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Serving the Canadian rental industry for 44 years.
4
EDITORIAL
Some interesting tips on how to get the government’s attention.
22
SMOOTH SLOPES
Offest compaction attachments can add safety and efficiency to your fleet.
12
ONE BIG FAMILY
Snowbird Rentals has been on its own against larger rental businesses for 44 years.
16
WHAT WENT WONG
Bullying is a real thing, with real safety consequences for your business.
18 GAINING TRACTION WITH COMPACTION
Working with customers to understand their compaction jobs brings best results.
26 COMPACTION SHOWCASE
Presenting a selection of compaction equipment technology from top suppliers. AT YOUR SERVICE
It is time to kill the office gossip culture. By Russ
Dantu
There is a new kind of weddings that event rental businesses can capitalize on. By Michelle Nicol
HOPE IS NOT A PLAN
Being proactive in dealing with changes will help in the long run. By Adam Snook
Getting government ears
Some tips for government advocacy from a blue-ribbon panel.
Was on a panel hosted by the tireless Mike Wood of Ottawa Special Events this week. Mike rounded up some really great guests from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses and Sussex Strategy Group to give some advice to small businesses on government advocacy and how to get your opinions in front of your elected representatives. The discussion was pure gold.
As is often the case, the questions were sometimes more revealing than the answers. My sense was that many of the attendees had had the frustrating experience of trying to contact decision-makers and being stonewalled with automated email responses and silence. Every official gets more communications than they could ever expect to handle, especially these days with so much changing and so much not working to the satisfaction of businesses. But there were many practical tips offered for how to proceed that I’ll try to relay here.
The first of these was simply a web address: infogo.gov.on.ca. That’s the online directory for the Ontario government that not only lists all the various ministries and their departments, but also provides phone numbers and email addresses for the ministers and staff. All provinces have something similar. The panelists recommended trying to reach assistants in charge of scheduling in order to try to set up calls or meetings with MPPs and ministers, though they cautioned that ministers are pretty hard to nail down.
ON THE WEB:
CounterTalks episode #20: The cross Canada perspective
On March 24, Jeff Campbell of St. Thomas Rent-All, Blake Menning of All Choice, Paul Van Staveren of Stayner Rental and Mike Wood of Ottawa Special Events joined the Rental Mart online event to shoot the breeze about the big issues facing the rental industry today. Like how to keep your tow-behind booms from icing up. It was a lot of fun and some great insights were exchanged.
Download episodes of CounterTalks at canadianrentalservice.com > Podcasts or subscribe on your favourite podcasting service.
by Patrick Flannery
At the federal level, the parliamentary secretary for each office is a good person to approach. The fact is, elected representatives do very little of their own scheduling and are almost out of the loop when it comes to deciding who they’re going to be talking to and what they’ll be talking about every day.
The panelists recommended getting your ask toward the top of your message and leading with your story: who you are, why the issue is important to you and how it has impacted (or will impact) you directly. These are concrete facts that can’t be easily disputed and show the representative you are coming from a place of authentic concern and not playing some political game. Presenting solutions instead of just making complaints is important, as is a generally polite and respectful tone. Venting of emotions and grand theories is discouraged. When thinking about your “ask,” one panelist suggested envisioning a Venn diagram. One circle is your interest, another circle is the public interest and the third circle is the candidate’s political interest. For best results, your proposed solution to the issue you are raising should fall in the middle where the three circles overlap. And, as always, brevity in your communications is the best policy.
The panelists recommended focusing on your local MP or MPP rather than going to ministers right away. After all, they are the ones who need your vote and the votes of your friends, customers and employees. They recommended this even if your representative was not in the governing party. Part of an Opposition member’s job is to bring their constitutent’s matters to the government’s attention, and the panelists said there’s a lot more conversation and collegiality between the Opposition and the government than it looks like in Question Period.
Deere 333G lifts higher and reaches farther than its predecessors, with a refined vertical-lift loader design that makes for faster more efficient loading. It also serves up substantially greater pushing power and bucket breakout forces to carve out clay, power through piles, and handle heavy loads with ease, making it the perfect addition to your rental fleet.
If you’re having trouble getting your representative’s attention, or the response is consistently one you don’t like, you can go to the media. It’s more powerful, but can cause collateral damage. The panelists recommended local print media saying it’s where all the TV and radio producers get their ideas anyway. Speaking from experience, I can tell you journalists are eager to hear your experiences and opinions. But beware: if you’ve succeeded in building a relationship with a politician and are perhaps involved in consultations with them, talking about them, their positions and any open proposals without their blessing will turn you into an enemy very quickly (unless it’s in the most glowing terms). Once you’ve gotten to that stage, media silence is best. CRS
Best of all, the 333G is backed by Brandt; the best-trained and most committed 24/7/365 after-sales support team in the business. That’s Powerful Value. Delivered.
INDUSTRY NEWS
FEDERAL BUDGET: HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE RENTAL INDUSTRY
The federal government released its 2021 budget on April 19. Here are some highlights of special interest to the equipment and event rental industry. The government of Canada is announcing its intention to introduce legislation that will establish a federal minimum wage of $15 per hour, rising with inflation, with provisions to ensure that where provincial or territorial minimum wages are higher, that wage will prevail. This will directly benefit over 26,000 workers who currently make less than $15 per hour in the federally regulated private sector. Budget 2021 proposes to extend the wage subsidy until Sept. 25. It also proposes to gradually decrease the subsidy rate, beginning July 4, in order to ensure an orderly phase-out of the program as vaccinations are completed and the economy reopens. It proposes to extend the rent subsidy and Lockdown Support until Sept. 25. It also proposes to gradually decrease the rate of the rent subsidy, beginning July 4. The government recently extended the application deadline for Canada Emergency Business Account to June 30. The government proposes to provide up to 12 additional weeks of Canada Recovery Benefit to a maximum of 50 weeks. Budget 2021 proposes to introduce the new Canada Recovery Hiring Program for eligible employers that continue to experience qualifying declines in revenues relative to before the pandemic. The budget
also proposes many long-term changes to EI, saying “Canada needs a more effective income support system for the 21st century.” Budget 2021 proposes to invest $200 million through the regional development agencies to support Canada’s many local festivals, celebrations, and amateur sport events that draw visitors to our communities. Budget 2021 proposes to invest $200 million through Canadian Heritage to support local festivals, community cultural events, outdoor theatre performances, heritage celebrations, local museums, amateur sport events, and more.
Budget 2021 proposes to provide $80 million over two years to Canadian Heritage to remove barriers to participation in sports programming and to help community organizations kick-start local organized sports that are accessible to all. To help Canadian musicians, concert venues, producers, and distributors Budget 2021 proposes to provide $70 million over three years to Canadian Heritage for the Canada Music Fund. This includes up to $50 million in 2021-22 to help the live music sector, including music venues, weather the pandemic. Budget 2021 proposes to provide up to $101.4
million over five years to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada for the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Program to provide affordable financing, increase data and strengthen capacity within the entrepreneurship ecosystem, Budget 2021 proposes to provide up to $146.9 million over four years to strengthen the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy. Budget 2021 proposes to provide up to an additional $51.7 million over four years, starting in 2021-22, to ISEDC and the regional development agencies for the Black Entrepreneurship Program. Budget 2021 proposes to provide $960 million over three years to Employment and Social Development Canada for a new Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program. Working primarily with sector associations and employers, funding would help design and deliver training that is relevant to the needs of businesses, especially small and medium-sized businesses, and to their employees. Budget 2021 announces that the government will engage with stakeholders to examine what barriers exist to the creation of employee ownership trusts in Canada, and how workers and owners of private businesses in Canada could benefit from the use of employee ownership trusts. The budget promises to work with stakeholders to lower the average overall cost of credit card interchange fees for merchants and to ensure that small businesses benefit from pricing that is similar to large businesses and protect existing rewards points of consumers.
