� Allows normal machine use when stowed ACCESS THROUGH STANDARD DOORWAYS‡
FULL HEIGHT WIND RATING LEADING LIGHT WEIGHT DESIGN
Annex Business Media
P.O. Box 530, Simcoe, Ontario N3Y 4N5
(800) 265-2827 or (519) 429-3966
Fax: (519) 429-3094
READER SERVICE
Print and digital subscription inquiries or changes, please contact Angelita Potal, Customer Service Tel: (416) 510-5113 Fax: (416) 510-6875
Email: apotal@annexbusinessmedia.com
Mail: 111 Gordon Baker Rd., Suite 400, Toronto, ON M2H 3R1
EDITOR I Patrick Flannery pflannery@annexbusinessmedia.com (226) 931-0545
BRAND SALES MANAGER I Robert Elias relias@annexbusinessmedia.com (416) 725-2910
ASSOCIATE EDITOR I Daniel Reale-Chin dreale-chin@annexbusinessmedia.com (416) 510-6809
ACCOUNT COORDINATOR I Barb Comer bcomer@annexbusinessmedia.com (519) 429-5171
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Shawn Arul sarul@annexbusinessmedia.com (416) 510-5181
MEDIA DESIGNER I Alison Keba
GROUP PUBLISHER I Danielle Labrie dlabrie@annexbusinessmedia.com (226) 931-0375
COO I Scott Jamieson sjamieson@annexbusinessmeda.com
Publication Mail Agreement #40065710.
Printed in Canada ISSN 0383-7920
Subscription Rates
Canada- 1 Year $45.00 + tax
U.S.A. - 1 Year $102.50 (CDN)
Occasionally, Canadian Rental Service will mail information on behalf of industry-related groups whose products and services we believe may be of interest to you. If you prefer not to receive this information, please contact our circulation department in any of the four ways listed above.
All rights reserved. Editorial material is copyrighted. Permission to reprint may be granted on request.
Serving the Canadian rental industry for 45 years.
www.canadianrentalservice.com
10
BIRDS EYE TO GROUND TOOLS
Equipment World surges in northern Ontario after going all-in on rentals in 2017.
4
EDITORIAL
A brand new Rental Mart is on the horizon this month. Here’s what to expect and what it took to get there.
21
WHAT WENT HONG
Always have a naloxone kit ready at the jobsite. By James Hong. 10 16
16
CLEAN PROPANE
A new study shows that propane is a low-emissions choice for heating and energy.
22
STEADY AS IT GOES
Tips to keep workers safe when elevated on rough terrain.
8
AT YOUR SERVICE
Negotiating well is your key to get what you need to maintain your relationships. By Russ Dantu.
26
LIFT SHOWCASE
Take your business up and over the top with these new aerial products.
20 OUR ISSUES
Ask what improvements your city can make for the small business economy. By Mike Wood.
30
HOPE IS NOT A PLAN
Change is here. Keep your rental store efficient and ready with digital solutions. By Adam Snook.
A new approach
by Patrick
Flannery
The pandemic hiatus gave us a chance to refresh and renew your trade show.
At last, we’ll all get together again at the Canadian Rental Mart on Sept. 27 and 28.
A live Rental Mart show hasn’t happened since 2018, because the show was on a twoyear schedule and, well, we all remember what happened in 2020. We had already moved the 2020 Rental Mart date to the fall in an attempt to get away from the cluttered spring show schedule and, when COVID broke out in March, we initially thought it would all be over by then. Oops. We had to cancel that date as well and instead host two online versions in 2021. Kudos to our events team for working fast to make those successful. In late 2021, with vaccination rates hitting critical mass and restrictions lifting, it looked like we could go ahead with a live event again in the traditional time slot in March 2022. Omicron took care of that. So now we’re back to our fall date but this time the show will go ahead...promise.
The bar will be open, the conversation will be free-flowing...it’s about getting together and getting informed.
It’s hard to find silver linings in such a long layoff, but there may be a few. One is that (I hope) your interest and enthusiasm to make the time to come out to the show will be way up after such a long deprivation. A lot has changed in equipment and technology since 2018 and this will be the first chance in Ontario since then to browse the latest rental-ready stuff. We all love getting together to chew the fat with our rental friends and the Rental Mart is still the biggest gathering in Canada. But the other silver lining is that the long break has led to long discussions about how we might make the Rental Mart a compelling experience. So we’ve changed and refreshed things...a lot of things. All the details were in our August issue (“Rental Mart Refreshed,” page 22). But I want to circle back and highlight a couple points here.
Shows need a sense of event, so we’ve doubled down on offering some high-profile speakers and social opportunities in addition to the equipment exhibits. The program has been located right on the show floor in our Centre Stage area - easy to find, easy to know when a session is taking place. We’ve timed them for mid-afternoon when things are often getting a little quieter and maybe you’re ready to take a seat after walking the hall all day. The bar will be open and the seating is at round tables so the feeling is less like a lecture hall and more like a social event. And the presentations are not to be missed. Tony Clement, former minister of health and industry and former candidate for leadership of the Conservative party will deliver insights on the supply chain issues all our businesses have faced along with his suggestions for how to fix them. This is a guy who used to be in charge of these issues for the whole country, and you’ll have a chance to meet him and pick his brain. When Tony is done, the American Rental Association will have its firstever event at a Canadian Rental Mart. Josh Nickell and James Auerbach will talk about ARA member benefits – including the new insurance partnership that the ARA is now offering in Canada. The next afternoon, on the 28th, we have another very special first-time event: the Women in Rental panel. I’m going to be joined on stage by five impressive female leaders in the rental industry for a lively and interactive discussion about their stories and the industry in general. If you’re wondering how to get talented young women involved in your store, this is a session you can’t afford to miss. As an added bonus, Canadian Rental Association members should check out the trip to the Blue Jays game happening after the show on the 27th. The Blue Jays will be playing the Yankees in what should be the heat of a pennant race. Fun! We’ve refreshed and renewed the Rental Mart. Come check it out! It’s your show. CRS
HARRIS BECOMES CEO OF TEXADA
Texada Software announced that it has appointed technology executive Matt Harris as CEO. Harris was previously the president and general manager of Viewpoint, a software company that provides an SaaS platform for construction companies that connects a contractor’s projects and job sites with their back office. Harris was with Viewpoint for over 11 years and served roles in strategy, sales and product as it grew nearly twenty-fold into a construction industry software platform leader. Prior to Viewpoint, Harris held leadership roles with FEI Company, Netscape and General Electric, among others.
Harris takes the reins from Nabil Kassam, founder of Texada Software, who commented, “Our mission has always been to make work easy and instant, through our platform that increases the capabilities and productivity of businesses who rent, sell, manage or service equipment assets. I’m excited to welcome Matt as CEO, and I look forward to supporting Matt and the entire Texada team going forward as we deliver more value to our customers and to the equipment industry.”
Benneker Partners, a private equity firm in San Francisco, Cal., recently invested in Texada on June 30.
WOOD ANNOUNCES RUN FOR CITY COUNCIL
Michael Wood announced his run for the city council seat in Ward 9 –Knoxdale-Merivale in Ottawa, Ont. Wood is a former owner of an event rental company, a college professor in Ottawa and a principal at Ottawa Consultants. Wood grew up in Craig Henry, a neighbourhood in the Knoxdale-Merivale ward. Wood announced his bid for city council on social media in August.
