Companies that rent equipment frequently can reduce costs and expand their services. Whether you run a business or perform do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, equipment rentals can help you complete your toughest tasks. Learning more about the most rented equipment can help you choose the right option for your next job.
Advantages of Popular Equipment Rentals
The industry’s most-rented tools and equipment help companies enhance their operations. You can enjoy the following benefits by renting equipment.
Cost Savings
Renting equipment can help you significantly reduce costs. When you rent, you can use equipment without making a large investment. Renting also eliminates the need to pay for long-term storage and maintenance fees.
Rental providers take care of maintenance and repairs, and they often offer equipment protection plans to cover you if damage occurs.
Flexibility for Short-Term Needs
Rental equipment is perfect for short-term needs, such as the following:
- Spring and summer landscaping
- Winter construction
- Winter snow removal
- Spring and fall roofing
- Spring and summer asphalt paving
- One-time do-it-yourself (DIY) projects
- One-time construction projects for special client requests
- Busy seasons
Ability to Expand Services and Boost Revenue
Use rental equipment to expand your services. Rental equipment lets you perform more tasks without investing in a large fleet, and you can tailor each rental to your specific needs. This is especially helpful if you want to boost revenue while reducing costs.
Access to the Latest Equipment and Technology
Equipment rental companies typically offer newer equipment models with the latest technology. You can use advanced tools such as telematics to boost efficiency on your jobsites.
Competitive Advantage
Expanding your services and using the latest technology gives you a competitive advantage. You can enhance your offerings to attract more customers and grow your business.
Ability to Try Equipment Before Purchasing
Making an informed purchase is easier when you can test different pieces of equipment in the field. Renting is the perfect opportunity to try new models and determine which is best suited to your business’s needs.
Increased Uptime
Rental equipment can help your team support uptime and remain operational. When you own a machine, routine maintenance and unexpected repairs can halt progress. Rentals can help keep your projects moving on schedule.
What Types of Equipment Are Rented Most Frequently?
Many companies and DIY-ers rent the following types of equipment to support operations throughout the year.
Power Systems
Power systems such as generators and air compressors provide the power you need for operations. You can also depend on temperature control systems to manage temperatures for various applications.
Heavy Equipment
Various types of heavy equipment are available to handle your heavy-duty applications. From compact track loaders to large excavators, you can rent the exact machine you need for each job.
Aerial Lifts
Aerial lifts are highly useful in various industries. You can use various types of aerial lifts to elevate workers and tools. Whether you need to work on a high-rise structure or repair telephone lines, aerial lifts are some of the top-rented equipment for elevated work needs.
Most Popular Equipment Rentals
Here are the top pieces of equipment rented by industry professionals and DIY-ers like you.
Bulldozers
Bulldozers are essential for pushing and moving various types of materials. The following industries depend on Cat® dozers for many applications:
- Construction
- Mining
- Forestry
- Solid waste management
Excavators
Cat excavators handle heavy-duty earthmoving and heavy lifting for the following applications:
- Digging trenches and foundations
- Digging holes
- Demolition
- Earthmoving
- Clearing debris
- Stump removal and brush cutting
Depend on various Cat excavator models for superior digging capabilities. These robust pieces of equipment operate with advanced hydraulic systems and are easy to operate. Their energy efficiency can help you reduce fuel costs and complete projects faster.
Track Loaders
Track loaders are powerful pieces of equipment for the following earthmoving tasks:
- Pushing
- Digging
- Loading
- Transporting
- Grading
- Leveling
Cat track loaders can handle your heaviest loads. They’re also highly versatile, operating well in confined spaces and on rough terrain. Durable tracks distribute weight more evenly than wheels, which helps minimize damage on uneven ground and soft surfaces.
