allows operators to switch from an angle blade to a box pusher on the go, saving considerable time over disconnecting and attaching blades.
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VISIT BOOTH #4639 at The Rental Show!
Check out our show specials. portion of the proceeds from orders placed at the show will be donated to the Autism Society, so your purchase will help make a difference.
TECH TIPS
This type of unit operates as an angle blade when its hydraulically powered wings are open, then converts to a box pusher when the wings are brought ahead. Operators can switch from one to the other on the go, so it saves considerable time over disconnecting and attaching blades. The design also helps open new opportunities for contractors, allowing them to take on both street and parking lot work effectively and efficiently.
Even though wing blades cost slightly more, the fast return on investment quickly diminishes the cost difference. Contractors using wing blades for clearing parking lots can complete projects as much as 60 per cent faster than they can with just a box pusher. For accounts paid by the push or the season, that means contractors can either pick up more accounts, adding to additional revenue, or have more time at home with their families while making the same amount of money. Even if it’s an hourly contract, the added efficiency pays dividends. A customer who’s happy their lot was cleaned quickly for business generally tends to be a loyal customer who offers great word-of-mouth referrals.
Wing blades come in a variety of sizes to work with nearly any size carrier, from smaller 70-horsepower skid steers to 60,000-pound wheel loaders. But when comparing one manufacturer’s model to the next there are some key features to consider.
Carrier tires are extremely costly. One punctured tire on the job can result in a service bill upwards of $3,000, and that doesn’t factor in lost revenue. A tire-protection system eliminates the risk of the blade wing puncturing the tire as it’s angled. The mechanical system simply pushes the wing away from the tire as it’s brought back, providing worry-free operation for both novice and expert operators.
In addition to a tire-protection system, the system powering the wing function on the blade can either increase or decrease maintenance costs. Wing systems are powered by either
a rotary actuator or a ram cylinder. The rotary actuator system minimizes parts and offers a more robust system by eliminating pins and bushings.
Also consider how the blade and carrier will be transported to the site and choose a wing blade that will minimize hassle and the need for over-width permits. Look for units with wings that can be rotated inward, which allows the blade, when angled — even when attached to the machine — to be loaded onto and transported by a heavy haul trailer.
GETTING YOUR TOES WET
A two-in-one blade may not be ideal for all contractors, for instance, landscapers just starting out in the snow removal business with limited budgets and a smaller customer list. In this scenario, a box pusher with a back drag is a great option. Contractors can use the units with nearly any size carrier, including smaller models such as skid steers, which are likely already in their fleet.
Box pushers are great for pushing ample amounts of snow, but what makes a blade like this really work for most accounts is a back-drag feature. Back drag allows operators to place the blade within inches of a structure, such as a loading dock, curb or door, then pull the blade back to clear the snow. These blades are often 35 to 40 per cent of the cost of a two-in-one wing-type blade, so it’s a good option for those who don’t have a lot of capital to invest, yet want to earn some serious business.
Like most snow-removal blades, box pushers are available in a variety of widths – generally 4.5 to 18 feet – and can be used with 5,000- to 60,000-pound carriers to suit any size project. They are ideal for contractors who need to move a large amount of snow a long distance, such as in big parking lots.
CLEANER PARKING LOTS
Unfortunately it’s a challenge to get the cleanest results
with a box pusher. Parking lots are engineered for water control, which means they have high break points and low spots for storm sewers. For operators using a traditional rigid blade that can’t conform to these varying levels, this can leave as much as 1.5 inches of snow in some areas, which means more time and money spent salting or sanding the lot.
A better option for contractors working on large lots who want a cleaner scrape to minimize salt and sand usage is a blade that features several independent sections along its length. These sections are generally 24 inches wide and “float” along the surface; as the operator moves the carrier the sections raise or lower to follow the height of the pavement, leaving little to no snow on the surface.
Segmented floating blades can even be used to stack snow. Modern designs feature a full metal parallel lift system, which eliminates the risk of damage that can occur with polyurethane block systems when piling and stacking snow.