“I’m coming home. The past two years, I have proven that I can give people a voice at all levels of government in a balanced, non-partisan way,” wrote Wood.
As a co-founder of Ottawa Special Events, an event equipment rental store, Wood’s clients included the National Hockey League, Cirque de Soleil and the Canadian Football League, according to his website. His tenure in the rental space earned him a spot in Canadian Rental Service’s Top 10 Under 40 in 2019. Wood is a professor at Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ottawa, where he has taught courses in music, entertainment marketing and entrepreneurship. Voting for the 2022 municipal elections in Ottawa will take place on Oct. 24.
“Matt’s extensive experience with growing and leading an enterprise SaaS business at scale in the construction software space, coupled with a long track record with many successful technology businesses, give him a unique vision and leadership skills to help grow the business with the Texada team,” said Matt McDonald, partner at Banneker. Harjot Sachdeva, operating partner at Banneker Partners added, “Matt’s experience, vision, and deep market expertise make him the ideal choice to lead Texada in creating the next generation of software solutions for equipment dealers and rental companies. As the company announces new offerings and new partners, Matt’s demonstrated proficiency at launching products and delivering value to customers will be vital for the company’s next phase of growth.”
“With Banneker, Texada is ideally situated to build on its legacy and leadership in heavy equipment rental software markets. The strength of its customer base, its product portfolio and its organization all provide meaningful pillars from which the Texada platform can expand,” said Harris. “The industry is urgently looking for transformative solutions which integrate their businesses with their customers and their operations. Texada will focus on further developing its integrated platform to meet these critical needs.”
COOPER ACQUIRES ONE STOP RENTALS
On July 29, Cooper Equipment Rentals announced it acquired Alberta-based One Stop Rentals/Sales. One Stop is an equipment rental company that serves southern Alberta including Airdrie, Calgary, Strathmore, Cochrane, Chestermere and Olds.
“Our team is very proud to join the Cooper Equipment Rentals family and have found the acquisition and transition to be seamless” said Todd Maxwell, president of One Stop.
“We’re pleased to welcome One Stop into the Cooper family” said Doug Dougherty, CEO of Cooper. “The One Stop team has built a great business with a quality reputation in the market and we are proud to be partnering with them as we continue to grow our company across Canada.”
The One Stop branch, which includes a significant climate control business, will join Cooper’s southern Alberta region under the direction of regional manager, Justin Wharton. “We’re delighted that Todd Maxwell, one of the shareholders of One Stop, will maintain his function as branch manager and play an integral role in assisting us in the transition of the acquisition over the next several months,” said Wharton.
This latest acquisition extends Cooper’s coverage of the greater Calgary area, adding to the growing network of strategically located branches across Canada and supporting Cooper’s existing presence in the Alberta Region.
Michael Wood, co-founder of Ottawa Special Events
Matt Harris, CEO of Texada
A BULLISH FORECAST ON EQUIPMENT RENTAL
The American Rental Association released its forecast for equipment rental revenue in Canada on Aug. 3. The update combines construction and general tool revenue, projecting growth of 14.4 percent in 2022 to $4.7 billion, six percent in 2023, two percent in 2024, 3.4 percent in 2025 and 3.3 percent in 2026 to exceed $5.4 billion. Today’s economic indicators are mixed and uncertain, but all continue to point toward significant growth for equipment rental revenue in the U.S. according to the latest quarterly update of the five-year forecast released by the ARA. The update also projects that equipment rental revenue, including the construction and general tool segments, will grow by 11.2 percent, to nearly reach $55.9 billion in 2022. ARA expects growth of 6.2 percent in 2023, 2.5 percent in 2024, 3.3 percent in 2025 and 3.7 percent in 2026 to total more than $65.1 billion.
“Rental revenue continues to experience significant growth, despite some headwinds in 2022. The longer-term forecast, while showing slower growth than this year, remains bullish. It is generally a good time to be in the equipment rental industry,” says Tom Doyle, ARA vice-president for program development, “In these times of higher uncertainty, it is prudent to closely watch the driving factors to the forecast for changes that will affect build schedules for OEM’s or demand for rental companies. Depending on how long we have high inflation, supply chain constraints, labour shortages and climbing interest rates, those econometric drivers can have an impact on the rest of 2022 and the outlook for 2023.”
For construction equipment rental revenue, the forecast calls for a 12.5 percent increase in 2022 to surpass $41.6 billion, with growth slowing to seven percent in 2023, two percent in 2024, three percent in 2025 and three percent in 2026. General tool growth is expected to be 7.4 percent in 2022 and then remain fairly steady with five-percent growth in 2023, three percent in 2024, five percent in 2025 and five percent in 2026.
SINGLETON TO ADDRESS LABOUR SHORTAGE IN RENTAL INDUSTRY
Erika Singleton, workforce development manager, ARA
The American Rental Association has welcomed Erika Singleton as the association’s new workforce development manager. With a background in human resources management, employee training and program marketing, her role will work to address the industry labour shortage by promoting rental as a career.
“We’re elated to have Singleton on board,” said Tony Conant, ARA CEO. “She’s the perfect fit to support our current and future workplace initiatives due to her extensive experience and her proven success in driving new strategies and solutions forward.”
The current ARA workplace initiatives include an industry job portal, best practices documents, customizable job description templates, employee recruitment videos and an employee recruitment website — exclusively available for ARA member access. Singleton will also serve as a resource on additional topics, such as rental industry public speaking, attending career and job fairs, workforce solutions and alternative funding programs.
“Adding Erika to our team will enhance current workplace initiatives,” said James Auerbach, ARA’s vice-president for the event segment and rental industry workforce development department. “She is focused on continuing to expand her knowledge and putting her expertise into practice in her role with ARA.”
COMING EVENTS
Sept. 13
CRA Ontario Golf Guelph, Ont. craontario.org
Sept. 27
CRA Member Appreciation Baseball Night Toronto, Ont. crarental.org
Sept. 27 - 28
Canadian Rental Mart Mississauga, Ont. canadianrentalmart.com
Nov. 29 - 30
ARA Women In Rental Conference ararental.org 2023
Feb. 12
The ARA Show Orlando, Fla. arashow.org
March 2 - 3
CRA Western Conference
Location TBD crarental.org
March 14 - 18
ConExpo/ConAgg Las Vegas, Nev. conexpoconagg.com
March 28 - 29
Quebexpo Drummondville, Que. crarental.org
April 20
IPAF Summit Berlin, Germany ipaf.org
For more industry news, check your inbox for the Canadian Rental Service e-newsletter, arriving every other Tuesday.
Better barter
by Russ Dantu Negotiation
Iis a dance – here are your best moves.
received an order for 1,000 messenger bags in early June from a U.S. firm that I have worked with for about eight years now. Their show is at the end of September, but like many industries, we have had huge shortages in inventory and restocking is slow at best, so I placed the order with my supplier but said I needed to give them a deposit to hold the product until closer to the show date before shipping it out here.
Their answer: “Sorry, no can do.”
I said, “OK, how about I pay for the product in full and then you can ship it a few weeks prior to the event?”
Their answer: “Sorry, no can do. You can take your chances and see if we have stock left closer to the event date and order then or you can order now and it ships as soon as it will be ready, which will be early July.”