Compact Track Loaders
Compact track loaders offer excellent traction and durability like large track loaders. However, compact models are much better at maneuvering in tight spaces. If you have a project or jobsite with obstacles or narrow pathways, a compact track loader is the ideal piece of equipment. You can use it for these tasks:
- Small site preparation
- Moving materials
- Digging trenches
- Landscaping
- Grounds maintenance
Wheel Loaders
Wheel loaders are also known as payloaders, bucket loaders and front-end loaders. They are perfect for material loading and handling applications such as:
- Digging
- Pushing
- Loading
- Transporting
A wheel loader benefits various industries and is perfect for use on hard, solid surfaces. Its heavy-duty wheels allow it to travel quickly on ground materials such as asphalt and compacted dirt.
Skid Steer Loaders
A skid steer loader is very similar to a wheel loader but more compact and maneuverable. With a skid steer, you can independently operate the right and left wheels to make zero-radius turns. Skid steers are ideal for tight spaces and indoor use.
Backhoe Loaders
A backhoe loader has a backhoe and a front bucket attachment. The backhoe digs holes and trenches while the front attachment loads and moves materials. Cat backhoes offer excellent precision and power.
Motor Graders
Motor graders are essential for creating smooth surfaces in applications such as:
- Paving
- Ditching
- Foundation preparation
- Grading
- Leveling
- Creating slopes and inclined surfaces
Cat motor graders come with ergonomic cabs and controls for comfortable operation. They also feature state-of-the-art hydraulics and electronics for enhanced productivity. You can rely on a Cat motor grader to help you increase uptime on your jobsite.
Paving Equipment
Pavers are heavy-duty equipment for your asphalt paving needs. You can depend on a Cat or Weiler paver for large-scale projects, such as:
- Parking lots
- Airport runways
- Highways
You can also find paving equipment such as road wideners and asphalt compactors to prepare surfaces. Caterpillar and Weiler manufacture industry-leading paving equipment to help you complete projects efficiently.
Compactors and Rollers
Soil compactors are also known as pad foot compactors and road rollers. They are vital for surface preparation in these applications:
- Construction
- Road building
- Landfills
- Agriculture sites
Cat compactors feature an advanced tamping wheel tip design to maximize soil density. This advantage helps you complete jobs faster, boosting overall efficiency.
You can also rent rollers to compact asphalt or soil after you apply it. Rollers are excellent for large-scale road construction projects.
Dump Trucks
On-highway dump trucks offer the durability you need for tasks such as:
- Hauling materials between construction sites
- Removing debris
- Removing waste
- Spreading rocks
- Carrying melting agents such as salt to treat icy roads
Rent single-axle dump trucks with six-cubic-yard beds to meet your project needs. Durable models make it easy to complete jobs quickly and efficiently.
Wheel Tractor Scrapers
Wheel tractor scrapers are also called pan scrapers or land scrapers. These robust pieces of earthmoving equipment feature a sharp front edge for the following purposes:
- Leveling surfaces
- Digging and hauling materials
- Mine stripping
- Mine reclamation
- Road construction and development
- Dam construction
- Landfill cell construction
Cat manufactures different types of scrapers to meet various needs. Bowl scrapers work well with bulldozers to load and move materials. Elevating scrapers can raise materials for easier loading.
Water Trucks
Water trucks are essential for wetting dusty surfaces in road construction and excavation applications. Cat water trucks have a large capacity and make it easy to prepare surfaces and control dust. You can choose between 2,000-gallon and 4,000-gallon options based on project requirements.
Generators
Generators provide the power you need in the event of an outage. They are also essential when you have temporary power needs for a construction project or special event. Dependable generators offer various ratings and voltages to meet your needs.
Air Compressors
Rental air compressors are vital when your primary equipment requires maintenance or repairs. You can also rent air compressors for temporary jobsites or to accommodate unexpected spikes in business. Various air compressor models offer different air pressure delivery rates to fit your applications.
