Best Rental Products - First Annual Rental Readers' Choice Awards

Recently, we surveyed our readers to find out what they consider to be the best product in their rental inventory in terms of return on investment, durability and customer satisfaction. Following are a few of the winning entries.

Rental magazine congratulates both the manufacturers that produce these rental powerhouses and the rental professionals who have benefitted from owning them.

To see more Readers’ Choice winners, visit RentalProductNews.com.

Terramite T5CTractor-Loader-Backhoe

Nominated by: Franklin Cloninger at Triangle True Value in Greenwood, SC

“Our store purchased the Terramite T5C in 1998 — that was 13 years ago!” says Franklin Cloninger at Triangle True Value. “A machine with that age is unusual for the rental industry, but this machine has been so dependable we just couldn’t justify replacing it.”

He continues, “The machine’s dependability is one reason why it’s my favorite. Add to that the TC5’s versatility and ease of use, and you have a winning combination. The simplicity of the TC5 also makes it a favorite with the guys in the shop. Maintenance is pretty simple and Terramite has provided great product support every time we’ve had a question. The end result of this machine is a great ROI and low maintenance cost. At the end of the day it’s a money maker.”

Cloninger says many of his contractor customers look at this machine for the first time and say it looks like a big riding lawn mower. “They ask us, ‘Are you sure this thing will dig a hole?’ These same contractors come back and say, ‘Wow, that machine packs a punch!’”

The DIY and homeowner customers that rent the TC5 like its small size and easy-to-use controls, Cloninger says. “I’ve been showing one of our larger backhoes to a customer, and they’ll ask ‘What about the yellow one? It looks like it’s something I can handle.’ I start showing them the controls and they have their mind made up. The size doesn’t intimidate them and the controls are so easy to use, customers feel comfortable renting it.”

T5C highlights:

• 8-ft. 4-in. digging depth
• Loader rated to lift 1,700 lbs.
• Easy to operate and maintain

Barreto Tiller

Nominated by: Ed Dobbs at AAA Rentals in Redwood City, CA

“For over 15 years, we’ve carried the heavy-duty Barreto 16-hp tiller in our rental fleet. It’s a workhorse!” says Ed Dobbs at AAA Rentals in Redwood City, CA. “In our area the ground is mainly hard, adobe soil and you must have serious power to effectively till it, which this unit does beautifully.”

The tiller’s effectiveness is only one of the reasons this is Dobbs’ favorite rental product. He says he also appreciates that maintenance is simple. “This is essential in any rental machine,” says Dobbs. “We check the tines, remove debris, grease fittings, check the filters, fill it with fuel, give it a shower, then we’re good to go. In addition, it comes with an option for a sturdy trailer, which makes it simple to move around the yard and for customers to tow to their homes. With a quick tutorial, it’s also easy for everyone to use like a pro — from professional landscapers to weekend warriors.”

As far as ROI, you can’t ask for more from a rental machine, Dobbs says. “It’s often our first rental to a new customer and an opportunity to create a loyal customer,” he says. “They’re also so popular with our local landscapers that after a few seasons of use, we can typically recover up to 40% of the original investment by selling it as a gently used unit.”

Model 1320/1620 highlights:

• All-hydraulic technology — no belts, gears or chains
• Tines rotate in forward and reverse
• Safety clutch

BOMAG BPR 35/60D Reversible Diesel Plate Compactor

Nominated by: Paul Tomblin at Home Hardware Building Center in Wellesley, Ontario, Canada