These blades are generally available in 10- to 20-foot widths and can be used on 14,000-60,000-pound carriers.
WALK THIS WAY
Having a versatile and efficient blade isn’t just important for quickly clearing streets and parking lots, it’s also critical for the safety of pedestrians on sidewalks. One of the most versatile options for clearing sidewalks is a sixway blade. These blades fit smaller carriers, such as 30- to 50-horsepower compact tractors and can be used to both windrow and push snow.
Operators can angle the blade left or right to push snow to one side or the other, or use the v-blade function to push to both sides at once. Where this blade excels at efficiency, however, is at intersections. Operators can move the wings out to create a scoop, which is ideal for cleaning up areas around stoplights, then switch back to an angle or v-blade. This type of blade can save operators from having to make as many as three passes with an angle blade to clear snow from an intersection.
ON THE MAP
There are many snow removal blades that work well regardless of location and snow type, but there also are a few options that excel at moving large amounts of snow in more challenging climates. Snow baskets, for example, feature cutout designs that allow slushy water to flow from the bucket while the bucket carries the bulk of the snow. This is ideal for milder maritime climates where snow is wet and heavy. The cutouts also reduce the basket weight so the carrier can carry more snow rather than more basket.
Snow buckets are very similar to snow baskets, but feature cutouts only along the top edge of the blade. These buckets are typically used with smaller carriers, such as skid steers, so the cutouts give operators a clear view of the cutting edge.
Snow baskets and buckets are typically available in 5- to
10-foot widths and for use with 5,000- to 15,000-pound carriers.
IN THE DETAILS
Regardless of blade type it’s important to keep an eye out for a few features that will help ensure blade longevity and minimize downtime.
A carbide-tipped cutting edge, for instance, can last as much as seven times longer than traditional heat-treated steel blades. For a contractor or municipality operating multiple plows, that can add up to saving a lot of shop time associated with replacements.
Rubber cutting edges present another option, but keep in mind they don’t do well in cold, dry climates. Rubber becomes brittle when cold and if used on dry pavement it will tear quickly. Rubber cutting edges should be used more like squeegees where there is always lubrication from water. This is why they are ideal for milder climates.
In addition, look for blades with a spring-trip cutting edge. These edges trip back and bounce over obstacles and then spring forward to their original position. This protects the blade and carrier from damage as well as the operator from injury if the blade hits a manhole or unforeseen protrusion.
Lastly, a good rule of thumb for choosing a durable blade is: if it doesn’t look high-quality, 99 per cent of the time it isn’t. A high-quality snow removal blade will have thick steel and adequate welding where needed.
GRAB A PARTNER
One of the critical aspects to minimizing downtime is to ensure wear parts, such as cutting edges, wear shoes and hoses, are available when needed. Therefore, working with a trusted and knowledgeable dealer is important. Choosing a blade made in North America also ensures parts are available quickly. Good manufacturers typically work closely with dealers and provide support for troubleshooting and blade selection.
Work with a local dealer who can provide recommendations on blades based on regional factors, such as snow type and types of carriers. For example, a dealer in Halifax may recommend a two-foot shorter blade for the same carrier than one in Winnipeg, since snow in the east is generally wetter and heavier.
Whether faced with dry, wet or heavy snow, moving it efficiently while leaving precise clean results can be a challenge. But where there’s a challenge there’s a way, and the best way to ensure optimal results is to choose equipment that offers the most profit potential for the application, budget and location. CRS
HLA is a brand of snow removal equipment manufactured by Horst Welding. Horst Welding has been manufacturing innovative equipment solutions for the agricultural and snow removal markets for more than 20 years. For more information, visit hlasnow.com.
LANDSCAPING SHOWCASE
SPREAD THE TOUGH STUFF
8 gcduke.com
This poly dual-variablespeed electric v-box spreader has a direct drive gear box to operate the bottom auger powered by 1/2-horsepower motor along with a 1/3-horsepower motor operating the rear spinner. The PDE spreader family comes a ribbed poly hopper and a stainless steel spinner frame. The operator is able to spread wet sand, salt and pea gravel. SnoWay also produces a full line of commercial truck plows with down pressure and a wireless remote.
