Hiring out machinery

[dangb93]

So while I am sitting here recovering (see thread titled "To all stump grinder operators") I have had several requests from fellow tree surgeons to hire my machinery off me - chipper, loader, stump grinder, wood splitter, mewp. This is for non-operated hire.

 

I have spoken to my insurers, and one or two hire companies I know, and they all say different things about what I need to have in place.

 

What are my legal duties? Or what do I need to have in place so that if something goes wrong, so I don't end up in trouble?

 

HSE says that I would be classed as a supplier if I hire out my machinery.

 

So far I have got;

Compliance with PUWER and LOLER - that's clear to me - making sure the machine is correctly guarded, fit for purpose, and keeping a record of this.

Ensuring that the person hiring has a NPTC ticket for the machine that he/she is hiring.

Getting the person whose hiring to sign a document to say that I have shown them how the machine works and the safety features etc.

Making sure they have hired in plant insurance.

 

Is there anything I am missing? Do I need insurance of any kind?

TIA

 

 

[donnk]

main thing you need is plenty of cash for when they muller the kit and you have to replace it. 

 

Just have a look at the 1 year old kit from GAP absolutely muntered.

[GA Groundcare]

Generally hiring out kit which you use yourself isn't a good combination. It may seem like a nice little money spinner but if its hired out on a Wednesday and you need it for a job on Thursday, but it comes back beaten up, broken or even just damaged blades then that's a problem. Or if their job over runs and need an additional day or two what happens then?

 

If you're busy on a tree job and you have a machine hired out separately and it doesn't start, feed rollers wont go around, or generally breaks down how can you attend. Folk have a fairly short expectation time in regards to attending a breakdown or swapping the machine out if they are paying for hire.

 

Hire only really works with dedicated hire kit. 

 

 

[dangb93]

Thanks for the input. Just to clarify two things;

1.) I haven't used the machinery for the last 10 months, and I am unlikely to for another year or so, due to my injury. That was the reason for the reference to my stump grinder accident thread in my first post.

So if something does happen to it, it's not like I need it the next day (unless someone else does of course!)

2.) To mitigate the abuse and damage of my kit, it would only be hired occasionally to people I know personally who I can trust.

[Muddy42]

HSS etc, publish their hire agreements online, might be worth a look? As above I would be very cautious about damage and who pays for it. You need to be sure the operators will be liberal with the grease gun and hydraulic fluids. Also please think about why your friends have come to you - if they can't hire these machines in the wider market it could be because the machines get so much abuse that the hire charges will never stack up!

[GarethM]

It's a sure fire way to find out who's a friend and those that are just aquantances.

[aspenarb]

The best hire is the non mechanical stuff. Heras fencing, RPA/Z protection gear, tm signage/lights, ground boards,welfare units etc. Count it out and count it back in, for any losses or damage charge new for old.The Heras can go out for months/years at a time.

 

Bob

[GA Groundcare]

We have supplied 4 sets of brakes to hire outfits this year, sometimes with wheel bearings too when the hirer has driven with the handbrake on.  Cannot confirm how successful the hire shop has been claiming those costs back.

[Stephen Blair]

Sell your kit, bank the money and tread water for now.  The security of money in your bank will help your healing process.  If you need kit for future jobs, hire it in or sub in a squad. 

[Joe Newton]

If you're going down the hire route I'd get yourself a CPA membership. They cover people in your position and help with protecting you against damage/negligence whilst hired out.