New construction equipment is costly and, at times, completely unnecessary. The used equipment market can be a gold mine at times, full of well-maintained and cared-for gems waiting to be put to good use in your business. But finding these gems is a time-consuming process. It pays to be diligent
Canadian hydraulic skidding equipment manufacturer Hydra-Slide, represented in the UK and Europe by international partner Rapid Response Solutions (RRS), has received an award from equipment rental company A-Plant, which staged a week of innovation earlier this summer, including a series of workshops and discussions for supply chain partners. Representatives from
According to recent surveys and statistics, heavy equipment rentals are increasing across the nation, and the trend seems here to stay. Constructions make a dynamic landscape that can take everybody by surprise, especially in our current economy. Renting heavy equipment makes plenty of sense in this day and age, and
Jarvis Contracting’s previous, six-wheeled Mercedes-Benz crane truck provided reliable, cost-effective service for 14 years. No surprise, then, that its highly specified successor also wears a three-pointed star. A long-established construction group based in Hertfordshire, the Jarvis Group acquired its muscular new flagship from Dealer S & B Commercials. The 8×4
National building and engineering company, Britcon has announced that it is taking part in the Stop. Make a Change campaign across its 400-strong workforce in the UK. The initiative, driven by the Civil Engineering & Contractors Association (CECA), is a national stand down which aims to raise better awareness about
Nixon Plant Hire have invested in a large fleet of eco-static welfare units manufactured by the Luton based company, AJC Trailers Limited. This brand new order is for AJC’s EasyCabin environmentally biased, Ecostatic 22 and 28 welfare units. Although Nixon Hire currently operates a substantial fleet of EasyCabin welfare units,
Opening its doors less than a year ago in Astley, only 10 miles from Manchester city centre, Jarvie Plant is already reporting a sharp return on the investment it made in its first depot in England. The Grangemouth-based firm acquired a 3-acre site on Chaddock Lane, employing up to 10
New construction equipment is costly and, at times, completely unnecessary. The used equipment market can be a gold mine at times, full of well-maintained and cared-for gems waiting to be put to good use in your business. But finding these gems is a time-consuming process. It pays to be diligent in your search. The more you inspect and probe before you part with your cash, the more likely your purchase will be a good one and you won’t regret your decision. So, where to start looking for used construction equipment? One of the best places to pick up quality used construction equipment is at auction. www.EquifyAuctions.com is one such auction with an extensive inventory of used equipment. Before you dive right in, here at five tips to finding the best used construction equipment for your business. Get the Exact Specifications Before you even start looking at inventories, make sure you have the precise specifications. So many business owners start looking, even getting as far as negotiating a price before they realise that the equipment they need comes in several sizes or has a number of different attachments. Go into the search informed with the precise requirements and specifications so that you don’t waste any time. Inspect the Machine’s History The dents and scuffs on a machine tell its personal story, but you might want a bit more information before you hand over the cheddar and take the machine home. First, you need to ensure the equipment isn’t stolen. The best way to do this is by writing down the equipment’s serial number and checking it with the police or through the National Equipment Register. Also, check the name on the title and ensure everything adds up. If the name on the title is a financial institution or bank, I would recommend proceeding with caution. This likely means that the equipment has not been paid for in full. If the previous seller doesn’t complete the payments, the machine may be seized by the financial institution, causing you all sorts of headaches later on. Check the Fluid Levels This might sound strange, because after all, you can top up the engine oil, coolant and hydraulic fluid once you get it to your site, but checking the equipment’s fluid level can offer an insight into its maintenance history. If the fluids are low or exceptionally dirty, it could be an indicator that the equipment has not been well looked after. If the previous owners have not maintained a rigorous upkeep schedule, there may be underlying mechanical problems lurking beneath the surface. Check the Operating Hours You should be able to check the machine’s operating hours. You don’t want to buy equipment that was worked ragged by its previous owner (even if you do, you might be able to get the seller to accept a lower price after seeing the equipment’s operating hours). Run the Engine If the equipment has an engine, it is best to test it. Pay extra close attention to how the machine runs when the engine is cold. This will tell you a lot about its maintenance. A poorly-maintained machine will sound a little off or produce a smoke that is exceptionally black or white in colour.
