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A Guide to Bobcat Hire

Contractors often need to hire plant equipment for a short period to complete construction works. This excerpt provides some useful tips to observe when looking into bobcat hire.

Find a reputable company

Many companies offer bobcat hire services. You can ask a fellow contractor to recommend a reputable company to you. Alternatively, you can look for companies with positive online reviews. Ensure that the company you choose to work with is experienced in plant equipment hire. This way you are assured of quality services and equipment. 

Inquire about the bobcat

Visit the company and view the bobcat you intend to hire. The bobcat should be in good condition. Also, ask for a recent inspection report to verify that it does not pose any risk when in use. Ask about the bobcat's capabilities. For instance, small earthmovers may not be suitable if you intend to move a large pile of soil. 

Inquire about the terms of hire

Inquire about the following before hiring the bobcat: 

1. Is the equipment available for the whole period that you need it? What happens if you need to extend the hire period?
2. Are the costs calculated per hour or per day? Ensure that you ask for a discount.
3. What are the accepted modes of payment? What happens if you are late with payments?
4. Who caters for repair and maintenance when the machine is in your hands?
5. Who will provide transport to and from your site?
6. Is the equipment insured? If yes, what kind of insurance does it have?

Preparation

If you are to cater for transport costs, hire a flatbed truck or a heavy haulier to transport the equipment to your site. Make adequate preparations on where to offload the machine. You must also have a qualified plant operator on site to operate the machine. It is imperative to observe safety when using the bobcat. Observe the following safety precautions.

1. Always park the bobcat on level ground. It could cause problems to park it on a slope.
2. Staff operating the bobcat must have safety gear such as helmets, boots and reflector jackets.
3. Before commencing any works, gather your team and establish a clear line of communication. For instance, you can use walkie-talkies or signals to communicate.
4. Have an on-site emergency procedure in case of accidents. Some of the staff should have basic first aid training. Also, have emergency contacts to ambulances, local authorities and the fire department.

When hiring a bobcat, find a reputable company, inquire about the machine's abilities, inquire on the terms of hire, prepare the site and observe the recommended safety measures.