COMING EVENTS
PIRTEK PLANS FOR INTERNATIONAL GROWTH INTO CANADA
Pirtek is expanding its brand presence into Canada. Pirtek recognizes the Canadian hydraulic hose industry demand is high and sees an opportunity for a strong franchise network of service locations. Pirtek will concentrate on targeting at least one new location in each province in Canada. Currently, Pirtek operates in 23 countries with more than 430 units across the globe. The company’s extensive growth and success has led Pirtek to seek out more international markets. It has set its sights on Canada to meet the hose repair and replacement need, similar to the U.S. demand.
ROAD WIDENER APPOINTS NEW REGIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVES
Road Widener recently appointed Todd Dohnal and Jack Nate as regional sales managers, as the company focuses on expanding its direct sales coverage worldwide to better serve its customers. Dohnal will serve the eastern U.S. and Europe and Nate will manage the central U.S. and Canada. As regional sales managers, the two will focus on bringing road repair solutions and increasing productivity and
“Pirtek has already expanded into 23 countries, branching out into brand new areas is charted territory for us, and Canada has a healthy need for hydraulic and industrial hose repair,” said Kim Gubera, Pirtek USA’s CEO. “Our new Canadian franchisees will help build the Pirtek brand in the country, and they’ll receive comprehensive training and support to ensure they’re great ambassadors for more country-wide franchisees to follow. This is a great opportunity where the sky’s the limit for wide-reaching territories and revenues.”
Pirtek has more than 40 years’ experience in the industry and
safety for contractors worldwide.
“Road Widener strives to bring customers unbeatable safety and efficiency with innovative road construction equipment,” said Todd Granger, Road Widener director of sales. “Todd and Jack have made excellent additions to the team and are assets for their customers as we expand and define our territories and customer support globally.”
WACKER NEUSON SHARES BATTERY PLATFORM WITH COOPERATION PARTNER
Wacker Neuson is accelerating the transition to emissions-free construction sites – promising a host of benefits for customers. From fall 2021, the modular, rechargeable construction equipment battery developed by Wacker Neuson will also be compatible with equipment made by the company’s cooperation partner, Bomag. Customers will benefit from simplified construction site logistics and cost savings when they invest in batterypowered devices, creating strong momentum for the wider adoption
of emissions-free equipment on construction sites. When developing its rechargeable battery, Wacker Neuson embraced the “one for all” mindset right from the start. This approach enables users to operate different construction equipment products such as rammers and vibratory plates with just one battery. It means that customers only have to invest in one rechargeable battery and charger. The approach will yield further potential for synergies and savings in future as the batteries will also be compatible with construction
is actively seeking qualified and passionate franchise partners to capitalize on the emerging market success. Pirtek hopes to onboard potential franchisees who put customer service at the forefront of their mission, and it welcomes driven individuals from any and all industries, regardless of technical experience. An initial investment for Pirtek ranges from $386,300 to $869,300. Franchisees can expect to receive access to and ongoing training and support as well as exclusive territories. Pirtek is headquartered in Rockledge, Fla and supplies and services fluid power solutions.
Nate comes to Road Widener from a major access equipment manufacturer where he spent the majority of his time as a field sales manager. Nate’s responsibilities included managing product lines for dealers and equipment education for dealers and end users.
“I’m excited to help customers and dealers increase operator safety and efficiency, and win more bids,” Nate said Nate received his bachelor’s in marketing from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in 2018. He currently resides in Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
equipment manufactured by Bomag. Making this battery technology available to a competitor in the soil compaction equipment market does not present Wacker Neuson with a conflict of interest.
“By enabling another manufacturer to use our battery, we are further accelerating the adoption of emissions-free construction equipment and underscoring Wacker Neuson’s commitment to fast-tracking carbon reductions,” explained Stefan Pfetsch, managing director of the Wacker Neuson production site in Reichertshofen.
Todd Dohnal
Jack Nate
INDUSTRY NEWS
SANY BETTING ON HYDROGEN
Sany, a Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer, has announced a commitment to develop hydrogen fuel-cell technology for use in large construction machinery. Two recent examples include a dump truck and a mixer truck. Sany says the truck is the first hydrogen-powered mixer truck in the world. According to the R&D engineer on the project, hydrogen fuel cell construction vehicles have five important advantages. Among them, the realization of zero pollution with only water and heat being discharged. Apart from zero pollution, the new fuel cell-powered construction vehicles also outperform traditional electrical designs in these additional four areas.
Long battery life: A set of hydrogen cylinders with a combined
capacity of 1,680 liters ensures a driving distance of more than 500 kilometers, saving drivers from mileage anxiety.
More power: With a large torque drive motor and an AMT gearbox, the high-power fuel cell stack features an energy conversion rate of over 50 percent. The vehicle demonstrates enhanced acceleration rate and climbing capacity.
Enhanced weather
adaptability: The integrated heat management system performs automatic heating and cooling in hot and cold weather conditions to maintain optimal performance.
Extra safety considerations: Functions such as high heat protection, overcurrent protection, a low pressure alarm and leakage
LONG-TIME AEM TEAM MEMBER PASSES
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers announced that its senior director of contract and vendor management Michelle Sanford passed away on April 19 after a hardfought battle with cancer. Michelle started her career as a secretary in the exhibitions department in 1994 and quickly grew in her career to become an integral leader of the AEM exhibitions and operations team. She oversaw operations for AEM’s many trade shows, including CONEXPO-CON/ AGG, The Utility Expo, AG Connect, and World of Asphalt. She traveled the globe to support international exhibitions in China, India, and Russia, among other places. Through her leadership, AEM has been able to advance its mission to create successful and effective opportunities to connect equipment manufacturers with agriculture and construction equipment end users.
“For more than 20 years, Michelle was a bright asset to the AEM team, and her infectious laugh and smile are profoundly missed,” said AEM president Dennis Slater. “A large part of AEM’s success in producing some of the largest trade shows in the world are due to Michelle’s tremendous management skills and leadership. We all have a heavy heart as we move forward without Michelle. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.”
Michelle was a long-time member of International Association of Exhibitions and Events, earning her Certified Exhibition Manager designation. She shared her love for exhibitions on numerous councils and committees within IAEE, including the education committee, the CEM oversight committee that wrote the curriculum on the contract management segment, and she also served as proxy for several other AEM staff looking to also receive the CEM designation. She served on the board of the Major American Trade Show Organization and led that group in its strategic planning. She was a member of the Advisory Group for the cities of Las Vegas and Orlando. She launched trade shows on behalf of AEM in China and Russia, and she supported many other domestic and international events.
detection and control in the hydrogen supply system guarantee a worry-free driving experience.
Li Tanbo, deputy general manager of Sany’s crane business unit, said in the rollout that Sany has entered a new phase in which the development of construction machinery is trending towards the application of green energy and green, intelligent equipment technologies. Sany plans to become the largest comprehensive hydrogen fuel solution provider and the number one electric construction vehicle manufacturer in China within five years.