GREAT FOR TIGHT AREAS
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The Laski TR120H selfpropelled ride-on trencher builds on the success of the smaller model TR 50/60 series. With a four-inch trenching depth and overall machine width of 34 inches it is ideal for difficult access
areas. The optional backfill blade allows the user to cover the trench and move material on site. With a 35-horsepower Kohler engine and hydrostatic drive, production rates from 65 to 395 feet per hour are possible.
REVOLUTIONARY CHAIN TENSIONING
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The Ryan ZTS stand-on aerator grips the terrain and is capable of aerating 2 1/4 acres per hour with a ground speed up to seven miles per hour. This Ryan Aerator has a shockabsorbing platform, rapid lift and lower fingertip controls with a range of two- to five-inch aeration depth settings. This well-
LANDSCAPING SHOWCASE
designed unit comes with a revolutionary chaintensioning system and additional weight on the front to safely climb hills. This state-of-the art unit is already the choice of grounds maintenance professionals due to its reliability and superior construction for years of reliable, safe operation. The Ryan unit is also available from Classen Turf.
ALL-SEASON USE
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The Turf Teq Model 1305PR1 power rake is the perfect tool for all types of seedbed preparation and turf renovation. The power rake has a 36-inch-wide drum with welded teeth and is designed to dig and scuff up the soil. It can be angled left or right from the operator position. The unit features a 13-horsepower Honda engine, fully hydrostatic forward and reverse transmission, a differential lock and multi-use attachment
interchangeability. The power rake tractor can also be used to operate a power edger, power broom, brush cutter or plow for all-season use.
LIGHTER FOR OLDER OPERATORS
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Little Beaver’s Towable hydraulic earth drill combines safe and powerful drilling with hassle-free operation and transportation. The drill’s balanced frame makes it ideal for today’s aging workforce. The design reduces operating weight by roughly 50 per cent compared to traditional hydraulic drills and it requires less than 20 pounds of force to pivot into digging position. The frame also eliminates torque for safe one-person drilling. The rig can be conveniently transported using a removable “no tools” towing hitch, saving valuable truck or trailer space and making it an economical tool for
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scrolled, aerodynamic air inlet maintains constant power and doesn’t clog if leaves are drawn in. A large, square discharge chute rides just two inches off of the ground, resulting in better movement of standing water and stubborn debris. Little Wonder uses an innovative split-stream air deflector on the 25-square-inch discharge chute, which eliminates blow-back and moves debris in one pass. Optimax blower accessories include a tool holder, parking brake and solid front wheel, which add convenience and safety as well as increase durability on challenging terrain.
IMPROVED WARRANTY
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The Bob-Cat CRZ offers higher quality commercialgrade features and components than other brands in the same price range. With deck sizes of 48, 52 and 61 inches, it gives the rental customer multiple choices. Bob-Cat mowers
are backed by the Pro-Cat Commercial Warranty of six years or 2,750 hours. In addition to the free extended warranty, Bob-Cat offers a lifetime warranty on its deck and frame.
HARDENED BLADE
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At the forefront with its next generation drive and cut system, superstructure frame and intuitive operator controls, Billy Goat’s SC181H hydro-drive sod cutter now features additional cutting edge technology with an exclusive laser-clad cutting blade. The blade’s hardened leading edge offers precision cuts and three times longer blade life. A heavy-duty gear box and cutting system with oversized sealed bearings, tight shaftmounted eccentrics, a oneinch lateral stability bar and a superstructure frame with 50 additional pounds of steel offer unparalleled durability in the industry’s most rugged conditions. The variable speed hydro-drive with fingertip control in both forward and reverse provides the same consistent feel and simple operation across Billy Goat’s hydro-drive family. Set-and-forget blade depth adjustment to 2.5 inches from a single lever at the user’s operating position saves set-up time and the handle isolation mounts absorb vibration for smooth, fatigue-free operation. Now comes with a text-to-video feature for access to quick
instructional videos via a mobile device. Powered by a 133-cubic centimeter Honda GXV engine.