I said, “But you’ve always worked with me before on these orders and the event is at the end of September. I cannot store them for two months. You’ve already said it will be four skids of product. What can we do to have you keep it there until a few weeks before the event?”
Their answer: “Well, the usual price if we store it is $50 per skid per day but, for you, we’ll store them here for $25 per skid per day.”
Have you ever been left with such a bad taste in your mouth that you’d love to pull the order and go elsewhere? But the customer wants a specific tough-to-get item and has already signed off on a contract? Sometimes you are stuck?
I was definitely stuck and ended up saying, “I’ll figure out storage somewhere on my end.”
Situations like this should end up being a winwin-win for all parties involved…my customer, my supplier and me. It didn’t. Most of the time, I am a very good negotiator. This time it didn’t go well because the supplier would not come to the table to listen or try and help out a 15-year customer.
If you ever find yourself in a pickle with a supplier or customer, here’s a few skills I keep in my arsenal for good negotiation. First, focus
on effective communication. Make sure you are clear and specific with your needs or goals. Know everything you need to say and what their objections might be so you are prepared to answer those as well. Listen intently and with an open mind to fully understand their point of view. Sometimes you will hear something you didn’t think about and then can better understand their position. In this case, there was nothing presented for me from their side, only that they’ve changed the way they do things.
Next come your emotions. Control your emotions and also be aware of their emotions. Getting hot or loud isn’t going to solve anything. Being passionate is fine but keep checking the pulse of your conversation to make sure it isn’t getting out of hand. Be patient. Negotiating isn’t always fast. Other departments may need to be checked with before a decision can be made on a win-win-win situation.
Of course, use the power of persuasion. Learning how to persuade people to see your point of view is truly an art or gift but can be learned as well. Two great books to read are The Art of Persuasion by Bob Burg and Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini.
Don’t be afraid to enlist the help of others. Brainstorming ideas to come up with an amicable outcome is the best way. Bringing in more than just you and the person you are talking with can usually help create a positive outcome for all involved.
At the end of the day, if all parties are not happy, it could mean the loss of future business. Although I will still use this supplier for other items, the next time I have an order for 1,000 or 1,500 messenger bags, I am definitely shopping elsewhere, which means lost revenue for them. Take care of yourselves and your customers! 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.
BIRDS EYE TO GROUND TOOLS
Doubling up with a focus on the big and small.
Doubled business over the last five years in rentals and all other departments – that’s the recent history of Thunder Bay-based Equipment World, which dove full force into rentals in 2017.
by TREENA HEIN
The fleet of major equipment is equipped with GPS and updated rental software to provide greater efficiency, fleet management and customer service.
For a look at the company’s early history, however, we must go back to 1973 and business partners Peter Knudsen and James W. (Jim) Sutton. “They started up with a focus on materials handling, shelving and racking and shipping supplies like steel strapping and dunnage equipment, and a full range of related industrial products,” explains Lyle Knudsen, president of Equipment World, and Peter’s son.
“Their main customers were in pulp and paper and mining,” he says. “Pulp and paper has really retracted over the years, from over a
dozen mills in the 1970’s in northern Ontario to three or four now, but mining has continued to grow. Over the years, in order to fuel our growth, we started serving other sectors such as commercial, contractors and municipalities. First Nations and remote communities also became an important market.”
Equipment World started selling (and occasionally renting) forklifts in the ‘70s – and in fact, it became the second-oldest Toyota forklift dealer in Canada in 1976. At that point Lyle was a youngster, but he remembers with a smile
that during elementary school, when he had to do a project about his future career, he chose forklift salesman.
After high school, he attended Confederation College in Thunder Bay for business and marketing, then worked three years as a sales representative for a national industrial rubber-products company. “It was a great opportunity to gain experience outside the family business,” Lyle says. “It really expanded my thinking in terms of what was possible for what was our fairly small family business at the time. I also was meeting customers and making relationships that I would be continuing on with later when I joined Equipment World.”
That came in 1987. Lyle started at Equipment World as a territory sales rep, one of about 10 employees at the time.
“Equipment World wanted to expand and there was a need for my skills to do that, and at the same time, Jim was ready to start looking at retirement,” says Lyle.
“It was great to work with him during that time, and to be mentored by not only my dad but also someone who was not my dad, and learn from both sets of skills and experience.”
In his first year, Lyle spent a lot of time in the Sudbury area building customer networks. A year later in 1988, they opened the Sudbury branch. In 1990, they opened a branch in Sault Ste. Marie and, that same year, Lyle offered Jim a leveraged buyout over five years.
In addition to expansion through these new branches, Equipment World also started selling and renting aerial lift equipment. It also became the Bobcat dealer for the Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie area.
RENTAL DECISION
There was a big growth spurt for Equipment World in 2017, when the owner of a local rental firm called A-Z Rentals wanted to sell.
“He rented smaller equipment and tools and also event rentals, and we were focused on the larger equipment, so there wasn’t much overlap,” says Lyle. “There was also a 26,000-square-foot building which would allow us to amalgamate the three locations in Thunder Bay where we had equipment. In addition, we were able at that point to purchase a vacant lot next door to A-Z that was really attractive: a corner lot with high visibility that we could use for larger equipment. We currently have hundreds of pieces of lift, compact construction, heater, power generation and general equipment for rent. And so we dove fully into rentals for everyone from industry customers but now also contractors, homeowners and events, and branded that division Equipment World Rentals.”
The fleet of major equipment was equipped with GPS. Combined with updated rental software it provides greater efficiency and better fleet man-
Equipment World offers a full tour of one of its three locations so customers can view the company’s systems, workstations and staff areas.
agement but, more importantly, better
Over 18 months, Equipment World completely renovated its new building and added a full training centre for operation of forklifts, aerial lifts, working-atheights and a full host of other industrial training (which is also offered at customers’ sites).
However, there was much more to that renovation than initially meets the eye.
BUILDING AS SHOWCASE
The building in Thunder Bay, and the buildings at the other two Equipment World locations, are a critical way to showcase the various building systems that Equipment World sells and services to potential customers.
That is, on a regular basis, a customer gets a tour of one of the three locations to view systems like loading docks (dock levelers, high-speed doors, door seals), shelving systems, workstations, exhaust ventilation, parts washers, locker rooms,
Equipment World has full AutoCAD capabilities, full-time designers and installers at all three locations to help customers and contractors with their design needs.
other staff areas and much, much more. This is innovative in itself, but the buildings also showcase another very important part of Equipment World – its design, build and installation capabilities for conventional and specialty interior construction and renovation projects. This is better known as the Tech Division.
“In the ‘80s, we expanded from shelving and material handling to other building interior systems,” says Lyle, “and at this point we began assisting customers and contractors in the design of building interiors, warehouses, loading areas and other construction specialities. One thing led to another and now it’s one of our strengths. We have full AutoCAD capabilities, with full-time designers and installers at all three locations and hundreds of projects completed in any
BE FAST ON YOUR FLEET.
Nobody keeps your compact construction equipment up and running (and renting!) like Brandt.
More Availability
No matter your fleet type—HAMM, John Deere, or Ditch Witch—we have the high-quality equipment you need.
Superior Support
We’re across Canada, which means we’re near you, and we service all compact construction makes and models.
given year. Examples of specialty projects include lockers rooms and mine dry installations; gun storage for law enforcement; and storage systems in offices, art galleries and museums.”
