n Enclosed flame promotes safer work environments and provides option to duct
n 99% direct-fired fuel efficiency boosted by remote thermostat and option to move air only like a fan
n Quiet with less than 70 dB operation
n Dual Fuel (DF) models quickly switch from NG to LP
n All models are maneuverable and can fit through a 36” doorway
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16 20 26
4
EDITORIAL
Hybrid power may reconcile performance and sustainability priorities.
16 READY FOR THE UNEXPECTED
Be ready to provide fuel to disaster zones along with everything else.
10 AT YOUR SERVICE
The culture you create can have an important effect on workers. by Russ Dantu
6
INDUSTRY NEWS
ARA helps out in B.C....Wacker Neuson turns 175...new support at Aquajet...
20 HYBRID PERFORMANCE
Our look at the state of hybrid engine technology and some of the early solutions out there.
11 WHAT WENT HONG
Onboarding new workers requires a special focus on safety. by James Hong
12 FROM FATHER TO SON
A legacy of great rental service carries on at Larry’s Rentall.
26
HYBRID PRODUCT SHOWCASE
28
SNOOK’S LOOK
Immigration will be key to resolving our labour challenges. by Andrew Snook
INDUSTRY NEWS
GAEDE JOINS AQUAJET
Hydrodemolition equipment manufacturer Aquajet has welcomed Brian Gaede as an application specialist. Gaede, who has more than 12 years of hydrodemolition experience, will aid Aquajet customers throughout North America. In his role, Gaede will be responsible for training customers on best practices in a variety of applications and providing sales, technical and customer service support.
“We are thrilled to have Brian join the Aquajet team,” said Aquajet North American business development manager, Keith Armishaw. “Brian brings years of valuable industry experience to the table and his knowledge will help customers in all aspects of hjydrodemolition. As demand for hydrodemolition continues to grow in a wide variety of applications, Brian will play a key role in ensuring customer success.”
Gaede joined the hydrodemolition industry early in his career at Midwest Mobile Waterjet in St. Paul, Minn. He started as a hydrodemolition operator, working with equipment from multiple manufacturers, and later added project management and safety officer responsibilities. Over the course of his career, he has trained staff on proper safety practices, equipment maintenance and hydrodemolition techniques in various applications. His years of hydrodemolition experience will be valuable to new and existing Aquajet customers looking to maximize the potential of their equipment.
Aquajet offers a variety of equipment from Aqua Cutter hydrodemolition robots to water treatment systems to hydrodemolition pumps. Gaede’s industry knowledge will guide customers through any obstacles and help them get the most out of their Aquajet products in all types of work.
“I’m ecstatic to relay what I’ve learned over the years to help Aquajet customers complete hydrodemolition projects as safely and efficiently as possible,” Gaede said. “Hydrodemolition will continue to be more widely incorporated across a range of applications. It’s crucial to have adequate manufacturer support until the work is complete.”
DOZR NAMED AN INNOVATOR
Dozr has been included on SiteNews’ list of 25 innovators in construction. Evaluated for technological innovation, trailblazing, workforce development, sustainability and environmental impact and collaboration and partnerships, Dozr says it is proud of the impact its business has made in each of these categories. Some of the aspects that set Dozr apart during evaluation include its recently launched rental Order Tracker, its integration with enterprise resource planning software and how the use of rentals and the ability to reuse equipment helps construction businesses reduce their carbon emissions.
“It is an honour for Dozr to be named as one of the 25 Innovators in Construction by SiteNews and I could not be more proud of our team,” said Kevin Forestell, Dozr CEO. “We are seeing continual growth and need for digitization in our industry and Dozr is focused on being at the innovation forefront. We are looking forward to expanding our business and being pioneers in the construction industry.”
Dozr is an online equipment rental service enabling business owners to earn additional revenue from their idle equipment and connect with new customers while also allowing contractors straightforward access to heavy equipment rentals.
ARA Women in Rental and Young Professional Network Clearwater Beach, Fla. ararental.org
2024
Feb. 1 - 3
CRA National Rental Show Ottawa crarental.org
Feb. 15 - 16
Canadian Concrete Expo Toronto canadianconcreteexpo.com
Feb. 18 - 21
The ARA Show New Orleans, La. arashow.org
March 13 - 14
IPAF Summit Copenhagen, Denmark iapa-summit.info
March 26 - 27
Quebexpo Drummondville, Que. crarental.org
March 27 - 28
Atlantic Heavy Equipment Show Moncton, N.B. ahes.ca
April 6 - 11
IPC Apex Expo Anaheim, Calif. ipcapexexpo.org
Sept. 17 - 18
Canadian Rental Mart Calgary canadianrentalmart.com
Check canadianrentalservice.com for updated listings of industry Coming Events
ARA IMPACTS LANGLEY WITH COMMUNITY PROJECT
The American Rental Association donated $20,000 and organized a volunteer effort to refurbish and upgrade an equine therapy facility in Langley, B.C., on Sept. 6 and 7. The project was an intiative of the ARA Foundation’s Community Impact Program, which helps rental store members participate in worthwhile efforts in their communities. This marks the first time the ARA has conducted a Community Impact event in Canada.
The day involved several ARA member companies and their staff coming together at Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities, a non-profit organization providing equine therapy in B.C.’s Lower Mainland. The members painted baseboards and laid new footing in the two riding arenas; did trenching for electrical lines to heaters for the outdoor water troughs; and built a “sensory path” in the outdoor training area. Participating ARA members included Cooper Equipment Rentals, Rental Network, Hub City Display, Momenta Rents, Brandt Tractor, Iron Mountain Equipment Rentals, Pederson Event Rentals, Toro, Rentquip, Ditch Witch, Northwest Rental Conference and Phoenix Tents. Members donated equipment as well as time: cement mixers, utility loaders, trenchers, generators, material buggies and paint sprayers.
The ARA Foundation’s director of programs and fundraising, Judson McNeil, said the project was especially rewarding because of the important work PRDA does with people with physical and mental disabilities.
“When we finished with that path, we were just almost in tears,” McNeil reports, “because it was just so exciting to know that the people that use their services are going to have a different experience because of the volunteer activity that we participated in. And also it was fun.”
PRDA provides therapeutic riding
services for as many as 150 clients per week. The sensory path was something the organization had wanted for 15 years, according to McNeil. When a horse walks down the path, the rider gets a different sensation and needs to react to it. McNeil describes the project: “We dug out one long area and had to put a base down and then we installed rock, we installed mulch, we installed sand and then we also installed a water area. And then as they come out of the long sensory path they go into what’s called a triangle. In this area, they go to a mailbox in which we installed all the holes and they grab some rings, and then they will go forward to another device that has posts coming out of it and then they put the rings on the device. And then they go to other features that engage the rider in a sensory experience.” Apparently the horse brought in to test the path was not immediately a fan of the sensory experience of crossing the new water feature, but got into the spirit of things with some help from its handler.
