How Rental Companies Can Get More Out Of Compact Utility Loaders

Compact utility loaders deliver convenient versatility that empowers landscape and construction crews — and anyone taking on a home or yard project — to quickly tackle a range of tasks. In large part, that versatility comes from an assortment of attachments that help turn a single unit into a do-it-all Swiss Army knife on the jobsite. It’s a great asset for those who need to power through a to-do list, and it’s an even stronger asset for rental owners looking to expand rental opportunities without crowding the show floor.

Rental stores usually think about growth in terms of fleet size, but the compact utility loader already sitting in your yard is capable of multiple jobs that would have previously required multiple units. Attach the bucket for heavy-duty hauling. Swap the bucket for a grapple, and it’s a cleanup machine. Swap that for forks, and it’s a material handler. The attachments and functions change, but the machine doesn’t. That’s where the opportunity lies.

The Toro CompanyHere are just a few possible work areas where compact utility loaders and attachments can make a difference for your customers and your bottom line.

Tree Care

Whether customers are planting or clearing storm debris, working with trees can be a physically demanding process. Grapple rake attachments handle brush, logs and other heavy, awkwardly shaped debris that may not fit in a standard bucket. 

When it comes to new trees, an auger attachment can be invaluable. It brings together power and precision to help operators maintain proper plumb and depth when digging.

Earth Moving

There are two attachments for heavy lifting of note. A standard bucket is the baseline to help renters move mounds of mulch, topsoil and gravel. For grading, a hydraulic blade or box rake makes it easy to create level, smooth work sites. When you pair the two, it’s a one-two-power punch for the customer.

Material Handling

The Toro CompanyMoving sod, brick, stone and any other materials on a pallet used to be a multi-person job. Now, with a pallet fork attachment, customers need only a single operator. 

For hardscaping contractors especially, forks are an easy add-on for any customer already renting for a heavy job.

Trenching, Plowing, Boring

The Toro CompanyFence posts, tree planting, deck footings — again, the auger makes short work out of a long day. It may be the most common attachment a landscaping customer asks about, and it's a natural bundle with almost any job in this category, since posts and plantings may show up together on the same site.

The math is simple: the more attachments you use, the wider your customer base grows. And more opportunities lead to greater revenue potential. None of the attachments we talked about require a new machine, just shelf space and a conversation at the counter. To increase the value of your operation to your customers, you don’t necessarily need more machines — you just need more ways to utilize what you already have.