This means, Lyle adds, that Equipment World partners with the general contractors for interior building design but also rents equipment to the contractors during building construction (and services their equipment). “We’re a onestop shop in that way and we also do mobile servicing with 25 mobile service vans, from the Manitoba border to the Quebec border, a little into northern Quebec and south to Parry Sound, Ont., – everything from preventative maintenance to complete overhauls,” says Lyle. “In terms of the service department, in a sense, we are our own largest customer based on the number of units in our own
Ultimate Uptime
Parts and service when you need them means ultimate uptime for your customers and more profit for you.
rental fleet. We have 25 mechanics, 125 employees in total.”
It’s not easy to get mechanics – in order to expand and also cover upcoming retirements – but Equipment World is seeing some success at recruitment this year through using social media, radio and other methods.
Rentals is growing aggressively as a division and is quickly becoming the largest part of the firm’s overall revenue stream. Other Equipment World revenues come from parts and service, the tech division and training, with the remainder in safety, packaging and industrial supply.
The state of the supply chain is also making it tough right now to expand, and Equipment World has ordered hundreds of pieces of larger equipment that are expected to arrive in 2023 and maybe even into 2024. Freight has also tripled in cost. Fuel taxes is one factor, but since COVID there are now fewer companies doing cross-border shipments, and so
they can charge more.
COVID had benefits, however. The decision to get into small equipment and tool rentals (in the A-Z purchase of 2017) proved a good one, with everyone being at home and wanting to renovate or build a deck. But Lyle says even event rentals proceeded well in 2021 with smaller events that met restrictions.
This year, with large events permissible, they are booked solid every weekend with eight to 10 events from weddings to grand openings to charity fundraisers. Lyle’s daughter, Lia, works with her team to keep the Tents and Events division successful and growing. His son, Kai, is the company’s equipment manager.
Overall during the last five years, rentals and all other divisions at Equipment World have doubled in size. “It’s been hectic and the rental division, in particular, can sometimes be organized chaos, but we have great people and that’s been a huge part of our success,” says Lyle. “We’ve been looking for the last
year or two at the Manitoba market for geographical expansion. I can say that during every step the journey has been very exciting and rewarding and the future looks bright.”
It’s also been very rewarding for Peter, who is now in his early 80s, to see the business continue to grow. “He drops in regularly and is very interested in how we’re doing and he likes to say hi to the crew,” says Lyle. “He loves to golf, drive his motorcycle, spend time in the greenhouse and yard, and travel.”
Lyle has pictures of both his kids on forklifts when they were very small, and someday soon he’s hoping to snap a picture of Lia’s new baby on a forklift too, representing the fourth generation of the family in the equipment business.
“Northern Ontario has been very good to us,” says Lyle. “There are many mining projects coming on line and others will be coming on line soon. This is very positive for us, for the area and for the province.” CRS
With a fleet of 25 mobile-service vans Equipment World provides remote service to its contractors from the Manitoba border to Quebec.
CLEAN PROPANE
New research shows propane may be your cleanest bet.
Net-zero emissions by…” the phrase seems to be everywhere. As most governments world-wide have begun the ardent quest to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their jurisdictions, many companies are searching for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and capitalize on the various government incentives for GHG reductions.
by DANIEL REALE-CHIN
According to the Canadian Propane Association, around 93 percent of Canadian propane is a by-product of natural gas production and is not considered a greenhouse gas before it’s burnt for use.
A recent study by IHS Markit revealed that the average GHG intensity for Canadian propane is 72 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of energy (g/mj). That hefty calculation shows the carbon intensity of a fuel – the amount of GHG emissions it releases in its lifecycle – from production to use.
“What the study shows is that by switching from diesel to propane, for example, you reduce your carbon intensity and GHG emissions by 30 percent,” says Shannon Watt, president and CEO of the Canadian Propane Association.
Compared to Canadian propane’s carbon intensity of 72 g/mj, diesel clocks in at a rating of 100 and gasoline at 92, according to Environment Climate Change Canada, a federal organization. ECCC has estimated that propane’s carbon-intensity is 75 g/mj, but the new study moves that baseline down by about three percent.
“We were happy with the results because now it gives us a new baseline to work with,” says Watt. As Canada and other countries examine options for a net-zero future, Watt says propane can become part of the solution for companies who are looking to reduce their
emissions. “The European Union and even the United States have already started using and selling renewable propane, which has an even lower carbon intensity than traditional propane,” says Watt.
Renewable propane, which is made from cooking oil and other waste products and drastically cuts propane’s already-low carbon intensity, is something that the propane industry is working on making a reality for Canadians.
“It’s also known as bio-propane, and it is a non-fossil fuel that is produced from 100-percent-renewable raw materials. Usually inexpensive and abundant feedstock like animal fat, algae and cooking oil,” says Watt.
Beyond producing renewable propane from scratch, Watt explains that propane can also be blended with renewable dimethyl ether, a new fuel source made from feedstocks like dairy waste, biogas or landfills. Watt points out that companies like Oberon Fuels in California are already using the blend for up to a 60-percent reduction in carbon emissions from traditional propane.
RENTALS THAT DO
Many equipment stores already rent out propane. John Flint is the director of heating and climate solutions at Stephenson’s Rental Services. He says the company’s heating division began in 1999, and now he manages a fleet of over 100,000 heating assets and 20,000 propane tanks from Stephenson’s 30,000-square-foot headquarters in Mississauga, Ont., as well as in multiple regional locations.
“The beauty of propane is that it’s fast and flexible. You get large volumes of heat in a small package compared to any other source,” says Flint.
In his current role, he’s been helping clients heat large projects for over two decades. Stephenson’s arsenal isn’t limited to propane. They also carry diesel-, natural gas-, kerosene- and electric-powered heaters, accessories and machinery.
“When it comes down to it, propane is absolutely cleaner than diesel, 100 percent,” says Flint. In his long tenure at Stephenson’s, he’s overseen a lot of the R&D which has gone into the heating equipment and fuel-supplies the company has in-house. “We strive for constant innovations in the heating field with new products coming out yearly that have better technologies for energy efficiency. It’s important to stay at the forefront.”
Like many rental stores that carry propane, typical products range from 20-pound tanks to 420-pound propane cylinders, which Flint says takes care of the typical builder working on residential buildings. But where Stephenson’s propane fleet has become a necessity has
With the ability to reduce carbon intensity by 30 percent (when compared to using diesel) and a major reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, using propane can become part of the solution.
been at larger builds like hospital jobs and high-rise buildings where clients often can’t get the infrastructure for other heating sources quick enough. For those jobs, he turns to 1,000-, 2,000-, even up to 10,000-U.S.-water-gallon propane tanks.
So why propane?
“The versatility,” says Flint.
One of his more interesting assignments was utilizing the company’s portable mechanical rooms to heat two occupied apartment buildings during an emergency no-heat call. “It was the middle of winter and we needed to supply three boiler rooms to two apartment buildings for domestic hot water and heating for around 650 tenants. We installed our portable mechanical rooms in a few days on bulk propane. I don’t know if we could have done it that quick with another type of fuel.”
“The world is changing and conversations about GHG emissions are common, especially amongst the larger contractors” says Flint. Contractors want to deal with rental companies with strong ethics and a long, proven track record of helping them manage energy and emission reduction strategies. Propane plays a significant role when natural gas isn’t readily available, according to Flint.