Articulated Knuckle Boom Lifts
An articulated knuckle boom lift features a work platform and a jointed arm to maneuver around obstacles. It’s an excellent way to reach tight spaces. Companies in various industries rent articulated knuckle booms for the following applications:
- Lifting objects out of the ground or into buildings
- Helping workers reach significant heights
- Lifting heavy materials in mining projects
- Hoisting and unloading heavy objects
- Building or maintaining high-rise buildings
- Working on bridge construction or repair.
Renting an articulated knuckle boom can make many of your tasks, from accessing hard-to-reach places to performing maintenance work, easier.
Atrium Lifts
An atrium lift is also known as a spider lift because of its extendable legs. These legs help stabilize the lift, and a jointed arm lifts workers and objects to various heights. You can rent an atrium lift for indoor or outdoor use.
Atrium lifts are lighter and narrower than articulated knuckle booms. They easily fit through doorways, and their tracks allow them to move across rough terrain.
Electric Scissor Lifts
Scissor lifts can handle more weight than boom and atrium lifts. They have a lower reach, making them perfect for minor indoor tasks.
Scissor lifts move their platforms vertically. A scissor lift features a large work platform, accommodating multiple workers and the tools they need.
You can choose from various lift capacities to meet your exact requirements. Rent a scissor lift for the following types of tasks:
- Painting
- Drywall installation
- Electrical work
- Lighting installation and
- Roofing and gutter work
- Indoor and outdoor maintenance tasks
- Window cleaning
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) work
Rough Terrain Scissor Lifts
Rough terrain scissor lifts are for your more rugged jobs. The following features allow you to work on uneven terrain and challenging surfaces:
- Large tires
- Four-wheel drive
- High ground clearance
- Traction control
You can level a rough terrain scissor lift on sloped surfaces. It also has a higher weight capacity, allowing you to lift more tools or workers on its platform.
Straight Telescopic Booms
Straight telescopic booms extend in straight lines or at angles. They can reach heights up to 185 feet for your large-scale project needs. Rent a Genie or JLG straight telescopic boom for your next project.
Personnel Carriers
Personnel carriers are also known as man lifts. A personnel carrier features a telescopic boom, allowing you to extend in a straight line or at an angle. It also features a rotating turntable and a bucket that can hold one worker.
Towable Boom Lifts
A towable boom lift’s portability makes it easy to transport between jobsites. Rent a towable boom lift if you need to perform various tasks in more than one location.
Telehandlers
A telehandler features a telescopic boom that fits various attachments. Its boom also enables you to place and position objects with precision. Telehandlers are helpful for the following applications:
- Temporary structure installation
- Reaching areas other types of equipment can’t reach
- Lifting large loads
- Moving bales of hay
- Crop transportation
- Infrastructure repair
- Truck loading and unloading
Consider renting different types of heavy-duty Cat telehandlers to meet your needs. Rough terrain telehandlers offer maximum stability on challenging terrain. Compact telehandlers are ideal for maneuvering in tight spaces.
Cranes
A crane can move heavy objects vertically and horizontally. The following types of cranes are available:
- Carry deck cranes: Carry deck cranes are small, low-profile pieces of equipment. They offer excellent maneuverability for work in tight spaces.
- Mini crawler cranes: Mini crawler cranes are highly maneuverable and can work on rough terrain.
Popular Attachment Rentals
Work tools are also among the most popular rentals. You can rent durable tools such as the following for your upcoming projects.
Angle Blades
Angle blades attach to heavy equipment and angle right or left. This configuration enables you to move material to the side. An angle blade is a great choice for trenching and grading. It’s also helpful for shaping land because it delivers precise control in earthmoving applications.
Box Blade Scrapers
You can attach a box blade scraper to a skid steer loader, tractor or compact track loader. This attachment spreads materials efficiently for grading and leveling tasks.
Augers
Augers are spiral-shaped tools used to drill holes in the ground. They are perfect for installing fence posts and preparing for building foundations. You can also use an auger to dig irrigation trenches and till garden beds.
Brooms
Mechanical broom attachments can help you remove debris from surfaces such as:
- Parking lots.