The ARA Community Impact program seeks to gain exposure for member rental stores and help the communities they serve. “ We refer to it as skills-based volunteerism,” McNeil explains. “Especially on the equipment side of the rental industry, we have people with a lot of expertise
that they can give back. So what we’ve determined is that if we can find projects that have the need for equipment, those were the types of projects that we were looking for.And then we also engage the event side of the rental industry because can’t have an event without tents, chairs, tables, coolers and porta potties. So with that you also are exposing the assets of what rental stores have to the community.”
The Community Impact Program is actively looking for more projects to do in Canada. Any rental store can submit a project proposal online at ararental.org and does not have to be an ARA member to do so. The project needs to be in the rental store’s local area and representatives of the store need to be involved as volunteers to organize and participate. Recipients of the program’s help need to be notfor-profit entities, including municipalities, and any work done needs to be on land and facilities owned by them. Other examples of past projects include renovating baseball diamonds, installing walking trails, planting trees and dredging rivers.
To hear more about the Langley Community Impact project, download CounterTalks Episode 50 at canadianrentalservice.com or on your favourite podcasting service. More photos from the event are on Instagram at crs. magazine.
INDUSTRY NEWS
WACKER NEUSON TURNS 175
The foundation for Wacker Neuson’s success story was laid by Johann Christian Wacker in 1848, when he set up a blacksmith’s shop in Dresden, Germany. In 1930, Hermann Wacker invented an innovative electric rammer, the basis for vibratory rammers used for soil compaction to this day. This was followed by the internal vibrator for concrete consolidation, which captured the market from 1934 onwards, as well as the first reversible vibratory plate, which set a milestone in soil compaction. Wacker Neuson continued to come up with new developments in the compact
machines segment. The vertical digging system was an innovation in the field of compact excavators. Since 1988, the VDS has made work more efficient, faster and more pleasant for the operator: This system, which tips up the superstructure, allows exact vertical digging even on uneven ground surfaces, curbs and slopes. Since 2005, articulated wheel loaders and compact telehandlers became part of Wacker Neuson’s portfolio in order to offer customers everything from a single source. The dual view dumper was an innovation in 2019 – thanks to the wheel dumper’s 180-degree rotating seat and control panel, the operator always keeps an overview, which ensures greater safety and flexibility on the construction site. With the introduction of the zero emission series, Wacker Neuson broke new ground in 2014 and took on a pioneering role once again. Its first electrically powered machines and equipment were two
battery-powered rammers and the WL20e battery-powered electric wheel loader. Since then, the portfolio has been steadily expanded. It now includes electric vibratory plates, excavators, wheel and track dumpers and, in the near future, electric telehandlers. This means that, already today, a typical innercity construction site can be operated without direct exhaust emissions and with extremely low noise levels using only Wacker Neuson equipment. The company is committed to creating an entire zero emission ecosystem from charging infrastructure to service performance, financing offers and different usage models, right through to a life-cycle view of the battery. One example is the charging box: a “power bank” for the construction site. This mobile energy storage device based on lithium-ion batteries enables a continuous supply of energy even if no power supply is available.
More Availability
Support
EquipmentWatch is a trusted source for heavy equipment data and intelligence, producing leading database information products for the construction equipment industry. It is a world leader in heavy construction research and serves more than 15,000 professional, high-volume users of construction and lift-truck data. Find more heavy equipment intelligence at equipmentwatch.com.
Cross-Canada Rate Report
The Cross-Canada Rate Report is provided to Canadian Rental Service as a free service to the Canadian rental industry. Rate data shown are national averages generated by quarterly surveys of hundreds of Canadian rental companies. Rates shown are reported list rates and may not reflect the actual changes to any particular customer. For in-depth analysis, subscribe to CounterTalks at canadianrentalservice.com or through your favourite podcasting service.
Number of rental companies:
Number of stores:
Number of rates collected in Q2 2023:
AT YOUR SERVICE
Don’t lose the room
Connecting with employees is an important part of leadership.
by Russ Dantu
Iam a huge hockey fan. A Calgary Flames fan…I know some of you will laugh at that! I listen to sports radio quite a bit and follow the news as well. Being in three hockey pools, I need to be up to date with all the trades, projections and whatever else is happening in the hockey world.
Our coach last year, Darryl Sutter, was let go in the summer due to extremely disgruntled players. We could see it as the season progressed last year that they seemed to lose interest and then checked out. On a team where expectations were pretty high, they tuned out and didn’t even make the playoffs. When Sutter was let go, we heard all sorts of stories about the players not playing for their coach, not wanting to sacrifice because of poor leadership, not wanting to be a part of the team anymore. We’re at a junction right now where several key cogs on our team are in a contract year and won’t renew their contracts until they see what happens with the new coach and how good our team will be this year.
A similar thing has happened in Columbus with the Blue Jackets. Mike Babcock was hired in the off-season to get their team back on track. He’s got a solid, winning record as a coach. It looked like a great move…until words started to come out of the woodwork from players who had played for him before that wanted no part of playing on that team if he was coaching. Then he did a thing where he asked players to show the photos on their phones, which for the younger generation is like asking to go through their bank records. So he resigned.
Two thoughts come to mind here. First, while we cannot let employees take over our companies and demand anything or they’ll walk, we absolutely have to change how we lead to reach all ages of employees to keep them happy. You may deal with a Generation X employee one way and get great results but if you used the same technique for a Millennial, it could backfire and cause seri-
ous damage. Secondly, if you have poor leadership within your organization from supervisors to middle management, work with them so they understand how to deal with every type of personality and age group. Once a culture is damaged, it takes a lot to repair it and build that trust up again with all of your staff.
Ask yourself these questions:
Once a culture is damaged, it takes a lot to repair it.
1. What if half my staff quit because they were unhappy with their immediate supervisor? What would that do to my business? Could we continue to produce at our current pace and everything be OK?
2. What does it cost me every time I lose a decent employee and have to train someone new?
3. Could we get a reputation as a company that doesn’t treat their employees fairly?
As managers, supervisors and owners, we spend a lot of time in our business. We’re busy. We don’t always see everything that is happening behind the scenes. Simple check-ins with all your employees to get a better “beat on the street” is always wise. It will cost you some time, for sure, but that’s a lot better than costing you good employees.
Take care of your employees…and yourselves!
Russ Dantu is a 30-year veteran of the rental industry and has been delivering workshops, seminars and keynotes on customer service for over 15 years. Visit russdantu.com.
by James Hong
WHAT WENT HONG
New worker safety
Give special attention to educating new workers about safety.
Everyone is commenting on the difficulty of finding new workers and that’s leading to rental stores having to hire people who might have less experience and training than is optimal. There are serious added safety considerations employers need to have when bringing on new workers. Let’s look at how we can better protect them.
I recall seeing two young men on public transit one day, suited up with hard hats, boots and safety harnesses. They were also obviously drunk. Young guys, completely wasted on the way to a construction job where they would be working at heights. Before I could approach them, they exited the train. As a construction safety expert, nothing could be more alarming. They were oblivious to the risks they were taking that could cause serious injury and change the course of their lives permanently.