YANMAR COMPACT EQUIPMENT CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF TRACKED CARRIER
Yanmar Compact Equipment this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of the YFW500D, the world’s first tracked carrier equipped with a Yanmar diesel engine. The original carrier used the undercarriage of a Yanmar rubber crawler combine harvester and added a cargo box to enable it to transport materials on soft ground. Created in 1971, the YFW500D was one of the world’s first tracked carriers. The carrier was the first in a long line of quality products from Yanmar developed to meet the needs of the times. Yanmar will mark the celebration of this 50th anniversary of the tracked carrier by renewing the company’s commitment to the development of high-performance products and solutions that offer premium reliability and value for customers. Through Yanmar’s contributions to urban development, including housing construction and infrastructure development, they aim to realize a society where everyone can live with peace of mind.
AT YOUR SERVICE
Pssst… did you hear?
by Russ Dantu
Irecently delivered two half-days of virtual training for a municipality. I always talk to five to six employees of each department to get a feel for what is happening in their own areas as well as how they see the rest of the company. One issue that usually comes up is what I call the “culture killer” – gossip! Initially, everyone said what a great place it was to work at. Then I received a second email from one employee a few days later saying there was one issue she’d love me to address: gossip, and the affects it has on others.
Gossip is truly a culture killer. It can divide a team very quickly if it gains momentum. It can interfere with projects being done properly and correctly because it distracts from the end goal. It adds stress to your team and people can feel like they are walking around on egg shells. Basically, it breathes negativity and needs to be dealt with before it gets out of hand.
So how do we handle it? I am a true believer in weekly toolbox meetings as a way to deal with issues like gossip. This is one of the requirements in the COR certificate programs. COR addresses safety in the workplace and if you aren’t COR certified, I strongly suggest you look into it.
Back to the weekly toolbox meetings and why I like them. As part of your safety program, you need to hold a weekly meeting that is usually quite short – 10 to 15 minutes. The focus each meeting has is on a different area of safety so employees learn about them and it keeps safety top of mind. It can be as easy as operating a pallet jack, using a paper cutter, handling a knife, or any part of safety related to your specific business.
Years ago, soon after COR became a thing in Alberta, the rental company I was working for decided to apply for this certification. In addition to the safety tips we would go over weekly, I also spent an extra five minutes talking about customer service tips.
The toolbox meeting is where I would deal with a customer service issue (internal customer service) like gossip. It’s a lot easier when you have your entire team or department present to talk about difficult issues like this. For this specific topic, here is how I would deal with it.
Nip it in the bud as soon as someone brings it to your attention. This shows everyone you are serious about handling issues right away and you also take employee complaints seriously (as long as there is merit in what they are saying). Do this by bringing in the offender(s) to hear their side of the story. Sometimes there are deeper issues involved and uncovering them can help solve what the real issue is. Once you have a clear picture of what is happening, it’s time to use it in a toolbox meeting.
In the next toolbox meeting, give them a real-world example of how gossip hurt another company. By using storytelling, you keep them engaged and interested. By using a real-world scenario, you aren’t specifically picking on one or two people in your employ that appear to be the issue.
Ask for feedback and thoughts from your team on what they think the negative results of gossip are and how they would handle it. Participation is key here to help your team voice their concerns. Some may know it is happening but are afraid to speak up. By providing a safe environment, it makes it easier for them to do so. It also shows you are serious about them being part of the solution. The more we engage our employees, the better cohesion we have with our teams.
Monitor the progress after. Regularly check in with the person who brought it to your attention and also the perpetrators to make sure things don’t escalate again.
If it comes up again, be sure to use it in a future toolbox meeting as a refresher.
Toolbox meetings are great to create a stronger, safer team. Quick weekly meetings are also great to keep you and your team connected and will help you build a strong workplace culture.
If you’d like help in creating a better workplace culture or getting creative with building a strong customer-centric team, I’d love to be of service. Take care of yourselves, your customers and your employees! 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.
JOIN RENTAL MART
2.0 IN JULY
The Big Ass Rental Mart virtual conference was a big success this March, so we’re getting the band back together in July for another online gathering of the Canadian rental industry on July 20.
PLATINUM SPONSORS
SPONSORS
ASK THE MECHANIC Service and mechanical experts will discuss common issues with popular rental equipment and share their tips and tricks from years in the back of the store. Submit your questions in advance or ask them on the day!
WOMEN IN RENTAL PANEL
Canadian Rental Service associate editor Sukanya Ray Ghosh will be joined by a panel of remarkable female entrepreneurs to talk about their experiences in the rental industry and celebrate the incredible contributions women make every day in stores across the country.
THE LATEST TECH ON DISPLAY
Our virtual showroom will once again host information about the latest and greatest in rental-ready equipment with the ability to connect with the supplier representatives you count on.
by ANDREW SNOOK
ONE BIG FAMILY
Experience gives Snowbird Rentals its edge.
When it comes to running a successful rental house, customer service is key. This is especially true if you’re a small company competing against much larger corporations with far greater buying power.
Operating two rental houses in the Edmonton area’s west end and south side, Snowbird Rentals’ owner and staff understand this very well. The company has been competing and surviving against much larger rental houses in the area since 1977. The equipment rental house services contractors, homeowners, landscapers, farmers and automotive tradesmen.
The small rental house relies on a small, core group of employees that have been devoted to the company for the past two decades, starting with its current owner, Dan McFetridge.
McFetridge joined the company in 1989. He started by working in the back of the store loading and unloading customers and cleaning and fuelling equipment. He enjoyed the industry so much, he never left.
“I eventually took over as manager of the west end store in ’92, and then in ’93 became operations manager for both locations. In ’97, I became a partner in the company; and in 2005, I bought the company. It’s been a fun journey,” he says.
McFetridge has had several employees stick with him for most of his journey, including Amy London, operations manager for Snowbird Rentals.
“There’s something about Snowbird that entices loyalty. Our mechanic has been here for 20 years, I’ve been here for 19 years,” she says, adding that she started out in a similar way to McFetridge, working her way up to overseeing operations for the south side branch.
Despite have a reliable core group of
employees, finding good people can still be a challenge.
“Turnover of staff in this industry is probably one of the biggest challenges,” McFetridge says. “I have a really great core group, but because this industry isn’t like a trade, there aren’t those kinds of trade positions available [to retain them]; and people coming in can take a long learning curve.”
For London, staying at Snowbird Rentals hasn’t been a difficult decision.
“This company is one in a million, it’s a big family. We all care about each other. It’s a great feeling to have,” she says. “It’s an extremely satisfying place to work.”
One of London’s favourite things about working there over the years has been watching younger employees grow, working at Snowbird Rentals while making their way through school.
“Watching some of them become electricians, pipefitters, while working here with us, learning skills they need here and filling the gaps between schools. Some of those kids come back and see us. Nothing makes me happier than our guys coming back to see me, telling me about their lives,” she says.
Another aspect of working in the rental industry that London has enjoyed in her near two decades at Snowbird Rentals has been the variety of problems that she gets to solve.
“The best thing about rental is no two days are ever the same. It’s a new experience every day,” she says. “I love it when a senior or a gentleman comes in and has no idea how to use a tool. They come in and talk to you and
you walk them through it. Then they come back, and they’ve accomplished the things they set out to do. The look on their face is the best when they come back and feel good.”
That vast product knowledge base that Snowbird Rental’s core group has is essential for a significant percentage of their customer base. Homebuilders and smaller contractors make up a good part of their business, and they’re often looking for hard-to-find tools that Snowbird Rentals prides themselves on keeping in stock.
“We have some really weird stuff here, some odd-ball tools,” London says. “We still have nail pullers. We still have liquid line levellers, knockout punches.”
Homeowners also account for a large portion of the customer base, and often lean on the experience and knowledge of Snowbird Rentals’ staff to find answers to their repair and renovation challenges.
“We have lots of do-it-yourselfers, and we have lots of regular customers. I know them all by name. That’s a great thing about being in a small company,” London says.