MEANS BUSINESS
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The 1600 Series II Turbo wide-area mower from John Deere means business. With sweeping deck coverage, an innovative baffling system that virtually eliminates clumping and wings that follow ground contour, the 1600 delivers a consistent quality cut. And thanks to an on-demand full-time rear wheel drive and an advanced top-draw cooling system, it can keep at it acre after acre. The 1600 Series II is powered by a liquid-cooled, turbocharged, four-cylinder, diesel engine. Reliable operation and maximum productivity is guaranteed with the 1600 Series II Wide Area Mower hydrostatic transmission. An innovative, exclusive air-intake system draws clean air from the top of the machine instead of the rear, helping to keep the radiator clear and the engine from overheating. The 1600 Series II is equipped with a 62-inch center deck and two 42-inch wings.
BALANCED AND PORTABLE
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The Bluebird S22 Seeder makes turf renovation simple and easy. The S22 is well balanced and portable thanks to the placement of the polymer seed hopper and its folding handle. The
seed gate is also adjustable to accommodate a broad range of grass seed. The 12-gauge tempered steel delta blades have a unique angled position and beveled cutting edges that cut slits in the ground for dethatching, overseeding or aerating slopes and terraces. Ideal for thinning running-stem grasses like Bermuda and St. Augustine. Every Bluebird power rake and seeder has an adjustable handle allowing for three different operator heights as well as folding for easy transportation and storage.
EASY RIDE
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The Titan HD2500 zero-turn mower features enhanced comfort. From the standard suspension seat, isolated floor pan design, easy access from the front or side of the machine, to the deck step guide and easy-touse controls, Toro has the operator in mind. Landscape professionals rely on Toro’s patented Turbo Force decks for outstanding quality of cut and durability. The durable 7/10-gauge high strength steel cutting deck, the rugged three-by-two-inch tubular frame and commercial-grade
hydraulics mean HD 2500 mowers are built to last. Titan provides operators the ability to easily attach tools and accessories directly to the mower with the innovative tool-mounting brackets.
COMPACT EQUIPMENT FOR LANDSCAPERS
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The JCB 3TS-8T Teleskid and 48Z-1 compact excavator are the latest in the company’s range of skid steer and compact track loaders built
in North America. They are designed to provide Canadian landscapers with the power and performance they demand, and the build quality and reliability they need to be successful in our challenging environment. The Teleskid, in particular, is a game-changer, allowing operators to lift higher, reach further and dig deeper than ever before. The JCB Teleskid is a skid steer and compact track loader with a telescopic boom, allowing operators to lift above 13 feet, reach forward eight feet and dig three feet below grade. It is also combines the advantages of vertical and radial lift capabilities in a single machine. The Teleskid is equipped with a 74 horsepower JCB EcoMax engine, requiring no diesel
particulate filter (DPF) or diesel engine fluid (DEF). Available wheeled and tracked models offer rated operating capacities of 3,208 and 3,695 pounds, respectively. JCB also offers to landscapers the 215 vertical lift skid steer loader. Designed as a smallplatform skid steer with large-platform capability, the JCB 215 is powered by the 74 horsepower JCB diesel by Kohler engine, requiring no DPF or DEF, and features the JCB Powerboom with side-door entry. The 215 wheeled skid steer has a rated operating capacity of 2,112 pounds in standard configuration or 2,258 pounds with an optional dealer-fit counterweight package. The 215 is also available as a compact track
loader, with an ROC of 2,105 pounds in standard configuration or 2,138 pounds with the optional counterweight package. A similarly capable 210 radial lift model is also available in skid steer and compact track loader configurations. All 215 and 210 machines are capable of operating high flow attachments up to 30 gallons per minute. The JCB 48Z-1 compact excavator is a zerotail-swing machine with a JCB diesel by Kohler engine that produces 48 horsepower and 166 foot pounds of torque. A fully bushed dig end with 500-hour greasing intervals reduces downtime and daily maintenance, cutting total cost of ownership for the customer and increasing productivity.