It’s vital for employers to assess new workers for their skill level and to assign appropriate and safe tasks. Also, to ensure they have the proper PPE and are trained to wear it properly. The basics are always required: hard hat, boots, protective eye wear and safety vest. Beyond that depends on the task. “No-risk” jobs do not exist on a construction site. There are low-risk tasks that can be mitigated by providing basic orientation training which can take as little as 10 minutes. Ten minutes to save a worker from injury is well worth the time, for the worker and for the company’s bottom line.
We all know there are circumstances where jobs fall behind and need extra workers to try to catch up. In those circumstances, things can get chaotic and basic onboarding orientation can be neglected. Something as simple as a musculoskeletal protection demonstration will train a new worker how to lift weight and carry material properly to prevent strains, sprains and other injury. A five-minute demonstration can save the worker from injury and the company from requiring an investigation or a job stop order.
Other basic onboarding training includes how
to properly wear and fit a hard hat; what type of safety glasses are required for which job; ladder safety; and safety PPE requirements. Pointing out emergency exits and muster station information is also a step that takes very little time. Ensuring new workers are dressed appropriately for colder weather exterior work also makes a huge difference to job risk factors.
Sometimes it’s as simple as assigning someone on the job to be the ongoing onboarding supervisor to ensure the important step of new worker orientation does not get neglected. For workers being hired on a more permanent basis, a proper new worker orientation is required. In addition to the above, the safety training for new permanent workers should include refusing unsafe work; hearing protection; hazardous materials awareness and handling; respiratory protection; safe work procedures; and scaffolding safety.
Another frequently overlooked part of safety orientation is to instruct new workers where the first aid kit is located and where to find an information sheet that includes names and contact numbers for supervisors and company personnel, including emergency contact information.
All these steps protect the new worker, existing workers and the company. They also promote a safety awareness working environment that tells the worker they are valued. In these times when it’s hard to find help, it might even encourage them to stick around long term.
These categories contain the bare minimum safety information for the most common jobs in any rental yard or shop. There is no reason to assume that an inexperienced or new worker would know any of this training information. Today, many of us are relying on new Canadians to address our worker shortages. Remember that they may have come from countries with different or absent safety regimes.
Be safe. Be well. CRS
James Hong is an independent writer and journalist.
FROM FATHER TO SON
Larry’s Rentall carries an iconic legacy into the next generation
So many rental businesses in Canada that are running smoothly as you read this were started with a dream, a leap of faith and hard work by the present owner’s parents.
by Treena Hein
The son or daughter learned the business as they grew up, and Dad still comes by the shop even though he’s enjoying a well-earned retirement.
In the case of Larry’s Rentall in St. Catharines, Ont., Larry took the leap in 1994 with his wife Irene by his side. He had one employee (a mechanic/driver) and started with a small amount of used and new equipment. Their son, Trevor, took it over about 20 years later, and Larry still comes by to work on equipment or do other helpful tasks just about every day.
Up to 1994, Larry had had about eight jobs, including automotive manufacture, mining and managing outlets of a large rental company. “I learned a lot over about seven years, opened a couple of locations and brought one back from the brink,” he says. “One of the best things I did was talk to some of the old timers and we’ve stayed friends since, over 30 years. Back then the Ontario chapter of the Canadian Rental Association really wasn’t operating, and a bunch of us resurrected it, and that was one of the best things I did in my career. I was president from 1989 to 1992. We went to the shows, did a lot of networking, visited stores. We passed on a lot of information and learned a lot. I was also president of the Local Business Club at the same time and did a lot with sports teams. It was very busy. We still have an alumni group with the Business Club and the Ontario chapter is going strong.”
In 1993, events led the owner of Larry’s company to cut back and Larry suddenly lost his position. He did financial planning for a while but then decided to do what he loved. “As they
say, the rental business gets in your gut and it’s hard to leave,” Larry explains. “We put everything up that we owned. We used our house and everything else for collateral. It wasn’t easy but I knew at least what to buy and not buy. I bought my first two items, an excavator and a skid steer at a racetrack near Barrie where a guy was selling used equipment. I picked them up with a used trailer and borrowed truck. Some friends helped me make a logo and motto for my new business: ‘Putting experience in your hands.’”
Larry was also lucky enough to secure a really good location on the main street in St. Catherines, a former car dealership with a sufficiently sized building and a large lot. He rented out the used excavator, skid steer and a diesel compressor, along with tools for lawn and garden, flooring, plumbing and other typical residential and commercial contracting tasks. Over the years, the business grew, and he added indoor scissor lifts, outdoor scissor lifts, booms, various other excavators and more.
BACK, THEN FRONT
As a youngster, Trevor started working behind the scenes, pressure washing equipment and fueling it up, then graduated to other tasks. “I’ve done every job here, so I know what it’s like to do it all,” he says. “To fix things, I got the best training, hands-on. I learned from the mechanics who worked here. So I was in the back and my dad would be serving customers and directing deliveries and looking after all the other things to run the business. Over time, I learned to do all
the things he was handling every day.”
When Trevor was at university, the internet was born and he knew their business needed a website. He worked with a company to do that, and they still have a printed and framed copy of their first website home page on the wall.
Trevor bought the business from his parents in 2012. “We weren’t going to change the name to Trevor’s Rentall,” he laughs. “I’m very proud to have taken over. Working with my parents has been really good. Having your own business has its disadvantages and advantages of course, and it’s a great thing to have the ability to adapt it in whatever way you want, depending on how the market
changes.”
At this point, Trevor and his wife, Michelle, (who does the books, customer service and loads equipment when needed) have four employees and, as mentioned, Larry still comes in just about every day. “We’d like to have another mechanic and person at the counter, but it’s not easy to find employees,” says Trevor. “You need to find a person who’s a good fit.”
REPAIR AND SALES
Larry’s Rentall started doing outside equipment repair by the end of the ‘90s. But when they had to tell customers their equipment was beyond repair and the
customers asked what Larry’s sold, there was a problem – and an opportunity.
“Customers would ask what we sold and we’d say nothing, so it was a dead end, and you don’t want that in a business,” Trevor notes. “You want to build repeat business. You buy something here then, when you need to rent something or buy a part, you also come here. Or you rent here and when you want to buy, you come here.” The first equipment line they offered for sale was Ariens snowblowers. “I had one,” says Trevor, “and I wanted to be able to get the parts for myself, so it made sense.”
Repairs continued for just about every brand and type of equipment, but it
From left, Steve White, Trevor Lisoy, Michelle Lisoy and Larry Lisoy. Ariens snowblowers were the first line that Trevor took on to sell.
PROFILE
became unwieldy. More efficiency was needed with getting parts and having repairs go quickly on equipment that was familiar. They narrowed it down to servicing only brands they’re able to repair under warranty, but also still do seasonal tune-ups for any lawnmowers and snowblowers.
In terms of competition, the number of other independents in the area has stayed pretty much the same but, as in most other parts of Canada, the chains moved in and offered lower cost.