WORKING IN THE PANDEMIC
Like most industries across the county, and the globe, Snowbird Rentals got hit hard when the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic struck.
“When it first happened, we laid off almost all of our staff except for six people. We were still open because we were essential and our winter heat service was going on,” London recalls. “As soon as business came back in the spring, we brought our guys back as soon as possible.”
Fortunately, the following spring was fairly busy for the rental house. That said, the pandemic still made for tenser times.
“In the pandemic for companies like us, if somebody gets sick with a small staff, you’re looking at shutting everything down,” London says.
To help reduce the risk of infection and adhere to health and safety guidelines, Snowbird Rentals staff quickly set up a variety of precautions at its locations.
The team at Snowbird Rentals is one big loyal family.
Snowbird Rentals has safety protocols and measures in place since the onset of the pandemic.
COVER STORY
“Dan went out and bought plexiglass for our counters, special cleaners, disinfectant spray to sanitize our pens, hand sanitizer, masks and gloves. We did everything we could to keep ourselves safe and our customers safe,” London says.
“We roped off areas where we couldn’t have our customers, they only had a specific area they could go into. I think our customers were pretty good about it.”
McFetridge says that keeping up with all the changing safety regulations, especially during the first few months of the pandemic, was the most difficult aspect of adapting his stores’ operating procedures.
“It was the hardest part. Just when you had everything set up the way you needed it to be, it would change,” he says.
WAITING FOR THE REBOUND
Despite having a busy spring in 2020, McFetridge says the market certainly hasn’t rebounded yet.
“We’ve seen significant downturn since the beginning of year, considerably lower than we were last year,” he says. “We rely a lot on the housing season to carry us through the winter and we didn’t see a lot of that this year.”
The pandemic arguably hasn’t hit any province’s economy at a worse time than Alberta’s, which was already trying to recover from a struggling oil and gas sector.
“From 2015 to 2017, it was bad. In 2018, we started to
The
The company has competed against the much larger rental businesses and held its ground successfully since 1977.
come out of it a little bit, started to see revenue getting better. Then we increased exponentially in 2019, but then COVID-19 hit. We got through 2020 okay, but we’re really starting to feel it in 2021,” McFetridge says. “We’re expected to have most of Alberta’s adult population vaccinated by mid-July. But even after this is all said and done, there will be a long-term recovery coming out of this.”
Supply chain disruption caused by the pandemic has affected most companies in the rental industry. London says it hasn’t been too bad at Snowbird Rentals, so far.
“For the most part, it’s been pretty good. My mechanic struggled to get parts in a decent amount of time for a while. Something that normally took a couple days was taking 10 days or two weeks sometimes,” she recalls.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
In the coming years, London would like to see the company continue to grow its customer base and its fleet of skid steers.
“We want to expand our customer base and keep moving forward and growing as a company,” she says. “It’s a big accomplishment, what this tiny little company has been able to do in the
44 years it’s been around.”
London says all of the staff take great pride in working for Snowbird Rentals.
“We love the company and we don’t own any of it. It feels as much our company as it is Dan’s. The respect we get from Dan and the sense of family and the respect that happens in this company, I don’t even have the words to express it. It’s an amazing place to work. I depend on my team heavily. They are a big reason why we are successful and why I am able to do my job with confidence.”
When asked if she had any tips for other smaller rental houses, London says there are a few things to always consider.
“Make customer service a priority. Work with your customer to the best of your ability with pricing, and make sure your fleet is in good condition,” she says. “It’s the personal touches that are going to make someone succeed. It’s the personal touch that makes someone come back to you. When a guy has to work late or drops a piece of equipment off late because he had to take his kid to the hospital and you don’t charge them for it, those are the little things you can do for your customer to keep them coming back to you. It’s all about customer service.”
WHAT WENT WONG Thwart the bullies
by James Wong
We’ve all had a rough year. Along with declining mental health due to the pandemic, one other possible contributor to the increasing rate of serious selfharm is bullying. The causes for such behaviour can include racism, self-privilege, adversity to change, status and numerous other reasons not always understood by the bully.
If you’ve ever been a junior level worker, you may remember being teased by established workers. If you didn’t experience some sort of one-upmanship, you are probably very much in the minority. It’s not unheard of for guys to show their upper hand by making comments or comparing stories about how well they’ve done in comparison. Good fun is acceptable; however, when it turns into bullying it can have some very negative effects for the targeted worker. Intimidation also affects productivity and safety on the jobsite and workplace.
It’s not always apparent to the offender how their comments or actions are affecting a co-worker. Conversely, targeted workers may not be aware of the effects. The most common symptoms are feeling anxious about going to work, decreasing social group involvement, missing work and depression. We’ve all had days where going to work might seem a bit of a drudgery. However, when a feeling of anxiety is the primary reaction, there might very well be a problem.
Bullying has a negative impact on mental wellness, causing symptoms in many forms from depression to the compounding consequences of declining well being. There is a very real stigma attached to an individual’s inability to speak up for themselves displayed by workers thinking less of someone because of their perceived weakness or thinking a worker is “other than” because they can’t take a joke. This has been known to lead to shaming, shunning, blaming, and even physical harm.
Most people spend the bulk of their waking hours at work. Being exposed to ridicule on a daily basis takes a serious toll, affecting the safety of everyone on the team. It can be difficult to recognize the difference between workplace teasing and bullying. It often causes an uneasy feeling and hesitancy to speak up.
The only real way to tackle bullying in the workplace is to incorporate a mental health component to safety training that uses best practices to support early intervention. Preventing harm to workers’ psychological health by addressing negligent, reckless, or intentional ways to harm, and promoting psychological wellbeing, provides the tools to tackle bullying.
Mental well being is an essential part of our overall health, affecting our ability to make sound decisions on the job. This directly impacts individual safety and the safety of others. Mental well being is the disposition in which an individual realizes their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, are able to make a positive contribution to their workplace and branch out further. A fully healthy individual has the potential to emit goodwill in their community.
Incorporating mental health awareness in safety training is beneficial to a company’s bottom line. The cost of overlooking persistent bullying practices not only affects the individual, it also increases the potential for adverse workplace incidents. Absenteeism, turnover, strain on employee assistance programs, short-term and long-term disability and drug plan costs are factors that are serious incentives for encouraging a proactive approach from management toward a healthy workplace. Teaching workers how to recognize bullying and what to do about it empowers employees to act against attempted intimidation.
A positive approach to our co-workers generates camaraderie, which in turn has numerous positive health ramifications. Knowing your co-workers have your back, speaking up when you observe bullying, practicing positive reinforcement and putting safety as the priority for all workers, sets a tone and work culture that is highly productive, generates improved job satisfaction, and importantly, increases personal and workplace safety. If you are the target of bullying speak up, and if you see something, say something. Be safe. Be well. CRS
James Wong is an OHS chief for the construction industry.
by Michelle Nicol, CERP
The event shift
Adifferent kind of wedding has come come into being during the pandemic that the events industry had to adapt to. Let’s look at what popular trends we saw take off and which may stick around. Smaller weddings with a focus on higher-end rentals, a larger abundance of food and an emphasis on quality entertainment will likely be here to stay. Looking ahead to what rentals will be popular for the rest of 2021 will help us prepare our inventory and staffing requirements for a hopefully busy third and fourth quarter.
Tents remain popular as many events are being hosted outside to optimize guest count allowances. Clients want to have the look and feel of an elegant, modern, trendy or rustic event venue in an outdoor tent, with appropriate lighting and HVAC to create a comfortable space for their guests. With the cost savings of not renting a venue but instead hosting the celebrations in a family member or friend’s back yard, couples are spending that money on upgraded tents and rentals, dramatic lighting and ceiling decor.
