Rental August/September 2024

EYE EYEON ONRENTAL RENTAL 5 MORE WAYS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR COMPANY

August/September 2024

RENTAL SNAPSHOT

BUSINESS SURVIVAL GUIDE

A SNAPSHOT OF THE YEAR (SO FAR)

STAR EQUIPMENT’S BRUCE BOWMAN

ON RENTAL SOFTWARE

Q&A WITH RENTAL SOFTWARE PROVIDERS

Voices from the industry talk about 2024 and their challenges

Find the latest news at ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

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FUTURE-PROOF YOUR RENTAL BUSINESS 8/12/24 4:22 PM

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STANDARD EXCAVATORS (10-15 TONS)

8/8/24 3:35 PM

VOLUME 46 ISSUE 6

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2024 A SNAPSHOT OF THE YEAR (SO FAR)

00 10

Voices from the rental industry talk about 2024 and their challenges.

FEATURES 18 BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

How Rental Companies Benefit by Accurate CO2 Emissions Reporting Providing rental fleet owners and operators with precise engine use and emissions data can be key to take advantage of tax-saving benefits and validate sustainability claims.

MANAGEMENT 22 BUSINESS What do the Top 100 Rental Companies Do? Lessons learned from the business practices of the most successful rental companies.

26 CONSTRUCTION Giants in a Compact World Looking at the advancements in the versatility and productivity of compact equipment within equipment rental.

TOOL 32 GENERAL Don’t Get Stumped 7 steps to success—what to know about stump grinders for the best return on investment and help your customers.

REPORT: TECHNOLOGY 36 SECTOR On Rental Software Q&A with a panel of rental software providers.

REPORT: POWER EQUIPMENT 42 SECTOR Chipping Away Here’s what to know to add the right drum mulcher choice.

32 IN EVERY ISSUE 4 Everybody’s Business What’s Your Win?

6 Market Watch The latest news and events from around the rental industry.

44 New Products Equipment, attachments, tools, and more.

48 Rental Snapshot Bruce Bowman of Star Equipment speaks to what it’s like to be a small business in a big (rental) pond.

50 Eye on Rental 5 More Ways to Strengthen Your Company Rental (ISSN 2375-9925, Print | ISSN 2471-7657, online | USPS 686-370) is published eight times per year: January/February, March, April, May, June/July, August/September, October/November and December by IRONMARKETS, 201 N. Main Street, Ste 350., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Atkinson, WI and additional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to Rental, PO Box 3605, Northbrook, IL 60065-3605. Printed in the USA. SUBSCRIPTION POLICY: Individual subscriptions are available without charge in the U.S. to rental centers, equipment distributors, and other businesses with rental departments. To subscribe please visit www.ForConstructionPros.com. Publisher reserves the right to reject nonqualified subscribers.

One year subscriptions for nonqualified individuals: U.S. $ 35.00; Canada and Mexico $60.00; and $85.00 all other countries (payable in U.S. funds, drawn on U.S. bank). Single issues available (prepaid only) $10.00 each.

Published and copyrighted 2024 by IRONMARKETS. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

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EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS // BY JONATHAN KOZLOWSKI jkozlowski@Iron.Markets

What’s Your Business Win?

T

his issue’s cover story features the experiences of three rental houses. My intention here was to share the story of these businesses, how they’re doing through the challenges (and what those challenges are). I asked them to share a win and I’m posing the same question to you: What’s your win?

I dug deep into the doom piles of my mind’s library for this question. One conference a year or two ago had a workshop at 5 a.m. where contractors spoke about the hurdles that gnawed at their sleep. The conversation turned into culture and the various efforts made to keep morale high. Part of that was sharing how they gave recognition of how the team overcame a recent hurdle in the way.

If memory serves, one was how someone called out a safety hazard. Another was a suggestion to improve efficiency at the jobsite.

You don’t even have to tell me (though it would be great if you did). Find that something. It could be small. It could be gargantuan. Find it, recognize it, and celebrate it. One of my interviews spoke at length about the building of their company culture. If fact, Rental has included a series from Toyota Material Handling talking about the building of their culture through “the Toyota Way.” Dick Detmer’s columns regularly provide advice on business improvement and ways to strengthen your company.

So, what’s your win?

Reminder Just putting this out there again, nominations for the ForConstructionPros.com’s PACER award will remain open until October 11. Think about who are making the biggest changes in your company. Think about those making an impact in the industry. Think about the person who deserves some recognition.

EDITORIAL Editor .................................................... Jonathan Kozlowski jkozlowski@Iron.Markets Managing Editor ............................................... Gigi Wood gwood@Iron.Markets Junior Editor .................................................Merina Shriver mshriver@Iron.Markets

AUDIENCE Audience Development Manager ................ Angela Franks

PRODUCTION Senior Production Manager ............................ Cindy Rusch crusch@Iron.Markets Art Director.............................................Flatworld Solutions

ADVERTISING/SALES Brand Director ................................................ Sean Dunphy sdunphy@Iron.Markets Brand Manager, OEM & Construction............Nikki Lawson nlawson@Iron.Markets Sales Representative .......................................... Mike Stack mstack@Iron.Markets

IRONMARKETS Chief Executive Officer ....................................... Ron Spink Chief Revenue Officer ..................................Amy Schwandt VP, Finance ..........................................................Greta Teter VP, Marketing & Audience Development ... Ronda Hughes VP, Operations & IT ......................................... Nick Raether VP, Demand Generation & Education ................ Jim Bagan Corporate Director of Sales ...........................Jason DeSarle Brand Director, Construction, OEM & IRONPROS .......................................... Sean Dunphy Content Director ........................................... Marina Mayer Director, Online & Marketing Services ..Bethany Chambers Director, Event Content & Programming .... Jess Lombardo

CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS PO Box 3605, | Northbrook, IL 60065-3605, Phone: (877) 201-3915 | Fax: (847) 291-4816 circ.rpn@omeda.com

LIST RENTAL

More details and nominate those persons at

Sr. Account Manager............................. Bart Piccirillo | Data Axle

https://RNT.news/PACERaward That’s enough out of me. Enjoy this issue. Thank you.

(518) 339 4511 | bart.piccirillo@infogroup.com

REPRINTS Brand Manager, OEM & Construction............Nikki Lawson nlawson@Iron.Markets

NEWS YOU CAN USE Stay up to date on the latest happenings across the rental industry. Subscribe to our e-newsletters Rental Watch, Rental Market Watch, Power Rental, and IPAF Elevating Safety. Use the QR code to stay informed on what’s going on around the industry.

@RENTALMAGAZINE

@RENTAL-MAGAZINE

@RENTALPNI

@RENTALPNI Published by IRONMARKETS 201 N. Main Street, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 (800) 538-5544 • WWW.IRON.MARKETS

WWW.FORCONSTRUCTIONPROS.COM/RENTAL

https://RNT.news/newsletters

4 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2024

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www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

8/8/24 3:28 PM

BETWEEN A

GIRDER AND A HARD PLACE IS WHERE YOU DO YOUR

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MARKET WATCH //

Scan the QR code to learn more. https://RNT.news/ulpo73vx

RENTAL INDUSTRY SCHOLARSHIPS The American Rental Association have announced that the ARA Foundation awarded $127,500 in scholarships to 48 students pursuing equipment and event rental-related education at trade schools, community colleges, undergraduate colleges, and graduate schools.

Find the recipients and scholarships by scanning the QR code. https://RNT.news/tk7l2wbh

FALL RENTAL CONFERENCES Registration for two upcoming conferences for the rental industry opened in early July, both to be located at the Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Registered attendees will find two interactive networking receptions, breakfast and lunch during, and exclusive speakers.

Women in Rental: October 21-22, will feature Anne Bonney, change management authority and leadership expert will present “Ignite Your EQ and Elevate Your Impact and Influence” Young Professional Network: October 23-24, will feature Andy Buckley, actor (“The Office”) and financial expert.

Scan the QR code to learn more. https://RNT.news/n9n7hz0h

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$1.8B IN INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS ANNOUNCED ACROSS U.S. The U.S. DoT announced $1.8 billion in infrastructure grants for 148 road building and infrastructure projects across America. Funding comes from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity discretionary grant program for projects across the country. This announcement brings the grant program’s total to $7.2 billion for more than 550 projects.

@Leigh Trail - adobe.stock.com

YANMAR TURKEY MAKINE A.S., a subsidiary of Yanmar Holdings, has rebranded its e-commerce solutions platform Makinagetir as YTRent.

YTRent has already added agricultural machinery and equipment to its offerings, enhancing its scope—allowing it to provide tailored rental options to meet sector-specific needs, benefiting both machine renters and owners. The platform has pioneered the digitization of the equipment rental industry, with over 4,000 users, 7,000 registered machines, and more than 12,000 completed transactions. As a business model globally piloted by Yanmar, YTRent seeks to go beyond traditional online equipment rentals by embracing the vision of becoming a solution partner in the industry.

Scan the QR code to learn more. https://RNT.news/i47c8348

EARN A PACER AWARD The PACER (Pavement, Asphalt, Concrete, Equipment, Rental) award, managed by the ForConstructionPros.com family is an executive-focused award for the Construction Network. All applicants must work in the heavy construction, asphalt, concrete, pavement maintenance and rental industries.

Scan the QR code to learn more. https://RNT.news/PACERaward

HERC RENTALS: 9% INCREASE OF RENTAL REVENUE According to their July 23, financial report, Herc Holdings benefited from positive rental pricing, increasing fleet efficiency, and expanding their market share.

Highlights included: ■ Record equipment rental revenue of $765 million, an increase of 9% ■ Record total revenues of $848 million, an increase of 6% ■ Rental pricing increased 3.5% year-over-year “Looking to the second half of the year, mega project activity is ramping up into the peak season as anticipated,” says Larry Silber, president and chief executive officer of Herc Rentals.

@Shutter2U - stock.adobe.com

RENTAL E-COMMERCE REBRANDING

Scan the QR code to learn more. https://RNT.news/tloh4pfz

www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

08-08-2024 23:13:02

The only time people notice an air compressor is when it’s not working.

That’s why Jenny has basically gone unnoticed since 1927. It’s the hazard of offering the most reliable compressors on the market, but we wouldn’t have it any other way…nor would our customers.

›› Isn’t it time a Jenny was hiding on your jobsite?

MADE IN THE U.S.A. JennyProductsInc.com

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08-08-2024 23:13:03

www.mcsrentalsoftware.com

5

WHAT OVER 40 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE TELLS US ABOUT THE FUTURE OF RENTAL An interview with Josh Lewis, President of MCS Rental Software North America.

Future challenges for the rental industry

MCS Rental Software was created in the 1980s, when equipment rental was in its infancy and dominated by small, local businesses rather than multi-depot businesses. The 1990s saw large construction companies opt for renting equipment rather than owning it, fueling MCS' growth.

A major challenge for the rental industry is meeting the increasing expectations for automation and artificial intelligence (AI), as customers want sophisticated and intelligent solutions. Expect smarter digitalization, and automated rental processes.

Family-owned and run, MCS has always been customer-focused, offering personalized service combined with the resources of a large enterprise.

This remains a core value that guides the company today and into the future.

The company has a strong commitment to social responsibility, sparked by founder, Richard van der Knaap.

MCS now donates 10% of its profits to charities that support underprivileged young people worldwide.

As the rental industry expands globally, we are proud that the MCS software has grown alongside it, now available in approximately 14 languages and used in 35 countries.

How has the equipment industry evolved and what are the key trends?

As the equipment rental industry has grown, it is increasingly important for businesses to have easy access to more comprehensive information and real-time updates when on the move so they can easily identify current or potential problems.