• DRI-EAZ
Dehumidifiers, Blowers, Water Extraction and Specialty Drying
• JENNY Air Compressors
• OZTEC
Concrete Vibrators, Backpacks and Ceiling grinders
E-mail: eastcan@rogers.com • Cell: 416-230-8045 For Quebec: Erick Desormeaux Tel 514-249-9706 • Toll Free 1-866-611-0843 E-mail: edfa@gmail.com
SAFETY FIRST AND LAST
It’s time for a change
by Jeff Thorne
Sometimes we have to face certain truths in life, and I’m sure you’ve heard a few of them: life isn’t fair, the book is always better and the Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t won a cup since 1967 (but this is the year).
I bet you haven’t heard this one though. Today, in a workplace somewhere in Canada, a worker will die. I’m not trying to be a pessimist – far from it. This unfortunately is a truth and a reality in our workplaces today. That dreaded phone call learning of an event that has led to the loss of a loved one is something that happens almost daily in Canada.
Finally, this unfortunate fact is being brought to light and is gaining national attention.
At the end of November there was CBC News investigation where they released a series of articles focusing on the fact that when workers die on the job, penalties, when applied, don’t go far enough. That’s right, “when applied,” as not every fatality case goes to trial and when they do, there is not always a conviction.
CBC News reviewed more than 250 cases across Canada, considered the details of these cases and concluded that the average fine across Canada was $97,500. Some provinces were higher than others. B.C and Saskatchewan were at the low end with B.C.’s average fine sitting at $26,563. Alberta and Ontario were on the high end. After a review of 36 fatalities in Alberta dating back to 2009, the average fine there was $275,000, while Ontario’s average fine was $125,000.
Alberta’s average may sound a little better in comparison to the rest of Canada, however, as quoted in the CBC article, data provided from the Association of Workers Compensation Boards in Canada shows there were 468 acute workplace fatalities in Alberta between 2010 and 2015, and there were only 30 convictions under the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Act for fatalities. That’s a horrible batting average. These incidents happen everywhere, from Fernie, B.C., to Grand Falls, N.B., and everywhere in between. Fernie, a beautiful city located in the Elk Valley of the East Kootenay region of southeastern B.C., is known for its
amazing snowfalls, powder skiing, biking and hiking. I had the pleasure of having the most amazing ski trip there in February 2017 –powder like I had never seen before. In October of that same year they declared a local state of emergency and evacuated numerous residents due to an ammonia leak. Fernie lost three workers that day in what will prove to be a preventable incident.
In Grand Falls in the evening of January 2011, a young worker, Patrick Desjardins, was cleaning the floor of his local Walmart’s tire and lube garage with a faulty floor buffer that was purchased from a garage sale. The extension cord used to power the buffer was frayed. When coiling the extension cord, he fell onto his back, pulling the buffer on top of him. Landing on the wet floor he suffered electrical shocks for a period of approximately 25 seconds and was electrocuted. I followed this case when it occurred because I was interested in the outcomes. Walmart, undoubtedly a large employer, knowingly allowed a worker to use a faulty piece of equipment with no training.
In 2012, Walmart and a supervisor pled guilty to a handful of charges. You would think that Walmart, the retail giant, would be penalized substantially. After all was said and done, the judge fined Walmart $120,000 and the supervisor $880.
This is the problem: fine amounts in many cases do not act as a deterrent and provide no reasonable form of justice for the loved ones left behind. Not that any amount of money would suffice, but seriously – $120,000 to Walmart? That’s embarrassing. The outcome in this case is all too common and this is what CBC brought to light. The penalties need to be more severe. Workplace fatalities in many cases are a crime and should be treated as such.
It’s time for a change. One acute fatality per day is one traumatic incident per day where a loved one doesn’t make it home. Maximum penalties are rarely levied and jail time, if it is applied, is minimal. This is unacceptable as these incidents are preventable. It’s time for a change. CRS
