Unique Group

Dear RER,

I simply wanted to congratulate you for the excellent compilation of rental yard history [in RER's October issue.] It's kind of scary to have been around since the early days, but more importantly, I feel very privileged to have known such a unique group of individuals. Again, great job.
Ken Putnam

[Editor's Note: Now retired, Ken Putnam served as an executive at Multiquip and as president of MQ Power for more than two decades. He was a widely respected and liked industry figure.]

Tip of The Hat

Dear RER:

A tip of the hat for RER's compilation of rental events by decade and the “50 Years of Rental History” time-line! You and your staff should be very proud of this reflective masterpiece as evidenced by its content, flow and layout. You successfully communicated the rich history of a dynamic and rewarding industry. A definite WOW! Congratulations and warmest regards,
Steve O'Hearn

[Editor's Note: O'Hearn served 30 years with John Deere, the last 18 in rental. His last position at Deere was marketing manager/rental marketing.]

What Once Was Old …

Dear RER:

I just finished the December issue of RER. I found the Innovative Product Award winner “Quick Change” interesting. We were a Toro dealer when we started in the rental business in 1960. Toro had a product called a Power Handle that was the same concept — a removable engine clutch and handle assembly. From its introduction in the 1950s to the end of production in the '70s we sold hundreds as mower/snow thrower combos but there were a wide variety of attachments, many of which we used in our rental business such as tillers, aerators, rollers, generators, edgers, pumps, reel and rotary mowers, and snowthrowers. They were mostly equipped with Briggs & Stratton 3-hp engines, and if I remember correctly, the last few years a Tecumseh engine was used. The last unit I used in my rental fleet was a walk-behind roller we took out of service for safety reasons in the early '90s.

What once was old is new again.
Rob Leiser, president
Leiser Sales & Rental
Easton, Pa.