Rental Insights

Considerations when renting a breaker

You should consider many factors when deciding which breaker to rent. Your local, ARA-affiliated rental professional can help you make a good rental decision.

• Power source.Rent demolition breakers that run on electricity, compressed air, gasoline or hydraulic power.
• Weight A common way to classify breaker rentals is by their weight class, which for hand-held breakers can range from 7 to 90 pounds. Most breakers that are rent for horizontal demolition weigh 25 pounds or less. A 30- to 50-pound breaker falls in the mid-duty range. The 60- to 90-pound breakers work well for big demolition jobs.
• Blows per minute (BPM). Smaller, breaker rentals tend to offer more blows per minute than larger breakers do.
• Horizontal vs. vertical breakers. The design and weight of heavy, two-handled rental breakers in a T-configuration obligate you to hold them upright for vertical breaking of concrete floors or slabs. Lightweight, one-handled rental breakers are able to be held horizontally to break through walls or vertically for demolishing flat slabs of concrete or pavement. Horizontal breakers work well on a large area of concrete to break up, but vertical breakers typically deliver more blows per minute than horizontal breakers can deliver.
• Points, chisels and tools. Most rental breakers can accept a wide variety of tools — sometimes called either bits or tool steel — to suit different applications. Types of tools you can rent for a breaker include moil points for random breaking of concrete, chisels for exact concrete breaks or for scaling a clean edge and spades for use on rocky dirt and hard clay.
• Safety features. For safety, look for features in a breaker rental that dampen vibration or reduce sound.

Benefits of breakers

Rented breakers allow you to break up old concrete and asphalt for removal. They can break apart concrete driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, footings, foundations, walls and other concrete or blacktopped surfaces. Renters of breakers include anyone from concrete contractors hired to redo a parking lot or roadway to a do-it-yourself (DIY) homeowner, who wants to remove an old sidewalk or driveway. If you have a concrete demolition project to do, a rented breaker might be right for you because it:

• Reduces labor. . Fortunately, the days of swinging a pickaxe to break up old concrete or asphalt are in the past. Renting a breaker allows you to accomplish the task quickly and with less effort.
• Helps homeowners. When equipped with the proper tools, a DIY homeowner can achieve professional results. If you need to demolish concrete or asphalt, you need to rent a breaker to do the work efficiently.
• Benefits contractors. Renting a breaker lets the contractor who needs the tool only occasionally use it without having to store it. It also permits contractors to continue work when their own breakers malfunction or are out on another job.

Best practices

You likely will not find it difficult to operate a rented breaker once you obtain some experience with it. Here are some tips to help you use your rented breaker safely and correctly. Your local, ARA-affiliated rental store can provide you complete instructions for using your rented breaker.

• Read all manufacturer warnings and instructions prior to using your rented breaker.
• Follow safe lifting practices when loading and unloading a rented breaker.
• Properly secure rented breaker for transport.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Never wear loose clothing or jewelry that can catch on the rented breaker during use.
• Ensure feet stay clear of the rented breaker’s steel tool during operation.
• Let steel tool on rented breaker cool before touching it.
• Keep onlookers at an appropriate distance from the worksite.
• Check and, if needed, service fluid levels in rented breakers before use. Some breakers require frequent lubrication.
• Select a tool for the rented breaker that suits your intended application. Make sure to secure it to the rented breaker properly.
• Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for starting and shutting off the rented breaker.
• Stand with your legs apart and feet firmly planted on the ground to maintain better balance and control when using the rented breaker.
• Use both hands to hold the rented breaker by the handle(s).
• Begin work by positioning the rented breaker perpendicular to an outside edge of the work surface. Maintain this perpendicular alignment during operation.
• Do not exert physical strength against the rented breaker. Instead, guide the breaker and let it do the work.
• Do not let the rented breaker remain in one spot for very long while in use. Shut off the equipment before moving it to the next area.
• Do not use the rented breaker’s steel tool for prying or lifting.
• Shut off rented breaker before changing bits.