TECH TIPS
For construction workers, propane is also much safer to use indoors compared to diesel or gasoline. “So, for indoor construction sites where you’re using heavy equipment inside, you can use propane to power forklifts or other equipment safely with a carbon monoxide detector,” says Watt.
As for Flint, he says he’s noticed a trend across the country. “Booms, lifts and forklifts that use propane are commonplace, while other equipment such as propane generators are accepted in western Canada, but that’s not the case in Ontario,” he says. Between the lack of rental stores promoting propane equipment to customers and the lack of manufacturers actually making them, he thinks that the industry is actually missing out on a fuel that could help transition as the industry moves toward equipment electrification. “While natural gas is cleaner, propane can provide the volume, the capacity and the BTUs you need in a small, portable package
According to the study, in some Canadian jurisdictions, propane is cleaner than the electricity grid since propane is not mined like battery material.
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.
that runs a long time. It would be an alternative to electric-powered.”
THE PROPANE ISSUE
In 2008, an incident in Toronto sent an orange cloud of fire and smoke billowing over North York. The explosion caused two fatalities and the evacuation of 12,000 people in the neighborhood, according to the Canadian Disaster Database, a public record of disasters from the Canadian government. In August 2010, a 367-page report by the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office revealed that propane was released from a hose after an illegal tank-to-tank transfer, something that the Technical Standards and Safety Authority in Ontario reported it had warned the company about in 2006. As a result, TSSA and the propane industry have implemented a significant number of safety programs and requirements that have made the industry even safer.
In 2000, the Ontario government released a new version of its Safety Act. In it, the act specifies the policies and procedures for training professionals to receive a Record of Training to handle fuels. The act has been regularly updated since then, with a 2020 amendment that made it mandatory for all training providers to renew their accreditation every three years, a renewal that the CPA was already requiring through its Propane Training Institute.
“Of course, the industry is completely committed to the safe handling of
propane,” says Watt. Through the CPA’s propane training institute, Watt says that the association is fostering a culture of safety to ensure workers are operating with the best practices in mind. The training institute issues around 30,000 certificates a year. “Regulations require that anyone who commercially handles propane must have a certificate. We have people from across the industry, from wholesalers to retailers and manufacturers, who use our training on a regular basis,” says Watt.
At Stephenson’s, the company’s propane ROT is offered multiple times a week throughout the busy season (winter and fall) and provides training on safe handling, storage, transportation and most importantly, the installation of construction heaters.
“Rather than waiting for demand before scheduling the training classes, we run them often. It’s about making it as easy as possible for customers to get safety training they need, so that they use the equipment properly and remain safe,” says Flint.
RENTALS THAT DON’T
Despite the programs and regulations designed to avoid danger, many rental stores are still hesitant to supply propane. One rental store owner explained that his staff held valid ROT for propane for close to a decade, but management decided to let their ROT’s
lapse after year-over-year declines in propane-rental sales. His story isn’t an isolated one. Other equipment rental stores have lamented about the physical space filling stations for propane require, the money spent on extra training and the low demand for propane that heavy-equipment rental stores have experienced.
In response, and in order to still supply customers with heat and power options, some heavy-equipment rental stores supply infra-red and indirect heaters, but both are diesel-powered and produce carbon dioxide.
“The world is changing and conversations about GHG emissions are common, especially among the larger contractors,” says Flint. Contractors want to deal with rental companies with strong ethics and a long, proven track record of helping them manage energy and emission-reduction strategies, according to Flint.
As for the impact of the government’s ambitious plans for net-zero futures, propane offers a low-carbon alternative to diesel, oil and gasoline. With provincial carbon taxes being mandated from sea-to-shining-sea and the federal Clean Fuels Regulations coming into force this past June, supplying customers with low-carbon intensity fuels may be a way for rental stores to access government incentives and provide their customers a reliable energy source with low GHG emissions. CRS
Labour, a municipal concern
by Mike Wood
This past summer was the first fullsummer season the rental industry did not face government restrictions to help stop the spread of COVID. I want to first say that I hope that the past few months have been incredibly successful for you. I’ve spoken to many small businesses over the past six months and many used the analogy of trying to drink water out of a fire hose.
While I believe the impacts of COVID will be felt for a while, you should be incredibly proud of all the things you have achieved over the past two and half years. According to Statistics Canada, in June 2021, there were 1,291,424 employer businesses in Canada. The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada published a report stating that in 2018, small businesses contributed 37.5 percent to the gross domestic product. Surely these numbers have changed since the onset of the global pandemic, however, this highlights the importance that you and your small businesses have to the overall economy.
Looking ahead, we require governments and educational institutions to develop programs encouraging people seeking careers to consider more than just event planning. Courses on logistics, security, building codes and tent raisings and more will be imperative to the success of our sector.
Most municipalities have or should have a Community Involvement Plan that involves small businesses. Community Involvement Plans will need to focus and provide additional support and opportunities for our small businesses to recover.
Government support needs to provide multi-sector assistance. For example, I live in Ottawa and the city has continued waiving fees for all patio and cafe permits for the 2022 summer right-of-way patio season. Ottawa has moved to make the Temporary Zoning By-law Amendment for patios on private property permanent. This not only allowed restaurants to seat more people but gave event rental companies customers that perhaps they did not have before. Tents
were required for weather purposes and the rental of patio seating and tables became new revenue for many.
In Toronto, mayor John Tory helped launch a campaign that would educate people on small business support programs. I believe all municipalities should be equipped with staff that can provide information on all municipal, provincial and federal programs that small businesses could benefit from. These sessions were developed to provide training, information on grants, incentives, advisory services and enhanced access to space. Many municipalities have also created tax sub-classes to help assist small businesses with property taxes.
With the current global labour crisis we are facing, things have been quite challenging for many to stay on top of their business as a whole. Items such as financial awareness, bookkeeping, and traditional and digital marketing among other internal moving parts of owning and operating a business are being put on hold. It would be valuable to so many small business owners if municipalities were able to provide coaching services and labour directories that small businesses could draw upon for help.
I truly hope that this pandemic was a oncein-a-lifetime challenge for all small business owners. For those that may not be aware, I did own a large event rental company in Ottawa that I sold in 2021. The mental health impacts were large and I managed to seek the assistance I needed as March of 2020 took hold. I wish you all nothing but health and happiness moving forward and please never hesitate to reach out should you require the same assistance. The country as a whole needs to see the continued success of your business that provides local employment and continues to shine in your respective city. CRS
Michael Wood is a former owner of an event rental company, a college professor in Ottawa and a principal at Ottawa Consultants. Wood recently announced his bid to run for city council in Ottawa. ottawaconsultants.com
Opioid safety
Naloxone kits can be life and death on construction sites.
by James Hong
Construction sites are not exempt from the drug epidemic.
Picture this: it’s morning, and two young adults ride public transit, fully suited up with PPE including full-body harnesses. They are on the way to work...high. No, it’s not the start of a novel. I witnessed it first hand.
Ontario reported 2,500 deaths from opioidrelated causes between March 2020 and January 2021. Thirty percent were construction workers. The report also revealed the numbers were the highest of any industry, citing fentanyl- and carfentanil-laced drugs as frequent causes. In 2016, B.C. declared a state of emergency over the drug epidemic and the battle still rages on.