The backyard wedding trend has grown substantially this year, partially due to closed venues and restrictions. This has made on-site staff a necessity that may have been overlooked at private residence events prior to 2020. Hired staff are able to take care of touch point cleaning on handles and high traffic areas, ensure guests are adhering to distancing protocols and restrictions are being met. Looking for a way to keep your staff busy? Suggest to your clients that along with their tent and rentals, they may want to consider hiring one of your staff members to be this person on site. They can refill hand sanitizer stations and offer a behind-the-scenes peace of mind for the couple and their guests. Hand sanitizer stations, hand wash stations and directional signage to these cleaning stations are now being worked into the events decor. Looking at increasing your table inventory? Explore a smaller option than the standard eightfoot rectangular table by offering a four-foot harvest table or round table to accommodate less people per table. Because of spacing restrictions, seating two people at an eight-foot table looks
sparse and empty. Couples are looking for creative and safe ways to display their food since the traditional self-serve buffets are on pause. Why not create unique buffet displays beyond the standard chafing dishes that the catering staff can serve from? Don’t forget to advertise these specialized items, whether they are new to your inventory or something you’ve had for a while that are being used in a different way.
No dancing? No problem! There has been a shift from the traditional dinner and dancing of a wedding reception. Guests are splurging on live bands, comedy acts or interactive events such as wine pairings/tastings or mixology classes for their guest’s entertainment post-ceremony. Along with the different flow for weddings comes different timing. Couples are hosting weekday weddings due to limited venue availability or cost savings, or are having an afternoon lunch wedding as opposed to the traditional evening of dinner, drinks and dancing. Weddings are being rescheduled to off months such as November through February, so having the appropriate HVAC options will be essential in being able to provide tents and rentals during these historically non-wedding months. This is beneficial for suppliers as it will help us avoid shortages during peak seasons or on weekends, while also offering an opportunity to send out our equipment during down times. Now’s a great time to start advertising for winter wedding specials and packages – we have to educate clients on what is possible and how we can help them achieve their dream wedding regardless of the time of year.
The wedding industry has shifted in many ways, but one thing remains the same: couples are looking for unique and special ways to host this momentous celebration in their life. Couples will find a way to celebrate within restrictions and rental companies around the globe will be there to support them however we can. We’re all in this together!. CRS
Michelle is an award-winning account manager and festival specialist with Higgins Event Rentals in Toronto. She is an active member in industry associations and enjoys serving on a variety of boards and committees.
GAINING TRACTION WITH COMPACTION
Achieving desired results with compaction equipment.
When it comes to compaction, some applications are more challenging than others. So, when a customer calls a rental house looking for compaction equipment for a project, compaction product experts strongly advise obtaining as much information about a customer’s project as possible before renting out a machine.
by ANDREW SNOOK
To offer the correct roller size to customers, it is important to have ample knowledge about the customer’s project.
John Deere’s Dan Sant Anselmo, a field service engineer, goes one step further. He says before a machine leaves the rental house, an employee should go through the basic operation of how the machine works with the customer. This should be the case even for an experienced operator, who may not be familiar with a newer technology or feature on the latest equipment.
“We see a lot of issues with general operation of the machines,” Sant Anselmo says. “We have Tier 4 Final machines here now in North America, so I would hammer home the impor-
tance of regeneration, and how to perform the proper procedure for the regen system of the exhaust system. They don’t always understand the regen process. They get out to a machine that is running and a regen light pops up and they don’t know the proper procedure. So they either cancel out the regen or ignore it and it downs the machine. We see a lot of that going on. If we could get more education between the rental houses to the end users, you’d see a big decline in having to send technicians out to travel a few hours just to plug into a machine and run a regen.”
SOIL COMPACTION
When it comes to the compaction of soil, it’s important that rental houses find out as much as they can about a client’s project, so the correct rollers are rented for the job.
“We see a lot of guys who will just rent a machine and not know the weight of the machine and so they’re either too light for their job or too heavy. Getting the right-sized roller for the job is important, whether they’re looking for a padfoot drum to dry out more material, if you’ve got a wetter material, or a smooth drum for your final compaction.”
It’s also important to know if the customer is using a VIO-drum, Sant Anselmo notes.
“At Hamm [a John Deere company], we offer a vibration and oscillation drum. If we have a high moisture content in the material, we don’t want to use vibration to pump the water up to the top, so we can use the oscillation side of that drum and massage the material back and forth and not pump that water,” he says. “We can also use oscillation where we have vibration restrictions or anywhere we’re doing underground water lines, or gas lines or fiber-optic lines, where we don’t want to vibrate on top of that.”
Sometimes an articulated roller is the right choice for an application.
“With our articulation joints, it turns and gives us an x, y and z access for turning the machine, giving it more stability on the back end for turning and getting more concentrated compaction on the drum because it has a more even distribution of the drum staying in contact with the ground.”
Speed is another important factor for proper soil compaction.
“It’s very important for operators to watch their speeds. You go to a jobsite and you see guys running the machines and vibrating at 4.5 miles an hour. Their impact spacing is so far apart that they’re not getting good compaction, they’re loosening up the material,” he says.
Moisture content on the soil side is also a crucial factor.
“If it’s too dry, depending on the material, the material isn’t going to stick together and bond together. If it’s too
wet, then the particles are going to float. So, having the right moisture content is critical,” Sant Anselmo says.
Dave Gerding, global sales consultant for soil compactors at Caterpillar Paving Products, says that his company designs their machines to be as easy to operate as possible. He says this is especially important for soil compactor operators, considering a soil compactor is often the first machine customers put a new operator in.
“It’s got to be easy for them to get in there and operate,” he says. “The more functions that can be automated the better.”
Intelligent construction technologies are extremely helpful for new operators on a job site.
Caterpillar recently launched its Cat Command for Compaction, which is an operator-assisted, semi-autonomous technology that automates the compaction process based on operator inputs. This technology controls the speed, direction, steering, and vibration system of the soil compactor to promote consistency in compaction.
“Command controls the number of passes and coverage,” Gerding says. “This type of process control allows you to get that consistency and good overlap, all while monitoring the compaction level.”
EXCAVATOR ATTACHMENTS
When it comes to using excavators for soil compaction, they typically use a hydraulic plate compactor or a compaction wheel. Equipping these machines with quick couplers for switching between attachments is recommended.
Justin Steger, product marketing manager for site development and underground for John Deere, says that this addition will help rental houses increase their customers’ jobsite efficiencies for when they need to switch between their buckets for applications like trenching for laying pipe down on the ground, bedding that pipe and backfilling, and then over to compacting the ground.
“It just makes it easier, more efficient. It saves a lot of time throughout the day,” he says, who adds that John Deere machines come with hydraulic quick disconnect systems.
Steger also recommends placing a hydraulic plate compactor on the ground before you operate the hydraulics.
“That will increase the life of your attachments,” Steger says.
ASPHALT COMPACTION
Having the right roller for the job, is equally important for the compaction of asphalt, but that doesn’t mean the customer always knows to choose the
PHOTO: JOHN DEERE
Speed and soil moisture content are important factors to consider when selecting soil compaction equipment.
TECH TIPS
right equipment. This is where an experienced rental house employee can pay dividends for their customer.
“You need to match the material to the machine to achieve the compaction they’re looking for. Whether it’s a vibration drum or oscillation drum, or a rubber tire roller, what we’re ultimately doing is trying to hit target compaction in the least amount of passes,” Sant Anselmo says.