Contact your local, ARA-affiliated, rental store for information on available rental products and services to meet your demolition breaker and hammer needs. To locate the rental store nearest you, use the Rental Store Quick Locator above.

Skid-Steers can be difficult to operate, but with the proper safety knowledge and instructions you’ll be a pro in no time.
Rent a skid-steer loader to easily complete small jobs in tight spaces.

Before renting a skid-steer loader, it is very important to make sure it can lift the load you need to move. Your local, ARA-affiliated rental store professional can help you select the best skid-steer to rent for your purposes. The major considerations you need to evaluate prior to renting your skid-steer loader include:

• Size. Make sure to rent a skid-steer loader that can fit through any narrow passages necessary to get to your worksite. The widths of skid-steer loaders typically range between 3 and 6 feet, whereas lengths usually fall between 8 and 12 feet.
• Dump height. Make sure the bucket can be raised as high as you need to dump the contents in the desired location. Smaller skid-steer loaders may have a dump height of only 6 feet, whereas larger ones may offer a dump height of about 8 feet.
• Rated capacity. The rated capacities typically range from about 700 to 3,250 pounds. Keep in mind that different materials do not weigh the same. Do not exceed the lift capacity of the rented skid-steer loader, even if all of the material fits in the bucket. Exceeding the rated capacity can damage the skid-steer loader and seriously injure the operator.
• Additional steering options. Some all-wheel drive models allow for use them in either a skid-steer-loader steering mode or an all-wheel-drive steering mode. The all-wheel-drive steering mode means that all four wheels turn when changing directions. This option can result in less surface disturbance and damage at the worksite.

The skid-steer loader’s name derives from the fact that its wheels on one side work independently from the ones on the other side, causing it to move by sliding sideways. Contractors rent skid-steer loaders for a variety of construction and landscaping applications. Skid-steer loaders can spread, dig, lift, carry and load all kinds of loose material, as well as perform a number of other functions using attachments. Wheels distinguish a skid-steer loader from its almost identical cousin, the tracked loader. Other characteristics that make a skid-steer loader desirable to rent include that it is:

• Compact.Rented skid-steer loaders can work in areas too small for larger front loaders or backhoes.
• Maneuverable. Many skid-steer loader rentals offer zero-turn radius, which gives them incredible maneuverability in tight quarters.
• Flexible.A rented skid-steer loader’s ability to accept a wide variety of attachments makes it the Swiss army knife of earthmoving equipment. Depending on the tool you attach to the skid-steer loader, you can use it as an auger to drill a hole, a breaker to demolish concrete or a forklift to move pallets of material. Other attachments give it the capabilities of even more tools.

Attachments

Attachments make rented skid-steer loaders one of the most versatile pieces of equipment of all. Although, the list of attachments available for skid-steer loaders is nearly endless, the following describes 10 popular attachments.

• Bucket.This attachment allows you to use the rented skid-steer loader for lifting, moving and loading all types of loose material, such as dirt or rock.
• Pallet forks. By attaching pallet forks to a rented skid-steer loader, you can lift, move and load pallets of material.
• Power auger. A power auger attachment on a rented skid-steer loader lets you easily dig a hole for foundation footings or fence postholes.
• Blade.Attach a dozer blade to a rented skid-steer loader for leveling and grading sections of earth.
• Grapple. If you need to hold, lift and place trees, you can accomplish the task by adding a grapple attachment to the rented skid-steer loader.
• Tiller.A rented, skid-steer loader’s tiller attachment allows you to till and level a field or pasture.
• Breaker. You can connect a hydraulic breaker to your rented skid-steer loader to chip away at old concrete, asphalt or stone for removal.
• Stump grinder. The sharp teeth and cutting wheel on a stump grinder attachment lets a rented skid-steer loader cut into and grind a stump.
• Cement mixer. You can attach a concrete mixer attachment to a rented skid-steer loader to mix, transport and dump concrete where needed.
• Snow blade.To clear a parking lot or driveway of snow, you can add a snow blade attachment to a rented skid-steer loader.