There can be a disconnect between the level of responsibility of young workers to show up for work and their common-sense decisions regarding their safety and health. I’m pretty sure many of us recall feeling invincible at some stage in our lives. We need to acknowledge the reality of the drug epidemic and to prepare ourselves to intervene whenever necessary. Drug overdose intervention on a construction job means being prepared, in the same way we have the ability to intervene when first-aid is required.
I am a double-certified harm reduction volunteer. I received my training through my employer at the time, Vancouver Coastal Health. The training was extensive and covered drug abuse and the steps for naloxone rescue. An opioid overdose causes the brain to no longer send messages to the body for life sustaining functions. This stops the person from breathing. Naloxone is a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, blocking the opioid effects on the brain and restoring breathing, however, it only works if a person has opiates in their system.
The requirement to have naloxone kits on construction and job sites will help reduce the stigma around opioid abuse, raise awareness about the risks of accidental overdoses and potentially save hundreds of lives a year.
A naloxone kit is a small-case enclosure about
the size of a hard sunglasses case that contains a syringe and a pre-filled naloxone capsule. If an overdose occurs, check for breathing and first try to wake the person up. If they are breathing it may not be an opioid overdose. If they stop breathing, inject the naloxone into the muscle of the upper thigh or upper arm, which can be done through clothing. The effects of naloxone take between two to three minutes to kick in. During that time, provide rescue breathing: lay the person on their back, tip their head back to straighten the airway, pinch their nose, put your mouth over theirs to form a seal, and deliver one breath every five seconds. If the person does not wake up in three minutes, a second dose should be administered. It’s important to ensure someone stays with the victim or they are taken to the hospital.
The Ontario Working for Workers Act requires employers to provide naloxone rescue training, which is also available at pharmacies that participate in the Ontario Naloxone Program. Participating pharmacies can provide free training and kits to anyone currently using opioids, a past opioid user at risk of returning to opioid use and family members or friends of someone who is at risk of an opioid overdose. If you use opioid drugs or know someone who does, you can get a kit for free. If you’re squeamish about needles, ask for the nasal spray naloxone kit.
There’s really no acceptable reason for any company, project or small job to lack preparation for a possible opioid overdose on the worksite, especially with the up to $1.5 million price tag for not doing so. Business officers and directors who do not provide a safe working environment, which now includes a naloxone kit and trained person on site, face fines of up to $1.5 million. Employers of all sizes should know there’s no skirting this issue, you can’t cover up an overdose. Trust me, I’ve seen more than enough. Be safe. Be well. CRS
James Hong is an OHS consultant, writer & journalist.
STEADY AS IT GOES
Ensuring the stability of aerial equipment
When operating aerial equipment on rough terrain worksites, ensuring the stability of the equipment is vital to keep workers safe.
by ANDREW SNOOK
Mobile elevating working platforms have a specific angle limit when elevated. Check the operator’s manual for individual machines.
One of the first questions operators should ask themselves is: how much grade is safe to operate on?
“For mobile elevating working platforms, ground slope is a major contributor to machine stability and, ultimately, the operator’s safety,” says Tony Groat, regional manager for North America for the International Powered Access Federation.
He says it’s important to note that having a high gradeability (drive in stowed position) does not mean the machine can operate on this same angle when elevated.
“All MEWPs have a specific chassis angle limit when elevated, which is specified in the operator’s manual for the individual machine,”
he says. “The operating chassis angle is the gradient at which the machine will elevate to full height. This is typically five degrees or less for most common machines. This may increase to around 10 degrees for machines with outriggers or stabilizers.”
While gradients of five to 10 degrees are typical for gradients at which machines will elevate to full heights, there are a few exceptions.
“There are specialized MEWPs in the market that can operate on steeper gradients, as much as 20 degrees,” Groat notes.
He says there are mandatory design changes in the 2018 to 2021 design standards in ANSI A92 and CSA B354 standards where there is a requirement for boom lifts to stop functions when the machine’s chassis angle exceeds its approved rating and the operator is at height.
“Chassis slope can be affected by both the angle of the surface under the boom but also by obstacles above the ground that the tires are on top of, such as raised sidewalks, jobsite ramps and uneven ground surfaces. In order to accurately measure chassis angle, an inclinometer or a manual slope calculation and conversion is needed,” he adds. “MEWP users and operators need to understand the equipment needs of each site application, as certain jobs may require adding ground cribbing or even a larger boom lift with a longer outreach from chassis to platform to reach over steeper sloped surfaces.”
If an operator needs to move across or work at an incline, Groat recommends they install an inclinometer app on their phone.
“Search ‘inclinometer’ on your Google Play or App Store for a multitude of available options. This allows you to ID the slope of your chassis
prior top elevating,” he says.
UNEVEN TERRAIN
When it comes to working on uneven ground, how much is too much?
“As long as the machine can drive over it, you’ll be okay. I mean, if you have a 12- or 13-inch drop, what’s going to happen is you’re probably going to bottom out the axles of the machine and then you’re going to get stuck. Now, would the boom operate on that? Sometimes they will operate. Is it going to be restricted? Yes. If the boom feels that it’s unsafe it’ll probably let you go up, for example, 10 feet, but if it’s 45 feet, it will not let you go up because it feels that it is unstable,” explains Frank Pinto, co-owner of Westyork Rentals. “Usually, when the ground is really off, what we do is we recommend a bigger machine, so you don’t have to go into real uneven conditions.”
Groat adds that MEWPs designed under new 2018 to 2021 design standards required boom lifts to have function cutouts when slope limits are reached in addition to alarms, only allowing for movement of the machine away from the limits.
“Approved cribbing may also be used to create a level surface for safe boom operation when surface angles are too great,” he says. “When used as instructed by a qualified person, site constructed cribbing may bring a workplace surface to within the acceptable limits for MEWP operation as described in the operator’s manual.”
For added safety, operators should limit stowed travel speeds according to the conditions and surface traction of the slope and never raise, extend or operate the MEWP until it is on a firm, level surface.
WINDY CONDITIONS
When it comes to navigating windy conditions, Pinto says it will depend on the height of the machine and the site it is operating on.
“The bigger the machine, the more sensitive to wind it’s going to be. We have booms that can reach up to 180 feet. That’s 19 storeys. So, on a windy day, I wouldn’t want to be caught on top of that machine. You would have
TECH TIPS
to go by the owner’s manual, or the operator’s manual, and see exactly what it’s going to be,” Pinto says. “If the wind goes over a certain amount, it’s not safe to be on a machine. Typically, the 55s (55 feet) and the 65s (65 feet) are not bad. But when you start getting to 80, 100, 180 feet, then it gets scary up there on a windy day.”
Groat says MEWPs’ designed stability includes calculations for wind loading, and that wind speed at the platform can be measured using a hand-held anemometer.
“An inside MEWP may only be used in work areas with zero exposure to wind while outdoor MEWPs are designed for wind loading up to 28 miles per hour when the MEWP is elevated,” he says. “The MEWP user must instruct the operator to not operate the machine in strong or gusty winds or increase the surface area of the platform or the load. Increasing the area exposed to the wind will decrease machine stability so
extreme care must be taken when handling glass or wood panels, cladding or other materials that may act as a sail. Operators should only use approved attachments and accessories, and always adhere to the instructions for the attachments safe use.”
USING OUTRIGGERS
Some units are equipped with outriggers designed to create additional stability for the machines. These should always be used as recommended by the manufacturer.
