Considering the large variety of equipment most rental companies deal with, it's not surprising that many times most are unaware of the specialized options and accessories that are available. A call to the manufacturer might give you a quick fix to a challenging jobsite.
Aerial lifts are a good example of this, with a daunting array of options and accessories. You can choose drive options, axle options, platforms, jib booms, tires, engines, trade tools. You know the working height that your customer requires, but do you know their other needs? When faced with a unique job or a customer threatening to remove the equipment from a jobsite because it isn't doing the job, do not be afraid to seek help from the manufacturer for solutions.
One national rental company experienced this type of situation with one of its biggest customers and had to react quickly to keep its products on the jobsite. This national rental company supplied the majority of equipment to the Chrysler project in Ohio. State-of-the-art concrete floors were poured requiring that any machine on the jobsite had to have non-marking tires.
The national rental company called an aerial lift manufacturer. The manufacturer mobilized the product engineers and was able to get the specialized tires to meet the requirements of the job.
Those non-marking rough terrain tires are not going to be found in an ad or boldly laid out in any brochure. The relationship between the customer and the manufacturer play an important part in any business.
Increased use of rental equipment by a variety of users has resulted in many special tire options available on the market. An example would be the turf tread tires that offer less aggressive tread pattern, better floatation and much less damage to sensitive or soft ground. Turf treads are usually combined with ultra high flotation or balloon tires offering floatation in extreme applications like the sugar sands found in Florida. Other flotation enhancing options include tracks or half-tracks for the rear drive wheels.
Tracks bring up an interesting issue with specialized machines. The machine owner has to be careful to not risk future rentals and residual sales by making poor choices in meeting a specialized customer's needs. A dedicated full-track machine might be the perfect choice for a customer who needs to cross a muddy depression to reach a jobsite, but will future customers rent that machine? Will they pay significantly higher rent rates necessary to purchase full-track equipment? A more flexible solution would be removable half-tracks for some aerial lifts and skid steer loaders. They cost significantly less, and can easily be installed and uninstalled on the jobsite as needed.
Sometimes access to a jobsite is a challenge. Harsh winter conditions, copious amounts of rain or steep ground can lead to rental gear sitting idle 50 feet from the jobsite. Oscillating axles help the machine keep the tires on the ground where they can perform the work they are intended to do.
Traction options, although expensive, present another good product case study of balancing the needs of specialized customers with the potential demands of future rentals. A large rental customer might have an easy paved access to their jobsite. They want the lowest possible price, causing them to demand the reduced rental cost of 2-wheel drive machines. Will those machines work for your customers this winter? What will your resell value be in four years? In the long term, purchasing 4-wheel drive machines may be your best investment.
You can save your customers time and money, while reducing costs and increasing market share by finding available products to meet your customer's needs. Many manufacturers are eager to work with rental centers on these type of applications.
CJ Neer works in the marketing department and Thor Wickstrom is the product manager at Genie Industries, Redmond, Wash.
Genie
The new S-80 and S-85 offer the active oscillating axle. Sensing uneven terrain, it adjusts the oscillating axle to maintain 4-wheel tire contacts, providing maximum traction and a smooth ride. Substantially increased power is a result of a new larger Deutz 913 engine. A new drive system has increased the gradeability to 45 percent and improved traction in rough terrain and loose dirt conditions.
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Elliott
Elliott Equipment Company introduces the new ECL-3-60 combination aerial workplatform and crane. The ECL-3-60 features a 65-foot working height, 6,000-pound crane capacity, 54-foot working side reach and a two worker, 500-pound capacity platform. A 500-pound capacity platform jib crane is available, and the model is fully customizable with a wide range of available options.
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UpRight
A major launch for UpRight in 2002 is the low gross vehicle weight version of the 44-foot working height AB38 compact electric articulated boom. Trimming almost 17 percent off the gross weight of the standard model, the ANSI version of the new lightweight AB38 is 7,470 pounds — under 3.5 tons GVW — with a platform capacity of 475 pounds. This lighter AB38 offers even lower ground-bearing pressures than the already class-leading 59 inches wide AB38N. The low weight suits a wider range of applications on upper building levels, sensitive floors and provides extra scope to transport in freight elevators.