One of the most important but least known aspects of efficient asphalt compaction is impact spacing.
“A good impact spacing is 12 to 16 impacts per foot. Anything less than 10, you started washboarding out the road,” Sant Anselmo says.
Quite often, impact spacing issues stem from operators moving too quickly.
“The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do is get an operator to slow down,” Sant Anselmo says. “If we slow the machine down and get between that 12 to 16 number of impacts, then we can do less passes, and they can move up to the paver faster.”
He adds that consistency is key to the successful compaction of asphalt.
“Everything we do on right-hand side, we need to do on the left-hand side,” Sant Anselmo says. “Our asphalt temperature also needs to stay consistent.”
Two of the most neglected systems on an asphalt compactor are the water system and the scrapers.
“With the water system, use enough to keep the drum cool and lubricated
but not so much that it’s cooling down the material,” Sant Anselmo says. “The scrapers themselves, a lot of guys don’t know what they’re for – they’re dropping water across the drum to give it an even water surface. If the scrapers aren’t in good working order, you get dry spots and you start to pick up the asphalt. I tell guys when they’re not on asphalt to take the scrapers away from the drum, otherwise your wear them out prematurely.”
When it comes to asphalt compaction, doing it right the first time can be the difference between your customer staying on budget or not. Having to bring back their milling and paving crews to a project after it’s completed is a huge expense that nobody wants to endure.
“If you don’t do it right the first time, it gets very costly,” Sant Anselmo says.
Brian Nagel, global sales consultant for technology and utility compactors at Caterpillar Paving Products, says that smart technologies and apps are probably the most important ways to bring consistency into the asphalt compaction process for less experienced crews.
“There are tools out there that help educate and assist a crew to be successful,” he says. “Caterpillar has a paving app that features rolling speed, settings, how many pieces of compaction equipment I should have on the job site and more. A very short-term rental customer is probably not using it, but a customer starting up, or with a new crew may use it.”
The Caterpillar Paving Production Calculator App assists asphalt paving professionals to plan paving projects by helping estimate trucking needs, paving speeds, compaction, yield, slope, thickness, and more. It also has the ability to save specifications of individual jobs to keep for later reference and email job summaries from your device. It operates in metric and U.S. measurements.
SMALL COMPACTION EQUIPMENT
When it comes to smaller equipment, selecting the right tool for the application is still the key for successful compaction.
“Regardless of what you’re compacting, the first thing to do is make sure you’re picking the right machine for the job,” says Darrell Engle, product manager for light compaction for Husqvarna. “You wouldn’t use a rammer on asphalt, same with some stones. With high impact on stone, all you’re doing is crushing the rock, not getting it to compact. Always know what you’re doing and what machine works better for that particular application.”
There are two basic theories when it comes to compaction. You either want a tool that offers high impact and low frequency, like a rammer; or you want a machine that offers low impact and high frequency, like a roller. While a professional contractor will know what they’re looking for when they walk into a rental equipment house, the same may not be
Operator manuals that come with the equipment can aid in its maintenance.
true for a do-it-yourselfer.
“The guy coming in that’s a do-it-yourselfer is just going to come in and ask for something, and the person at the counter will often just give him what wants. But the first thing they should be doing is asking them what they are going to be doing. Maybe a small ride-on roller makes more sense than a forward and reversible plate compactor,” Engle says. “If it’s a contractor, they already know what they want. They’ll ask for a specific piece of equipment. They might even ask for a specific brand.”
One of the nice features offered on some smaller compaction equipment for inexperienced operators are compaction indicator lights.
“This helps the person who is not really skilled,” Engle says. “You can over-compact the ground. By doing that, you’ve caused the material to be crushed instead of compacted, then you have to dig that all up and start all over again. With the compaction indicator, every time you make a pass it will offer a light… it eventually tells you to stop compacting.”
The other benefit the indicator light offers is that it allows a contractor to not put a skilled person on that machine.
VIBRATION REDUCTION
“As long as they’re paying attention to the light, anyone off the street would be able to compact the ground without destroying it. Just about anyone on a jobsite could run that machine,” Engle says.
When selecting the right piece of compaction equipment for your client, Engle recommends rental stores source equipment with low vibration.
“Always look for machines that are low vibration for the operator. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you’re constantly being exposed to vibrations in your hands, it’s going to wear you out,” he says. “If you’re not in a refreshed state or sluggish and getting tired, your work is not going to be any good. Definitely look for equipment with the operator in mind. Your safety is always as important as the job.”
As much as it might seem a no-brainer, Engle also strongly suggests reviewing the operator manual for any compaction equipment.
“There’s a reason that machines are sent with it. You’ll find tips in there to know how to operate it properly. It will also give you a maintenance guide. If you want good work coming out of the machine, you have to make sure it’s in good working order,” he says. CRS
While some smaller compaction equipment can produce significant amounts of vibration, they are not the only tools contributing to the potential negative health effects associated with vibrating equipment on a jobsite.
“Vibration is something that impacts any user that uses any piece of power equipment,” says Kevin Gee, director of product management at Milwaukee Tool.
Absorbing the vibration from power tools over a long period of time can lead to the user developing Raynaud’s disease, also known as white finger disease.
“Over a long, sustained period of time it can be really detrimental,” Gee says, adding that workers often end up losing feeling in their fingertips or end up with an inability to grip and feel things long-term.
To reduce the possibility of power tool users developing Raynaud’s disease, Milwaukee Tool recently released a wide line of anti-vibration tools, including hammers and drill-drivers, to name a few.
Gee says that preventing the disease can potentially generate big savings for companies by reducing employee downtime. He recommends a few tips for tool operators to keep their fingers healthy.
“Reduce your sustained time in that zone,” he says. “Once you feel your fingers start to tingle, it’s time to stop. And keep your hands warm. If your hands are cold, it’s easier to damage them from vibration.”
Gee also says operators should be cognizant of maintaining healthy blood flow.
“Stop gripping onto the tool, when possible, and stretch your fingers out. If you can have a piece of equipment that has lower vibration, it’s what I would recommend,” he says.
Crewmember safety is the highest priority in road construction. However, traditional compaction machines are about as rigid as it gets. Every degree of slope is felt by operators as they sweat through the sloping road shoulders and ditches, risking a rollover but hoping for the best
by LYNN MARSH, president at Road Widener
Aside from a handful of grease fittings to maintain and cleaning off debris, compaction roller attachments have no maintenance to speak of – no oil changes, filters, transmission fluid or any hard parts to wear and break.
Studies by safety authorities have shown the ability of rollover protective structures, seatbelts and personal protective equipment such as hard hats to save lives during a compactor rollover accident, but these do little to prevent an accident in the first place.
Instead of working with a flawed platform, some manufacturers are taking the main obstacles presented by traditional compaction rollers — danger, high maintenance and limited utility —and remaking the compaction process from the ground up. When considering a new compaction roller, here is what to look for.
SAFETY-FOCUSED DESIGN
The biggest hinderance to compaction safety has been manufacturers seeing the compaction drum as a source of motion, compaction and stability all in one. But relocating the drum to an offset arm attachment immediately solves the safety issue. Now, as an attachment, the compaction roller can be connected to graders, compact track loaders, wheel loaders or skid steers. These host machines provide a separate source of power for the compaction drum and, thanks to the offset arm, stability and safety for the operator. With this setup, an operator can now drive
the host machine on flat ground while the arm extends to the furthest, steepest edge of sloping road shoulders and ditches, while still being able to compact flat surfaces too. Improving safety to this extent puts a major dent in workers compensation claims, lowers insurance premiums and increases safety ratings – a necessity to contractors bidding on competitive jobs.