Canadian hydraulic skidding equipment manufacturer Hydra-Slide, represented in the UK and Europe by international partner Rapid Response Solutions (RRS), has received an award from equipment rental company A-Plant, which staged a week of innovation earlier this summer, including a series of workshops and discussions for supply chain partners. Representatives from A-Plant’s 16 specialist divisions joined leading plant, tool, and equipment suppliers for the five-day event, with manufacturers invited to present their latest innovative products, services, and software. Throughout the week almost 40 suppliers were invited to showcase their new kit to a panel of A-Plant colleagues, supply chain partners, and major customers. Only five companies were awarded, included Hydra-Slide / RRS. Janine Smith, vice president at Hydra-Slide, said: “It is truly an honour to be recognised by the industry we aim to serve—and it was unexpected, which makes it even better. We are thrilled to accept this award and will do our absolute best to merit the recognition.” Paul Barber, managing director at RRS, said that raising the profile of Hydra-Slide equipment is crucial to increasing usage. He explained: “Through exhibiting at trade shows such as LiftEx and Breakbulk Europe we are starting to get the range of available equipment known. The products sell themselves once the customer is introduced to them. We are close to concluding some big sales in the UK and next year looks even better. Having the backing and support of a hire company like A-Plant can only help.” Smith concurs: “Because there are so many industries that would benefit from skidding systems and related rigging equipment, raising market awareness remains a top priority.” RRS supports A-Plant by supplying Hydra-Slide products for its hire fleet – a more desirable approach for A Plant than acquiring its own inventory. “A-Plant wants to offer a complete service to customers and part of that involves knowing how and where to access specialist services. I have on several occasions attended customer meetings to offer such product knowledge and potential solutions” he added. Jacking load shoes The winning entry centred on the 250-ton capacity JLS250 jacking load shoes, a complementary product to the Hydra-Slide HT300 and HT500 Heavy Track skidding systems. Each shoe includes a 250-ton capacity double-acting lift cylinder that can be connected hydraulically with any number of other shoes increasing the overall system capacity while maintaining equal load support and weight distribution. As the judging panel heard, using four shoes will increase the HT500 system capacity to 1,000 tons (900 tonnes); using eight shoes will give the system a load capacity of 2,000 tons (1,800 tonnes). This is accomplished while maintaining a low working height; the safety of the high friction coefficient of the system; as well as the added advantage of compensation for poor or uneven ground support through a three-point suspension hydraulic connection between the shoes. Janine Smith pointed to further applications of the jacking load shoes, not only for moving large transformers, vessels and reactors but also great potential in the Tunnel Boring sector. She added: “Our goal is to be able to outfit an entire rigging department with all the equipment they need to complete a slide project, including custom-built components when a unique challenge arises. Our product development is powered by client feedback and new challenges. We see a trend towards implementing the most compact, efficient and versatile equipment possible.” Dave Harris, business development director at A-Plant said: “Not only is innovation essential to ensure we have a steady stream of new products or services to bring into to the UK rental market, but also to allow us to contribute to some of society’s bigger challenges relating to safety, sustainability, and productivity. All of the companies awarded have presented truly innovative products.” www.hydra-slide.com
According to recent surveys and statistics, heavy equipment rentals are increasing across the nation, and the trend seems here to stay. Constructions make a dynamic landscape that can take everybody by surprise, especially in our current economy. Renting heavy equipment makes plenty of sense in this day and age, and construction managers are always searching for the best and most reliable companies out there. Of course, along the years, some names stood out from the crowd as visionary brands ready to meet their clients’ needs and exceed their expectations. Today, we will see five such heavy equipment rental companies and discuss their features and benefits if you want to work with them. 1. Hertz Equipment Rental Hertz is a massive name in the car rental business and, since 2014 it became a model of good practices in the heavy equipment rental services as well. Make sure you read this guide on what to know before you rent construction equipment from Hertz, as you will learn plenty of information on what types of equipment (heavy, electric, construction, etc.) they offer, what truck and trailers they have for rent, what insurance policies they use, pick-up and delivery rules, prices, offers, and much more. In comparison to many of its competitors, Hertz also offers governmental services – state and federal authorities can now rent heavy and specialized equipment from Hertz when the situation asks for such strategies, and Hertz is happy to oblige. Such partnerships make Hertz somewhat unique in the heavy equipment rental business and guarantee that Hertz does an impeccable job. Here is some more information you might want to know about Hertz Rentals: Besides the rental services, Hertz offers you the possibility of buying the equipment you rented if you realize you need it in the long run; If you want new equipment, you can contact your Hertz representative, as they also sell brand-new heavy machinery for plenty of construction purposes. 