Equipment Rentals: A temporary toolbox has the right equipment at the right time.

• Author: Kvapil, Rachael

Charles Klever, president of Yukon Equipment, Inc., says his company regularly rents a variety of heavy construction vehicles, including dozers, loaders, backhoes, sweepers, compaction rollers, and more. However, Yukon Equipment has recently seen a rise in the demand for excavators at all three of their locations in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Wasilla. The main inventory of full-size excavators runs from 29,000 pounds to 55,000 pounds and comes with steel and rubber tracks. Several have front blades, and almost all come equipped with multiple buckets and hydraulic thumbs.

Although many envision long lines of cranes and backhoes aligned in an otherwise empty lot, heavy construction vehicles are only one type of equipment rental. Nick Ferree, Vice President of Equipment Source. Inc. (ESI) says compact construction equipment and smaller equipment like heaters, generators, and snowblowers also make up a significant portion of equipment rentals. Compact construction equipment allows crews to accomplish many of the same tasks but on a smaller scale. He says the type of rental equipment is often seasonal.

"In the spring and summer, contractors and homeowners rent more earth movers to work on dirt work and landscaping," says Ferree. "In the fall and winter, contractors who are enclosing buildings and finishing the inside will rent heaters to keep their workspace warm. Snow removal equipment is also more in demand."

Klever says management of the rental fleet requires constant review of equipment usage and calculation of return on assets. This analysis includes finding the right mix of rental inventory of updated equipment and keeping a constant schedule of rentals moving in and out the door.

"Choices pertaining to the length of rental, whether daily, weekly, or monthly--plus ensuring you have equipment for your regular customers--is essential to keeping renters coming back," says Klever.

Once customers schedule a rental, they have to get the equipment to their worksite. Hand-held construction tools, heaters, generators, and snowblowers can fit in a utility vehicle or on a small trailer. However, larger equipment or bulk rentals require more complicated logistics. Ferree says ESI rents trailers to customers who want to haul compact construction equipment. ESI also frequently delivers equipment or arranges for the delivery of equipment through a third-party service.

Keep Things Running

The rental department does not work in a silo. The final piece...