Spring is cleanup time for lawns and parks - a time when homeowners, managers of outdoor facilities and contractors turn to rental centers for chain saws, chippers, shredders and stump grinders. Let's start with chain saws.
These days you can get a saw with a lot of power in a fairly light package - ideal for those pruning jobs and for chunking up small branches.
Balance and handle design are important factors for the user. Vibration reduction and anti-kickback features are important, too.
Chipper-shredders, chipper-mulchers, brush chippers (let's make it simple and just call all of these machines "chippers") shred tree limbs, brush, leaves, grass and weed cuttings into mulch. Some models can process glass and cans, too, but it is important to know which ones can and which can't.
Material is fed into a hopper, shredded by blades or cutting disks and then discharged through a chute. Capabilities are defined by the maximum diameter of material the chipper can handle and horsepower. The manufacturers that helped with this article make chippers ranging from 3-inch, 8-horsepower models to 18-inch, 116-horsepower equipment.
Wheel-mounted, towable chippers are available in various sizes and capacities; they may be self-powered or run off a PTO. Some units are skid-mounted, for trailers. Smaller models are adequate for most homeowner uses.
Stump grinders use cutter heads or wheels with hardened teeth to slice into the stump and discharge chips. Designs permit positioning cutting blades extremely close to obstacles. Some compact models are narrow enough to go through yard gates.

Who rents chain saws, chippers and stump grinders?
Homeowners and professionals who serve a variety of markets - landscape contractors, lawn maintenance specialists, park and golf course crews, grounds maintenance personnel at colleges and corporate complexes, government agencies, land clearance contractors, highway and railroad right-of-way crews, nurserymen and farmers.
Many small seasonal and part-time businesses can't afford to invest in commercial-quality equipment. Renting allows individuals and small lawn-care businesses to take on bigger, tougher projects.

Operation
Many customers have little or no experience with this equipment, so instruction from counter personnel is extremely important; even for experienced pros, it's best to know that brands and models differ greatly. Ex-plain the location and function of all controls and, as always, review operating procedures and safety matters for everything you rent. Give the customer an operator's manual and show him or her a training video - especially those who are inexperienced with this kind of equipment.
Make sure the customer knows, for instance, that extension cords used with electric chain saws must meet the manufacturer's specifications. Rent the customer the correct cord along with the saw. And caution that the capabilities of equipment should never be pushed: don't feed material into a chipper faster than it can process it; don't place glass, cans or other other trash in a chipper unless it is designed for that; do not try to use stump grinders to cut anything other than stumps.

Safety

• Keep onlookers, children and pets far away from work areas - even if this equipment is designed to contain cuttings and debris, chippers and stump grinders can hurl chips or other solid objects with great force; so be sure to warn your customers about that, and tell them to wear the recommended protective clothing: safety glasses and eye shields, hard hats, safety boots or shoes, ear protection, work gloves, heavy pants and protective jackets.
• Warn customers about kickback.
• Never reach into the hopper of a chipper.
• Keep feet and hand tools away from the cutter head of a stump grinder.
• Do not attempt to make adjustments or repairs while equipment is operating; shut the engine off first. It may be necessary to let the engine cool, as well.

Maintenance on the job
All equipment likely will need refueling during even short rental periods, so tell customers what fuel to use. Show renters how to use bar and chain oil. Stock the correct oils for retail sales. Service engines of stump grinders and chippers according to manufacturers' recommendations.

Opportunities for add-on business
Users of this equipment are excellent prospects for other equipment and accessory purchases. They often need heavy-duty trimmers, brush cutters, power and hand-operated pruners, blowers, vacuums, tillers (we'll cover this next month in C&YM) and other landscaping tools and equipment. Even though homeowner customers may own light-duty versions of these products, they often rent more rugged, professional equipment for big clean-up projects.
Eye and hearing protection, work gloves and protective apparel are profitable sale items.

Comments from the industry
Crary Bear Cat Co., West Fargo, N.D., Ross Johnson: "Chippers and stump grinders should not require maintenance during rental periods, but it depends on the number of hours they are used."
DESA International, Bowling Green, Ky., Douglas Schneider: "Don't overlook renting chain saws for cutting decking, trimming tops of posts, landscaping and remodeling jobs."
Doskocil Industries, San Bernardino, Calif., Bill Arden: "We suggest having customers sign a written statement that they understand all safety procedures."
MacKissic, Parker Ford, Pa., Richard Dhein: "Show customers how to start and stop equipment. Explain the size of material a chipper can handle and how fast to feed material. Point out warning and caution decals on machines."
MTA Distributors, Whites Creek, Tenn., David Harrington: "During review of chain saw operation, point out safety features, including the brake, throttle lock to prevent unintentional acceleration, and guards on handles. Saws should be used in accordance with their ratings."
VC Marketing, Roseland, N.J., Aldo Vandermolen: "Rental store personnel must match the machine to the job to be done. Never rent a small chipper to a customer who is going to clear a building lot. Consider PTO chippers for customers who own tractors and other equipment."
Vermeer Manufacturing Co., Pella, Iowa, Vince Newendorp: "The majority of rental customers for 6-inch chippers and 20- to 25-horsepower stump grinders will be small contractors trying to minimize overhead. Seasonal and part-time contractors (such as school teachers) may find renting such machines a flexible and affordable [option]."