5 Do’s and Don’ts of Renting Excavators

Excavators are one of the most versatile machines available, as they can be used in a wide variety of applications, ranging from demolition and material handling to river dredging and digging. This is why they are such a critical component of most construction projects.

In addition to their versatility, excavators are known for being both efficient and powerful, making them truly mighty machines and an attractive addition to any fleet, no matter the scale of your operation.

However, the main question that many operation managers find themselves considering is, “Does all of that justify the purchase of an excavator, or is renting one a better option?” This age-old question is an important one to consider, as the outcome of such a decision can have some serious ramifications on various aspects of your operation, both in terms of costs and how your time and energy are spent.

While owning your own excavator certainly comes with some undeniable advantages, there are numerous benefits that you can take advantage of when you rent an excavator rather than buy one. Namely, you will have the benefit of some major savings, as you will not have to spend money on the machine when it is not in use. As well, you will not have to worry about spending money on storage or maintenance and repairs.

In addition, renting excavators will allow you to consistently have access to the latest models on the market, and you will thus be able to leverage state-of-the-art technology that has the potential to improve your operation in various ways.

What are some things that you should always do when renting an excavator?

Once the hardest part is over and you have decided to go the rental route, there are still a number of factors that you must consider to ensure your rental experience goes smoothly.

In particular, there are a few things that you can do to guarantee you get the most out of your rentals, such as the following:

1. Do research ahead of time

Before you contact equipment dealers to arrange an excavator rental, it is always a good idea to research the size and type of excavator that will be best suited for your tasks.

It also helps to look into various rental options ahead of time, rather than merely renting an excavator from the first place you visit. As you conduct your research, make sure you take note of factors such as the age of the equipment, pricing differences, and rental term options.

2. Do ask questions

Even though renting an excavator means you will only have it on a temporary basis, it is still worth asking the rental company many questions, as there is plenty of information that is essential to know.

Of course, you will likely want to learn about various factors pertaining to the different machines you have to choose from, such as their fuel consumption, lifting capacity, age, attachment compatibility, etc.

You will also want to learn as much as you can about the different rental choices available to you, including rental term lengths, the costs associated with the rental, and whether options like rent-to-own programs are on the table.

3. Do get the right attachments

Another critical consideration when renting an excavator is ensuring that you get the right attachments for the particular work you will be doing with the machine.

The main reason that excavators are so versatile is because there are so many different types of attachments that can be used with them. However, this wide assortment of attachments to choose from can also make it overwhelming when it comes to picking just one.

Since each attachment is specifically designed for optimal use on certain types of jobs, make sure that you consult your equipment dealer to guarantee that you rent the attachment(s) you need most along with your excavator.

What are some things that you should never do when renting an excavator?

In addition to keeping things that you should do in mind while renting an excavator, it is also necessary to grasp the various things that you should not do throughout this process. These include the following:

4. Don’t overload your excavator

Like most types of heavy equipment, excavators have certain maximum lift capacities. It is essential to learn the lift capacity of your rental excavator before using it because overloading the machine could cause a breakdown, requiring costly repairs.

In addition to the unnecessary costs of such a scenario, overloading your rented excavator also increases the risk of accidents and injuries for operators.

5. Don’t operate the excavator without reading its manual

When you own your heavy equipment, you tend to know its details quite well, but when you are renting an excavator on a temporary basis, you likely will not be overly familiar with the new machine at first.

This is why it is always necessary to read the excavator’s operator’s manual, as this is the key to learning crucial information about the proper operation of the machine. Not only will learning this information make it easier to best utilize the rented excavator, but it will also enable you to use it safely.

How Oaken Equipment Can Help Facilitate the Rental of Top-Quality Excavators

Another thing that you must do to guarantee a positive excavator renting experience is finding an equipment dealer you can rely on to provide quality equipment, affordable pricing, and fair rental agreements.

Oaken Equipment can provide all these things and satisfy your excavator rental needs. So, if you need Bobcat excavators on a short- or long-term basis, you can count on us.

We have a wide selection of low-hour Bobcat excavators available to rent as well as a huge range of different attachments, which have all been serviced by our in-house team of highly skilled, factory-trained technicians.

If you are new to renting, someone from our team of experienced heavy equipment experts will ensure that you get the most suitable excavator for your needs and will gladly answer your questions.

We will also put together a fair and flexible package that suits exactly what you are looking for. We offer daily, weekly, and monthly rental rates, and long-term and seasonal rates are also available upon request.

For more information about our Bobcat excavators and how you can rent them, or to learn more about the particulars of our rental options, call Oaken Equipment at 1-888-861-1447 or contact us here.