Shifting the drum to an offset arm attachment drastically improves safety, but it can also unlock a host of other benefits.
MINIMAL MAINTENANCE DOWNTIME
With the compaction roller now being a separate system, it no longer has an onboard engine, transmission or any associated parts to maintain. To further limit downtime, look for an attachment that offers a universal mounting pad and simple hydraulic connections for a smooth setup and disconnect to the host machine. Also consider remote-controlled
Relocating the compaction drum to an offset arm attachment maximizes safety. An operator can now drive the host machine on flat ground while the arm extends to the furthest, steepest edge of sloping road shoulders and ditches, while still being able to compact flat surfaces, too.
TECH TIPS
options. Certain compaction roller attachments can be paired to the remote in seconds, giving the operator complete control over adjustments from the palm of their hand and without leaving the host machine’s cab.
Typically, aside from a handful of grease fittings to maintain and cleaning off debris, compaction roller attachments have no maintenance to speak of – no more oil changes, filters, transmission fluid or any hard parts to wear and break. This can make for 90 percent
less maintenance over self-propelled machines. Cutting out the unnecessary bulk seen with traditional compaction machines also allows manufacturers to design a more compact, versatile machine.
EASY ADJUSTABILITY AND TRANSPORTABILITY
Now that the compaction drum doesn’t have to stabilize and propel the machine, manufacturers can provide interchangeable drum sizes to fit customers’ various
“Cutting out the unnecessary bulk as in traditional machines allows manufacturers to design a more compact, versatile machine.”
Some drums can pivot up to 30 degrees and reach up to 30 inches below the arm’s mounting point. This allows the roller to easily compact slopes at various angles that would flip a traditional compaction machine.
applications. To get the same benefit with traditional compaction machines, contractors would have to purchase multiple self-propelled machines, all with engines and transmissions that will eventually fail and need maintenance and costly repairs. The compact size of compaction roller attachments makes transport easier too. Many are capable of fitting on any common trailer, along with the host machine, and can be towed by a standard pickup truck.
For increased adjustability, look for a unit that not only allows for remote controlled adjustments of the attachment arm, but also of the drum itself. Some drums can pivot up to 30 degrees and reach up to 30 inches below the arm’s mounting point. This allows the roller to easily compact slopes at various angles that would flip a traditional compaction machine.
In the middle of a busy roadwork season, compaction roller attachments can easily outperform their traditional counterparts in every aspect. When not in use, these attachments don’t leave an engine sitting to slowly degrade into a surprise repair bill when season rolls around again. But most importantly, compaction roller attachments with an offset design provide increased crew safety and a versatile piece of equipment that will outlast any traditional compaction machine in a road crew’s fleet. Customers can rest assured that they are purchasing a piece of equipment that will give them the ultimate return on their investment. CRS
Lynn Marsh is the president of Road Widener and has 20 years of experience in the road construction industry.
The
S2770R
COMPACTION SHOWCASE
NO CORDS, NO F UMES
wackerneuson.com
Wacker Neuson’s batterypowered rammers and plates provide an alternative power source for indoor applications and job sites with noise and emission guidelines. The same battery system can be used to power all products across the two product lines. At the heart of the AS50e and AS60e rammers and the AP1840e and AP1850e plate series is Wacker Neuson’s BP1000 lithium-ion battery. One system, including battery and charger, is designed to easily exchange between all products. The BP1000 can be inserted into any product without the need of special tools. No cords and no fumes mean the operator can move around the job site freely and is no longer exposed to heat, exhaust fumes and engine noise. The smart-battery technology is designed to recognize which product it is powering, providing for the most efficient operation. Additionally, there is no liquid fuel source to spill during refueling, transportation and operation.
Wacker Neuson’s BP1000 maintenance-free battery uses an easy push button start and provides constant power output over the entire discharge phase, providing
full compaction performance from the first to last minute of work. Under typical working conditions, two batteries with a charger can fulfill the needs of a standard working day. Should the battery need to be changed, it can be easily removed without tools and replaced with a charged battery within a few simple steps. The battery-powered AP plate series is available with or without a water tank for soil and asphalt compaction. Like the rammer, the plates offer a new solution for contractors and rental centers looking
for a cordless, emission-free plate compactor for a variety of applications. These are the only single-direction plates on the market without a V-belt. The virtually maintenance-free electric motor is mounted directly on the baseplate, which requires fewer wear parts and reduces service time when compared to a gas or diesel engine, contributing to the low total cost of ownership.
SELF-CLEANING DESIGN
crownequip.com
Crown’s MVP 95 is a forward
plate compactor that falls into the 3,000-pound plate compactor category and can be used for either residential or commercial jobs. It has a centrifugal force of 3,380 pounds and weights 186 pounds. The open selfcleaning design prevents material from getting caught between the plate base and the engine mount. Six heavy-duty shock absorbers are strategically located for vibration reduction and comfortable operation. Its 20-by-21-inch cast iron plate provides easy access to narrow areas and extends the wear life. An engine roll cage protects the engine and provides an easy-access lifting bale. There is a removable water tank for easy water replacement. Options include a wheel kit for jobsite transportation and a paving mat for brick compaction. The MVP 95 comes with a three-year warranty against any manufacturing defect.
BUILT TOUGH
bomag.com
Bomag Americas has introduced its all-new BT 50 tamper. The lightweight, portable, easy-to-operate tamper offers superior impact force in a light unit. It features right-hand control set up while continuing to offer the operator easy, ergonomic positioning for hours of operation. The easy action on-off safety switch allows prompt engine and fuel start-up and shutdown. The two-stage dual air filtration system extends the life of key engine components while allowing for longer service intervals.
Bomag’s exclusive design allows no oil or gas leaks if the tamper is laid down, giving users the peace of mind that the tamper is always working no matter what happens on the jobsite. The heavy-duty engine guard gives optimum on-site damage protection. Even a fall from a truck platform cannot harm the durable plastic, which reduces repair costs by up to 33 percent. A unique Bomag lubrication system provides optimum oil supply in the crankcase at all angles. The engine is also protected by the automatic oil level check.
Bomag tamper products are suitable for the most rugged applications.
ENGINEERED FOR MAXIMUM PRODUCTIVITY
toro.com
Toro’s lineup of forward plate compactors is designed with a unique base geometry, optimal eccentric placement, amplitude and VPMs that allow the unit to provide maximum compaction for stable, even surfaces. The forward plate compactors operate on speed levels of 100 feet per minute with a maximum productivity rate of 6,500 to 10,000 square feet per hour. Also, a heavy-duty design protects the engine and machine components for extended life. Toro offers three models of forward plate compactors with an eccentric force range of 2,200 to 4,000 pounds. For maximum eccentric power and productivity, the FP-4000 forward plate easily compacts mixed soil, granular soil, or asphalt. The FP-4000 operates with a maximum productivity of 10,000 square feet per hour. With optimal force and up to 10,000 square-foot-per-hour capacity, the FP-3000 is engineered for high productivity and tough compaction to tackle jobs on granular soil or asphalt with ease. The FP-2200 is designed for powerful performance on smaller area jobs compact-
ing trenches, granular soil, or asphalt. These forward plates operate with a maximum productivity of 6,500 square feet per hour.
UPDATED, UPGRADED mbw.com
AP/GP18 single direction vibratory plates from MBW are available with or without a water tank. A patented suspension system reduces hand/arm vibration and also better isolates all upper mass components, including the engine, from vibrations produced by the machine’s exciter. These plates are perfect for confined areas of granular soils including sands and gravels as well as placing interlocking pavers, bricks and blocks with the optional UHMW paving pad. The 18 had some recent modifications to the spray bar and added clearance, which now allows for a paving pad to be used on the asphalt version. Additional updates also include a standard Honda GX160 engine and new side plate handles, making lifting easier. Weighing 130 to 184 pounds, these plates are easy to lift and manoeuver around the jobsite.