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Pinguely-Haulotte
This full electric drive vertical mast, Star 22 J, was designed to meet the needs of 28-foot and working height in confined indoor areas. At a stowed height of 6 feet 5 inches, it makes it possible to pass through standard doors. With the positive/negative fly jib with a plus 70/minus 70-degree movement and the 9-foot 8-inch outreach, the Star 22 J allows access in the most difficult working areas. Other features include proportional hydraulic controls for precise handling and a spacious cage. Provided with battery power, the mast has long working cycles.
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JLG
With 135-foot platform height and exceptional horizontal reach, the Model 1350SJP telescoping boom lift from JLG Industries reaches up to 50 percent more area than boom lifts with a 125-foot platform height. The boom lift also incorporates the JibPLUS 8-foot articulating jib boom that can move both vertically and horizontally for improved access to hard to reach areas. Features include an electronic platform leveling system, swing speed proportioning, a controlled work arc envelope, oscillating axle with 12-inch movement for a smoother ride, 4-wheel drive and 4-wheel steering.
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LDC Industries
The UniLift line of towable boom lifts includes the Model 538 and the Model 542KB. The 538 features a telescopic boom and has a 36-foot working height. The 542KB articulated lift has a 42-foot working height. Each unit has a 300-pound bucket capacity. Other features include 360-degree effective coverage, and standard crank-style outriggers designed to provide fast and easy setup with maximum stability.
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Beta Max
Beta Max's new Max Climber 2000 Rack and Pinion Lifting System is designed for the power plant, scaffolding, restoration, facilities maintenance and general construction industries. The Max Climber 2000 features 5 feet, 95-pound galvanized mast sections and are easily installed with four bolts. It is space efficient and features a basket size of 57 by 52 inches, and may be customized to fit the customer's size requirements. For convenience, the Max Climber 2000 features a fold-down standing platform for installing and anchoring mast and removable controller for easier service.
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Grove
The AT422T is equipped with a 70-foot full power, 3-section main boom and has a lifting capacity of 22 tons. It provides highway travel speeds and, with 4-wheel drive, the performance characteristics of a rough terrain crane for off-road use. The unit also features multiple steering modes, which provides maneuverability in tight quarters. A special hydraulic circuit and hydraulic hose reel mounted on the boom allow use of a hydraulic clamshell or grapple, in addition to the normal lifting functions.
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Intervect
Intervect combines the strengths of the Hek range of mast-climbing work platforms and the Alimak range of construction hoists. Alimak Scando FC 28/37 TD has gained universal acceptance on construction sites because of its payload capacity of 6,200 pounds and travel speed up to 157 feet per minute, without counterweight. Having no counterweight saves an estimated 30 percent in erection and dismantling costs, and as much as 50 percent on jump costs. Designed to satisfy the load capacity demanded in masonry work, drywall, glazing, renovation and demolition work, the Hek MS 5000 has a maximum payload of 12,000 pounds and is able to work at heights in excess of 400 feet.
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Bronto
Bronto Skylift introduces the truck-mounted SI-178HDT insulated boom lift featuring an auto-leveling outrigger system. At 178 feet and with a 70-foot horizontal reach, the boom can be extended to reach lines running along highways with minimum lane closures. Unrestricted platform capacity is 1,000 pounds. All boom and accessory functions are linked by a fiber optic cable that is unaffected by energized fields associated with extra high voltage.
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Bil-Jax
Bil-Jax is introducing two new towable boom lifts. The compact XLB-4016 offers a maximum working height of 40 feet and a maximum side reach of 16 feet. The lift is 12-volt battery powered and offers a 110v outlet to the platform for power tools. The XLB-4319 offers a maximum working height of 43 feet and maximum side reach of 19 feet. The lift is 24-volt battery powered and offers 110v outlet to the platform for power tools. The XLB-4016 also offers a hydraulic jib and basket rotation. Standard features on both models include 360-degree rotation, hydraulic controls, proportional controls and a 450-pound platform capacity. Both lifts fit through double doors for indoor applications.
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