22
|
HIRE
AND
RENTAL
NEWS
| MAY 2013
INDUSTRY IN FOCUS
A Takeuchi TB016 mini excavator was among one of the
first major equipment purchases for Local Hire Shop plant and
equipment hire business, which services tradespeople, local
government, owner-builders and DIY renovators in the Blue
Mountains in NSW.
Since its origin more than six years ago, Local Hire Shop has
evolved from a one-person operation to a busy enterprise
employing five people.
When owner, Oliver Heymans, recognised the need in 2012 to
invest in new equipment to cater for growing demand, deciding
which tool to purchase, he realised accessibility was a major
consideration.
“
Because residential sites are getting smaller, access to front
and back yards is more difficult than ever,” he said.
“
Customers need to do more complex tasks with less space.
“
Our success relies on people who trust us to provide them
with equipment that is easy to operate and won’t break down,
so choosing the right machine was critical to our business,”
Oliver said.
“
Because the Takeuchi TB016 comes with a track that’s
adjustable in width, it can get into smaller areas where access is
very tight.”
The TB016 can drive through carports and garages to access a
backyard.
“
Simply remove the ROPS canopy, drive forward, replace the
canopy once you’re there and start work again,” Oliver said.
The Toro STX26 stump grinder has a large cutting head to reach deep stumps
Accessibility and reliability key for local hire
Prior to purchasing the Takeuchi machine, Mr Heymans attended
hire and rental industry conventions to research the best tools
available. But it was ultimately word-of-mouth that convinced him
to go with the TB016.
“
When I approached the other hire companies for advice, almost
everyone recommended the TB016,” he said.
“
Apart from its manoeuvrability, people were impressed by its
reliability and ease of maintenance.”
According to Mr Heymans, tradespeople mainly hire the Takeuchi
TB016 for elevated landscaping jobs, although he says electricians
and plumbers have used it for trenching, site clearing and site
levelling.
The TB016 is sold with a 300mm, 450mm and 600mm digging
bucket, plus a one metre mud bucket. “We have used all the
buckets already,” Mr Heymans said.
“
Although we haven’t seen much demand for other attachments
yet, it’s nice to know there are different parts available in case our
customers need them,” he said.
“
The TB016 has an hydraulically extendable track system that
adds greater stability to its working depth of 2,375mm. Just add
buckets, breaker or auger, load onto a trailer and away you go. A
Cab model is also available at 1,615kg.”
Local Hire Shop also owns a Toro STX26 stump grinder and a Toro
TRX19 walk-behind trencher, reporting both are reliable, easy to
use, and lend themselves to tight spaces.
“
We’ve had them for about 18 months and we love they are both
narrow enough to fit through gates. They’re easy to use on uneven,
narrow access sites because they are self-propelled, so there’s not
much human effort involved,” Mr Heymans said.
Both Toro machines were purchased to complement smaller
vehicles in the fleet. The Toro STX26 stump grinder, for example,
has a larger cutting head that goes deeper than the existing tool.
“
Because the Toro is joystick controlled, it offers far better
functionality,” Oliver said.
The TORO TRX19 trencher was also purchased for its superior
capacity.
Local Hire Shop purchased the Takeuchi and Toro machines from
Semco Equipment Sales. “We’re glad to have equipment warranties
that ensure our customers can keep working. If there is an issue, we
know we can get the right support,” he said.
For more information contact: 02 9833 6000 or visit website:
www.semcogroup.com.au
HR