Rent Smart: ARA seminars center on California regulations

As California’s In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleet regulations take effect for all equipment owners of off-road diesel construction equipment, the American Rental Association is presenting in-depth training seminars to help rental dealers and others understand and comply with the new state law.

Beginning June 15, California rental fleet owners of off-road construction equipment with an engine over 25 horsepower which is fueled by any type of diesel fuel are required to register their vehicles with the state and comply with “averaging requirements” for emissions of particulate matter and NOx.

Target dates for emissions reduction level compliance are staggered according to the size of a fleet (determined by the total horsepower of each piece of equipment) and the tier engine-type of each vehicle. There is no fee for registering with the California Air Resources Board but failure to comply with California’s regulations can result in substantial fines, according to John McClelland, vice-president of government affairs for ARA. “Not complying with this regulation is not an option,” says McClelland.

The six-hour ARA/Air Reg. Workshop sessions will be held in mid-July in northern California for rental owners, operators and is also available to non-member contractors as space allows. The registration fee of $125 per person includes training materials and lunch. ARA anticipates conducting more sessions in Northern and Southern California as needed. Contact Callie Jennings at ARA 800-334-2177 x242 or email at [email protected] for dates and locations.


Rental Briefs
Pittsburg’s Maxim Crane Works Holdings has agreed to a merger with affiliates of Platinum Equity Capital Partners. Platinum Equity agrees to purchase all outstanding shares of company stock and hopes to finalize its acquisition of Maxim Crane Works Holdings no later than August 20.

RSC Equipment Rental is partnering with suppliers such as JLG to spec solid rubber tires on all new forklifts as standard equipment in an effort to reduce tire replacement costs. RSC says solid rubber tires last three to four times longer than standard or foam-filled tires and increase operator ride comfort. RSC introduced a similar program for skid-steers and forklifts in 2005.

Partner Insights
Information to advance your business from industry suppliers

Bigge Crane and Rigging, based in San Leandro, California, is adding Alimak SCANDO 650 FC construction hoists to their rental line-up. The hoists are available in single and dual car configurations with up to 7,050 payload capacities and include lift control systems, interlocking hoist cars, base enclosure doors and no counterweights.

LeeBoy paving and construction products are now available to rent at Michigan Cat, based in Novi, Michigan. LeeBoy products, which includes the Rosco product line, feature motor graders, drum rollers, multi-purpose asphalt maintainers, asphalt distributors, pavers, brooms, pneumatic rollers, chip spreaders, pothole patchers and force feed loaders. Recently named the exclusive distributor of LeeBoy paving and construction products within in the state of Michigan, the agreement between LeeBoy and Michigan Cat will add 30 new models available at seven locations statewide.

H&E Equipment Services, with rental locations throughout the Southeast and West, is now offering parts and service for Bil-Jax’s line of scaffolds, lifts, trailers. H&E’s dealer network will also distribute the five Bil-Jax Summit Series trailer-mounted boom lift models and the X-Boom self-propelled boom lifts.

As part of its strategic realignment to focus the company on the aerial equipment rental business, NES Rentals has completed a $500 million fleet modernization plan that includes 16,000 additional pieces of aerial equipment, including 3,000 boom lifts, 1,500 rough-terrain telescopic forks and 800 industrial forklifts. NES also now requires all of its aerial rental equipment to undergo rigorous inspection and maintenance so all machines comply with applicable OEM standards. NES Rentals has 81 locations in 30 states.