2. Home Depot Equipment Rental Do not raise an eyebrow, as the giant home improvement company Home Depot made a name for itself in the equipment rental business in the past few years. In fact, it makes perfect sense to rent what you do not buy from Home Depot, as they are ready to offer you everything you need from small garden tools to massive construction machinery. The Home Depot Equipment Rental can provide you with tools and equipment in the following fields: Demolition; Cutting and concrete; Floor care and sanding; Fastening and welding; General constructions; Large equipment; Moving and lifting, and many more. To get a better idea of the facilities, Home Depot can provide you with equipment rental you should find a Home Depot store near you and make sure they deliver in your area. With more than 2,000 units across the country, you will surely find something to meet your needs. 3. CAT Construction Equipment Rental CAT – or Caterpillar as professional construction managers and workers know it – is a giant in the business. Traditionally, CAT sells some of the best-branded tools and equipment on the market, but it developed its construction rental business in the past years as well – and successfully for that matter. CAT’s global dealer network has 1,600 locations, and you will surely find one in the area you conduct your construction operations. However, you need to know that CAT heavy equipment rental prices may depend on your location. For this reason, it is better to get in touch with one of their representatives and make sure they can rent you what you need for the price that is comfortable for all parties. We think that as a construction manager, you already know that the overall U.S. construction spending fell about 1.1% in June this year, so it is better to revise your plans and see how to integrate rental equipment in your project best. CAT, while is not famous for its low prices, is renowned for its quality tools, equipment, and machinery, and you want to factor in such matters before you move along with your construction objectives. 4. United Rentals United Rentals is a name to remember if you’re going to rent industrial and construction machinery and equipment. The company, founded in 1997, became the largest equipment rental brand in the world. We have few things to say about United Rentals, in fact, as this leading firm’s results speak for themselves: They offer industry solutions and specialty solutions; in other words, if you know you need some equipment, but you are not sure it exists, or it works, talk to United Rentals first, they may help you faster than you imagine; They have stores in the U.S. and Canada, so you should not worry about finding someone to talk to; Their prices may not be small, but they do have the reputation of offering impeccable services and excellent customer support. If green building is your game, you will find backing for the construction of LEED-certified buildings and clean construction projects at United Rentals as well. 5. Sunbelt Rentals One of the Big Five heavy equipment renting companies, Sunbelt showed exponential growth from one year to the next. It expanded in Canada, besides the U.S. and now provides industries and contractors with equipment ranging from the most massive industrial machines to the smallest residential tools. Now a part of the UK-owned Ashtead Group, Sunbelt Rentals is a large company, with an unmatched reputation, and excellent offers for its commercial, residential, municipal, and industrial customers. Sunbelt also stands out from the crowd with its determination to turn customer service into art and deliver everything people need promptly. If your concerns are delays and unforeseen events, you can rely on Sunbelt to take some worries off your shoulders. Conclusion As you probably know for a few years now, white papers and surveys showed that tech innovations drive increases in heavy equipment leases and rentals. It is one of the primary motives for companies – not traditionally associated with heavy equipment rentals
Jarvis Contracting’s previous, six-wheeled Mercedes-Benz crane truck provided reliable, cost-effective service for 14 years. No surprise, then, that its highly specified successor also wears a three-pointed star. A long-established construction group based in Hertfordshire, the Jarvis Group acquired its muscular new flagship from Dealer S & B Commercials. The 8×4 Arocs 3235 has a ClassicSpace M-Cab, behind which is installed an Italian-built, 36 tonne-metre Fassi F365A e-dynamic knuckle boom crane. Its beavertail body, meanwhile, is by Sterling Bodies, of Stokesley, North Yorkshire. Purpose-designed for construction-related applications, the Mercedes-Benz Arocs offers a compelling blend of strength, payload capacity and performance. Jarvis Contracting’s truck is powered by a 7.7-litre straight-six engine which transmits its 260 kW (354 hp) output via a 12-speed Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated gearbox. To reflect the fact that the truck will spend most of its time working on road, the operator has chosen rear air suspension in preference to steel springs. As well as being more comfortable and quieter for the driver, this arrangement means the body can be lowered when required, making it easier to load plant. The Arocs is smartly finished in the Jarvis Group’s red, white and blue corporate scheme, and rides on Alcoa alloy wheels, while its appearance is further enhanced by a sun visor and roof-mounted beacons. From a safety perspective, meanwhile, the truck is equipped with a full complement of cameras and a side-scan system that meet the FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) Gold standard. Established more than 100 years ago by Ernest Charles Jarvis, the Jarvis Group comprises four specialist divisions: Jarvis Contracting, E7 Building Services, Jarvis Homes and Jarvis Commercial. Individually and together, they design, build and maintain all types of property for private and public sector clients, delivering new build projects with values of up to £20 million. Jarvis Group Plant & Transport Manager David Meadows recalled: “Our last crane vehicle had been on the road since 2004 and was exceptionally reliable, so we certainly got our money’s worth. “This experience was an important factor, of course, but it was not the only reason we chose another Mercedes-Benz. We did a lot of homework on the specification before we ordered this new truck, and S & B were able to provide us with a 32-tonne chassis that ticked all our boxes.” He continued: “Ride height was crucial. We’d had some issues previously when manoeuvring on rough terrain, particularly with the front end, which was dragging. The Arocs provides plenty of ground clearance, with high approach and departure angles that make it ideally suited to site work.” Jarvis Contracting works primarily in the northern Home Counties, London (north of The Thames) and the south Midlands, with its specialist retail and fit-out team operating nationally. It is now using the new eight-wheeler to transport plant and modular accommodation units from its own plant division. The vehicle has been assigned to dedicated driver Andy Bewley. “He’s a very happy lad, and so he should be, because the Arocs is a beautiful piece of equipment,” continued Mr Meadows. “Image is important, too, and the new truck looks fantastic in our branding.” The subject of an eight-year Mercedes-Benz Complete Service Contract, the truck will be inspected and maintained at S & B Commercials’ headquarters in Welham Green, near Hatfield. The Arocs is also equipped with revolutionary Mercedes-Benz Uptime maintenance technology, which employs an array of sensors that monitor its condition constantly. As a result, S & B will know precisely what is required before the truck reaches the workshop, and can order parts in advance while setting aside sufficient time during a single visit to complete all tasks. Thus, the system ensures Maximised Use – one of the three pillars of Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ all-embracing RoadEfficiency strategy – for the operator. David Meadows added: “S & B’s Key Account Manager Vick Croker went to a lot of time and trouble to ensure that we ordered exactly the right truck. He’s a true gent, very easy to deal with, and made the process a real pleasure.” www.jarvisgroupltd.co.uk
National building and engineering company, Britcon has announced that it is taking part in the Stop. Make a Change campaign across its 400-strong workforce in the UK. The initiative, driven by the Civil Engineering & Contractors Association (CECA), is a national stand down which aims to raise better awareness about construction industry health and safety and mental health. In April 2017 the campaign was launched for organisations from across the UK infrastructure sector to take part. Sites, offices and production facilities stopped current works to focus on working together to build a healthier and safer industry. In 2018, the campaign expanded to the wider industry. The campaign focuses primarily on two key priorities, Mental Health and Plant Safety. Currently, one in four people will suffer from mental health issues each year, with more than 400,000 days being lost to work-related stress, anxiety and depression in construction. Construction relies heavily on the use of mobile plant to support delivery on site and with 217 people killed in the industry over the last five years and around 10 per cent hit by moving vehicles, awareness and training needs to happen continually. Paul Clarkson, Managing Director at Britcon said, “By taking part in Stop. Make a Change, we have committed heavily by signing up to cross-industry initiatives and leading our own change programmes within the company. “Through planning and organisation our Health & Safety team has developed a bespoke training programme and visited all of our current and live sites to conduct a training programme on both mental wellbeing and plant safety. Staff welfare is paramount at Britcon. CECA chief executive Alasdair Reisner commented “We are delighted by the impact that Stop. Make a Change has had in 2018. Across the country more than 80,000 people at companies like Britcon have joined forces to commit themselves to make a better, safer industry for everyone that works in it.” Britcon is committed to continue this training year-round and has also been awarded funds from the CITB to support further training which will starting in May 2018. Established for more than 26 years, Britcon is £50 million turnover business headquartered in Scunthorpe and directly employs over 100 people and more than 300 through subcontractors on its project sites across the UK. Key contracts includes a £13.5 million contract to deliver a new anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in Dagenham for food waste recycler ReFood (UK) Ltd, a series of new developments, extensions and refurbishment projects valued over £10 million for Lidl, and contracts worth over £4 million for global chemicals business Kemira for which it won ‘Contract of the Year 2017 from CECA. Britcon is listed by the London Stock Exchange in its report of ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Europe’. @Britcon_Limited