Another trend I've noticed is equipment users wanting quick and comprehensive access to equipment history, maintenance, and repair so that they can operate efficiently.

As an industry, we have moved from simply providing machines to providing a full range of services, with complementary customer options in different activities. It has evolved from 1) keeping control, to 2) providing better

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Self-driving machines will pose more challenges. Rental companies will provide the equipment and service if using advanced machinery.

service, to 3) analyzing large amounts of data, to 4) being the most efficient you can be.

How does MCS stay up to date with industry trends?

As a company, MCS regularly engages with trade associations and attends industry events. Our team travels to the countries where we operate to learn about new trends.

In order to build features that our customers want and need, we use feedback to inform our product roadmap. The MCS Collaborate forum allows users to share ideas and vote on changes they want to see, and our software team implements the most popular suggestions.

Direct feedback from our customer success team plays a crucial role helps us to understand what is important to people working in the rental industry and allows our solution to evolve to meet new user requirements.

We host Customer Days and User Group events that foster community engagement and that allow us to gain incredible customer insight.

With rising operating expenses, managing rising costs is essential for protecting the bottom line. Also, the industry has to deal with a skills shortage, which is closely related to the integration of AI, requiring a workforce adept in new technologies.

What are some of the key things equipment rental businesses should be focusing on in the next 12 months?

To maintain profitability, equipment rental businesses must focus on reducing costs and improving operational efficiency. Through improved reporting practices, these goals can be supported.Digitalization and automation are already important for rental businesses, both internally and with their customers. To avoid falling behind their competitors, rental businesses need to make the shift now.

Scan the QR-code to learn how MCS can help you future-proof your rental business

SCAN M E

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08-08-2024 23:13:04

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08-08-2024 23:13:04

COVER STORY // BY JONATHAN KOZLOWSKI, EDITOR

Business Survival Guide:

A Snapshot of the Year (So Far)

@ChayTee - stock.adobe.com

Voices from the rental industry talk about 2024 and their challenges.

I

f it’s not already a cliché, it should be. Almost every industry is finding their way through this “new normal” and defining what that might mean despite high interest rates, high material and service prices, and tough employment challenges. And it’s an election year—that seems to always put a dent in the level of confidence while making plans.

Rental reconnected with a handful of rental business owners profiled through the Rental Snapshot column by Alexis Sheprak, about their year, their challenges, solutions, and expectations for 2025.

In February, the American Rental Association (ARA) indicated that the equipment rental industry had a positive outlook with an anticipated 7.9% growth in 2024. Tom Doyle, ARA vice president, program development reinforced the strength of the ARA Rentalytics quarterly

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forecast. As he stated in the announcement, “rental should benefit with tailwinds from interest rates, inflation, improving supply, a preference to rent, and government and private spending.”

Adding, “Rental venue is again forecasted to increase.” Rentalytics is a paid subscription service from the ARA. In fact, things turned even better than projected; their second-quarter forecast report indicated a 9.7% increase.

“Business has been better than expected. We entered the year cautiously optimistic and have met or exceeded our goals,” says Meghan Boland, operations manager at B.E.R. LLC (Boland Equipment Rentals). B.E.R. are located in Hackensack, New Jersey. Rental profiled B.E.R. in April 2023.

On the other side of that coin, Troy Greenleaf, owner, of General Rental Center saw a slow start revenue-wise.

They left events and moved solely to equipment rental in 2020. While planned, the pandemic expedited the change. They stopped providing snow removal service this year, which they had in the last few years to bolster cash flow in the winter months. General Rental Center is located in Maine but decided to end the service noting it was outside their normal service and not as profitable as they had hoped. Rental’s profile of Greenleaf was published in the August/September 2023 issue.

Andrew Heesacker is the president and CEO of Arvada Rent-Alls and former director of Region 7 on the ARA National Board. Arvada Rent-Alls is located out of Denver, Colorado, on what Heesacker calls “the front range.”

They serve the area, into the mountains, and up in to Wyoming. Roughly 70% of their business is from small to

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the largest contractors in the country, the remainder is homeowner/general tool. Heesacker’s Arvada Rent-Alls has two locations in the Denver area with a third coming summer next year (2025).

Rental’s profile of Heesacker was published in the March 2023 issue.

Like Greenleaf, “2024 kind of started a little funky,” says Heesacker. But, he admits, “the last four years have been funky.” Like many others, COVID turned everything upside down. General tool was busy with homeowners at home, but the supply chain was a challenge. Anecdotally, however, things are on the rise with vendors now having equipment sitting.

As a small independent rental store, he explains that they had to be strategic and intentional early in these funky years.

When they had to put in orders almost a year in advance, they now are finding equipment available in the area or arriving within a month. “It’s been like a roller

www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

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coaster,” describes Heesacker. “An aggressive down and then we’re back up and in our seats in another way. That’s been very challenging.”

All three of our rental business representatives seem to agree, high at the top of their concerns were the outcome of the election, the economy, and any slow-down of construction due to high interest rates.

“It’s created a soft 2024 for us, he says. Though the election year bringing its own challenges, there’s optimism. “I think we’re starting to see a little bit of stabilization,” says Heesacker. “There’s been rumblings of interest rates may be going down in Q4, hopefully.”

“Unfortunately, I think the overall cost of everything, along with the consistently high interest rates and uncertainty around the presidential election have caught up with us a little quicker than I had hoped,” says Greenleaf. “At the halfway point,

although revenue is only down slightly, the overall climate feels much slower, and we seem to have a lot of inventory on the lot that normally would be out on rent this time of the year.”

Greenleaf anticipates that things will continue to slow economically for the remainder of the year and most likely into the next. “Potential interest rate cuts by the Fed could help, but only slightly, and most likely not make a dramatic difference, if at all, until spring of 2025,” he says.

Ultimately, it’s the rising cost of doing business. With the increased average cost of equipment over the last 3 years and interest rates, the cost of purchasing has increased even further.

Greenleaf has attempted to increase rental rates to accommodate but he says they’re not able to increase them enough to offset and stay competitive. Adding, “Managing a high overhead, and utilizing the inventory that you have is tricky

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COVER STORY //

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under normal circumstances— even more so in the current economy.”

Other Challenges Hiring. Even though they’re a small shop, Greenleaf hasn’t been immune to hiring challenges. He explains that General Rental Center has been lucky to add two quality employees in the last three years. “Although that is a big win for us, we could definitely use more help,” says Greenleaf. “I spend a lot of time performing day-to-day responsibilities instead of managing my business as a result, which limits progress.”

Wages and payroll also play a part here, both elements posing a big challenge for Heesacker in the Denver area.

“Our payroll percentage is on the higher side of things because we do believe in rewarding our people as much as possible and sharing in the success of the business,” he says. To stay competitive, he explains that it’s almost out of your control as the market almost dictates

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“MANAGING A HIGH OVERHEAD, AND UTILIZING THE INVENTORY THAT YOU HAVE IS TRICKY UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES— EVEN MORE SO IN THE CURRENT ECONOMY.” — Troy Greenleaf, General Rental Center

what you can do to find and keep quality employees.

Supply & Lead Times. All three of our business owners have experienced better lead times recently. This improvement has allowed B.E.R. to take action on decisions much faster and improve downtime which increased utilization.

Both Greenleaf and Heesacker are now

seeing that most manufacturers either have equipment and supplies in stock or a lead time within a month—a drastic difference from what it was a year prior.

Culture. Another core issue for Heesacker is the culture of the rental business and the mental health of his employees. “That’s one of the biggest challenges when talking about culture is people’s general mental health,” he says. With so many potential issues from home, in the country, and/or around the world, things can be stressful for anyone. “As an employer, that line of how involved we are in people’s lives is a gray area...I think it’s up to us, owners of rental companies and large rental companies and businesses in general to really be more involved with that,” he says.

When Rental connected with Heesacker, his company was conducting their one-on-one meetings. Arvada RentAlls has just over 30 employees, leaders and management meet with every single

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COVER STORY //

person for about an hour each. “It’s a lot but it’s very important, especially with younger folks, providing career tracks and opportunities. We try to get road maps for people... and making sure those employees have those tools.”

2025 Regardless of the unknowable economy and all challenging factors for equipment rental companies, Boland is planning for continued growth. “We are taking it one month at a time to see what the economy does and try to react as quickly as possible,” she says.

“The best advice I can give any small

business owner these days is just be yourself,” suggests Greenleaf. “This industry, in particular, can be very set in its ways. We tend to do things a certain way, or follow industry standards, as a regular practice, sticking to what works. Which is fine, but we should always be looking for a better way, a better product, a better service.

Think outside the box. Think critically.

What we have always done may not even be a good way, much less the best way.”

Greenleaf points out that the pandemic was the catalyst for dramatic change for many of the rental industry but change doesn’t need to wait for a crisis. “It is a choice, we just need to make it. I would

What’s Your Win?

“Our biggest win in the recent past is the successful transition of getting out of event rental and moving to all equipment. In 2020, our first year of the transition, revenue was down about 10% from prior year. Over the next three years, as of the end of 2023, our revenue has doubled. We have successfully made the transition, now if we can establish and implement systems for sustainable, long-term growth in the market I will consider the venture a total success.

Moving forward, we are in the middle of a complete rebrand from General Rental Center to Mainely Equipment specializing in construction equipment and attachment rentals, as well as new equipment and construction supply sales. We are hoping to carve out a niche in the local market providing construction equipment and supplies, catering mostly to small and mid size contractors and municipalities.

We are also adding new rental software, including an integrated website with online reservation and payment capabilities that hopefully will streamline the entire rental process for our staff and our customers. We continue to add new products on a regular basis.”

—Troy Greenleaf, owner, General Rental Center “I cannot stand the phrase ‘nobody wants to work’ because it’s not true. You have to create an environment that people want to work at. We are looking for some positions now. We had a little bit of turnover in our entry-level position, but stuff happens. We measure employee engagement every year and we’re consistently 90-92% highly engaged of our people. We take a lot of pride in that. Our core values are everywhere, on our walls, on posters, on the back of our T-shirts, and on our trucks.

They’re on all of our marketing materials and we truly hire (and fire) by them.

A huge win for us is when we open an ad for an entry-level position, we’ll get 100 applications in 3 days. We have no shortage of people that want to work here.

Fine-tuning that and getting the right personalities in, nurturing them, growing them, and having expectations that are in sync. Whether it’s how much we make or where our skill, that’s where the challenge comes in.”

—Andrew Heesacker, president and CEO, Arvada Rent-Alls

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highly recommend putting a system in place to promote improvement, in every aspect of your business.” Among his suggestions are to include employees, at all levels which should promote empowerment and ownership and increase your chances of success.

“What have got to lose? What do you have to gain?,” he says. “You will never know unless you try.”

Survival Advice

Rental published a Business Survival Guide last year. The advice there still holds up: • Review your fleet size and turnover. Is it time to consider selling some equipment?

• If/when shifting to larger equipment, don’t make the jump without a lot of forethought.

• Lean on software providers for help when implementing new software. Take advantage of user conferences and trainings.

• Track missed rentals. Is it time to diversify with specialty equipment?

• Communication is key. Feedback by and to employees can be helpful in improving the company culture.

• Use this feedback to discover inefficiencies within your company and workflow.

• Talk with your contractor customers to better understand their struggles and pain points.

• Is it time to open a satellite location in a more suburban area?

• Review your digital presence and consider solutions like online equipment reservation and pickup scheduling.

• Check out the American Rental Association for helpful resources.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

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Overall, Vanguard’s innovative engines and battery solutions offer rental businesses the reliability, durability, and performance customers demand.

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BUSINESS MANAGEMENT //

Business Survival Guide:

How Rental Companies Benefit by Accurate CO2 Emissions Reporting @Enrique del Barrio - stock.adobe.com

Providing rental fleet owners and operators with precise engine use and emissions data can be key to take advantage of tax-saving benefits and validate sustainability claims.

