Don’t Forget Your C-L-E-A-T-S!

by: Batman

Part of a new series of blog posts from the Super Heroes on the LMN Support Team.

Don’t forget your C-L-E-A-T-S!  Points to Consider When Renting Equipment for the Job

There are many reasons why companies opt to rent equipment as opposed to owning; namely having less money tied up in upfront investments and fees associated with equipment ownership, as well as access to a wider range of equipment and the latest models/technologies. This allows companies to boost productivity without committing to a long-term cost. Reasoning aside, if you choose to rent equipment to help get the job done, there are several key factors to consider when selecting the right equipment.

When stepping up to rent, try and remember the following acronym: C-L-E-A-T-S!

• Conditions
• Lift Capacity
• Elevation of land/slopes
• Attachments
• Travel Distance
• Size/dimension of work area

Conditions

The condition of the ground you are working on may have different requirements to operate effectively on; equipment will have different requirements if working on asphalt or smooth concrete compared to 5 inches of loose gravel.

Lift Capacity

Finding the right balance of the size and power for each job is key to maximizing efficiency. The main thing to keep in mind here is not to sell yourself short and pick a piece of equipment that could hinder your productivity and slow down progress.

Elevation of Land/Slopes

Factoring the slope and elevation of land that will be worked on can also dictate the type of machine you select. For example, tracked machines will fare better than wheeled ones on sites with many hills and slopes.

Attachments

The addition of attachments is a great way to maximize efficiency and productivity by allowing your field laborers to complete multiple tasks with one machine. Some examples include the addition of Quick Couplers, allowing the operator to change tools with ease or machines with high-flow hydraulics which maximize the power of Work Tools such as augers and planers. Bucket selection is driven mainly by the intended payload: heavy-duty industrial grapplers handle irregularly shaped scrap materials best while high-capacity, light material buckets are best for loosely packed loads of topsoil or wood chips.

Travel Distance

If you are expecting to work on a site where there may be extensive travel between points, features like Ride Control could be a key feature you may want to opt for. Operator comfort as well as maximizing load retention when traveling on rough terrain would be two major factors to consider here.

Size/Dimensions of a Work Area

Take note of the work area that the machine will be operating on. Are there any gates or narrow spaces it will need to travel through? Will it be operating near or in a lane of traffic? Next to a fence or retaining wall? Machines such as Compact Radius Hydraulic Excavators, allow operators to work with confidence knowing that the upper frame does not extend its tracks when being swung around.

So long as you keep this six points in mind when renting equipment, you should have the most basic needs covered to help determine which piece of equipment to help you finish the job. Before you rent equipment for the job, don’t forget to lace up your CLEATS!