Best practices

As the operator of a rented skid-steer loader, you bear the responsibility for the safe operation of the equipment. Do not operate the equipment until you know how to use it properly. Please review the tips below and read all manufacturer warnings and instructions. Your local, ARA-affiliated rental store professional can provide you with complete instructions. Some rental stores offer how-to video instructions for information on using the equipment safely and effectively.

• Read all manufacturer warnings and instructions prior to using a rented skid-steer loader.
• Properly secure the rented skid-steer loader when you transport it.
• Follow safe practices when to hook up and tow a rented skid-steer loader.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Always wear a seat belt when operating a rented skid-steer loader.
• Do not remove or modify any built-in safety features.
• Use skid-steer loader only in areas that offer adequate ventilation.
• Keep onlookers away from the jobsite while using a rented skid-steer loader.
• Do not allow anyone to ride in the rented skid-steer loader other than the operator.
• Do not lift anyone using the bucket of the rented skid-steer loader.
• Check and, if needed, service fluid levels in the rented skid-steer. Shut off the skid-steer loader’s engine before refueling.
• Select an attachment — approved by the manufacturer of the rented skid-steer loader — that suits the intended application. Make sure to secure it to the skid-steer loader properly.
• Perform a worksite inspection, taking note of all overhead electrical lines or obstructions, as well as soft ground, drop-offs and steep slopes. Maintain a minimum clearance of at least 10 feet from overhead electrical lines.
• Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for starting and shutting off the rented skid-steer loader.
• Only operate the rented skid-steer loader from the operator’s seat.
• Operate the rented skid-steer loader at reduced speed until you know exactly how it handles.
• Avoid quick, jerky movements of the rented skid-steer loader or any of its attachments.
• When moving the rented skid-steer loader on slopes, go up and down the slope and not across it.
• When moving the rented skid-steer loader, keep the bucket or attachment low to the ground.
• Do not exceed the lift capacity of the rented skid-steer loader.
• Never use the rented skid-steer loader to lift a load over anyone.
• Always lower the attachment to the ground, lock it, turn off the engine and set the parking brake prior to leaving the rented skid-steer loader.
• Mark the areas where you will dig.
• Before you dig, call 811 — the national “Call Before You Dig” phone number — to notify utility companies of your digging plans, so that they can send a locator to mark underground lines for free. Plan ahead, it will be a few days after calling. The exact time requirements for waiting vary by state.

Contact your local, ARA-affiliated, rental store for information on available rental products and services to meet your skid-steer loader needs. To locate the rental store nearest you, use the Rental Store Quick Locator above.

Rent a mini-excavator for your next project, whether that’s digging a pond or leveling dirt for a patio. We’ve got you covered.
Need to move some soil? Dig a pond, drainage ditch or level for a patio with a rented mini excavator.

Mini-excavators have evolved considerably over the past 20 years. They now offer more features than ever before, making it easier to rent a mini-excavator that meets your needs. Here are some features to consider when renting a mini-excavator. Your ARA-affiliated rental professional also can answer any questions you have.