L

arge diesel engine equipment whether wheeled or static are significant producers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a global scale. On a construction site scale, there are several ways to reduce CO2 impact, including deploying greener machines, increasing the utilization of machines, and reducing excessive CO2 emissions from existing machines. In the current economic and supply chain environment, replacing machines has slowed and there are tens of thousands of older diesel machines in use.

An essential step in change management is the availability of technology that provides rental and operators with precise engine use and emissions data. Off-road combustion engines are regulated, and engines certified to the harmonized US Environmental

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Protection Agency federal standards.

There is growing pressure from site owners, government, and the wider public driving construction to accurately record and reduce carbon emissions. Net-zero emission clauses in project contracts are one approach, these define the limits and possible penalties for operators and have encouraged rental to work with tech providers to seek a solution.

Construction equipment’s digitalization provides this higher degree of information regarding emissions. This allows operators to record real-time GHG levels and analyze engine use to provide indicators to driver behavior that can be modified to reduce emissions, such as reduce idling and prolonged over-revving engines. Understanding real-time engine use will save fuel, and reduce engine ware, which could reduce

cost of rental contracts and also extend the machine’s productive life cycle.

Previous attempts to improve the situation through reporting have been less than effective in real terms often due to the low-tech capabilities of machines and data devices. Often this reporting was based on simplified data models that provide a general emissions statement for an average class machine.

Today, there is the opportunity to capture and report accurate real-time emissions data capture.

The common practice of publishing results based on inadequate data has allowed companies to report estimated numbers that, at best, might be considered good marketing and, at worst, are misleading. This process undermines the collective effort to reduce GHG emissions and can only be corrected

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with live tracking of emissions data.

Over the past 12 months there has been a dramatic and positive repositioning from within the industry to promote emission reporting and wider sustainability. This is not simply NOx tracking.

Today, providing CO2 and fuel usage tracking for mixed fleets with equipment of varying ages is achievable.

Progress is being made on the legislative side and, while there are no rigorous standards for calculating emissions, these legislative steps are critical to shift behavior. They place a premium on contract bidders’ ability to demonstrate an accurate record of emissions.

Significant strides have been made to implement regulations to reduce CO2 emissions from the transportation sector. There are fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks and targets have been set to reduce emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. The current U.S. administration has announced plans to reduce the country’s GHG emissions by 50-52% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois have also introduced their own emissions reduction targets.

Simple Emissions Reporting for Rental Fleet Owners Today’s off-road machines and equipment are far more data-rich, and the wireless technologies that support them have improved with advances in IoT and the deepening connectivity between machines, people, and processes. Emissions reporting technologies are designed to provide a platform for decreasing CO2 emissions in construction and heavy equipment markets.

Machine learning models and specific algorithms extract the data from the controller area network bus. This harnesses synthesized machine metadata and individual equipment profiling to unlock comprehensive total fleet emissions reporting.

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TO GET AHEAD OF BOTH THE LEGISLATION AND THE COMPETITION, IT IS CRUCIAL THAT FLEET OWNERS BEGIN IMPLEMENTING DETAILED REPORTING STANDARDS BASED ON REAL MACHINE UTILIZATION DATA AND LOCAL POWER MIX PROFILES FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. Emissions reporting software is available for every type of machine in the off-highway sector with some solutions giving users an at-your-fingers display of emissions from all connected equipment enabling easy tracking and almost instantaneous action. One of the fastest ways to decrease CO2 output while maintaining fleet productivity is by managing machine and operator behavior.

Operators need to be educate and incentivize operators to limit idle time through measurement of the ongoing emissions reduction over the project timeframe.

Emissions reporting can also promote smarter deployment decisions to limit the under-utilization of machinery and ensure fleets are in line for tax-saving benefits where local authorities incentivize better tracking. There is further opportunity for brand building with data-based validation of sustainability claims.

The next breakthrough is in delivering data that will differentiate fleet owners at the micro-level to make emissions reporting more quantifiable, more rigorous, and more aligned with the kind of stringent criteria that will enable them to successfully bid for lucrative, environmentally sustainable contracts.

Every machine on every site is getting closer to being connected. It will soon be possible to take a data-driven approach to generate highly accurate

CO2 emissions reporting based on real data for every asset.

Emissions Reporting is a Collaborative Project Establishing rigorous reporting standards will take collaboration between governments and private organizations. While progress is being made in regulating CO2 emissions in the construction industry, there is still a long way to go to establish these standards. To get ahead of both the legislation and the competition, it is crucial that fleet owners begin implementing detailed reporting standards based on real machine utilization data and local power mix profiles for electrical equipment, e.g diesel generators powering the electrical systems and tools.

Increasingly, major industry players are relying on state-of-the-art telematics providers with the sophistication to handle the highly complex modelling of individual machine profiles to provide a scalable and future-proof CO2 reporting setup. By being proactive and staying ahead of regulations, companies can reduce their emissions, save money, and contribute to a sustainable future.

DAVE SWAN Senior Vice President Trackunit

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MANUFACTURER PROFILE Advertisement

COMPACT AND VERSATILE CMC LIFTS MAXIMIZE ROI

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he versatility and cost-saving benefits of CMC Tracked Aerial Lifts make them extremely attractive to rental centers and customers. These machines reliably help skilled technicians to perform arbor work, building maintenance, and construction tasks at elevated areas with greater degrees of safety and versatility than other options available on the market today.

Suited to nearly all types of both interior and exterior work, CMC Tracked Aerial Lifts are intuitive-to-use, nimble solutions to any number of tasks. With the ability to pass through a 36” opening, self-level on sloped surfaces, and then safely reach heights of up to 100 ft. in seconds, depending on the lift in question, this equipment is a true game-changer for the heavy equipment rental industry.

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The remarkably low PSI exerted by CMC Tracked Aerial Lifts considerably reduces potential damage to landscaping, concrete, or other ground surfaces when compared to other options available. Many CMC models are capable of safely working atop delicate flooring such as finished hardwood, tile, or marble – making them ideal for maintenance within gymnasiums, museums, churches, auditoriums, office buildings, or shopping malls. Moreover, expansive working height and lateral reach means these units excel as exterior and interior glass-cleaning equipment. With this degree of functionality, a CMC lift entirely negates the need for a scissor lift or boom lift, which in turn reduces overall cost and storage requirements.

With reduced setup time, easy access to even the narrowest of areas, and a variety of size and power configurations, the ROI for rental centers that choose CMC Tracked Aerial Lifts is significant. Models such as the CMC 72HD+ are already go-to gear for many in the industry and this fall we’ll be introducing a brandnew CMC lift that represents a new level of achievement in the realm of compact tracked aerial lift technology – stay tuned!

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BUSINESS MANAGEMENT //

Business Survival Guide:

What do the Top 100 Rental Companies Do?

@Artur - stock.adobe.com

Lessons learned from the business practices of the most successful rental companies.

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have been involved in the rental business for many years, back to the time when Clark Equipment Company started coming up with various rental programs their dealers could provide to customers primarily in an industrial business, a distributor, or anyone else who needs to move objects around to complete the building process and to move them into the selling process. These programs were well received and benefited the OEM, the dealer, and the customer.

The process moved from dealers selling equipment to offering rental as a means to avoid purchasing units, to rental with maintenance to 100% rental companies. Get rid of the dealer part of the equation and you wind up with pure rental companies that charge for both costs of ownership and operation included in the rental fee.

Believe it or not, this was before United Rentals et al—a long time ago.

Now we have dealers, rental companies, and retail stores taking on the cost to own and operate, which they pass

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on to a customer in the form of daily, weekly, and monthly rental contracts.

In some cases, the contracts allow for a portion of the rental payments to be applied against the purchase of the unit being rented.

Dealers and rental companies now rent trucks and cars, construction equipment, material handling equipment, aerial access equipment, and a ton of support equipment used on construction sites. The rental equipment, whatever that may be, is primarily purchased from OEMs who support the transaction with warranties that support the rental company should any repairs or replacements need to be made during some amount of time post-purchase.

Equipment rental is now at a time when the top 100 rental companies topped $40 billion, $41 billion to be exact regarding 2023, which is 16% higher over the 2022 billing amount.

We are talking big numbers here, which I believe will continue to grow because the rental units keep getting

better and more efficient, and contractors reaching the conclusion that it is cheaper to rent utility value as opposed to owing and operating equipment, especially now that equipment prices are way higher, which of course cost more to finance and insure as well.

Add on the shortage of qualified techs to maintain contractor-owned equipment and you make rental transactions even more feasible In short, this leaves rental company owners sitting on the right side of the demand and supply curve at this point of time.

The rental business was so good that Wall Street attracted larger companies to go public, and as a result to have access to capital that allows them to expand their business and territory.

Upon further review, the top 10 rental companies represent 75% of that $41 billion number referred to above. And we all know that this top group, especially the public companies, need to improve their top line as well as their bottom line to keep Wall Street happy.

They do this of course, by buying up www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

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a lot of companies every year expand both their Top and Bottom lines to impress the Market. Which I suppose is not so bad for the remaining 90 companies on the list, because if they are doing a good job managing their company they may get a phone call to see if they want to convert their investment into cash.

Everyone in the 11-100 position should want to operate their business in a manner that provides an ROI that meets the required standard for a potential buyer. And all rental companies, whether they are in the TOP 100 or not, should be doing the same, because with the pace of the turnover is taking place your company could wind up being listed in the TOP 100 list, ready to be converted into cash for your retirement fund.

Those who think they don’t need to beef up their performance should think about that again because those top 30 or 40 rental companies are taking steps to make them more competitive with smaller companies. They have pricing power on the purchasing side as well as on the used sales side of the business. They are digitally upgrading their systems and will use AI (I hate saying that) to provide a better customer experience from the time a customer decides they need a unit for a jobsite. Larger rental operations will also be monitoring machine analytics to avoid shutdowns during the rental period. They will also have accessory equipment available and thereby make the rental experience seamless.

In the end, the larger rental companies will be able to compete with the smaller dealers who are working their butts off, believing that their size gives them an edge in terms of “cost and service”, which is probably not true any longer.

Rental company owners not on the list need to be aware of what the competition is doing and at the same www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

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@ihorbondarenko - stock.adobe.com

time manage their operation using a “CASH IS KING “ approach. The first thing they need to do is make sure their website has an “above standard” approval rating that will attract new and former customers, makes the rental process easy to deal with, can deal with questions that come up, contains access to customer accounts and billing, and helps you get paid in a reasonable time frame. To see what this type of website looks like I refer you to look up TOPLINE PRO. Believe it or not, the company was mentioned in Forbes, started by a young man under 30 years of age who was able to raise $17 million in seed money. Being able to operate your rental business, with a website that can function like TOPLINE PRO would make you more efficient and able to provide better service to your customers. I believe the estimated monthly cost for such a website is between $150-$300 per month.

You improve your business while meeting your CASH IS KING requirement.

And I can bet your website will match up with the big boys and as a result assist with both keeping and attracting new business.

I brought up the website issue

because I saw a customer satisfaction survey produced by the Distributors Strategy Group that measured how customers and potential customers feel about the service level with a company they do or plan to do business with.

The survey covered all levels of customer personnel. The results for the sample under review were quite satisfactory except for one area. Almost every company participating in the survey was dinged because the website was subpar and hard to use. I don’t know about you, but I would hate to lose business because my website is substandard.

To sum up this discussion I suggest you upgrade your website to have it operate at the same level as TOPLINE PRO. It will help you compete with the big boys, make you more efficient, and not cost you an arm or leg.

