With massive infrastructure projects requiring earthmoving, lifting heavy materials, and performing specialized construction tasks, renting heavy machinery is often more practical and cost-effective than purchasing for contractors. The first step is selecting the right equipment for the job.
Common types of heavy equipment available for rent include excavators, bulldozers, loaders, backhoes, cranes, forklifts, trenchers, concrete pumps, and compaction equipment. Contractors should consider the specific tasks required and size of the project to determine which equipment types will be most suitable. For earthmoving jobs, contractors may need combinations of bulldozers, excavators, and loaders to shift bulk materials efficiently. Projects requiring precise lifting or placement of heavy objects warrant the rental of cranes in various size classes.
Contractors should also pay attention to the size or capacity of equipment. A larger excavator may be needed for digging deep foundations compared to a smaller model suitable for utility work. The estimated volume of materials to be moved also guides equipment selection - a small loader may suffice for light-duty tasks but a larger model is necessary for high-production work. In all cases, the equipment rented should have the power and dimensions to handle tasks smoothly and productively without delays.
Considering Equipment Availability Before Construction Equipment Rental
Once the basic Construction Equipment Rental needs are identified, contractors then consider availability from rental companies. Larger, higher-capacity machinery tends to be in higher demand so reserving well ahead of start dates is recommended. Rental yards can provide timelines showing when different models may be accessible. It also helps to inquire about backups - if the first choice is not available, will a suitable alternative be? Establishing these types of arrangements early avoids costly project delays down the road.
Construction equipment rental companies with large, diverse inventories provide contractors more flexibility. When unexpected conditions arise and equipment capabilities must change, versatile rental yards can offer timely substitutions. National or regional rental companies especially offer this depth and breadth of inventory across their many branch locations. Smaller, local-only yards may have narrower selections that pose a higher risk of unavailable equipment when a project is on a tight schedule.
Equipment Operator Training Requirements
Before taking delivery of rented equipment, contractors must ensure their operators meet the necessary certifications and training requirements for safe operation. While some basic machines require only on-the-job experience, other more specialized equipment demands more formal accreditation programs be completed. Cranes, for example, require Certified Crane Operators with credentials specific to the size and type of crane to be used.
Certain equipment also mandates industry refresher or re-certification courses be taken at periodic intervals to maintain operator qualifications. Rental companies can provide guidance on any jurisdictional or insurer-based training and testing obligations. Setting these operator qualifications early prevents wasted time and fees for returned equipment if requirements are not met by would-be operators upon arrival at the job site. Contractors may also negotiate operator packages with rental firms to supplement their teams as needed.
Equipment Maintenance and Repair Services
To keep projects running smoothly, contractors rely on rental providers' maintenance support services to minimize equipment downtime. Tier 1 rental companies perform thorough inspections and necessary repairs before and after each rental period. This verifies rented machinery arrives to sites in sound, safe working condition to perform as needed under the job conditions.
Breakdowns can still occur on worksites despite the best preventative maintenance. Construction equipment rental firms with regional networks of mechanics and parts inventories can usually dispatch support within a day in all but the most remote areas. Their factory-based technicians are also well-versed in any OEM diagnostics software used for complex issues. By relying on rental company services over internal maintenance teams, contractors gain this nationwide after-rental support structure to return equipment to daily productivity rapidly.
This covered the essential considerations around selecting, reserving, and supporting the heavy construction equipment needed from rental companies for large infrastructure jobs. Communicating project details and requirements early fosters the best equipment-jobsite matches, avoiding delays. And contractors gain a network of maintenance expertise nationwide through tier 1 rental providers to keep projects on schedule.
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