ForConstructionPros.com

For contractors who don't get enough utilization to justify the purchase of a chipper, rental provides many benefits. It allows you to select the optimum chipper for each specific application. But you need to work with your rental supplier and ask the right questions.

"A contractor should ask the rental center what style and capacity of chippers they have available to rent," says Jason Morey, marketing manager, Bandit Chippers. "Based on the material the contractor needs to chip, he or she can make a decision on the rental. Capacity is a huge factor... If a machine is too small for the material, the renter will be working much harder than needed."

"Any potential customer should look at a combination of features before renting," adds Todd Roorda, environmental solutions specialist, Vermeer Mfg. Consider the size of the chipper to the size of material that needs to be chipped, as well as the size of vehicle that will be utilized to move it to the jobsite. Also consider safety features for the operators.

Jason Showers, commercial sales manager, Morbark, believes many questions need to be answered before you can arrive at the right unit. "What is the size of the material to be chipped? How will you feed it to the machine — with auxiliary equipment or by hand? What is the volume to be chipped? Whether you are doing a small lot or you are clearing several acres, the size and horsepower of the machine should correspond. How much time do you have to complete the job?" he asks. "In reality, the rental outlet should be asking the contractor these questions to ensure he is renting the right machine."

Be prepared to discuss the diameter of the material to be chipped, as well as any constraints, such as access to the area or noise restrictions, adds Jason Frazao, United Rentals branch manager, Hudson River Valley, NY, District. "Also, be sure to ask about rental terms, and be realistic about the time it will take to complete the job," he says. "Don't rush to conform to a three-day window if a weekly rental would be more efficient, cost effective and safer."