Next time we can move on to another strategy for 2024 and 2025— there are plenty of issues to cover.

GARRY BARTECKI Managing Member Dealer-Rental Success LLC

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MANUFACTURER PROFILE Advertisement

TECH TIP –

5 STEPS TO TAKE BEFORE CLEARING FAULTS

F

ault codes, also known as diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), appear when an issue is detected within heavy-duty trucks and equipment. Clearing a fault code without addressing the problem can lead to recurring issues or missed opportunities for maintenance. Therefore, it’s important to consider these important steps before clearing a fault.

1 – Check for recalls or TSBs Determine if the component or equipment manufacturer has put out a technical service bulletin (TSB) or recall related to the affected system. Technicians can save valuable time by following the manufacturer’s instructions before attempting a manual diagnosis.

2 – Review work orders/log files Look at work orders and diagnostic log files to determine if any previous repair work could have led to the current fault(s).

3 – Perform a visual inspection Ensure that you pair the electronic diagnostic scan with a comprehensive visual inspection. Visually inspect your

equipment from end to end, paying special attention to areas producing the fault code(s), looking for damaged wires, corrosion, or other abnormalities that can produce a fault.

4 – Document your findings Document your findings and keep detailed records of your troubleshooting process so you and your fellow technicians can efficiently repair the issue if a similar problem occurs in the future.

5 – Address the root cause Utilize effective troubleshooting procedures to find the root cause of the issue to perform repairs that fix the problem rather than temporarily solving it.

View additional steps to consider before clearing a fault code and check out our other Tech Tips!

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CONSTRUCTION // BY JONATHAN KOZLOWSKI, EDITOR

M T H

GIANTS

IN A COMPACT WORLD Bobcat’s E40 compact excavator. Photo provided by Bobcat Co.

Looking at the advancements in the versatility and productivity of compact equipment within equipment rental.

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t the category level, compact equipment has been one of the stalwart backbones of equipment rental.

In general, compact equipment is being used for many more things today than ever before. With pros challenged by the contracted labor market, these machines seem to be filling the gap.

The core of compact rental equipment includes loaders (track and skid steer) and excavators. “They are probably the highest utilized pieces of equipment that go out the door,” says Mike Fitzgerald, marketing manager at Bobcat. It’s worth noting that some include tractor-loader backhoes and rough-terrain forklifts in the category.

“Something that I’ve been hearing specifically around that product category [compact equipment] is that it seems to be flourishing,” adds Kent Somerville, head of national rental accounts at Volvo—specifically pertaining to compact excavators. “[Volvo] is continuing

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to invest in compact excavator developments. I see continued opportunity in this segment as we focus more on it from a corporate perspective, but also as we continue to develop electric and refresh our diesel product offerings.”

“The largest contributor to the volumes in the compact excavator business is probably the 3.5-ton range—that has always been the leader in compact excavators,” he says. Exemplifying this, Volvo has recently redone its 3.5-ton offering with the EC37.

Compact equipment improvements have also addressed the regulations and improved fuel efficiency for the tiered engines. For example, Bobcat has been able to lengthen oil change intervals which reduces maintenance costs and provides better return on investment for rental companies. “Those all are changes happening as we move forward and look toward trying to reduce the total cost of ownership for a rental operation and making sure the machine meets

customer needs,” says Fitzgerald.

“Compact track loaders continue to grow as well as the mini excavators,” says Jim Zak, director of managed accounts at CASE (CNH Industrial).

“Labor continues to be an issue across the industry—if you have less skilled labor, you need smarter machines or machines have to make up for that skill level. It’s got to be product enhancements to improve the usability, the versatility of the machine.”

In general, recent advancements include: ■ Increased engine efficiency for added horsepower ■ More performance with more hydraulic flow ■ More attachments ■ Changes to the design to cool both the engines and hydraulics “[These] types of changes have always been in the development process,” says Fitzgerald. “But in recent years, its been more and more important

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Ammann America Inc. | 1200 S. Orange Ave, Ste 1050, Orlando, FL 32801, USA Operations / Distribution Center | 680 Clemson Rd Columbia, South Carolina, 29229, USA Phone (954) 493 0010, info.aaa@ammann.com For additional product information and services please visit: www.ammann.com MMP-2949-04-EN | © Ammann Group

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CONSTRUCTION //

ASKING QUESTIONS The impetus is on the rental company to understand what the customer is trying to do and then be knowledgeable with what equipment they have to meet that need. Outside of knowing your own fleet: • Understand what the customer is doing.

• Understand the job they’re trying to perform.

• Understand the size of the application.

• Understand the jobsite and requirements.

to match the performance of the machine to the needs of the customers.”

Manufacturers have been adapting to the regulations coming in with tiered engine levels. With that, machines have become more efficient by burning cleaner and utilizing fuel better. The same “efficient” mentality is also being applied into the hydraulic and hydrostatic systems.

On how far these machines have come, “It’s been a progression,” says Fitzgerald. “When I started at Bobcat our medium sized and most popular machine had 36 horsepower. Today those machines have over 70 horsepower. This allows customers to do more work without significantly increasing their machine size”

Comfort Traditionally, rental equipment was not necessarily evaluated for comfort— someone needs to do a job, get it done, and a machine to help accomplish it.

However, with the labor shortage and keeping good operators plaguing the pros, comfort elements like cabin enclosures, heat and air conditioning, and

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electronic controls are becoming more standard with new compact equipment models. These can help pro customers in two ways: 1) keeping operators on the team, and 2) increasing productivity.

Bobcat has developed operator comfort and control features to match this need. “We have put a couple different control systems and patterns that they can choose from depending on whether it’s a loader or excavator to match the operator’s preference,” says Fitzgerald.

Some of the latest updates from CASE include added an optional factory-designed, built and installed enclosed cab with operator-friendly features like AC, heat, Bluetooth radio, and noise and dust suppression that let operators work in all kinds of conditions. Along with these comfort features comes convenience with an automotive-style cab and customizable LCD screen for the CX50D mini excavator.

Attachments Along with increased efficiencies and creature comforts, the number of available attachments for compact equipment provides options galore.

When he started at Bobcat, Fitzgerald explains, the company had 7 attachment categories. Now, they have 70 or more.

For rental, Fitzgerald says that the more specialized, expensive attachments along with the lower utilized attachments are popular. Case in point, compare an asphalt or concrete contractor that may own a skid steer loader with a planer attachment to a general contractor that would rent a planer only for specific jobs. These situations are becoming more popular. He’s also noticing attachments like forestry cutting equipment, and drum/disc mulchers for land clearing as a high rental type.

regulations of California lead the way on electrification. However, “the success around electric is going to depend on the improvements on the product, development of pricing strategies, the ability of the infrastructure to support it, the availability of dollars, and incentive to take your business down that route as a rental,” says Somerville.

There are applications in areas that will see more movement than others, but for the most part, it’s been more short-term work. Utility contractors like those by federal, local, and municipal governments are looking to utilize them—especially for indoor demolition, remodeling, or quiet neighborhoods.

Somerville and Fitzgerald draw parallels to the auto industry where there’s initial hype and then cooling. “The journey around electric, I think, is sorting itself out,” says Sommerville. “We view electric as the desired place to be from a corporate position. There’s more focus on the compact business than ever.”

“There are applications where [electric] will be perfect,” says Zak. “It depends on the application, the environment, and the jobsite conditions.” Keep the conversation going with your customer, these factors will help choose what machine will work best.

What can be done to take further advantage? Optimize the potential on your investment. Track your missed rentals. Consider the array of attachments sitting in your fleet. Attachments makes the machine that much more versatile, increasing machine utilization without a significant cost. “Build a value proposition around the quality of the product and the brand,” suggests Somerville. In other words, promote the fit, finish, and operator comfort.

Electric Compact Equipment The initial push by states like the

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MANUFACTURER PROFILE Advertisement

TURBOCHARGE YOUR PROFITS

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fficiency and productivity — two things your customers need, and two things the Dingo® TX 1000 TURBO delivers. Featuring a turbo diesel engine, intuitive controls and improved maintenance features, the Dingo TX 1000 TURBO builds on the already successful legacy of the Dingo TX 1000 to help your customers do more.

BOOSTED ENGINE The turbo diesel engine and new patent-pending Smart Power® feature maximize engine, auxiliary and traction torque to quickly deliver powerful results, especially when using the trencher or auger attachments.

SMOOTH RIDE & REDUCE MAINTENANCE In addition to increased torque, the 24.7 hp YANMAR® diesel engine is engineered for reduced vibration so operators can confidently handle the most demanding applications. Toro

engineers also added a larger hydraulic filter for longer maintenance intervals and less downtime.

FAMILIAR FEATURES Built on the success of the Dingo TX 1000, the new TURBO model retains key features that made the original such a success, including an easy-to-maneuver design to navigate tight spaces, a rated operating capacity of 1,000 pounds and vertical lift arms with 81” hinge pin height that allows the machine to easily reach over the side of dumpsters or one-ton trucks.

INTERESTED? Contact your local rental representative or go to toro.com/tx1000turbo to learn more.

MORE POWER TO YOU. Maximized torque means greater opportunity — for you and your customers. The Dingo® TX 1000 TURBO combines the best of the Dingo® TX 1000 with a turbo diesel engine to improve productivity and your bottom line. Reach out to your local rental rep, or learn more at toro.com/tx1000turbo.

©2024 The Toro Company. All Rights Reserved.

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FH-R Material Placement

Industry’s Only Offset Vibratory Roller

MAXIMIZE PRODUCTIVITY

FH-R Series Material Placement Attachments

Offset Vibratory Roller Attachment

Designed to revolutionize your business’s profitability, the patented FH-R material placement attachment gives you versatility in a compact package. Take on road shoulder repairs, remediation, road widening, trench backfilling and even asphalt and aggregates placement — all with an attachment compatible with equipment you already own. Available in single and dual discharge configurations and in 1 to 6 feet (30 to 183 cm) laydown widths.

Enjoy unprecedented peace of mind thanks to a patented design that allows the host machine to remain safely on a flat surface while compacting road shoulders and ditches. Unlike self-propelled compaction machines and drum rollers, the Offset Vibratory Roller doesn’t force the operator to be in a tipping position, which increases jobsite safety and employee satisfaction. The investment price of the Offset Vibratory Roller attachment alone is equivalent to the cost of just one worker’s compensation claim.

•

Remote-control operation for maximum safety (manual control optional)

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Dispense 20 tons in under 10 minutes

•

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Attaches to any brand of host machine via SAE quick connector coupling

No transport permits required

•

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Works with virtually any brand of loader, skid steer, compact track loader, wheel loader or road grader

Compatible with your loader, skid steer, compact track loader or road grader

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Works with standard and high-flow hydraulics

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90% less maintenance. No engine, transmission or hydraulic pump to maintain

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Remote control capabilities for convenient and effortless operation

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Works with standard or high-flow hydraulics

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Easily roll and compact stone, asphalt, RAP, or dirt

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Compact enough to fit on a trailer with its host machine

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No transport permits required

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Smaller investment and greater ROI than standalone machines

Two interchangeable drum sizes and multiple widths available

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Compact footprint for minimal traffic disturbance

Reach the outside slope of the shoulder, not just horizontal edges (up to 30-degree drum pivot)

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360-degree swivel caster to maneuver around posts and guard rails

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Convenient for trench work (drum reaches 30 inches, 76 cm below mounting point)

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GENERAL TOOL //

Don’t Get Stumped @saknakorn - stock.adobe.com

7 steps to success—what to know about stump grinders for the best return on investment and help your customers.

T

here is more than one way to grind a stump. And if you’ve been looking for stump grinding attachments to add to your rental center fleet, you can likely attest to that. There are numerous products on the market that basically do the same task—remove stumps. But your job is to determine which is the most productive, and easiest to use, tool with the best return on investment. Here are seven pieces of advice to help set up your rental center for success with stump grinder attachments.