“Before elevating the work platform, you should ensure that the machine is leveled within the manufacturer’s limits and located on a firm surface. The use of suitable cribbing should always be considered when it is necessary to spread the load under the outriggers to prevent them from either sinking into the ground, damaging the supporting surface, or sliding/moving under load. You should check that each outrigger and its crib -
bing is in full contact with the ground, both before starting work and regularly thereafter. If you are in doubt about the ground conditions at any time, you must consult a qualified person,” Groat says.
He adds that some ground types may be suitable for handling the pressure generated by the outrigger.
“The area of the foot attached to the outrigger of a MEWP is relatively small and consequently generates high pressures on the ground. Most soils, unmade
ground and some paved and tarmac-covered areas are not capable of supporting these pressures and some form of foundation or spreader pad is often required to reduce the pressure to an acceptable level,” Groat says.
He adds that regular checks should be made on ground conditions after substantial rainfalls and during thaws.
“Heavy or prolonged rain can alter ground conditions and cause sinking of outriggers or wheels. If it is suspected that the ground supporting a MEWP is getting softer, regular checks should be made on machine level and the appropriate adjustments made to outriggers and packing mats,” he says. “Regular checks should be carried out when frozen ground is thawing out since frozen ground can appear to be much firmer than it actually is.”
TIRE TYPES
Tires can come in a wide variety of sizes, colours and tread patterns, as well as
different levels of hardiness. The easiest way to ensure the right tires are on a piece of aerial equipment is consult the owner’s manual.
“You have to go with tires that are based on the specs of the machine,” Pinto says.
Groat says it is critical to understand how important tire selection is to MEWP stability.
“A replaced tire that is too hard or too soft will impact the way the machine contacts the ground, potentially affecting the stability of the load above. And, a replaced tire that weighs more or less than original equipment affects the machine’s counterbalance, which potentially impacts the machine’s load rating,” he says.
While OEM tires may come with a higher upfront price tag, they also come with a level of certainty when it comes to their performance.
“While cheaper versions may be found, use of OEM genuine parts are
tested and verified specifically for your MEWP fleet and eliminate risk associated with incorrect tires that do not meet stability requirements,” Groat says.
Although it likely seems obvious to most people, it is important to note that proper maintenance of tires will also help ensure stability.
“Maintaining the condition of your MEWP’s tires and wheels is essential to safe operation and good performance. Tire damage and/or excessive wear can affect machine performance and stability. Component damage also could result if problems are not discovered and repaired in a timely fashion,” Groat says. “A visual inspection can tell you whether your tread depth is sufficient, as well as whether if there is any sidewall damage. Your machine’s wheel decals and operator’s service and parts manual can provide details specific to your model. Please refer to specific requirements for your machine, and a qualified tire repair technician, for tire repair.” CRS
SOLIDLY inDIRECT
Our indirect-fired Foreman® 230 is ideal for jobs that require clean, dry heat. Vented heat is especially important for projects sensitive to the byproducts of combustion or that require fresh-air-only like hospitals or schools.
With the highest heat output at 230,000 BTU/hr and most reliable airflow in the class, even when ducted, this design can flex to fit countless applications without sacrificing performance.
Aerial work platforms are the iconic rental store
Here are some of the latest offerings from top suppliers.
LIFT AND ACCESS
NO NEED TO CLIMB THE RAILS
8 skyjack.com
Skyjack’s XStep work platform accessory offers additional reach for maximum productivity in
hard-to-access places. It has been commonplace to see operators standing on railings to gain a little more height to access small areas, for example, standing on the railings to obtain access through suspended ceiling tiles. Using Skyjack’s XStep helps eliminate this dangerous practice and maximizes reach and productivity by providing operators with safe, increased access into and around tight, restricted spaces and avoids the elevated risk of falling from the platform. XStep is mounted on the mid-rail of the scissor lift and creates
an additional 19 inches of working height. The top railing design and height provide operators with the same degree of security as a conventional platform. Other notable features include extra flexibility –the XStepcan be moved from machine to machine with ease. Installation is a one-person process and no tools are required. The swing-down base maximizes the machine platform area when the XStep is not in use. XStep is retrofittable to previous Skyjack models and available as a factory-fit or field-install option. XStep is
the latest addition to Skyjack’s Accessoryzers line that is designed to add functionality and convenience for operators. It can be ordered from the factory for new models and ordered from Skyjack’s parts department for older models like the SJIII series and the current SJ3219 machines.
INDOOR AND OUTDOOR 8 genielift.com
The ability to work indoors and outdoors and on rugged terrain makes the Genie Z-45 FE hybrid articulating boom lift an environmentally friendly solution for increased
efficiency and low cost of ownership and operation. These versatile units also deliver high rental utilization because they can be used for the duration of a project — working outdoors in rough terrain at the start of construction and then continuing to operate indoors in all-electric mode. In all-electric mode, the Z-45 FE offers a full, standard workday of emissions-free run time on a single battery charge. In hybrid mode, the Z-45 FE can work a full work week on a single tank of fuel. Additionally, downtime for charging is eliminated because Genie’s FE hybrid technology charges the battery while the machine operates in hybrid mode. The system also allows for a rapid recharge in less than 2.5 hours for a bulk charge. Fulltime oscillating axles maintain traction on rough terrain. Four-wheel-drive and 45-percent gradeability make the Z-45 FE a workhorse even on demanding outdoor jobsites. The Z-45 FE also has fewer maintenance needs and delivers a low total cost of ownership. Highefficiency AC motors are brushless and fully sealed against moisture and water. The machine’s 24-horsepower engine is mechanically controlled with no after-treatment or low-sulphur fuel requirements. The Z-45 FE reaches more than 51 feet at maximum height and has an up-and-over clearance of 7.5 meters. Dual parallelogram and fully proportional controls enable precise boom positioning and smooth performance. A 1.52-meter articulating jib with a 135-degree vertical rotation accurately positions workers, which is ideal when working in congested environments. And with a 300-kilogram-capacity platform, the Z-45 FE is well equipped for most applications.
Performance From Billy Goat
SG1300H Stump Grinder
• 24" above grade to 16 in. below grade
• Longer cutter head reach, wider chip guarding, and a double-welded cutter head guard sets the SG1300H apart from others on the market!
LIFT AND ACCESS SHOWCASE
LITHIUM ADVANAGE
8 snorkellifts.com
The Snorkel A46JRTE electric articulating boom lift combines superior manoeuverability with environmentally friendly engineering, all with a compact footprint. The articulating boom delivers a maximum working height of 52 feet, 11 inches and a horizontal reach of 24 feet, 11 inches with up-and-over capabilities to make confined spaces and awkward angles easily accessible. A four-
section boom with zero tailswing and a five-foot jib join to create a larger working envelope for a versatile machine that can access the trickiest of work areas. Snorkel Guard comes standard and puts operator safety first. Upgraded with a lithiumion battery, the A46JRTE offers zero emissions and quiet operation with up to 60 percent less noise compared to the diesel model. In addition, lithiumion batteries are the better choice when compared to lead acid batteries, as lead acid batteries require regular maintenance for proper performance while both the battery pack and the electric motor on the A46JRTE are maintenance-free. This lithium-ion machine can also operate longer than a lead acid battery model before needing to be recharged. Depending on speed and amount of usage, a lithiumion model can be operated for up to one work week between charges. Lithiumion batteries can be fully charged in five to eight hours to maximize productivity and be top-up charged as needed. The A46JRTE also delivers improved performance in the form of higher torque,
higher speeds and higher gradeability than a diesel machine, delivering powerful rough-terrain capabilities and greater overall efficiency on the job site. And quieter, zero-emission operation combined with non-marking foam-filled tires make this model truly ideal for indoor and outdoor applications.