“You’re not going to battle them on pricing but with service,” says Trevor. “We make sure our delivery window is 10 minutes. We will call customers and let them know if it’s going to be outside of that either way. On-time delivery is something that has been and still is really important to our customers, and we’re happy when they are pleasantly surprised that we are on time, because others aren’t. It’s the same with picking up. Some of our customers work in detention centres and so on, and the equipment cannot stay on site, so they also like the rapid pick up. It sets us apart.” Larry’s used to offer after-hours emergency service, but they found customers don’t want to pay for that (and that almost every issue can be sorted out the next morning).
REFLECTING ON SUCCESS
“Over time, we’ve become a more rounded business model, with adding the sales and repairs,” says Trevor. “Every day is
different and when you think it’s figured out, you are thrown a curve ball. You have to put in the hours to make the business succeed. My dad always worked six or seven days a week, and I learned that if you want something to happen, you have to make it happen yourself.”
Trevor and Michelle try to keep adding fresh Facebook and Instagram posts, and it’s not easy with everything else there is to do, but nowadays they have some help. When Michelle took pictures of the new Ariens snowblowers last winter, for example, their daughter, Marissa, stitched them together to make a great video. “And in one of the pictures, Michelle captured our canine staff member, our German Shepherd, Levi, on top of one of snowblowers,” says Trevor. “Ariens noticed it and wanted the picture to use on their social media. That was neat.”
Marrissa is now 17 and her parents want to see her do what she wants in terms of a career, whether that’s taking over the business or not. “When she was very young, I wanted to be home on time, so I would get up very early instead when she was sleeping as needed, rather than stay later,” says Trevor. “Business success is very important to us, and our customer service reputation is excellent, but time spent with family is also very important. We try to strike a good work-life balance for ourselves and our employees.”
Larry is very happy to see his business thriving under Trevor’s leadership. “You have to back off and let things go to the next step,” he says. “He’s doing a great job.” CRS
Larry Lisoy has many dedicated years of service to the Canadian Rental Association to look back on with pride.
Levi handles security for the store. He’s not cheap, but he’s very, very loyal.
by John Cleary
READY FOR THE UNEXPECTED
Keep fuel storage solutions top of mind for disaster preparedness.
Natural disasters are unpredictable and involve many variables. Operations must anticipate and plan for a variety of complications in the event that a disaster strikes, but the loss of power frequently proves to be one of the most common challenges in these situations.
Factors like high winds, floodwater, lightning and hail all risk causing damage to utility towers and power plants, leading to power outages that can last days, weeks or even longer.
Access to generators is a key component in emergency response plans. Generators provide power for critical services, help produce lighting for disaster relief work and allow for business continuity. When selecting a generator, the focus often tends to revolve around power requirements, but in emergency situations, another key factor should not be overlooked: generator runtime. Most gener-
ators come with an internal tank that holds enough fuel to power the generator for approximately 24 hours. This means that without any additional fuel storage, the response plan must include resources to refuel the generator every day.
One fuel supply option is wet hosing, with a fuel truck visiting the site daily to add to the generator’s tank, but this method has drawbacks. Drivers are in high demand due to frequent turnover and increased requirements to attain the proper licensing and endorsements. This alone can lead to the risk of missed deliveries. Add to
Fuel supplies taken into areas experiencing extreme weather may need pumps, meters and other sensitive equipment protected from the elements.
that a higher demand for fuel and a surge in scheduling in times of emergency, and daily deliveries can be hard to come by. Additionally, wet hosing adds daily traffic to busy work areas, which may be even more crowded or inaccessible following a natural disaster.
To address these challenges, some operations turn to a traditional round tank to store additional fuel in the work area. Round tanks offer on-site fuel storage so operations can buy in bulk and have more fuel available, but these tanks bring challenges of their own. Round tanks take time to set up when they arrive at the site and require secondary containment pans that can be a hassle. Additionally, they are used simply to refuel generators — one at a time — which means a plan needs to be in place to add fuel to the generator daily to be sure power is not interrupted.
A NEW SOLUTION
Every minute counts in emergency situations. The time spent checking and refill-
ing tanks can add up to hours of wasted time. This is why more operations are turning to modern, cube-shaped on-site fuel tanks to extend the run time of their generators. This option offers a direct connection to the generator as an auxiliary fuel supply, extending the generator’s run time from 24 hours up to seven days and reducing fuel delivery requirements from once per day to once per week. Some of these tanks can even be used to fuel up to three pieces of equipment at the same time, meaning they can extend the run time of three generators simultaneously, or be used to refuel other equipment at the work site while still providing a continuous source of fuel for the generator.
Beyond extending generator run time, cube-shaped fuel tanks offer the benefits of double-walled containment. Traditional round tanks require a secondary containment pan to prevent contamination. This takes time to set up at work sites and must be emptied and
cleaned when it fills with rainwater and debris. With their innovative design, cube-shaped fuel tanks arrive at the work site with this critical environmental protection component already in place. They incorporate an outer wall that contains any spills and prevents the containment system from filling with storm water. These tanks provide peace of mind in any situation, especially those that may already be dealing with a widespread environmental impact.
This double-walled design also protects the tank itself from the elements — a factor that is even more important during ongoing weather events when conditions remain unpredictable. Some models also feature an enclosed, weatherproof cabinet to secure the inner tank and the supporting components inside the outer wall of the tank. This extends the life of pumps, meters and other equipment and reduces the risk of damage or contamination as the tank is battered by the wind and rain. Additionally, some manufacturers offer
TECH TIPS
cube-shaped fuel tanks with the hoses and pumps pre-installed for a true plug-and-play solution. With built-in secondary containment and all the components already set up, these tanks arrive at the work site ready to go — a simple solution that doesn’t require extra training and saves valuable time during disaster response.
MOVING WITH THE CONDITIONS
Natural disasters are unpredictable. While operations can plan for power needs in the event of an outage, it can be nearly impossible to project which roadways will be inaccessible or where power generation will be needed as cleanup progresses. Transportable fuel tanks shine in these situations.
Some cube-shaped fuel tanks have the required approvals and accreditations by organizations like the U.S. Department of Transportation and Transport Canada to move the tanks while
filled with fuel. They can be moved around a worksite with a forklift or crane and over the highway on a truck or trailer. This provides more options to provide fuel in hard-to-access areas and the ability to have the tanks delivered to the jobsite prefilled with fuel — allowing for rapid deployment in an emergency. It also saves valuable time by eliminating the need to drain the tank when it needs to be relocated as the situation unfolds.
Consider the example of a U.S. town that, when drowning in floodwater, partnered with an emergency fuel provider and a transportable fuel tank manufacturer to provide clean, environmentally secure fuel to homeowners and healthcare facilities. With a convenient cube shape and applicable approvals for full-fuel transport, two transportable fuel tanks were stacked onto the bed of a repurposed military vehicle. This custom solution simplified fuel delivery through the swamped streets. Additionally, the double-walled containment of the fuel tanks created a secure cabinet to retain spills and prevent floodwater from seeping in.