1. DURABILITY As with any piece of rental equipment, durability is key. Sometimes, a person can get a good idea of how heavy an attachment is just by looking at it. For instance, the mounting on a stump grinder is a good indicator of how robust the product is overall. If it’s heavy duty, then the attachment is likely built to withstand abuse.

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The next place to look is the hydraulic motor. The most reliable and highest performance option for powering a stump grinder is a radial piston motor, which provides better efficiency and torque than other styles. Additionally, check to see if the motor has bearing support. If not, the pressure of the grinding wheel is placed solely on the motor, which could lead to premature failure.

There are a few options to grind a stump. You can either use a wheeled handlebar, a tracked walk-behind, or as an attachment.

2. FLEXIBILITY

Loftness Specialized Equipment

Operating a stump grinder requires a lot of repositioning. And there are two main styles of attachments that take different approaches to it. The first is a rigid-mounted attachment, which requires the operator to move the skid steer or excavator when taking different angles at a stump. The other style is an articulating attachment, which allows the operator to hydraulically swing the grinding wheel without moving the power unit.

Despite the advantage of being able to adjust a stump grinder hydraulically, many rental center owners prefer the simplicity of a rigid-mounted attachment. Not only is it more cost effective, but there are also fewer components at risk for problems.

Additionally, some operators feel they can remove stumps faster by repositioning the power unit instead of the attachment itself. Perhaps the greatest advantage of articulating stump

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ther as an

grinders is that less damage is done to the turf, since the power unit isn’t being moved as frequently.

Equipment dealers can help ensure the right match.

There are attachment options for skid steers and excavators with a wide range of hydraulic outputs. However, lowerflow models will have smaller-diameter grinding wheels and won’t work as quickly as higher-flow units.

5. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Consider depth to help figure out which grinder to use. Smaller grinders may match better for smaller stumps that need grinding only a few inches below grade.

Loftness Specialized Equipment

3. VISIBILITY Because of the need to constantly reposition stump grinders to cut at different angles, having good visibility helps get the job done better, especially when it comes to inexperienced operators. Some manufacturers have improved visibility through a forwardreaching boom, which positions the grinding wheel farther away from the cab. This generally provides a better view of the job than when the wheel is close to the cab. Additionally, a forwardreaching boom design helps prevent the power unit from running into or driving onto larger diameter stumps during the grinding process.

Another way to enhance visibility on the job is to use a grinding wheel with cutouts. Unlike solid wheels, the cutouts help create a see-through effect for even greater visibility when working. If a stump grinder doesn’t come with this style of grinding wheel, an aftermarket one can usually be purchased.

4. POWER Like many other types of attachments, the model of stump grinder that can be used depends on the hydraulic horsepower of the power unit.

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Stump grinders, like most types of vegetation management equipment, require safety precautions to protect against flying debris. For starters, the power unit must have impact-resistant shielding to protect the operator from flying wood chips or other objects.

People and animals should not be allowed within 300 ft. of the work area when grinding stumps, and the operator should be mindful of all surroundings due to the risk of flying debris.

Because of the nature of the work, operators must also be aware of underground utility lines, dwellings and other equipment in the area. Consult the owner’s manual for more information on these and other safety precautions.

6. OPERATIONAL ADVICE When it comes to operation, the owner’s manual will offer some best practices for efficient stump removal. Perhaps one of the biggest pieces of advice is not to engage a stump too quickly, which could stop the grinding wheel. Not only does this slow the job down, but it also generates excess heat in the power unit’s hydraulic system.

Instead, advise renters to find an ideal travel speed that allows the wheel to work at full RPM. This will vary depending on the type of tree, the stump, and the condition of the cutting teeth. On wet stumps, for instance, the operator will need to work slower, while periodically inspecting the wheel for caking or clogging.

Renters should also be informed to check the condition of the jobsite before they get to work. The area around the stump and roots should be clear of any rocks, stones, or other debris. Understand that the service life of the cutting teeth will be significantly reduced if they consistently come in contact with dirt, sand, or rocks.

Remind renters: safety first. Have renters consider the slope (if any) and to keep the cutting wheel uphill at all times.

Loftness Specialized Equipment

7. SUPPORT As with many other pieces of rental equipment, manufacturer support is important. This is especially the case with an attachment like a stump grinder, due to the added safety precautions related to flying debris and the highRPM grinding wheel. A reputable manufacturer will provide plenty of training and resources to set up a rental center for success.

Despite the number of these attachments on the market, the process of procuring one for your rental fleet doesn’t have to be complicated.

Simply follow these seven steps to start removing your customers’ stump problems, while adding to your bottom line.

Clint Major Product Development Coordinator Loftness Specialized Equipment

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SECTOR REPORT: TECHNOLOGY // BY JONATHAN KOZLOWSKI, EDITOR

@janews094 - stock.adobe.com

On Rental Software

Q&A with a panel of rental software providers.

R

ental has covered software before. Part 1 discussed benefits and part 2 covered how rental companies can gain buy-in from employees. Panelists for this Q&A include Patrice Boivin, the president and CEO of Orion Software; Preston Harris, the VP of global sales at Point of Rental Software; Matt Hopp, the general manager at InTempo Software; Joe Lewis, the CEO of Fame Rental; Josh Lewis, the president of MCS Rental Software Inc.; Kara Longmire, CMA, CSCA, the co-president/CEO of Alert Rental; and Dave Swan, the senior vice president at Trackunit.

Rental: What development in modern rental software has made the biggest impact for the industry?

Boivin: In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time data processing into rental software has revolutionized the industry. One of the most significant advancements has been the incorporation of AI-driven

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predictive maintenance. Traditional maintenance schedules often rely on fixed intervals or reactive measures, leading to either unnecessary downtime or unexpected equipment failures.

Another is the seamless integration of real-time data across all aspects of rental operations. We now enable real-time tracking of equipment, inventory levels, and operational metrics.

Harris: The availability of cloudbased rental software has allowed more businesses to make their initial investment into rental software, knowing that they don’t have to buy and maintain their own servers up-front. Having information available in the cloud also makes it easier for everyone within the company to access data and manage operations from anywhere. You can collaborate and get updates in realtime, reducing downtime and increasing productivity.

Hopp: At a high level, it’s connectivity. Systems being able to share data with each other has been crucial in letting rental software become a true driver

of productivity rather than just a replacement for paper-based processes. An ERP system that’s able to serve as a “single source of truth” while also pulling in telematics data, third-party financial data, CRM data, and other critical information is no longer a “want-to-have;” it’s become a “need-to-have.” Otherwise, teams are still spinning their wheels trying to pull data from multiple sources, verify that everything is up to date, analyze to the best of their abilities, and then and only then, deciding what action they need to take. When one system pulls everything together in real time, everyone from Accounting and Finance to Operations and Sales can make more timely, data-driven decisions that keep the company moving forward.

Joe Lewis: Two, actually. First, Web Services with Open APIs. These capabilities allow contemporary software to extend itself into specialized areas (Sales Tax management, etc.). This only works efficiently if the critical data is retained or copied to the rental software, not if it

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stays with the Web Service.

Second, Large Data Repositories with Analytics. Having critical data spread around in ‘Silos’ compromises decision-making at every level and makes comprehensive analytics nearly impossible. Recent surveys on the business use of AI point to even large companies preparing their corporate data now (consolidating the silos and rationalizing it) for use with AI in three to four years. If you have your data in one place, then contemporary business intelligence analytics tools are quite effective, and you are ready for an exciting future with AI. Josh Lewis: It’s the mobile apps that’ve had the biggest impact on equipment rental. They make it easier for employees to see equipment on the go, so they’re more efficient. In addition, mobile apps reduce disruptions caused by missing paperwork, illegible signatures, and unpaid invoices by tracking equipment location and status all day long. It’s a win-win for companies since they can improve accuracy and reduce manual errors and delays. In addition to improving communication between internal and external teams, mobile apps have extended the office to the on-theroad team, allowing rental businesses to provide better customer service while on the move.

Longmire: Advances in modern rental software are too numerous to count! Anything that saves a rental operator time equates to saving them money.

The most impactful recent development is the technology to allow for a virtually paperless rental operation. From generating a bid for electronic signature, to virtually and securely accepting electronic payment, to routing without a dispatch office that’s a fire hazard, the entire rental process can be handled with a matter of a few clicks. The consumer has become conditioned to expect doing business in a paperless environment, so it’s a good

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idea for rental operations to embrace the technology. The technology is less expensive and more available than ever so there’s no excuse for independents to lag behind the large chains.

Rental: How can your software support rental company growth?

Josh Lewis: MCS cloud-based rental software offers rental companies the advantage of scalability. As a rental company grows, our software can easily scale to accommodate the increasing demand, ensuring smooth operations without any disruptions. Additionally, our fully managed service includes software support as part of the package, and automatic software updates ensure cloud-based customers are on the latest version to eliminate any concerns about keeping up with the latest features and functionality.

Cloud-system also allow users to work remotely.

MCS Rental Software offers different types of licenses, allowing companies to adapt to their workforce requirements.

Swan: Trackunit SaaS (software as a service) and our devices simply and securely connect customer assets, anywhere in the country or the world and gathers machine specific telematics in real time. We partner with one of the largest cloud providers ensuring our customers can scale their activity up or down as they need it.

Boivin: Orion Software’s Sirius e is designed to accommodate the scalability needs of rental companies as they grow. Our system is built with robust infrastructure and flexible architecture to handle increasing volumes of transactions, inventory, and customers.

Hopp: Different rental companies want to grow in different ways, and we’re here to support whatever that looks like for each individual customer.

Sometimes that means keeping a family business successful so it can be passed

Dave Swan, Senior Vice President, Trackunit Platform: Trackunit Iris Software: Trackunit Manager App: Emission Reporting Hardware: TU700 Raw Telemetry Device Targeted rental company customer: From small numbers to 10,000’s of units per location Trackunit

Preston Harris, VP of Global Sales, Point of Rental Software: Essentials (for smaller rental operations), Elite (for larger rental operations), Syrinx (for markets outside of North America), Record360 (fleet digital inspection software) Targeted rental company customer: Greater than 100 to less than 10,000 units Point of Rental Software

Patrice Boivin, President and CEO, Orion Software Software: Sirius e Targeted rental company customer: 2 to 5,000 units Orion Software

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MANUFACTURER PROFILE Advertisement

FUTURE-PROOF YOUR RENTAL BUSINESS:

THE VALUE OF THE RIGHT RENTAL SOFTWARE PARTNER

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ental is a complex industry with specific operational requirements – and it is not a one-size-fits-all model. It takes companies like Alert, with decades of experience, to be able to support companies in all segments of the rental industry.

Rental stores in every market and every part of the world are dealing with some of the same challenges – namely, how to do more with less. In a world where labor is scarce and costs are high, rental software reduces touch costs, eliminates errors and automates processes.

“The right rental software will leverage technology and automation to complement your team members and increase your bottom line.”

reduce friction for their clients to do business with them and automate wherever possible.

The challenge in the rental industry is that there are so many moving parts that impact fulfillment, scheduling and deliveries that it is difficult to take the ‘person’ out of the equation. Rather than replace people in the process, the right rental software will leverage technology and automation to complement your team members and increase your bottom line.

At Alert, we plan to continue to work with our clients to be a technology partner rather than just a software vendor.

Learn more about how the right rental software (and the right rental partners) will help grow and future-proof your rental business at alertrental.com.

While there are many software offerings that can generate invoices, rental companies need software that not only calculates rates in all their permutations but can also manage their inventory to help prevent overbookings and handle things like subrentals and repairs.