ADJUSTS TO GROUND CONDITIONS
8 jlg.com
JLG has introduced the 670SJ self-leveling boom lift to North America. Equipped with JLG’s exclusive and patented self-leveling technology, the 670SJ is engineered to automatically adapt to terrain on slopes up to 10 degrees in any direction, while driving with full functionality at 67-foot platform height. The 670SJ’s self-leveling technology is designed to adjust the boom lift’s chassis to the ground conditions rather than having to adjust the ground conditions to the machine. This allows it to navigate uneven terrain while driving at height from one job to the other without lowering the boom, leading to significant productivity gains throughout the workday. The 670SJ also boasts three operating modes to maximize transportability on site or on the road. Selfleveling mode enables the machine to work at full
height, with full functionality, on slopes up to 10 degrees. Travel mode can be used when the boom is stowed to move across the job site at a faster rate of speed. And shipping mode allows the entire machine to be lowered once in position on a truck, reducing its travel height.
The JLG 670SJ self-leveling boom lift offers a 73-foot work height and 57 feet of horizontal reach, with 550pound unrestricted and 750pound restricted capacities. It also features JLG’s automatic, single sensor load sensing system with zero-load calibration. This functionality keeps the machine within the allowable work envelope by limiting range depending on the platform load.
CONVENIENT SAFETY
8 maltadynamics.com
Malta Dynamics announced the release of its new adjustable restraint lanyards, which offer convenience and flexibility for positioning and restraint on bucket trucks, lifts and similar applications to prevent the possibility of a fall. The new Malta Dynamics Restraint Lanyards meet OSHA 1926, OSHA 1910 and ANSI Z359.3 standards. The Malta Dynamics restraint lanyard easily adjusts from four to six feet. The restraint lanyard attaches
via snap hook or carabiner to the back D-Ring on a full body harness or restraint belt and offers flexibility for use in work positioning or fall restraint. The durable one-inch polyester webbing has a tensile strength of 9,800 pounds, is UV-resistant and includes a durable label protector.
HIGH DURABILITY
8 haulotte-usa.com
Haulotte has upgraded its Compact range of electric scissor lifts. The five new models have been redesigned to ensure a maximum utilization rate, increased safety and simplified maintenance. They integrate the group’s high quality standards and meet all the requirements for working at heights from 20 to 39 feet on all types of stabilized ground. Load capacities span from 550 to 1,000 pounds with
two frame widths to best fit the working environment. All models are suitable for Indoor and outdoor use, except for the 2632 E and 3947 E. All sensitive elements are protected in order to operate without difficulty in rough and dirty environments. At the front of the machine, the steering cylinder and the various sensors are positioned inside the chassis to avoid any damage. At the rear, the ladder, the asynchronous motors, the platform and
charger sockets are fully built into the counterweight which serves as a bumper and prevents costly and time-consuming repairs. To simplify transport, lateral and longitudinal forklift pockets are available. On the scissor stack, the cable and hose routing have been carefully designed. The cross-brace tubes provide rigidity to the platform when working at height. The guardrails of the new Compact scissors have been reinforced using larger section tubes. Two vertical reinforcement bars help absorb impacts and limit deformation over time. All models are equipped with easily foldable guardrails as standard, which remain in the footprint of the chassis when folded. Compact scissors can climb slopes up to 25 percent and lift up to 1,000 pounds, depending on the model. Full-height travel is possible. CRS
AD INDEX
Teched-up and ready to rent
by Adam Snook
Telematics and GPS-enabled equipment. Online payment and ordering. Contactless delivery. If they don’t already, your customers will soon assume you offer these things and may become frustrated if you don’t.
Aside from the multi-nationals and large independent players, the rental industry is typically fairly slow to adapt to new technology. I get it. I’m an old school guy, too. But the time has come.
We all know a handful of rental stores that still use paper rental contracts. If that’s you, it’s time to upgrade to the bare minimum. Rental software makes your life so much easier. It’s great for inventory management. Nothing is worse than double-booking a piece of equipment and having a customer show up only to leave empty-handed. Accounting is made a lot easier. Having a system that will automatically track your accounts receivable as you rent keeps you from letting deadbeat customers get too far into you. It also makes month-end much easier when you can just email invoices and statements directly from the system. No accounts payable department wants 30 paper invoices at the end of the month. Then there’s the enhancements to security. Equipment theft has become such a problem these days, anything you can do to slow it down is worth the time and money. You can attach photos of the driver’s license and customer to each contract digitally. You can also properly pre-authorize deposits on credit cards. Finally, the intangible benefit is that you don’t look like a hillbilly. Most people these days expect digital options, and nothing prevents you from continuing to do things the old way for your your old friends who don’t.
An efficient rental program isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. And it’s really only the start of what’s become standard practice these days. How useful is your website? I don’t mean just showing your address and some stock photos of some of the equipment in your fleet. Is there an ability to order directly off the website? This
generation expects transactional ease. If they can order their groceries online for pickup or delivery, they should be able to do the same for equipment. Can a customer access their account directly on your website? They should be able to view current open contracts, see amounts owing and make payments. The easier you make it for them to deal with you, the less likely you’ll have to discount your equipment in order to keep that customer happy. Are there links to operator and safely manuals for the more complicated equipment you rent out? If this saves you just one Sunday afternoon call-out per year from an inexperienced operator, it’s 100 percent worth it. Not to mention the liability coverage these days. People don’t need a reason to sue anymore. As expensive as equipment has gotten, technology has gotten cheaper at almost the same rate. GPS used to be cost-prohibitive, but there’s so many cheap options these days there’s almost no excuse not to have it in your larger pieces of equipment. Theft has become a serious problem, and insurance companies are slower than ever to pay out claims, if they do honour the coverage at all. Twenty dollars per month to monitor a $60,000 track skid-steer should be an automatic, and will likely soon be a requirement to have any insurance coverage. Plus, locating your equipment isn’t the only thing you can do with GPS anymore. Telematics have become a game changer in keeping a grasp on your larger fleet. The ability to monitor service intervals, breakdowns and run time have made service departments more efficient than ever before. It can seem overwhelming when you start looking into the initial costs and time required to set these services up. It might also feel like you’re losing control of the operation by handing some of this control over to systems and programs. But the reality is that change doesn’t care about your feelings, and if you don’t catch on, you won’t catch up. Don’t get left behind. CRS
Adam Snook owns Just Bins, a Regina-based provider of waste disposal solutions.
The Easy Rooter ®
The Easy Rooter is tough enough to handle abusive customers with little maintenance. From the rugged steel frame, to big 10" wheels, to the tough Flexicore® cable, count on it to take on the toughest jobs with the least amount of hassle for you and your customers.
The new heavy-duty cage cover ts snuggly around the cage to keep your customers clean and dry, yet is easily removable to inspect and clean the cable between rentals.
The Easy Rooter adds up to lower maintenance costs, higher pro ts and happier customers. To learn more, call the Drain Brains at 800-245-6200, or visit www.drainbrain.com/rental