THE LONG HAUL
While emergency response planning often focuses on the immediate aftermath of a disaster, operations must also consider the possibility of extended power outages during long-term recovery efforts. While disaster can strike in an instant, the rebuilding process doesn’t move as quickly.
When a tornado tore through a water bottling facility in Texas, transportable fuel tanks were the key to resuming production while the company rebuilt. Working with a temporary power provider, the company used 10 power units to start up production at the damaged facility. The generators used a constant supply of fuel, fed by 11 transportable fuel tanks, to run around the clock for several months. The cube-shaped tanks were stacked for ease of transport and arrived filled with fuel. This offered a cost-effective solution with instant fuel on-site, which allowed the bottling plant to return to business and continue operations through the extended loss of power.
With the ability to be stacked, cube-shaped tanks provide more options than round tanks when it comes to limited on-site space. Some models can be stacked up to three high when empty or two high when filled with fuel. This provides a space-saving solution when storing empty tanks to have on hand in the event of an emergency. It also offers more efficient transport and reduces the footprint at the work site when multiple tanks are required. This feature is critical when working in areas with limited space as clean-up takes place and for long-term disaster recovery when the surrounding area is needed for other equipment or traffic.
DESPERATE TIMES
As the saying goes, “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” Emergencies can bring out the best and the worst in people. While many rally to help those in need, there are often those who look to take advantage of the situation. The cost of fuel has been steadily on the rise, and natural disasters can cre -
ate even more demand for this valuable commodity.
One of the concerns with traditional on-site fuel tanks is the increased risk of theft from ports and pumps located on the outside of the tank. Thankfully, some manufacturers have designed fuel tanks with features to be a step ahead of the game with anti-theft technology. This reduces the financial risk that comes with loss from theft and ensures the fuel is available to keep generators and other work site equipment running.
Operations should look for cubeshaped tanks that house the pump and
assets in a secure cabinet with cardlocked dispense controls so only authorized individuals can access the fuel.
Some tanks are even designed with remote tank monitoring systems that can aid in theft prevention and keep tabs on the fuel tank’s supply. This allows the emergency response team to check exactly how much fuel is on hand, no matter where they are located throughout the day. These systems can also send personalized alerts and customizable reports through email or text, freeing up personnel to focus on their many other responsibilities rather than making fre -
quent visits to the tank to make sure the fuel level isn’t running low. Taking technology even further, some transportable tanks incorporate built-in GPS systems that help work site managers monitor the tank’s exact location and help equipment operators find the nearest tank if they need to refuel.
GENERATING RAPID RESPONSE
Through the planning process, operations should determine a base number of fuel tanks to have on hand to activate when needed. However, they must also identify how they will access additional tanks if the disaster calls for a larger response.
Rental centres shouldn’t overlook building a relationship with a reliable partner who can respond quickly in emergency situations. During Hurricane Ida in 2021, a transportable fuel tank manufacturer received a call on a Sunday morning when help was needed. A team of people was brought in to fulfill the request and 40 tanks were ready to ship that evening. Generators and fuel tanks go handin-hand, and these items will be in high demand when disaster strikes. But even with all the uncontrollable variables in these situations, proper planning for equipment needs in the event of an emergency can help operations weather the storm. CRS
John Cleary is Western Global Americas’ vice-president of sales.
by Treena Hein
HYBRID PERFORMANCE
Hybrid power could be the compromise between utility and sustainability.
W
hen they send out hybrid equipment with customers in most winter conditions, rental business owners in Canada can take heart –performance should be solid.
In the battle against climate change, converting all our power supllies to electricity is key because electricity can be generated by clean sources such as hydroelectric, nuclear, solar and wind. That’s why governments are urging equipment manufacturers to introduce electricfied options, and most have responded with lithium-ion battery designs.
Of course, any battery pack is going to perform better during winter in warmer areas of the country like southern B.C. or southern Ontario
but, as J.P. Ouellette explains, “hybrid performance would be equivalent or better.”
Ouellette, who is the business development manager at M-K Power Products in Mississauga, Ont., adds that “all batteries are affected somewhat in extreme cold weather. But the need to just warm up a slight bit initially at the beginning of operation is like any other engine in similar conditions.”
Hybrid equipment is attracting strong current interest across Canada’s rental sector as it’s
LEFT: Lift manufacturers claim hybrid power models perform the same or better than their diesel counterparts with twice the run time before needing refuelling.
RIGHT: Visitors from the Canadian Rental Association got the full introduction to Kubota’s hybrid engine technology at a meeting at MK Power earlier this year.
increasingly popular among customers who want to show the public they are going greener. Ouellette notes that certain customer groups may require specific hybrid solutions for various worksites due to the goals and mandates of corporations or local governments.
He also explains that because the battery power in hybrid machines lowers the overall horsepower required to run a machine, hybrid systems typically cause any piece of equipment to drop down an emissions category, “thus making it easier to comply with regulations.” For example, in applications requiring an engine of 56 kilowatts or more due momentary high loads, it’s possible to consider installing a hybrid engine of less than 56 kilowatts. Kubota has also given the example of a three-cylinder engine equipped with Kubota’s MicroHybrid system, which can achieve similar levels of performance as a conventional four-cylinder engine.
To make sound equipment investments, rental firm owners also need to keep a close eye on hybrid technology as it evolves. Ouellette foresees that over the next few years, there will be improvements in battery storage and more battery power (and also, hybrid systems will surely decrease in size, as any new technology tends to do).
But even at today’s level of technology, he believes everyone should now be actively investigating hybrids. “It is the future of our industry,” he says, “and rental companies need to be prepared for what is coming.”
Grant Van Tine, product manager of electric vehicles for John Deere, says many customers are curious about the benefits of hybrid machines and want to try them before they buy them. “Rental companies have a great opportunity to enable contractors to put hybrid machines into their operations on a rental basis and experience first-hand the benefits they can offer in terms of performance and fuel savings,” he says. “Hybrid machines are easy to integrate into any fleet, given the similarities in operation, maintenance and fueling.”
As to whether there are hybrid
equipment options in development or on the market that use propane or liquid natural gas, Ouellette can report that Kubota is starting with diesel hybrids since most of its customer base already uses diesel but at the same time he believes there are future opportunities for all fuel types. He notes that the LNG and propane power spark engines will be able to be mated to hybrid systems in the near future, just like combustion engines can be mated now.
Currently, Deere hybrids support the use of petroleum diesel, renewable diesel/hydrotreated vegetable oil and certain blends of biodiesel. Deere is investigating and testing additional alternative fuels for potential future use.
HIGH ON HYBRID
Genie is one aerial manufacturer that is particularly enthusiastic about hybrid power on its MEWPs, offering the Z-60 and Z-45 articulated boom lifts in FE versions designated “fuel-electric.” The company says the diesel engine can power the batteries to full charge in about four hours and operate for twice as long in full hybrid mode as a full diesel with half the fuel. Genie’s design allows the operator to switch between full electric, full diesel and hybrid running modes. So the user can go full electric for indoor work where exhaust is not allowed, full diesel for tough rough terrain conditions, and hybrid to maximize run time. That kind of flexibility is critical to a rental store, allowing it to offer the same machine for almost any application. A quick search reveals several other major aerial OEMs are offering hybrid versions, including JLG, Snorkel and Sinoboom.
ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND MAINTENANCE
Similarly to overall performance, Ouellette reports that hybrid equipment engines achieve the same or better performance levels as combustion engines. “The power is on tap in the hybrid system, ready to assist the moment it’s required,” he explains. He adds that in
TECH TIPS
certain hybrid architectures like the Kubota P2, you can also have an electric-only mode or engine-plus-electric boost.
Ouellette points to the model he represents as an example of the latest technology. The Kubota V3307 Micro-Hybrid system includes an AC synchronous motor generator, a DC/DC converter and a 48-volt lithium-ion battery along with a 74.3-horsepower model V3307 diesel engine to provide 10 kilowatts of power assistance during peak overloads. The Micro-Hybrid prototype debuted at ConExpo in 2020, and is intended for wheel loaders, rollers, excavators, forklifts and generator sets. It’s slated to be in production in early 2024.
In general, most of the maintenance considerations with hybrid systems concern keeping the batteries in good shape. Regarding Kubota systems, Ouellette adds that replacement of the micro-V belt for some motor-generator configurations may be required, and eventually a battery replacement as well, “but these systems are designed for long life and durability.”
Maintenance time is also saved in a hybrid system. Because there’s no after-treatment emissions device (Selective Catalytic Reduction) for diesel engines 56 kilowatts or larger, diesel engine fluid top-up is not required. Kubota’s new D1803 P1 hybrid engine has a maintenance-free design and a beltless motor generator. It was previewed at ConExpo 2023 and will likely be produced starting in 2025. It’s a turbocharged engine with a turbo after-cooler and DOC-only after-treatment with an output of 49.6 horsepower at a rated speed of 2,700 RPM. The motor generator offers an additional boost of 10 kilowatts when needed with a 48-volt lithium-ion battery pack.
ADD-ON POSSIBILITY
Kubota states that it’s considering how to approach MicroHybrid retrofit as a kit, but nothing has been decided on this since the system is in the initial phases of commercialization (production early 2024). The combined size of the MicroHybrid components (converter, battery and motor generator) is
similar to that of a common rail engine.
Adding a Micro-Hybrid kit to existing equipment would enhance value with minimal cost. There is no impact on power take-off, so the system can also be added for applications currently under development by OEMs (no need to change product design, and Kubota will offer a package of the required peripheral components). As to whether it’s wise for rental companies to add the Micro-Hybrid components to their existing Kubota equipment next year, a Kubota representative suggests that a more successful early approach would likely be found in re-powering large fleets, “where there is some volume to the opportunity.”
The D1803 P1 Hybrid engine can also be installed into existing applications by OEMs, as can the D1105 P2 Hybrid starting in or around 2025 (date to be determined).
Kubota is considering offering the Micro-Hybrid as a retrofit kit.
Rental companies should consider that equipment already equipped with a Kubota engine can be converted to MicroHybrid by installing three main components (converter, battery and motor generator), in total a size similar to that of a common rail engine. This allows equipment owners to enhance the value of their existing applications with a minimal development cost. There is no impact on power take-off, so it can be used for both existing applications or for applications currently under development. There’s no need to change product design, and Kubota offers a package of the required peripheral components.
The D1803 P1 Hybrid engine can also be installed into existing applications by OEMs, as can the D1105 P2 Hybrid starting in 2025, when it will be launched. Offering a rated output of 24.8 horsepower at 3,000 RPM, the D1803 P2 has a one-way clutch that is incorporated into the Kubota-supplied gearbox. The P2 Hybrid system from Kubota offers the ability to switch between engine drive and electric motor drive while in operation. The engine can be used when moving between locations, but if there are areas where emissions or noise are a concern, the engine can be stopped and switched to the electric motor.
Deere announced three additional hybrid models at ConExpo that will be available soon: 744 and 824 X-tier wheel loaders and 850 X-tier dozer, which when launched will bring Deere’s total to five hybrid models. As announced with Deere’s “Leap Ambitions,” Deere is planning to have over 20 diesel-electric and battery electric models by 2026. The John Deere E-Drive (hybrid) models are designed to work and are tested in the same conditions as their diesel equivalents,” says Van Tine.
“Collectively, the 644 X-Tier and 944 X-Tier E-Drive wheel loaders have accumulated over three million customer hours working in the same environments as loaders with conventional drivetrains. Generally speaking, hybrid machines are more efficient and offer greater performance than conventional machines. By eliminating the torque converter in the drivetrain, hybrids allow more power to be delivered to the ground, improving performance.”
HYBRID GENERATORS AND LIFTS
Hybrid generators (diesel with battery energy storage systems or BESS) are currently offered by many rental stores in Canada. These units consist of a battery system, inverters and load-sensing controllers that automatically switch power sources to maximize efficiency. When the diesel generator is in use due to battery depletion or high loads, excess power from the diesel motor recharges
the BESS. When the load is lowered, the generator is shut off and the BESS carries the load on its own.
Of course, maintenance is less with hybrid generators compared to all-diesel systems. The diesel runtime is reduced, which means longer service intervals, lower consumption of oil and filters and longer equipment lifespan. In July, United Rentals released a white paper, “Hybrid Power Solutions: The Future of Portable Power,” and stated that “in a recent project, a large construction customer reduced cost by 34 percent and reduced generator runtime by two-thirds.”
United Rentals’ hybrid generator, which has a high-density lithium battery system, offers 40 to 60 kilowatts of power output and provides between 60 and 120 kilowatt-hours of storage. The company has recently reported that about a third of its national motorized fleet is now hybrid or electric.
Diesel engine recharge of the batteries is also offered with Genie’s fuel-electric
boom lifts, which have been on the market since about 2020. Among the three hybrid models, two articulating, the Genie Z-60 FE hybrid boom lift works on any surface including soft and loose rough terrain and operates for more than a week on a tank of fuel and a full day’s shift on one battery charge.
These lifts automatically turn on the generator only when needed. The electric motor/generator feeds the battery and drives a hydraulic pump that powers the machine’s lifting movements. The battery also powers the unit’s four AC drive motors that also serve as generators by recuperating energy produced during braking, which charges the batteries.
Hybrid power is still relatively new in the construction equipment sector and many OEMs seem more focused on providing electric-only solutions. But in a world where we need to reduce emissions but still need to get things done in the cold, hybrid power may be a critical answer. CRS
The reliability of gas with the sustainability of electric comes together in these cutting-edge hybrid power options.
HYBRID EQUIPMENT
ONE WEEK ON A TANK
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Two machines in one, the Genie Z-60 FE hybrid articulating boom lift is an environment-friendly solution for increased efficiency and low cost of operation. In all-electric mode it offers a full work day of emissions-free run time on a single battery charge. In hybrid mode, it offers one week of run time with a single tank of diesel. The full-time-active oscillating axle helps maintain traction on rough terrain. Fourwheel-drive and 45 percent gradeability allows access to all terrain. The Z-60 features a high-efficiency AC drive system for enhanced driving performance and simplified
maintenance. Dual parallelogram and fully proportional controls deliver precise boom positioning and smooth performance. A five-foot articulating jib with a 135-degree vertical rotation accurately positions workers. the Genie Fast Mast boom system allows operators to descend and retrieve materials and quickly return to working height.
INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY
8 komatsu.com
The Komatsu HB365LC-3 hybrid hydraulic excavator is powered by a Komatsu SAA6D114E-6 Tier 4 Final engine and a Komatsu hybrid electrical swing system that provides plenty of torque and acceleration for all excavating tasks, helping increase productivity while promoting carbon reduction. Compared to Komatsu non-hybrid excavators in the same class, the HB365LC-11 can help increase
productivity by up to 15 percent; reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 percent depending on application; and lessen carbon dioxide emissions. The engine produces 269 horsepower at 1,950 RPM. Operating weight is 81,791 to 85,495 pounds and bucket capacity is 0.89 to 2.56 cubic yards. The HB365LC-3 features a powerful, responsive swing system with improved swing acceleration that helps improve cycle times. Whether on the slopes or in the trenches, this machine is suitable for applications such as bulk material handling; loading crushers and concrete recycling; truck loading with 90-degree swing angles; and typical trenching when depth is less than 12 feet. Fuel consumption is reduced with the hybrid energy conservation system; Tier 4 Final engine technology; an ultralow idle speed; and a viscous fan clutch. The HB365LC-3 features high production and performance with two-mode boom settings; an electrically driven swing motor; six working modes for a wide variety of applications; and lifting mode for increased capacity. It sports comfortable operation with a spacious, climate-con-
trolled, rollover-protected cab; high-back air-suspension seats with heat; a low-vibration cab damper mounting; a pressurized cabin with an air filter and automatic climate control.
LONG ENGINE LIFE
8 deere.com
The 944 X-Tier wheel loader from John Deere produces 536 horsepower at 1,600 RPM with an operating weight of 119,607 to 124,614 pounds and a bucket capacity of 8.5 to 10 cubic yards. The hybrid-electric drivetrain consists of the John Deere 13.5-litre engine, a gearbox, two three-phase AC permanent magnet generators, power electronics or inverters, four three-phase AC switched reluctance motors, four two-stage reduction final drives and two brake resistors. The engine operates at either a limited engine speed range or at constant speed, like a generator set, and connects to a gearbox which houses the hydraulic pumps. The gearbox
then transfers engine power to the electric generators and the hydraulic pumps. The electric generators convert rotational energy from the engine into three-phase alternating current electrical energy. From here the power electronics, or inverter, delivers this electrical energy from the generators to the electric motors based on operator demand. The electrical motors convert the threephase alternating current back to rotational energy and torque into the final drives. Excess energy is passively consumed through two brake resistors that assist in maintaining reversal performance and engine over speed while coasting downhill. Engines that can be run at constant speed like
When the operator lays off the accelerator pedal, changes direction, or when the loader is driven downhill, inertia and gravity can continue to drive the loader. When this happens, the electric motors are being mechanically driven by the wheels through the driveline and temporarily become generators, adding supplemental energy to the electric drive system. This recovered energy is sent to the power electronics which can in turn now use this energy to drive the generators to assist with driving the hydraulic pumps, reducing the load on the engine and allowing the engine controller to send less fuel to the engine, which is where the gains in
and helps determine the most efficient path for this energy to go. Recycled energy cannot be stored by the electric drive system but there is a system in place that allows the excess energy to be consumed in the form of the two brake resistors that consume extra energy and assist in braking, limiting the amount of mechanical braking needed which in turn reduces brake wear and lowers maintenance costs
EXTRA STABILITY
8 sanyamerica.com
The SET240S from Sany has a load weight of 220 tons, producing maximum torque
of 3,000 newton meters and 2,090 kilowatts power. The performance of drive system depends on the gross vehicle weight, gradient and length of the transport road including rolling resistance, engine power, and other parameters. The drive system can adjust to the actual working conditions to realize the optimal performance of the mining dump truck. Features include independent hydraulic steering with a closed-centre steering valve, a pressure compensating piston pump and an accumulator. The accumulator provides uniform steering regardless of the engine speed. In the event of a loss of engine power, it provides emergency power to the system for steering.The SET240S has independent front suspension. The smaller swing arm motion reduces the
lateral displacement of the tires and prolongs their lives for extended life and maintenance periods. Dual variable-section box structures welded from high-strength alloy steel plates and steel castings are integrated with the rollover protection structures to achieve excellent bending capacity, strong distortion resistance, enduring impact ductility and extended life. There are independent hydraulic systems with retarders at limiting positions. Two three-section hoist cylinders are mounted on both sides of the frame rails to keep the body stable while raising. The cab is equipped with an integral four-pillar tipping protection design, an adjustable cushioned seat, luxury upholstery and a tiltable and telescopic steering wheel to provide a comfortable operating space, conforming to
ISO 3471. The cab provides an equivalent sound level of less than 78 decibels when tested with doors and windows closed.
EASY TO RETROFIT
8 kubotaengine.com
Kubota Engine America’s V3307
Micro-Hybrid Engine provides power assistance during peak performance, using electric power to compensate for high loads instantaneously. For some applications, high load is required for only a fraction of the total work time.
The RotoRake from Reist Industries is a hydraulically driven power rake with features such as the dual motor design, 25° angle and 28° tilt, and bi-directional motor. With features like that, you can rest assured that the RotoRake will give you a quality result.
The engine’s 10-kW electric motor-assist function allows customers to match those high load demands and select an engine with an output power tailored to the low and medium load regions of frequent use. In addition, machinery already equipped with a Kubota engine can leverage this Micro-Hybrid technology by installing three main components. This allows customers to enhance the added value of their existing applications with a minimal development cost. Kubota’s Micro-Hybrid Engine stresses its minimal implementation, making the engine a simple, easy-to-install system. The engine has a straightforward design with three main components: a DC converter, a lithium-ion battery and a motor generator attached to the existing engine model. In addition, the Hybrid system is controlled by the engine control unit, not big signals from the vehicle. This is made possible by rewriting the software in the existing ECU, only available to Kubota engines. No additional ECU is required for Hybrid control. The engine is equipped with a 48-volt motor generator, providing high torque with quick response, boosting overall work efficiency. At low speeds, the motor provides up to 70 newton meters of torque assistance. Designed for applications that demand an immediate response to instantaneous peak overloads within the typical machine duty cycle, the power assist Micro-Hybrid system supports the engine by delivering an additional electrical power boost of up to 10 kilowatts. The instant-available torque offers an efficiency boost at the most crucial time, while recuperating and recharging its battery pack when not initiated. These
innovations push the boundaries in areas of fuel efficiency, power density and adaptability. Kubota’s Micro-Hybrid Engine technology will fit compactly in the mounting space with no selective catalytic reduction required for diesel engines with output of 56 kilowatts or more. Eliminating the need for SCR saves on time needed to top up diesel exhaust fluid. It saves maintenance work and eliminates the running cost of DEF. In addition, the motor-assist function can also be expected to help reduce fuel consumption. The Kubota Micro-Hybrid Engine complies with EPA/ CARB Tier 4 and State V emission regulations.