A true rental management software will inherently integrate to other products that support rental and business applications such as website integration, GPS and telematics information, accounting packages, credit card processing, computer-assisted design (CAD), analytics and business intelligence, parts ordering and more.

At Alert, we believe that the expanding synergies between technologies and tech partners is the best way rental companies will leverage functionality and level-up efficiencies.

That means, more than ever before, embracing technology to

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With both cloud-based subscription and one-time iinvestment t t solutions, l ti Alert Rental will work for - and grow with - your rental business.

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SECTOR REPORT: TECHNOLOGY //

down to the next generation; other times that means working towards an acquisition. (Even on the acquisition level, that can be a goal of tucking a new company in to the current one or being acquired themselves.) We get that there’s no “one size fits all” plan, so we’ve built an ERP that can accommodate any set of business practices. And because many of our team members came directly from the rental industry—be it in Sales, Service, Accounting, Operations, or Corporate Leadership – we understand what dayto-day success looks like for each of these teams, and we can provide real-world recommendations for helping our own customers make their businesses better.

Rental: In what unique ways does your software increase employee productivity?

Joe Lewis: Fame’s web application (FameAir) is the ultimate social network for a rental business workforce, connecting every worker to every other worker.

Field techs are connected to sales, service, and warehouse; sales is connected to logistics, service, and purchasing; everyone is connected to accounting. Any question about anything can be asked and answered in real time. This enables the worker to quickly get past information roadblocks, enabling correct and fast decisions. Being a connected web application, workers can also go ‘outside of the systems’ to research anything and everything—enabling them to work smarter.

Being a modern web application, workers can learn how to do their jobs in a matter of hours, not days, weeks, or months. And, because it is designed for today’s younger workers, they enjoy doing their jobs. Everyone is productive faster and stays with the company longer—compounding the productivity gains. With everyone’s productivity increasing, they’ll stick around longer.

Josh Lewis: By defining employees,

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crew, subcontractors, and even vehicles as resources, you have a complete picture of your team. Keep track of your employees’ certifications and qualifications so jobs and tasks are always completed by the right person. In addition, you can predict future resource needs, avoid double bookings, and complete jobs on time.

Using MCS Rental Software, paperwork is eliminated, which is a slow and time-consuming process. Automated invoices in MCS Rental Software improve employee productivity in the rental industry by saving time and effort.

Employees no longer have to manually create and send invoices, reducing administrative burdens and eliminating double-entries. In addition, automatic invoices can be generated and sent immediately, eliminating delays and ensuring prompt payment. Rental businesses can simplify billing work by scheduling it per day, developing a customized schedule, and tracking which customers have and have not been billed.

Longmire: We believe that eliminating friction between businesses and consumers is the number one driver of productivity. Not only do we provide easy ways for our clients to do business with us (limited hold times for telephone support, an automated Help Desk that’s run by humans in North America, annual Alert Users Group Conference), but we provide technology that helps our clients reduce friction with THEIR clients. Web services such as Web Requests or E-Commerce are effectively another salesperson who works 24/7. Having a Customer Portal where clients can log in to self-service their billing improves efficiency in the back office. Sending bids for electronic signature and payment (and then having the bid auto-convert to a reservation!) streamlines the entire sales process and improves communication between rental stores and their customers. As the younger generation comes to work with more

Matt Hopp, General Manager, InTempo Software Software: InTempo Core Targeted rental company customer: For only a few machines Software: InTempo Enterprise Targeted rental company customer: A few hundred to 10,000’s of units InTempo Software

Joe Lewis, CEO, Fame Intelligence LLC Software: Fame Rental Targeted rental company customer: 500 to 5,000 units Fame Intelligence LLC

experience on phones and tablets, Alert is driving our technology and moving more things to include mobile access, such as our mobile app Rover.

Swan: Trackunit’s Emissions Reporting capability offers highly accurate machine specific CO2 emissions reporting. We believe using this capability rental companies can offer customers technology that means they win more business that requires accurate and real time emissions data.

Machine use and tracking data can provide insights into machine exact use regarding time and movement, through machine analysis machine under utilization can be identified and rental contracts amended or shared contracts introduced on sites to increase utilization

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to profitable levels. This can help to rightsize fleets on site and allocate the right machines to increase productivity and rental income.

Boivin: Advanced Mobile Capabilities: Sirius e offers robust mobile features that empower field workers to access critical information, capture data, and complete tasks on the go. This seamless integration between desktop and mobile platforms maximizes productivity and minimizes downtime, setting Sirius e apart from other software solutions.

Real-time Notifications and Alerts: Sirius e’s intelligent notification system keeps employees informed and proactive, enabling them to respond quickly to changing situations and potential issues.

Rental: How does your software help track missed rentals?

Longmire: Missed Rentals has been a feature of Alert since version 1, decades ago, and sadly is a truly under-utilized feature of Alert as a percentage of our clients using the software. Likely, this has to do with counter staff being busy more than anything—our clients continue to do more with the same number of people. They answer the question on the phone and go on about their busy day. If management explains that if they take the few keystrokes it takes to record the missed rental and reason (not in inventory, price too high, down for maintenance, etc.) in Alert, then they have better buying data when they attend the show or place orders with their vendors. Often, counter and sales staff know what requests are coming in and can spot trends. Once they realize that they can make a stronger argument for more or new equipment by recording the request and putting lost dollars against it, the faster they embrace the change.

Boivin: Sirius e constantly monitors your inventory in real-time. When a customer requests equipment that is

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currently unavailable, users can use our exclusive rental Whiteboard to identify the equipment status in order to optimize the equipment rental. This whiteboard is highly visual and helps rental companies quickly identify high-demand items and potential revenue losses due to unavailability. The software generates automated alerts and detailed reports on missed rentals. These reports provide insights into the frequency and timing of missed rental opportunities.

Sirius e integrates seamlessly with the CRM module, enabling rental companies to follow up with customers who experienced missed rentals.

Harris: Our software includes a feature for tracking missed rentals that allows users to log every inquiry. This data helps identify patterns and reasons for missed rentals, enabling companies to adjust their inventory or pricing strategies accordingly. Approximately 75% of our rental customers regularly use this feature, helping them to understand and mitigate lost revenue opportunities.

Hopp: If a customer cancels a reservation, you can track the corresponding reason (e.g., no longer needed, price too high, or no availability for that equipment.) From there, InTempo will automatically create a record on a Missed Rentals screen that logs which location this occurred; how many and what equipment was requested; when it was requested; the reservation number that was cancelled; the customer name; the reason for the cancellation; the length of rental; the amount of lost revenue; and the user that cancelled the reservation.

You can also manually create an entry in the missed rental screen, if there was not a corresponding reservation.

This information can be displayed on a dashboard or report that can be scheduled to be sent with all of this data to your team. For example, if you want this report at the end of every week at noon,

Kara Longmire, CMA, CSCA, Co-President/CEO, Alert Rental Software: Alert Rental Software Targeted rental company customer: Less than 100 to 1,000’s of units Alert Rental

Josh Lewis, President, MCS Rental Software Inc. Software: MCS Rental Software Targeted rental company customer: 10 to 1,000’s of units MCS Rental Software Inc.

or end of every month, quarter, or year, or all of the above.

Joe Lewis: Fame Rental’s BTP comes equipped with built-in alerts and notifications. When a rental is about to expire, the system sends a reminder to the customer’s sales rep and any other relevant team members for prompt follow-up.

For cash customers, credit cards (PCIcompliant tokens) are stored with the contract and can be auto-charged with rental extensions or cycle billing. If the card fails, a more detailed alert is sent.

Fame Rental cannot eliminate missed rentals, but it dramatically reduces them.

For that reason, all of Fame’s customers use this capability.

Scan the QR code to read this in full on ForConstructionPros.com. https://RNT.news/ivn46uwf

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SECTOR REPORT: POWER EQUIPMENT //

Chipping Away For customers with land clearing, vegetation management, or utility/roadside maintenance in their job scope, a drum mulcher can be essential to their success.

Here’s what to know to add the right drum mulcher choice. instance, Diamond’s open drum model works in unison with carbide teeth, excels in applications involving heavy ground engagement, and is at its best when mulching smaller material into a slightly larger, stringier end product.

Conversely, depth-control mulchers are optimized for sharp steel teeth and shine in high-production environments with limited ground engagement. These mulchers are more appropriate for users who take down larger materials and prefer a fine, aesthetically pleasing mulch.

Depth Control

Diamond has three depth controls mulchers that are compatible with most skid-steers, excavators and CTLs to add versatility and productivity to customers’ existing assets.

Phtoos provided by Diamond Mowers

F

or customers with upcoming work that could include land clearing, vegetation management, or utility/roadside maintenance, a drum mulcher can be an essential tool. But which drum is best for your rental customer’s particular needs? Each type of drum mulcher is tailored for different functions and comes with its own advantages.

To assist in the selection process, the following is an overview of model differences, features, and benefits to better solve your customer’s problems with the right solution.

There are two common types of drum mulcher attachments: depth control (DC) and open drum (OD).

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Understanding the functions, features, and intended applications of each will help you determine the best attachment your customer will need. Both options come in varying widths for tackling different-sized jobs.

Cutting (or working) widths can range from 28-72 in. to efficiently process trees, brush, and undergrowth up to 9 in. in diameter. Additionally, both styles of mulchers attach to most skid-steer brands and are compatible with different types of mulching teeth, allowing users to interchange them for various applications.

The key differences between depth control and open drum mulchers lie in their operation and applications. For

Especially productive when processing large-diameter material, a depth-control mulcher features a closed-throat design and sharp steel teeth that push trees and brush onto the rotor. The teeth then cut and reduce the size of the material before it enters the processing chamber.

Diamond depth control mulchers can accommodate most standard and high-flow carriers with flow ratings between 12-40 GPM (EX DC Pro X), 16-30 GPM (SS DC Pro) and 23-50 GPM (SS DC Pro X). Our open drum mulcher accommodates most standard and high-flow carriers with flow ratings between 16-46 GPM. www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

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Open Drum

The OD Pro X’s larger opening, designed to pull in whole tree limbs, makes it highly effective for quick brush and undergrowth removal.

Its helical tooth pattern is modeled after a vacuum brush to feed material efficiently toward the drum’s center, while depth control rings limit bite size for optimal infeed.

Primarily employed in large-scale brush clearing, undergrowth removal, and vegetation management projects with limited ground contact, depth control mulchers excel at removing trees and larger material with speed. Due to their sharp teeth, they are particularly effective for processing hard or fibrous wood, such as bamboo or palm, making them more efficient than open drum models.

By limiting the bite-size, they produce a finer mulch, making them ideal for tasks where aesthetics are important.

Applications for a DC mulcher: ■ Reclamation projects such as land clearing, fence line and shooting lane maintenance, pasture management, and trail creation ■ Infrastructure development like mulching, brush clearing, and processing unwanted vegetation ■ Creating defensible space by removing brush and trees near homes and structures – removing these fuels to act as a barrier and reduce the spread and intensity of fires ■ Municipal tasks like roadside maintenance for accessibility and safety for both rural and gravel roads, major highways, ponds, or utility systems.

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Designed for a variety of heavy-duty mulching tasks, open drum mulchers are ideal for clearing land for agricultural use, infrastructure development, and habitat restoration projects. By engaging with more of the cutting tooth, this type of mulcher offers a larger bite size and maximum productivity, making it well-suited for applications involving smaller material and significant ground engagement. Additionally, its carbide teeth make it perfect for handling rough, rocky terrain.