Nixon Plant Hire have invested in a large fleet of eco-static welfare units manufactured by the Luton based company, AJC Trailers Limited. This brand new order is for AJC’s EasyCabin environmentally biased, Ecostatic 22 and 28 welfare units. Although Nixon Hire currently operates a substantial fleet of EasyCabin welfare units, this is the first time that Nixon have opted for the EasyCabin Ecostatic range. Commenting on their latest investment, Graham Nixon, Nixon’s Hire managing director said, “The decision to upgrade and enhance our temporary accommodation fleet was driven by demand from our clients requesting eco-biased units.” “AJC EasyCabin have themselves invested heavily in innovation and green technology, therefore when we evaluated their Ecostatic units it soon became apparent that, in our opinion, these were the most environmentally advanced welfare units available,” confirmed Mr. Nixon. Lisa Gillet, AJC’s sales director added, “We are naturally delighted that a market leading temporary accommodation hire firm, such as Nixon Hire, are committing themselves to our Ecostatic range. This is a testament to the foresight and creative thinking that our design teams are applying to bring real environmental benefits to all users of temporary accommodation. Environmental, energy-saving features are at the heart of the Ecostatic range.” The Ecostatic 22 is an eco-welfare unit that provides safe and comfortable facilities for up to twelve persons. The unit features a market changing modern appearance compared to other welfare cabins in the hire industry. This modern cabin includes energy efficient technology of automatic start/stop generator functionality and battery charging, with simplistic heating controls and 12v LED slim line recessed ceiling lights. There are also useful USB sockets, external lights and a fridge. Also included is a spacious canteen, plus hygienic toilets and a handy spacious drying room. Power is delivered via EasyCabin’s unique Ecosmart technology which regulates the power usage of the generator, reducing the fuel consumption dramatically when compared to the industry standard of a continually running generator. The EasyCabin Ecostatic 28 has all the features and benefits of the Ecostatic 22; however this unit provides additional office space for two persons and is one of the most eco-friendly and efficient static welfare units available in today’s market. Founded in 1967, Nixon Hire is a family-run business employing nearly 500 people across an ever-expanding depot network. With over 50 years of experience they supply quality plant, tools, and temporary accommodation alongside portable toilet products supported by associated services. Nixon Hire currently has 13 depots in the north of England and throughout Scotland. AJC EasyCabin has recently been awarded a Green Apple Environment Award in an international campaign to find the greenest companies, councils and communities. AJC competed against more than 500 other nominations in the Green Apple Awards for Environmental Best Practice and were presented with a trophy and certificate at an award presentation ceremony in the Houses of Parliament, London, in November 2017.
Opening its doors less than a year ago in Astley, only 10 miles from Manchester city centre, Jarvie Plant is already reporting a sharp return on the investment it made in its first depot in England. The Grangemouth-based firm acquired a 3-acre site on Chaddock Lane, employing up to 10 staff and investing heavily in a wide range of hire equipment, including telehandlers, dumpers, excavators, site accommodation, vehicles, generators and lighting. In January, Manchester was confirmed by Deloitte Real Estate’s latest Crane Survey as one of the fastest growing cities in Europe, highlighting a booming construction market as a key driver. Residential and office developments across the city are on the rise with a 60% increase in the number of units being constructed, and in excess of 1.5 million sq ft of business space is being developed across six new schemes. It’s a trend, say company bosses, which has been reflected in the flow of local firms who have visited their Manchester facility. “Our customers range from small to large businesses in a diverse mix of sectors and we have quickly established a name for providing high quality plant and a reliable service,” explains regional operations manager, Dave Ingleby. “We are aiming to provide a customer focused service where we understand the client’s needs and we’ll go that extra mile to meet the requirements of developers and contractors.” This proactive approach is winning the business new clients such as a property developer working on the conversion of a bonded warehouse in the city centre. Following detailed discussions around the complexities of the project, a tailored package of accommodation units, a power generator, small dumper and excavator were all delivered. An 18m telehandler was also supplied to allow materials to be delivered at height. But it’s not just in Manchester where Jarvie’s plant has been distributed. The depot is close to junctions of the M60 and M61 making the entire north-west area accessible. A ground works contractor currently has static welfare units on hire at three prestigious housing developments in Crosby, Handforth and St Helens; while several rough terrain fork trucks are out to a cladding company with one as far south as Welshpool. In addition to the spike in construction activity in the area, there are also some major infrastructure projects ongoing. A £1bn extension of Manchester Airport is underway and the sprawling Metrolink system is being extended with a new 3.4-mile line to the Trafford Centre. “With so much activity across the region it is vital that developers complete their projects safely, on time and within budget,” adds Mr Ingleby. “Using our own transportation we can deliver vital plant equipment direct to site and we are finding this proactive, helpful service is being well received.”
