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• Who are my customers and what do they need? For example, professional contractors might prefer a four-blade walk-behind while a DIYer might prefer a three-blade walk-behind.
• Which machine is going to be the most rental friendly (as far as construction quality, maintenance needs, simple operation, repair costs, and quick turn-around between rentals)?
• Which machine is suited for the weather conditions in the geographical area it will be used? Factors such as wind and temperature can impact the drying time of the bleed water in the slab, which can influence the selection of the trowel (weight and horsepower), says Orzechowski.
• What type of accessories do my customers prefer?
• Is the trowel going to be used inside? If so, an electric walk-behind will be needed.
• What is the access to the typical jobsites from my customers? Doorway widths, slab surface area, etc.
• What does the manufacturer offer as far as customer and product support, warranty, and product and service training?

Orzechowski says sometimes less is more. "Choosing a trowel should not be based on just the purchase price and the bells and whistles," he says, "but rather the decision should take into consideration safety features, your rental customers true needs and the other costs associated with equipment, such as repair and maintenance costs. Sometimes the simplest trowel with minimum features can be the best one for the rental market. It requires less training, has less things to break and is less complicated to repair and maintain."

MBW MK8-75H Riding Trowel

• 320-lb., 13-hp MK8-75H LOWRIDER trowel features twin 30-in. rotors and an edger system for finishing nearly flush to walls
• Can be equipped with finish or combo blades and float pans
• Synchronized steering
• Able to pass through a 32-in. doorway
• Three rollers on the front guard ring enable finishing within approximately 1/4 in. of a wall
• Can be transported in the bed of a typical pickup truck

EDCO Power Trowels

• 24- to 46-in. models available
• Twist pitch control knob adjusts blade angle
• Multiple guard rings for safety and stability
• Gearbox features Timken bearings and double-lip seals
• Heavy-duty welded steel construction
• Quick-change blades
• Centrifugal clutch drive belt system

Stone CF484 Trowel

• 48-in. CF484 trowel features fine-tuned pitch control or optional ProPitch for fast, smooth blade adjustment
• Four combination or finished blades
• Extra-strong cast-iron spider
• Available with an 11-hp Honda, 11-hp Robin or 13-hp Honda engine
• Dyna-Clutch system stops blade rotation without shutting off the engine

Wacker Variable-Speed Trowels

• Variable transmission system provides a 20- to 200-rpm speed range for low speed, high-torque floating through high-speed burnishing
• Two 36-in.-diameter models with 8-hp Honda or 9-hp Wacker engines, and one 48-in. model with a 13-hp Honda engine
• Dynamically balanced design
• Feature a Gyroscopic safety sensor, gearbox brake and engine limiter
• Pro-Shift pitch control with zero- to 30-degree pitch control range

Dynapac BG70 Ride-on Trowel