Applications for an OD mulcher: ■ Storm/ Disaster Cleanup, Fire Prevention, and Recovery Efforts. The large opening of an OD mulcher is designed to pull in whole tree limbs, which is highly effective for quick brush and undergrowth removal ■ Pasture Maintenance. The postharvest period presents an ideal opportunity to clear trees and brush surrounding agricultural fields in preparation for the next growing season. Regular mowing of pastures offers several benefits, including enhancing forage quality, ensuring a uniform pasture, preventing weed growth, and minimizing grazing patterns. Utilizing an OD mulcher for these tasks would enable customers to effectively control weeds and maintain grass in a vegetative or growing state, thereby increasing its digestibility for livestock.

■ Managing Invasive Species.

Invasive tree species, such as the Eastern red cedar, can cause extensive damage to properties, whether they’re farms, ranches, or forest preserves. These resilient trees can dominate large land areas, depriving native plants and wildlife of essential resources and

posing a significant threat to the ecosystem. Mulching provides a more environmentally friendly alternative to herbicides and prescribed burns. The OD mulchers’ carbide teeth will help customers mulch these trees down to smaller pieces, inhibiting their growth and spread and helping control their propagation. The attachment’s maneuverability enables precision and selectivity so operators can target these intruders while sparing native grasses and plants. By suppressing invasive species’ resurgence and promoting desirable vegetation growth, an open drum can be a valuable ally in facilitating weed suppression, erosion control, and biodiversity enhancement.

■ Right-of-Way Maintenance. An OD mulcher excels in right-ofway maintenance, particularly for clearing tree limbs and overgrowth around roadways and powerlines. Since these areas are regularly maintained, vegetation growth is typically not extensive, and aesthetics are not a primary concern. Therefore, an OD mulcher is often preferred for such tasks.

When selecting the right drum mulcher for your rental fleet, consider your customer’s specific requirements in terms of power, cutting capacity, and mulch size requirements. Consulting with your equipment dealer can also provide valuable insights into selecting the best attachment(s) to add to your fleet by comparing what applications and job types are in your area.

Matt Nelson Director of Development Diamond Mowers

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• Operating weight: 14,500 lbs. on the 6034, and 19,100 lbs. on the 6042 • Lift height: 34 ft. on the 6034, with a 23-ft. forward reach • Lift heigth 42 ft. on the 6042, with a 29-ft forward reach • Both offer three steering modes: two-wheel, four-wheel and four-wheel crab Scan the QR code to learn more. https://RNT.news/dssyj619

DICA MaxiTrack Protection Mats DICA’s MaxiTrack is a heavy-duty ground protection and site access mat for the North American market. MaxiTrack is an access mat solution that can be deployed by hand for companies that need to provide temporary access for wheeled or tracked equipment weighing up to 150 tons. The 1-in. thick mats measure 3 ft. x 6 ft. and weigh just 88 lbs., making them light enough to be handled by two people. Heavy-duty HDPE plastic construction has the strength and rigidity to stand up to heavy equipment traffic. In addition to roadways, MaxiTrack can be configured for tight areas and in asymmetrical shapes.

For projects that cover large areas, four mats can be preassembled and mechanically lifted into place from lifting points during deployment. Made of 100% recycled material.

Scan the QR code to learn more. https://RNT.news/7g8km8q1

EZG Manufacturing Mobile Mug Hog Trench Mixer EZG Manufacturing has introduced the Mobile Mud Hog Trench Mixer, a hydraulic-controlled solution designed for pour applications in tight spaces and utility work. Designed for micro-trenching and utility work, the Mobile Mud Hog Trench Mixer features controlled material flow. The hydraulic-controlled mixer can be used with walk-behind and standard- or full-sized skid steers. The Mobile Mud Hog Trench Mixer has a range of features that contribute to its performance. It is equipped with sturdy integrated lifting pockets for transport and comes with a standard skid steer attachment plate. The mixing bin accommodates 9 cu. ft. or 1/3 yd. of material, equivalent to eight to nine 80-lb. premix bags.

Scan the QR code to learn more. https://RNT.news/6dzzcht8

BOSS Industries BOSSAIR 185G Air Compressor Package The BOSS Industries offers the BOSSAIR 185G package featuring the BOSS BCAN Digital Interface, which uses the J1939 electronic connection in vehicles to communicate between the vehicle and air compressor and power systems.

The BOSS BCAN can also add other functionality to a vehicle such as hydraulics, cranes and other power related components. Additionally, the latest version of the BOSS Air end is equipped with axial discharge instead of a traditional radial discharge, creating 3 to 4 in. of ground clearance for challenging jobsites. Adding a new low profile 10-in. separator tank (185 cfm and under systems) increases ground clearance.

Scan the QR code to learn more. https://RNT.news/70i8h5wv

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ROCKEAT Electric Skid Steer Loader

Makita 40V MAX XGT Pressure Washer

ROCKEAT is First Green’s newest line of electric, cabinless skid steer loaders, designed with a low clearance, 360-degree camera and remote operability. ROCKEAT produces zero carbon emissions, uses minimum operating fluids and offers near-silent operation. Remote control technology allows for more accurate and refined movements, increasing precision, especially in tasks like excavation or material handling. Remote control operation is compatible with First Green electric attachments and standard hydraulic.

ROCKEAT machines are charged using a standard 110V or 220V outlet. The 700 and 1200 models are 67-in. and 7-in. wide, respectively. The machines offer a maximum power of 3x36.2 hp, maximum torque of 3x89 ft.-lbs., and load capacity of 1,500 to 3,300 lbs.

Makita’s 40V max XGT 1,300 psi 1.5 gpm Pressure Washer (GWH01) is powered by the same 40V max batteries that are compatible with over 125 XGT equipment and tools. The Pressure Washer features three power levels for power and runtime management, with 1,300 psi and 1.5 gpm on the high setting. There is a self-priming feature and siphoning hose that allows for remote cleaning from most fresh water sources or water tanks. The Pressure Washer features an auto-switching two-bay battery system that allows for long run time. When one battery is depleted, the system automatically switches to the second battery to get more work done.

With two 40V max XGT 5.0Ah batteries on board, the pressure washer will deliver up to one hour of run time.

Scan the QR code to learn more. https://RNT.news/s179h9od

Scan the QR code to learn more. https://RNT.news/srw15yvl

Diablo Tools Demo Demon Carbide Teeth Saw These hole saws are designed for nail-embedded wood, clean wood and more.

With this tool, professionals can cut through clean wood and materials, eject plugs and change cups. The design results in less wear on drills and battery power. The Demo Demon Carbide Teeth Rough-in Hole Saw is designed with Diablos SnapLock PLUS mandrel compatibility, allowing professionals to change between different cups and sizes depending on the application. The Demo Demon Carbide Teeth Rough-in Hole Saw range offers 60 mm (2-3/8 in.) of cutting depth. Diablos Demo Demon Carbide Teeth Rough-in Hole Saw range is available in various sizes from 1-3/8 to 4-5/8 in. and one, eightpiece set.

PROFESSIONAL GRADE ATTACHMENTS BUILT FOR HARD WORK!

MINI SKID STEER POWER LANDSCAPE RAKES Designed for Category I tractors with 1,000 lbs. or greater 3-pt. lift capacity • Working width of 48” - 72” and working depth of 0 - 2.5” • Auto adjust chain tensioner is standard on all models • Choice of rotors - 2” Sabre Tooth or 1-3/4” Carbide Tooth • They do it all, prep, smooth, set grade, level, till, remove rocks and create the perfect seedbed

Worksaver, Inc. Litchfield, IL • Phone: 217.324.5973

Scan the QR code to learn more. https://RNT.news/zv7nl4v9

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VISIT WSSITEPRO.COM TO LEARN MORE

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new

PRODUCTS

Manitou Woodcracker Tree Saw with Grapple The Woodcracker tree saw with grapple is compatible with three Manitou rotating telehandlers the MRT 2260, MRT 2660 and MRT 3060 Vision+. When matched with the MRT 3060 Vision+, operators can reach heights of more than 98 ft. and outreach to more than 84 ft. The maximum lifting capacity for the MRT with the tree saw attachment is 8,000 lbs. Built from high-strength steel and capable of cutting tree branches and trunks up to 29 in. in diameter, the new Manitou tree saw rotates into position to cut, hold and deliver each limb. It can also be matched with the Manitou rotating telehandler remote control to give the operator flexibility.

Scan the QR code to learn more. https://RNT.news/ipjdmt5w

CASE Cab Option for H Series Roughterrain Forklifts

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CASE offers a factory-designed, built and installed enclosed cab option for H Series roughterrain forklifts.

The new cab option protects the operator from various elements and helps teams work in extreme conditions. The cab has wide doors that completely open, allowing for communication with crew and airflow. The cab also has an overhead roof window for visibility to overhead loads. These maneuverable machines offer zero tailswing for close-quarter jobsites and can travel from jobsite to jobsite at speeds up to 24 mph. They’re also customizable with a variety of mast options that can lift loads up to 8,000 lbs. as high as 22 ft. depending on the machine and mast.

Scan the QR code to learn more. https://RNT.news/vg27f03d

CONTRACTOR’S HOSE & ASSEMBLIES • Air Hose • Hydraulic Hose • Pressure Washer Hose • Water Hose • Suction Hose • Plaster/Grout Hose • Discharge Hose • Sand Blast Hose

World Class Solutions

(847) 952-1800 Toll Free (800) 852-1855 www.abbottrubber.com

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D d p n j c c m b w p f e t d b w

Jetstream J-Force Waterblasting Tool

Snorkel S3013 MINI Electric Scissor Lift

Designed for durability, this selfpowered rotating nozzle uses seven jets to clean and clear scale, hard carbon and polymer, sludge or other blockages in pipes with 90-degree bends. The addition nearly doubles the cleaning power of the manufacturers 22,000-psi models and is designed for tackling tough blockages. This new J-Force model joins several size options. This tool operates with minimal maintenance thanks to Jetstreams patented cartridge-style high-pressure seal design. This technology features permanently lubricated seal bearings to eliminate the need for oil and goes hand in hand with Jetstream’s eddy-current magnetic braking system.

This lithium-powered, electric drive scissor lift can fit through a standard doorway during use for indoor and outdoor worksites. Equipped with an extendable platform as standard, the electric lift features a 5-in. inside turning radius and 600-lb. maximum platform capacity. This machine can support two people or one person and materials.

The S3013 MINI offers a maximum working height of 19 ft. Standard features include non-marking tires, swing-out service trays, motion alarm, descent alarm, integrated battery charger, flashing amber strobe light and aluminum control box. On-board diagnostics display and hour meter are available on the lift for status monitoring. Transporting around jobsites is facilitated by crane and forklift points.

Scan the QR code to learn more. https://RNT.news/vkpj8w8c

Scan the QR code to learn more. https://RNT.news/gxo9vl7u

912HM MINI TRENCHER

1324D/1624D 712 MTH MICRO 1324STK/ 2024RTK/ 1624STK 2324RTK TRACK STANDARD TRENCHER TRENCHER TRACK TRENCHER TRENCHER

TRENCH IT UP. &ĂŵŝůLJ KǁŶĞĚ Θ KƉĞƌĂƚĞĚ ƐŝŶĐĞ ϭϵϯϴ tŽŵĞŶ KǁŶĞĚ ƐŝŶĐĞ ϮϬϮϮ ĞƐƚ ZK/ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌLJ͊ ǁǁǁ͘ĞƐƐĞdžͲƐŝůǀĞƌͲůŝŶĞ͘ĐŽŵ ǁǁǁ͘LJŽƵƚƵďĞ͘ĐŽŵΛĞƐƐĞdžƐŝůǀĞƌůŝŶĞ͘ĐŽŵ

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Summer solutions for irrigation, electrical, and more. Explore the Barreto family of trenchers and discover the ideal solution for your rental fleet! www.barretomfg.com info@barretomfg.com

Learn more | 1-800-525-7348

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RENTAL SNAPSHOT // Star Equipment has four locations throughout Iowa, Des Moines (pictured), Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, and Ames.

