Things to know about heavy machinery
Heavy machinery refers to large and powerful equipment used for excavation, heavy lifting, loading, grading, paving, compacting, farming, smoothening, transportation, and demolition. With their immense power and capabilities, heavy machinery can accomplish tasks in hours that would otherwise require days or months. Those interested in starting a heavy machinery rental business must possess the proper equipment and follow proven marketing strategies. When done correctly, this business can be highly lucrative and provide valuable services to various industries.
The types of heavy machinery
Heavy machinery is classified based on the work they do. These machinery are predominantly used in construction, mining, farming, shipbuilding, aero, auto and locomotive building, oil and gas, and manufacturing industries. The main heavy machinery types are:
Excavators like crawlers, bobcat, suction, and dragline excavators
Bulldozers like wheel, min, and straight-blade bulldozers
Wheel Loaders like front loaders, wheeled loaders, and bucket loaders
Backhoes like JCB loaders
Cranes like tower cranes, mobile cranes
Compactors or rollers like power rammers, vibratory tampers, and smooth wheel rollers
Drilling rigs
Skidders and feller bunchers used in forestry
Crushers
Tractors
Plowers and seeders
Must have heavy machinery spare parts
Heavy machinery is used in tough terrains and exposed to harsh weather conditions. Repairs caused by overwork, wear and tear, corrosion, improper storage and maintenance, and inexperienced or untrained operators are common in heavy machinery. As a heavy machinery rental business owner, you should have enough spare parts that the machine operator can replace at the worksite without waiting for a mechanic. This can help prevent delays in ongoing work. Some of the must-have heavy machinery spare parts include:
Batteries
Air filters
Fuel injectors
Hoses
Spark plugs
Hydraulic fluid
Tips to consider before starting a heavy machinery rental business
Smaller businesses that need heavy machinery for a short duration prefer to rent them as it is cost-effective. Here are some tips for starting a heavy machinery rental business:
Thoroughly understand the market, the demand for heavy machinery, and existing businesses.
Prepare a professional business plan with clear goals about investment, loans, and the type of heavy machinery you want to acquire.
Be clear about how you want to register your business and prepare for licenses accordingly. You should also know about insurance and provide for such expenses.
Work on getting the investment and working capital.
Buy either new or used heavy equipment per your budget.
Register in online marketplaces and start marketing your business to get new customers.
Once you have done this, kickstart your business, analyze your business’s utilization rates and productivity, and take additional steps accordingly.
Largest heavy machinery companies in the country
Some of the world’s largest and most reliable heavy machinery companies are based in the country. Most companies manufacture various types of heavy machinery and other industry-specific equipment. They include:
Caterpillar Inc
Deere & Company
Volvo
Komatsu America
JCB
Bobcat
Where to find used heavy machinery for sale?
Check classified ads in local newspapers and newsletters if you want to buy used heavy machinery. Visit local equipment dealers and equipment yards, as you may find a sizeable inventory of used machinery. You should also look up marketplace websites, auctions, and rental companies to collect information. Most heavy machinery companies deal with used equipment. You can contact them to inquire about their inventory. Some useful websites for finding heavy machinery for sale include:
Mascus
MY-Equipment
Mico Equipment
MachineFinder
MachineryZone
RockandDirt