Accompanied by intense vibration, MBW’s 1000 Series vibratory plates are ideally suited for a number
of compaction application needs.
NOW IN GAS VERSION multiquip.com
Multiquip has expanded its compaction line with the MVH508GH, a gasolinepowered reversible plate.
MQ Mikasa reversible plates are known for the superior compaction and reliability. To keep equipment fueling onsite easy, Multiquip has introduced a gasoline version of the largest reversible plate. The MQ Mikasa MV508GH has the same dynamics as the popular diesel version MVH508DZ with an 11.7-horsepower Honda GX390 engine. It can even be fitted with the Compas system, the intelligent way to manage compaction progress. It also comes with the newly enhanced threeyear warranty.
GREAT ROI
patronproducts.com
Patron’s RP400 Hondapowered reversible plate compactor offers an excellent price to performance ratio. Featuring a 26-inch plate, the RP400 delivers 11,690 foot-pound of centrifugal force while weighing only 878 pounds. It allows for a similar rental rate to a 1,000 pound unit, with 30 percent less investment. With a high speed and balanced design, this unit can tackle the roughest surfaces, is
nimble for spot compaction, and use in confined areas.
The bottom plate features an open style self-cleaning design which keeps large debris out of the pulley area. Made from Hardox 400, the plate is extremely robust and wear resistant. The heavyduty steel frame protects the engine and transmission. Service and maintenance are made easy with access to all service points and a dependable 13HP Honda GX390 engine. The RP400 is excellent for compacting medium to deep layers of granular soil.
Patron compactors and parts are stocked in three locations across Canada. New for 2021, Patron has announced a two-year warranty on all compaction products.
POWER AND EASE husqvarna.com
The Husqvarna LP 9505 is a powerful, easy-to-operate trench compactor that delivers superb productivity in demanding trench compaction jobs. Its high operating weight enables efficient compaction without vibration, from the initial static passes all the way to the finish. The LP 9505 is equipped with a reliable, fuelefficient Kubota diesel engine (Tier 4 Final compliant) and provides excellent power, while the articulated steering allows the compactor to turn corners without digging up the soil.
The extra high and wide drum pads are optimally designed to make sure the user has the traction to handle daily tasks in wet or dry cohesive soils. It features a smartly designed
solutions to help the operator perform at his/her best. One feature is the remote control. It is durable, lightweight and designed for smooth, safe manoeuvring with distinct drive-ability and feel. The remote control uses radio technology, which enables the operator to choose the best position to stand. This not only provides better ergonomics and safer working conditions, but also produces the desired end results. The display also sends alerts to the operator when something needs to be checked. The wide drums and low centre of gravity deliver excellent stability to increase safety even more. Servicing is quick and easy with all service points clearly marked and easily accessed under the protective hoods.
A FREE RIGHT SIDE dynapac.com
The CC900S is a single arm tandem roller in the Dynapac roller range of 1.2- to 1.6-ton tandem rollers. This machine has the front right side of
thedrumfree which
the drum free, which makes it possible to compact close to walls, sidewalk and guardrails. The front drum comes standard with a 2.36inch offset drum. The CC900S allows the operator to compact close to walls, fences, railings and other obstacles because of the fully free right side on the front drum. The 2.36-inch offset drum not only creates better compaction to close obstacles but also makes it easier to steer out from those obstacles eliminating the need of a vibratory plate. The CC900S comes standard with the following features: backup alarm; comfort seat; cup or can holder; foldable ROPS inclusive seat belt; large water tank (50 gallons); rotating beacon; sprinkler timer; vibration shut off, front or rear drum; and working lights. CRS
HOPE IS NOT A PLAN Be honest with yourself
by Adam Snook
This won’t be easy to hear, but for some it needs to be said. For some businesses, adapting to the “new normal” was quick and painless. They were already doing a lot of business on-line, so not much changed. Some companies were very quick to shift their focus, build out their e-commerce and social media presence and have weathered the storm well. Other companies haven’t been able to pivot. Either the money wasn’t there, the knowledge or desire wasn’t there, or fear stopped the transition.
Even if COVID hadn’t come along, the shift to online was rapidly approaching anyway.
Just having a website is not enough. An active presence where customers can stay engaged even when they don’t need your product is necessary. If you didn’t have that prior to March 2020, and you still don’t now you need to ask yourself if you’re still interested in being in business. Let’s look at the reasons for not adjusting business on the fly.
No money to implement the changes. If this is the reason you didn’t adapt, then likely COVID has made the decision for you on whether or not you should remain in business. Taking business or personal loans to keep a company that was barely surviving pre-COVID afloat isn’t a sound decision. Sometimes the hardest thing is to know when to call it quits, but do it before the bank comes knocking.
No knowledge or desire. There’s zero excuse for knowledge to be your reason. If you look on LinkedIn every second person that messages or connects with you is a contract social media or web site designer. Contracting this service out makes total sense if you’re not inclined towards technology. If lack of desire was your reason then maybe it’s time to look at bringing in someone who gets excited about the potential that the new economy brings, whether it’s a partner, or just an employee who’s motivated to help the business grow. Either that or it might be time to sell, hopefully before the lack of desire to keep current starts to affect the value of your company by bringing down your bottom line too much.
Fear. This one is understandable. We were all shell shocked when COVID came. Preservation mode kicks in and you stop all expenditures. But
once we were deemed an essential service and realized there was still business to be done we should have started to look at what it was going to take to keep the lights on. If business is still ticking along, the fear should have subsided and you should actively be working on improving your online presence.
If you’re planning on business for the long term, there are things that we can focus on now that will help us down the road.
Fleet. If you’re sitting on equipment that’s been inactive or under-utilized for a number of years, now is a great time to sell it. Used equipment values are sky high, and even if you don’t feel like selling it by yourself the auctions are getting record prices for most equipment. Having the extra cash is never a bad thing.
Staff. Now that we all have the required COVID procedures figured out we can take some time to see if there’s any other training that might be a benefit to our staff and business. TDG, WHMIS, operator training courses, there’s a long list of ways we can educate and improve our people. This may also be the time to upgrade your staff, if you’ve got people who are not the right fit there’s a pretty good chance someone out there is looking for a position right now who maybe a better fit.
Facility. Take the time to do any cost-effective improvements. Paint the showroom or outside of the building, fix the fence, repair any potholes in the yard. None of these are expensive, but they’ll all add to the feel of the business as things get back to normal.
The government is going to be pumping billions into infrastructure projects to stimulate the economy, savings accounts are full of cash that people plan on spending on Reno’s, and credit to grow is going to be cheap for a number of years.
If you’ve accepted the new realities and challenges and set your business up for success, the future looks bright! CRS
Adam Snook owns JustBins, a Regina-based provider of waste disposal solutions. His background includes building First Choice Rentals, an Alberta based equipment rental and oilfield service provider.
The soul of General drain cleaners is our time tested tough Flexicore® cable. We wrap heavy gauge wire around 49-strand aircraft-type wire rope to get the right balance of strength and flexibility, so you get fewer returns with kinked or broken cables.
Flexicore construction is low maintenance, kink-resistant, and durable. It comes back intact—and that strength goes straight to your bottom line.
To learn more, call the Drain Brains at 800-245-6200, or visit www.drainbrain.com/rental