A Star in Iowa

Sharing his challenges and insights, Bruce Bowman of Star Equipment speaks to what it’s like to be a small business in a big (rental) pond.

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ental: How did you first get your start in the rental industry?

Star Equipment is a 55-yearold family business started by Max and Beverly Bowman in 1968 in Des Moines, Iowa. Initially, Star was a sales-only company, but as time progressed, Max and Beverly saw a need to offer rentals and added that to the growing list of the company’s services. As they continued to grow, so did the need for rentals in the construction industry, so Max Bowman wisely invested in even more rental equipment to meet the customer’s demands.

Rental: Can you give us some insight on your current company?

Star is now managed by myself and Brad Bowman, and we have continued to grow rental in addition to managing four branches with three divisions. Our core customer base is general and concrete flatwork customers. So, if you’re a general contractor or a concrete flatwork person, we have what you need. Our other divisions are specialty products: Service and lube trucks for contractors and agriculture customers and lasers/ GPS machine control for dirt work and general contractors. We strive to encompass Max’s original goal of offering innovative products that drive profit through efficiency to the bottom line of the contractor’s financial statement.

Rental: What have been some of the challenges and successes you’ve had over the years you’ve been in business?

Max was always a salesman at heart

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with the intention of bringing cutting-edge products to the construction industry, and our company maintains that vision. Although some were scoffed at when they were first introduced and pioneered, many products are now completely accepted in the industry and the most popular. Like skid loaders were brought into the industry in the late ‘60s, and lasers were brought into the market in the late 70s in both sewer and general construction. More recently, it’s been machine control with lasers and GPS. Through it all, the hardest part was acceptance and trust.

We’ve also fought through several recessions, and just like everyone else, are trying to maintain independence in the wake of big box stores taking over large portions of the rental market.

Despite all of this, we’ve grown almost every year.

Rental: If you could change anything about the equipment rental industry, what would it be and why? What do you foresee the future of rental being like?

I think the one thing I would go back and change was the open-armed welcoming of the big box rental stores. This has led to increasing pressure on rental rates, mostly due to their buying power, but also their need to show a return on investment to their stockholders.

I see a continued need for rentals increasing as jobs become even more specific for our customers. Most of them can no longer survive if they don’t diversify, so renting allows them to expand

Brad (at left) and Bruce Bowman Photos provided by Star Equipment

and retract their equipment fleet as needs change. I truly see the value and need for privately held rental operations despite the fact the big box rental companies continue to expand through acquisition.

Rental: What do you think are two of the most important aspects of running and maintaining a successful business?

I think the two most important aspects are, for one, your staff. Having a staff that cares and is loyal is important. And two, being nimble and willing to change as you recognize the long and short-term changes in the industry. These are the differentiators for success for small- to mid-sized rental operations.

Rental: If you could, which musician would you bring back from the dead for a one-night-only concert?

I think I would say Harry Chapin.

His songs were stories of his and others’ lives, and how they worked to overcome challenges and cope with them.

Alexis Sheprak Freelance columnist

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MANUFACTURER PROFILE Advertisement

TAKEUCHI TB350R COMPACT EXCAVATOR

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esigned with multiple improvements and advanced technology, Takeuchi’s TB350R compact excavator delivers a unique combination of performance, durability, operator comfort and serviceability.

With a rear-swing overhang of just 2.95”, the TB350R makes it possible to work in tight or confined spaces with less worry about rear-swing impacts. Available in canopy or cab models, the excavator features updated, high-definition monitors with greater functionality, jog dial controls, wraparound counterweight, dedicated coupler circuit on cab models and excellent service access for easy maintenance.

PERFORMANCE + COMFORT

The TB350R weighs 10,980 lb. in canopy configuration and 11,235 lb. when equipped with a cab. Powered by a Kubota V2607-CR-E5B diesel engine that is U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final compliant, the TB350R delivers 41.7 net hp (ISO 9249/ SAE1349) and more than 130.2 ft-lb of torque. A four-pump hydraulic system delivers smooth, harmonized control of the work equipment. The TB350R provides a bucket breakout force of 10,431 lb., a traction force of 12,320 lb., and a maximum dig depth of 11’ 8.8”.

Both canopy and cab configurations are equipped with a primary auxiliary circuit plumbed to mid-arm. The TB350R cab model also includes a dedicated coupler circuit operated by controls, located inside the cab. The primary auxiliary circuit delivers 24.6 gpm at 2,990 psi, making it capable of utilizing a wide range of hydraulically driven attachments.

To improve the operator’s experience, Takeuchi completely redesigned the TB350R’s interior. The excavator’s canopy configuration includes a 4.3” high-definition, multifunction color monitor, while the cab model has an easy-to-view 7” touchscreen, multifunction color monitor with integrated air conditioner and radio functions. For enhanced operator comfort, the excavators feature a deluxe, high-back, six-wayadjustable suspension seat, adjustable arm rests, low-effort pilot controls, large flat floor area and integrated footrests. On the cab model, an intuitive jog dial with one-touch controls lets operators easily control throttle position and multiple machine functions, including work lights, wiper, washer, ECO mode, 1st auxiliary circuit detent and lift overload alarm.

STRENGTH + DURABILITY

damage. A heavy-duty counterweight protects vital engine and hydraulic components.

Triple-flange track rollers improve the TB350R’s track life by providing greater support and multiple contact points that reduce the risk of de-tracking.

Daily inspections and maintenance are easy to perform thanks in part to a swing-out rear door and right-side cover that opens high overhead for exceptional access to inspection and maintenance points. Maintenance techs and operators can quickly inspect the TB350R’s water separator, radiator and oil cooler, hydraulic oil level sight gauge, fuel level, dual element air cleaners, coolant level, engine oil dipstick and battery.

SAFETY + PEACE OF MIND

The TB350R has a safe-start system that requires its safety lock-out lever to be in the raised position to start the excavator, ensuring hydraulic functions are inactive at startup. When switched on, an overhead alarm sounds if the machine’s hydraulic capacity has been exceeded. A standard LED light package provides rental customers with exceptional visibility when working overnight shifts or in any low-light situation.

TAKEUCHI FLEET MANAGEMENT

The TB350R hydraulic excavator comes standard with Takeuchi Fleet Management (TFM) during the two-year standard warranty period. TFM reduces downtime and controls cost by providing valuable information about the machine’s health, run time and location. Rental dealers get convenient remote diagnostics, scheduled maintenance reminders and customizable alert settings, as well as the ability to geofence their machines.

Contact your local Takeuchi dealer today and learn more about the difference the TB350R can make for your equipment rental business.

All-steel construction ensures body integrity with greater strength and rigidity, shielding key components from

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EYE ON RENTAL //

5 More Ways to Strengthen Your Company

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here are many ways to strengthen and help differentiate your rental company from competitors. Last month I discussed a few ideas, but since there is so much opportunity to excel here, I wanted to continue.

Consider product and services diversification. Start thinking now (the sooner the better) about all the possibilities to increase income and to position your company for the future in an increasingly changing business environment. What I’m not going to do, however, is tell you that a specific avenue is right for everyone. Whether it’s expanding your rental fleet to include other specialties or delving into rental-adjacent or even completely new areas, there are lots of opportunities to look at. Keep in mind that every rental company is different and their market, competition (and opportunities) are radically different.

However, I feel it is not wise to stray too far from what you and your team know. Many rental companies may not have the proper processes, procedures, training, or facilities to handle the new equipment or services additions. Adding new major offerings without the proper due diligence could be a very unwise investment. With that said, major product and service diversification (done properly) can provide the catalyst to significantly increase growth and profitability.

Consider customer type diversification. Even though this topic can be considered part of diversifying products and services, another form of differentiation involves the possible expansion of the types of customers rental companies typically target. Think about your community, and who does and doesn’t currently rent from you. Using a fishing analogy, consider casting a larger net.

Consider consolidation. It might be wise to entertain the possibility that parts of your current business may not make

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sense going forward. Perhaps one or more of your product lines or services might be holding you back by draining valuable financial, space and labor resources. It may be time to strategically eliminate these unprofitable and now unnecessary portions of your business.

Be careful not to make any of these big decisions too quickly. Get objective advice from an experienced equipment rental consultant. In these increasingly challenging business climate times, your time and the capital needed (to make sizable changes in one’s operation) are precious commodities that must be used more wisely than ever.

MAJOR PRODUCT AND SERVICE DIVERSIFICATION (DONE PROPERLY) CAN PROVIDE THE CATALYST TO SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY. Develop and use a structured training program that is personalized for your company’s needs. Customers like doing business with rental companies that have employees who know what they are talking about. Having a better educated staff leads to more repeat customers and greater profitability. Remember, a “learn as they go” approach is not a program—it’s a recipe for employees being unprepared to maximize daily opportunities to make the company much more revenue and profits.

Ensure that your employees are educated on all types of equipment in your inventory; it helps them to become better

@MedRocky - stock.adobe.com

solutions providers. Under-educated employees are not likely to ask the appropriate questions to match the customer’s need with the correct equipment. They also are not going to have the knowledge to advise customers on proper operating “do’s and don’ts.” I have observed far too many employees in rental companies only know the names of the rental items and are in dire need of more education dealing with proper job applications, proper use, accessories, and all of the other valuable information that customers desperately need. In addition to having this knowledge, it is vital that your staff are highly trained to dispense this knowledge to customers in proper fashion. For example, teach employees to emphasize the benefits of the equipment being discussed not just the features.

Emphasize customer service. Of course, one of the categories with some of the largest potential to strengthen and differentiate your company deals with developing an even stronger culture of having the best customer relationship practices. Be the company that consistently treats customers with the most patience, kindness and respect—and the finest in the art of consultation salesmanship.

Dick Detmer is a nationally recognized consultant, lecturer and writer with 40+ years of experience in the equipment rental industry. In 2018, he celebrated the 30th anniversary of his business, Detmer Consulting Inc., and his column in Rental. Dick can be contacted at dick@detmerconsulting.com, (309) 781-3451 or by visiting his website www.detmerconsulting.com.

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8/8/24 3:30 PM

NEW AWARD

DESIGNED TO HONOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS FOR THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN SHAPING THE INDUSTRY

NOMINATE TODAY Deadline: Friday, Oct. 11, 2024

Construction professionals - working in the heavy equipment, asphalt, pavement and reconstruction, concrete, and rental segments - can be nominated for any of the following categories:

• Women in Construction: Honors females in the

construction and rental industries, whose accomplishments, mentorship and examples set a foundation for women in all levels of a company’s network.

• Rising Professionals in Construction: Recognizes

outstanding young or newer construction professionals whose achievements, hard work and vision have shaped the construction network. Rising/emerging professionals must maintain 1-9 years of experience in the construction industry.

https://myfc.pro/paceraward

• Lifetime Achievement: Honors contractors, workers and owner/operators who’ve made outstanding contributions to the construction and rental industry. Must have at least 10 years of documented accomplishments in construction.

Brought to You By:

• Jobsite Excellence: Recognizes outstanding workers on the job site whose leadership and work ethic set a strong example companywide.

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BIGRED MACHINE

IT’S TIME TO ROLL WITH BIG RED. Six all-new models of Manitou skid steers and compact track loaders deliver greater breakout forces, improved operator comfort and control, and numerous exclusive designs such as a new sloped roof and contoured lift arms. For a limited time get extremely low financing rates or cash back on these exciting new models.

Contact your local dealer or learn more at Manitou.com.

See our full range of solutions for your business at Manitou.com. ©2024 Copyright Manitou Group.

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