• Size. Make sure that you rent a mini-excavator that can fit through any narrow passages necessary to get to your worksite. Some small mini-excavators can fit through a gate or door.
• Digging depth. Before renting a mini-excavator, you should know how deep you must dig. Some larger mini-excavator rentals can dig as deep as 14 feet.
• Dump height. Make sure that you can raise the bucket on the rented mini-excavator as high as you need to raise it to dump its contents where you want them. Smaller mini-excavators may have a dump height of only 6 feet, whereas larger ones may offer a dump height of about 15 feet.
• Bucket size. The size of a bucket on a rented mini-excavator usually matches the size of the mini-excavator itself. In other words, larger mini-excavators have larger buckets than smaller mini-excavators do. Bucket sizes typically range from 12 to 24 inches.
• Offset digging capabilities. Many rented mini-excavators offer offset digging, which means you can swing the boom away from its base to dig next to a structure. This feature also lets you position the mini-excavator’s tracks adjacent to a trench while digging, so that you can move forward to the next digging location easily.
• Operating weight. The operating weights of rented mini-excavators typically range from about 1,600 to 18,000 pounds. Make sure your working surface can support the weight of the mini-excavator.
• Tracks. Most rented mini-excavators come equipped with either rubber or steel tracks, but some wheeled models do exist. Steel tracks tend to tear up the turf and pavement more than rubber tracks do. However, steel tracks offer durability. Some mini-excavators offer tracks that you can retract to enter a worksite and then extend for working.
• Tail swing. When the cab of a rented mini-excavator turns 180 degrees, the maximum percentage of cab that extends over the tracks is its tail swing. Zero tail swing refers to the capability of a mini-excavator’s cab to turn 360 degrees without ever overhanging its tracks, which means if the tracks fit into an area, you can rotate without colliding with anything. Some mini-excavators possess reduced tail swing, but not zero tail swing.
• Dozer blade. Rented mini-excavators equipped with a blade can accomplish backfilling and grading options. The blade also serves as a stabilizer during digging.
• Attachments. You often can rent attachments for a rented mini-excavator in addition to the standard bucket used for digging. By doing so, you can accomplish a variety of tasks using one machine. For example, you could drill a hole with an auger, demolish concrete with a breaker or move concrete debris using a thumb.
• Comfort features. An enclosed cab with heating and air conditioning usually offers more comfort to an operator than a canopy. Ergonomic controls also can increase the comfort of the operator.

Mini-excavators — sometimes called compact excavators — may not have the digging depth of a full-sized excavator, but they excel for small digging operations in close quarters. Contractors or do-it-yourself homeowners can use mini-excavators for trenching, landscaping or pre-concrete excavation projects in hard-to-reach spaces. The following provides some advantages of renting a mini-excavator instead of larger excavating equipment.

• Compact. Rented mini-excavators can excavate areas too small for digging by larger excavators and backhoes.
• Maneuverability. Features, such as 360-degree turning, offset digging and reduced tail swing, allow rented mini-excavators to work productively in spaces where a full-sized excavator could not move.
• Light footprint. A rented, rubber-tracked mini-excavator can move over pavement without harming it. Their low ground pressure also minimizes damage to turf.
• Lower fuel expenses. A rented mini-excavator uses less fuel than larger excavating equipment does. They are also able to be towed using smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
• Easy to operate. Most individuals can learn how to use a rented, mini-excavator’s controls very quickly.

Best practices

Rented mini-excavators may look like toys, but they can cause injury or death if operated improperly. Please review the tips below and read all manufacturer warnings and instructions. Your local, ARA-affiliated rental store professional can provide you with complete instructions. Some rental stores offer how-to video instructions for information on using the equipment safely and effectively.

• Read all manufacturer warnings and instructions prior to using a rented mini-excavator.
• Properly secure rented mini-excavator for transport and follow safe practices hooking up and towing a rented mini-excavator.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Use a mini-excavator only in areas that offer adequate ventilation.
• Keep onlookers away from the jobsite while operating the rented mini-excavator.
• Do not allow anyone to ride in rented mini-excavator other than the operator.
• Do not lift anyone using the bucket or boom of the rented mini-excavator.
• Rent the appropriate mini-excavator from your local ARA-affiliated rental store.  See What Do You Need in a Mini-Excavator Rental? for a description of possible features available on rented mini-excavators.
• Check and, if needed, service fluid levels in rented mini-excavator.
• Select an attachment — approved by the manufacturer of the rented mini-excavator — that suits the intended application. Make sure to secure it to the mini-excavator properly.
• Perform a worksite inspection, taking note of all overhead electrical lines or obstructions, as well as drop-offs and steep slopes. Maintain a minimum clearance of at least 10 feet from overhead electrical lines.
• Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for starting and shutting off the rented mini-excavator.
• Do not exceed the lift capacity of the rented mini-excavator.
• Never lift a load over anyone.
• When moving the rented mini-excavator, keep the bucket or attachment low to the ground.
• Mark the areas where you will dig.
• Before you dig, call 811 — the national “Call Before You Dig” phone number — to notify utility companies of your digging plans, so that they can send a locator to mark underground lines for free. Plan ahead, it will be a few days after calling. The exact time requirements for waiting vary by state.