- Driveways.
- Construction sites.
Bush Hogs
Bush hogs are heavy-duty rotary cutter attachments. Rent a bush hog attachment if you need to clear overgrown vegetation from a jobsite.
Buckets
Various types of bucket attachments are available for earthmoving applications. With the right bucket attachment, you can dig and move materials easily.
Forestry Mulchers
Forestry mulchers grind vegetation into mulch. A forestry mulcher attachment is a great option for land-clearing applications.
Grapple Buckets
Grapple buckets manipulate and move materials. They are excellent options for debris disposal, log transportation and vegetation removal.
Landscape Rakes
Landscape rakes help remove debris and level the ground. They are often rented for soil preparation purposes.
Power Rakes
A power rake is another great option for debris removal and land preparation. Its rotating blades can break up soil and level the ground efficiently.
Overseeders
Overseeders spread seeds evenly and efficiently. Renting an overseeder is an excellent way to boost productivity during your planting season.
Pulverizers
Pulverizers crush and grind hard materials into smaller pieces. They can handle tough materials such as bricks and concrete. Renting a pulverize is especially beneficial in demolition applications.
Stump Grinders
A stump grinder grinds wood stumps into small chips. You can rent a stump grinder to clear land for construction and landscaping purposes.
Trenchers
A trencher attachment features a rotating chain with teeth. It digs precise, narrow trenches for various purposes. You can rent a trencher attachment for an excavator or skid steer. It’s an excellent option if you need to install underground systems such as electrical cables or drainage pipes.
Tillers
Tillers break up the soil with rotating tines. You can use a tiller to prepare your land or a landscaping site for planting.
Vibratory Drum Compactors
Vibratory drum compactors compact various ground materials. They use high-frequency vibrations to pack down soil and gravel. You can also use a vibratory drum compactor to compress asphalt.
Aerators
Aerators create holes in the ground by penetrating the soil. They help water and air penetrate soil so nutrients can reach grass easily. You can choose from the following types of aerator rentals:
- Spike: A spike aerator features solid tines to puncture the soil. Choose this option for light compaction relief on small lawns.
- Core: Core aerators are best for handling moderate to severe soil compaction.
- Tow-behind: You can attach a tow-behind aerator to a tractor. This option is best for medium to large areas or projects requiring enhanced efficiency.
- Ride-on: Ride-on aerators are the most powerful option. They are ideal for aerating the soil on large or commercial properties.
How to Decide When to Rent Equipment
Knowing when to rent or purchase equipment is key to managing your budget. Consider the following factors in your decision.
Frequency of Use
Purchasing may be ideal if you plan to use equipment frequently. However, renting is the best option if you need equipment for a one-off job or seasonal projects. This lets you save money on large investments when you only plan to use machines a few times or for a short period.
Budget
Does a large equipment purchase fit within your budget? If not, renting is a fantastic way to meet your needs while saving money.
Considering maintenance costs is also important. Renting takes maintenance responsibilities off your shoulders, helping you save more money and reduce overhead costs.
Storage Needs
Consider how much storage space you have. Purchasing new equipment may require you to build additional structures for equipment storage. When you rent, you can save money on long-term solutions.
Technology
Renting can enable your team to take advantage of the latest equipment models and features — these options may be out of your current budget if your business were purchasing the machine.
Manufacturers consistently update equipment with newer technology to boost efficiency and productivity. Accessing these features through rentals is an excellent way to enhance your operations.
Rent High-Quality Equipment From MacAllister Rentals
Rental equipment is the best solution to expand your capabilities and save money. From heavy-duty equipment to versatile tools and attachments, you can rent what you need for any project.
MacAllister Rentals offers the industry’s most popular rental equipment to meet your needs. We carry dependable models from top brands such as Caterpillar, JLG and Vermeer. Our team provides excellent customer service, and we can help you choose the right option for each application.
Browse our selection of rental equipment or contact us to learn more about our offerings.
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