CONQUERS ROUGH TERRAIN
8 kobelco-usa.com
The Kobelco hybrid system has further evolved with the introduction of the SK210HLC-10.
The new electric swing motor combined with the additional hybrid components are optimized for efficiency without sacrificing productivity. During heavy digging, the motor/ generator/lithium-ion battery assists the engine and hydraulic pump in order to reduce fuel consumption and engine exhaust emissions. The components of the hybrid system work in harmony with the same size engine as a conventional SK210LC-10, making the machine even faster for increased cycle times. While the machine is digging or reistindustries.com
swinging, an assist from the generator motor greatly reduces the engine load and generates extra power. The stored electrical power in the lithium-ion battery now flows back to the motor/generator to assist the engine to power the hydraulic functions. Reducing the power demand on the diesel engine, it reduces fuel flow and thereby increases overall efficiency. The braking energy generated during swing deceleration is converted into electrical energy and then the electricity is accumulated in the lithium-ion battery The unused energy of the lightly loaded engine is used to generate electrical power and recharge the lithium-ion battery to full stand-by level. The higher power capacity of the lithium-ion battery provides longer, more consistent, engine assist power and independent swing. Maximum bucket digging force with the power boost is 35,300 pounds. The maximum arm crowding force with power boost is 25,200 pounds. The drawbar pulling force is 51,000 pounds, delivering the capacity to conquer rough terrain and slopes.
LIGHTER AND MORE COMPACT
8 kohlerenergy.com
The Kohler K-HEM 1003 generates power using a combination of a KDW 1003 18-kilowatt diesel engine (compliant with Stage V standards and without DPF) and a 48-volt electric engine that guarantees 15 kilowatts of peak power and nine kilowatts of continuous power. This means that the unit is capable of providing over 30 kilowatts without the need for exhaust-gas aftertreatment systems. What’s more, K-HEM can operate as a generator for energy accumulation systems. The K-HEM hybrid unit has been designed to satisfy the needs of all types of equipment that are distinguished by intermittent duty operation cycles that call for power peaks (welders, mowers, tractors with implements, etc.) and machines that chiefly run continuous low load operation cycles, which prevent them from reaching the temperatures necessary for passive
regeneration to occur inside the particulate filter (aerial platforms, forklifts, etc.). With K-HEM, the power base is provided by the combustion engine, while the power peaks are guaranteed by the electric engine. This system, which complies with the limits laid down in Stage V standards, makes it possible for machines to avoid underating and guarantees high productivity levels. The built-in master control unit allows users to monitor and manage working modes and transitions based on their needs. All of this translates into lighter, more compact and better-performing machines than in the past, capable of exploiting all of the benefits arising from the integration of mechanical power and electric power: less complex engines; an absence of aftertreatment systems; the ability to store and use excess energy produced thanks to the built-in alternator; energy recovery during braking and exhaust phases; the ability to manage operations using the master control unit; reduction of gas emission, noise and consumption rates; improved performance and power modulation, thanks to the integrated management of each operation.
EXCEPTIONAL TERRAINABILITY
8 jlg.com
The H340AJ hybrid articulating boom lift from JLG features a platform height of 33 feet, 10 inches and a machine width of six feet, four inches. It delivers diesel-like performance with four independent electric-drive motors and a Tier 4 Final diesel-powered generator for exceptional terrainability. It runs completely on eight 12-volt 100-amp-hour AGM batteries, which are charged by the diesel generator. The power of a diesel machine combined with its hybrid efficiency allows customers to work both inside and outside. The H340Aj offers reduced fuel use, emissions, noise and maintenance compared to a diesel-powered JLG 340AJ under similar test conditions. It comes with a standard LED motion/amber beacon and ClearSky Smart Fleet connectivity hardware. CRS
SNOOK’S LOOK
The new face of rental
by Andrew Snook
Would you be stunned to hear that Canada has a serious labour shortage problem? Since you’re active in the world of equipment rentals (and not living under a rock) I’m going to assume you’re aware of this issue.
To combat the shortfall of labour created by our aging population and low birth rates, the Canadian government is expected to bring in approximately 4.45 million new immigrants between 2023 and 2032, according to BuildForce Canada’ reports. As things stand currently, immigrants are an underrepresented group within the construction sector, making up about 18.3 per cent of the labour force compared to approximately 27 per cent of the country’s overall workforce. This, when the report estimates that Canada’s construction sector will lose around 20 per cent of its workforce due to retirement in the next 10 years, which is about 245,100 workers. Over this same time period, overall employment required in the sector is expected to increase, led by a four-percent increase in non-residential employment (about 21,600 workers), which will counter an expected one-percent contraction in employment in residential employment (about 5,300 workers). This means the construction sector will be scrambling to fill about 261,400 positions between now and 2032.
Now that I’ve filled your head with labour statistics, some of you may be wondering why I’m so focused on the construction sector. It’s because I’ve noticed some interesting parallels between the equipment rental sector and the construction sector over my past four years of writing for Canadian Rental Service (and more than a decade of covering the construction sector). The biggest parallel is that you both have the exact same labour issues: too many people retiring and not enough people coming into the sector to replace those workers. Yes, this is happening in many sectors across Canada, but the construction sector’s woes matter more than others when it comes to the world of equipment rentals. Why? In many cases, both sectors are
trying to attract the same kinds of people. The construction sector is looking for people with knowledge of the maintenance and operation of light and heavy construction equipment, as well as a variety of skilled trades professionals. In many cases, these are ideal employees for the equipment rental sector.
Here’s the good and the bad news related to the construction sector’s needs. I’ll give you the bad news first: the construction sector has the advantage of being able to offer more competitive wages (in many cases). Will this create some additional hiring and retention challenges for equipment rental companies looking to hire new immigrants that are either skilled trades professionals or have significant knowledge related to light and heavy construction equipment? Possibly.
But here’s the good news: the construction sector (and all the of the skilled trades) have been lobbying the federal government for increased numbers of skilled trades workers for many years, and it looks like the alarm they’ve been sounding has been noticed. The government of Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2023-2025, is expected to bring in about 1.45 million new immigrants over that three-year-period. Approximately 305,900 of those fall under the “Federal High Skilled” category.
According to the BuildForce report, “Meeting near- and long-term demand requirements will require a combination of industry strategies that include increased recruitment and training of youth, looking to traditionally under-represented groups.”
As labour shortages continue to accumulate within various sectors across the country, the equipment rental sector needs to take a page out of the construction sector’s playbook and focus on building long-term strategies to battle its own labour issues. Otherwise, it will find itself managing bigger and bigger labour gaps for years to come.
CRS
Andrew Snook is the former editor of Rock to Road, Crane and Hoist and On Site
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