Contact your local, ARA-affiliated, rental store for information on available rental products and services to meet your mini-excavator needs. To locate the rental store nearest you, use the Rental Store Quick Locator above.

Additional Earth Moving Rentals: Trencher Ride On & Attachments

Easily bury pipe or cable with the right ride-on trencher and attachments. We can help find the most effective combination for your job. Rent a trencher to easily bury pipe or cable.

When renting a trencher, look for one that can fit where you need it to go and that can dig the needed size of trench. Read our article What to Look for in a Rental Trencher for additional information.Wondering if a ride-on trencher is the right size? Read The Many Sizes and Types of Rental Trenchers.

When you need to dig a trench quickly and easily without disturbing the surrounding ground too much, you should consider renting a trencher. Here’s why:

• Multiple applications. You can rent a trencher to dig a trench for landscaping purposes or for burying utility lines, drainage pipes, cable and conduit or sprinkler and irrigation systems.
• Less time and effort. Digging a trench manually using a shovel would take much more time and effort than it takes to use a rented trencher.

Best practices

Almost everyone has heard about the dangers associated with chain saws. Picture then a chained blade — several times larger than a chainsaw blade — that cuts into the ground and you have a trencher. This comparison underscores the need for safety when using a trencher. The following suggestions provide information to help you use a rented trencher safely. Please review the tips below and read all manufacturer warnings and instructions. Your local, ARA-affiliated rental store professional can provide you with complete instructions. Some rental stores offer how-to video instructions for information on using the equipment safely and effectively.

• Read all manufacturer warnings and instructions prior to using rented trencher.
• Secure rented trencher for transport.
• Follow safe practices when hooking up and towing a rented trencher.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Never wear loose clothing or jewelry during use.
• Always wear your seat belt when operating a rented ride-on trencher.
• Do not allow anyone to ride in a rented trencher other than the operator.
• Keep onlookers away from the jobsite while operating the rented trencher.
• Rent the appropriate trencher from your local ARA-affiliated rental store. See The Many Sizes and Types of Rental Trenchers and What to Look for in a Rental Trencher for a description of types of rental trenchers available.
• Check and, if needed, service fluid levels in the rented trencher. Shut off the trencher’s engine before refueling.
• Before use and regularly during operation, check a rented trencher’s chain tension to make sure that it is neither too tight nor too loose. If necessary, adjust its tension according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Perform a worksite inspection, taking note of all obstructions, drop-offs and steep slopes.
• Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for starting and shutting off the rented trencher.
• Only operate the rented trencher from the operator’s position or seat.
• Operate engine of rented trencher at full throttle while trenching.
• Start rented trencher before lowering slowly moving cutting parts to the ground.
• Avoid making sharp, sudden turns with the rented trencher when trenching.
• Always lower the attachment to the ground, turn off the engine and set the parking brake or use chock blocks prior to leaving the rented trencher.
• Mark the areas where you will dig.
• Before you dig, call 811 — the national “Call Before You Dig” phone number — to notify utility companies of your digging plans, so that they can send a locator to mark underground lines for free. Plan ahead, it will be a few days after calling. The exact time requirements for waiting vary by state.

Contact your local, ARA-affiliated, rental store for information on available rental products and services to meet your ride-on trencher and attachment needs. To locate the rental store nearest you, use the Rental Store Quick Locator above.