5 Do’s and Don’ts of Renting Heavy Equipment

When it comes to construction projects, one of the most pivotal keys to getting things done efficiently, properly, and in a timely fashion is having the appropriate equipment for the job on hand.

However, the precise heavy equipment you require for specific parts of a given job may not always be part of your permanent fleet, especially since you may only require certain machines every now and again.

In such cases, it does not make sense to invest a considerable amount of money into purchasing these machines only to store them most of the time and occasionally use them. It does make more sense, however, to rent them when you need them and return them when you do not.

Not only will renting such heavy equipment save you a lot of money, but it will also save you significant time, as you will not have to worry about dealing with the logistics of storing, maintaining, or repairing these machines since this is not necessary with rentals.

What are the most important dos and don’ts when renting heavy equipment?

Even though when you rent heavy equipment, you will likely only be using it temporarily, there are still a number of important considerations that are worth keeping in mind as you seek out this equipment and go through the rental process.

There are certain things you should always do when you rent heavy equipment, just as there are some things you should never do when renting these machines. The following are some of the most important dos and don’ts you should always remember when it comes time to rent heavy equipment:

The Dos

1. Do prioritize safety

You may be quite comfortable operating the heavy equipment that is part of your fleet and that you use on a daily basis. Still, every type of machine operates differently and comes with its own unique safety precautions.

Therefore, when you rent a machine you have never used before, it is critical to get adequate instructions from the vendor about how to properly use it. In addition, you and anyone else who will be operating that machine should review the Operators Manual to learn how to safely operate the machine.

Taking the time to learn how to safely use a piece of equipment will always be worth it because safety should always be put first.

Do conduct some research

Most of the time, it is necessary to rent heavy equipment for an unusual or otherwise difficult task. In such cases, it is important to adequately research which machines would be best for getting that work done.

While you may think that you know exactly what you need, you may be surprised at the nuggets of information you can find just by doing a little research. Indeed, there may be another machine better suited to your particular needs that you would not have known about otherwise.

In addition to considering the function for which you require the equipment, you should also consider the project environment, as certain equipment may be better for a project on a rocky hill versus flat ground (for example), and vice versa.

Do get the right attachments

It is not only important to select the right equipment for the job; it is just as crucial to choose the right attachments. Therefore, make sure that you keep this in mind as you are renting heavy equipment, especially if you are renting crushing and screening equipment, loaders or excavators.

The last thing you want to do is spend your time and money on renting a certain machine, transport it to your job site, and then realize it is inefficient or essentially useless because you do not have the right attachment.

The Don’ts

Don’t overload your rented equipment

Most of the time, heavy equipment has weight capacities that are important to be aware of and adhere to.

If you rent unfamiliar equipment, one of the first things you should look into is its weight capacity. You definitely do not want to overload your rented equipment since this could lead to a breakdown for which you may be held financially responsible.

In addition, overloading heavy equipment results in a higher risk of injuries and accidents for operators. Therefore, do not ever neglect these important restrictions.

Don’t keep rented equipment for longer than the rental period

It is natural for some projects to take longer than expected. When you are using your own equipment, this may not make a huge difference, but when you are using rented equipment, it is important that you do not break the terms of the rental agreement.

If your rental company expects to get their equipment back on a certain day and you think you will need it beyond that day, do not keep it for as long as you need and then bring it back when you want without communicating with the rental company.

In most cases, if you reach out and express a need to extend your rental period, that will be feasible, but communicating this information to your dealership and getting confirmation from them is key.

How Nors Equipment Can Help You Rent Necessary Heavy Equipment

If you believe you will temporarily need some equipment you do not currently own, then Nors Equipment would be happy to help you with all your heavy equipment rental needs.

Our extensive lineup of rental equipment includes all of the machines you may require, from crushing and screening equipment to wheel loaders to excavators and articulated haulers to compactors, all of which are manufactured by top-of-the-line brands. We take pride in keeping our rental equipment in tip-top shape, as our expert technicians perform regular and thorough maintenance on all our machines.

We also offer a wide range of flexible rental plans tailored to fit your budget so you can ensure you get exactly what you need without breaking the bank. We even offer rent-to-own options that allow you to apply up to 100% of your rental payments to a buyout at the end of your agreed-upon rental term if that is something you are interested in.

If you speak with someone from our team about your specific needs, they will gladly help you sort out a rental arrangement that works for you quickly and efficiently so that you can get back to your job site with everything you need in no time.

​​For more information about our heavy equipment rental options or to learn more about our different rental periods, call Nors Equipment at 1-833-730-0613 or contact us here.