Safety First—Five Tips for Getting the Most Out of Rental Equipment

By Stacy Long, Ditch Witch Product Safety Engineer

Like rental centers, rental operators demand reliable equipment to improve ROI. Time is money, and in order to make the most of their time, productivity is key. 

The productive use of rental equipment, such as walk-behind trenchers and mini skid steers, depends on consistent, effective operation. Before the tire or track meets the soil, rental operators need to make sure they won’t encounter a problem due to unsafe operation.

Whether operating rental equipment for the first time or working with years of accumulated experience, operators must always keep safety guidelines in mind on any jobsite. After all, you don’t want to learn safety by accident.

The following five guidelines will help rental operators get the most out of their rental equipment by using proper, safe operating procedures and good judgment.

Read the Operator’s Manual

The first rule of thumb to help ensure safe, jobsite procedures is to read the operator’s manual, which is loaded with important safety and practical, machine-operation information. This booklet will become every operator’s trusty sidekick when on the job and in the shop. Even operators with years of experience will benefit from the quick access to an abundance of operation and maintenance reminders. 

Operators will find relevant information for rental equipment in the manual, including the operation overview, procedures for inspecting a jobsite and how to identify jobsite hazards and safety precautions. For instance, if a person approaches within six feet of an operating trencher, the operator is instructed to stop the digging chain. The manual includes this type of safety information and numerous other details.

The operator’s manual is included with the equipment rental or is available upon request. Additionally, the manufacturer’s website houses all updated equipment operator’s manuals for download. 

Understand Equipment Operation

Once the manual is read, an operator is ready to get a feel for their rental equipment. Spending time on the machine before beginning work will familiarize an operator with how the controls actually work and respond.

But how much practice is enough? The time it takes to get comfortable with equipment varies from operator to operator. To help ease into normal operation, new operators should begin slowly when starting off. As a best practice, operators should be comfortable with the operation of each machine before starting to work. 

It is easier to recognize a problem on a job when comfortably running a machine at a normal level of operation. Feeling comfortable and knowing how to operate a machine properly will help reduce the risk of downtime, in turn, helping operators get the most out of their rental equipment.

To provide additional awareness, the Ditch Witch organization has listened to customer feedback and dedicated time visiting jobsites gathering common operator questions and issues. The findings helped develop a number of online safety materials, such as videos and toolbox talks, to provide additional guidance on safe equipment operation. The website also includes a dedicated email address to answer any questions about safe operation on the job. 

Call 811

Whether operators are plotting new landscape or installing utility lines, they need to know what’s beneath the ground. And calling 811 is the first step to knowing what’s below. 

Attention to colored markers, such as paint and flags, showing utility line locations can help reduce injuries, fines and other jobsite risks. To eliminate potential downtime from striking a line, remember to:

  • Call 811 a few days before a job begins. Impacted utility companies will send a locator out within two to three working days to identify and mark their lines.
  • Think about the services near a jobsite. Utility companies will mark their lines up to the meter, but private lines may remain unmarked. 
  • Use facility records to approximate the location and number of buried lines.
  • Check the 811 website for a full list of details and specific guidelines for each state. 

Use Equipment Carefully

Equipment only remains productive when it’s in good working condition. Rental equipment should be inspected before the start of each day on a job to make sure it is working properly. If something doesn’t look right, have the rental store make the necessary repairs before beginning work. 

The Ditch Witch organization has a checklist for inspecting equipment. By checking off the items, such as leaks, loose fittings and hardware, an operator is better prepared to maintain a safe jobsite.

In addition to checking equipment, operators must still use proper operating procedures and good judgment. For instance, make sure others are at least six feet away when using a trencher. The ground can give way when trenching, creating an unsafe radius around the equipment in use. 

Think Personal Protection

When operating equipment, expect the unexpected. Always be prepared by wearing appropriate protective gear, such as safety glasses, earplugs, a hard hat, gloves, and steel-toe boots.

These five guidelines can boost productivity on the jobsite by helping operators continuously and efficiently run rental equipment. For a full list of safety guidelines and a collection of checklists, videos and expertise focused on equipment operation, visit http://www.ditchwitch.com/safe.  

HYDRAULIC BREAKER
Used for construction and demolition, our breakers can be used to break up asphalt, concrete or even clay. The hydraulic hammer is perfect for any small or medium job you might have. More up-time in the field is always the goal, and with only two moving parts and a few seals, there’s no reason for down-time.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

ROCK SAW

Best suited for irrigation and fiber installation, the Rock Saw attachment can effortlessly cut through rock, concrete, and other tough materials with unmatched precision. 

Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

BACKHOE
Easily move materials for rebuilds, new construction, footings, utility repairs and more with this compact and versatile attachment.
Compatible Models

SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

STUMP GRINDERS
Featuring a heavy-duty boom design, powerful stump grinding attachments quickly shred stumps down to nothing. Easy maneuvering from stump to stump and increased visibility turns more ground stumps into more profit.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

MULTITASK TOOL
Your multipurpose tool for the ultimate multi-tasker is here. Engineered to grab tight to heavy materials and move them with ease and precision, the multi-task tool is your go-to for heavy applications. Easy to operate with convenient, functional levers.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

CORE DRILL
With the MC-450 coring attachment, utility maintenance is simple and less disruptive. Featuring intuitive controls and an integrated water tank, the MC-450 is the perfect choice for quick cuts and a more productive coring process. A fully adjustable 0 to 280 rpm speed allows for enhanced control and greater productivity.
Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

SOIL CULTIVATOR
Prepare food plots, gardens, and landscaping projects with a soil cultivator. It gets land ready by stirring organic material back in the soil for a healthier, more stable lawn. Buries the biggest of rocks for a looser topsoil.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

BLADES
Whether you’re looking to increase dump height or digging depth, attaching a backfill blade is an easy way to save manpower on your jobsite while working with precision and timeliness. Available in various widths.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

AUGER DRIVER
Ideal for landscaping and tree care, an auger attachment will expedite hole creation and allow operators to quickly plant trees or install fence posts than if they were hand-digging or relying on a hand-held auger. Available in 6" to 30" diameters.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

TILLER
Tough and effective tillers prepare your garden by breaking up tough soil and removing unwanted weeds. Available in 4' width.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

GRAPPLES
Tree grapples come with 48" or 57" openings to efficiently remove logs and debris from the jobsite. It has an excavator style boom design with a powder coat finish and a cylinder lock for increased safety. Brush grapples available with a gap opening of 29" and widths of 42" or 54".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

CARRY ALL LEVELER
One of our most simple yet versatile attachments, the Carry-All Leveler is perfect for carrying bulky material, leveling soil and adding a flat, smooth finish to your project. Available in 49" width.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

BUCKETS
Turn one machine into a multi-functional workhorse with versatile Ditch Witch® SK attachments. From landscaping and hardscapes to tree care and construction-grade tasks, your stand-on skid steer can take on more than you think. We've got you covered with a variety buckets from 4-in-1 to heavy and light material buckets. Widths range from 34" to 66".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

PALLET FORKS
Take on your heaviest loads with precision and dependability with Ditch Witch pallet forks. They easily attach to any of our skid steers and can easily accessorize with hay spikes, brick guards, and much more to add even more ROI. Available in widths ranging from 36-48.75" and lengths from 36-48".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

MICROTRENCHER
Fiber installation and other street-located work is rapidly growing. A microtrenching attachment is key for operators looking to get into fiber installation at the street level. They cut both concrete and asphalt in controlled increments so contractors don't need to stop traffic. Maximum width options are 0.5-1.5” or 2” with maximum depths of 12” or 16”.
Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

ROTO WITCH®
The Ditch Witch Roto Witch® attachment is used for short bores underneath sidewalks, driveways and other obstacles. It offers great digging performance while minimizing jobsite restoration. Compatible with numerous Ditch Witch stand-on skid steers, the Roto Witch attachment can bore and backream up to 12" (300 mm) in diameter.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

PLOW
Install fiber and other utilities quickly with a vibratory plow attachment for your skid steer. It creates less ground disruption and cleanup than traditional trenching to get the job done faster. Available in maximum depths of 14" and 24".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

POWER RAKE
Clean, level and prep jobsites or smooth and loosen soil for sodding with a rake attachment. Most rake attachments require 10 to 14 gpm, but the higher horsepower creates even more drum torque to tear through the most demanding soil types. Width measures 4'.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

MICROTRENCHERS
Fiber installation and other street-located work is rapidly growing. A microtrenching attachment is key for operators looking to get into fiber installation at the street level. They cut both concrete and asphalt in controlled increments so contractors don't need to stop traffic. Maximum width options are 0.5-1.5” or 2” with maximum depths of 12” or 16”.
Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

ROTO WITCH®
The Ditch Witch Roto Witch® attachment is used for short bores underneath sidewalks, driveways and other obstacles. It offers great digging performance while minimizing jobsite restoration. Compatible with numerous Ditch Witch stand-on skid steers, the Roto Witch attachment can bore and backream up to 12" (300 mm) in diameter.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

PLOWS
Install fiber and other utilities quickly with a vibratory plow attachment for your skid steer. It creates less ground disruption and cleanup than traditional trenching to get the job done faster. Available in maximum depths of 14" and 24".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

TRENCHER

Stay efficient on large jobsites with a trencher attachment for your skid steer. It’s a smart alternative to large, specialized equipment for utility installation and landscaping jobs. Available in standard 6”, 8” and 12” maximum widths with maximum depths of 36", 38", 48” and 55.5”.

Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000