Choosing the right industrial generator for your construction operations is essential to executing your job flawlessly and cost-effectively.
Generators are one of the most critical pieces of equipment on a jobsite as they are the main power source for powering other on-site equipment.
Choosing the wrong generator for your industrial application can cause an unnecessary drain on your budget, as well create maintenance and safety issues, and even worse – potential disruptions in your jobsite productivity.
Here are five important factors to consider before renting or purchasing an industrial generator for your industrial jobsite, commercial or residential project:
Choosing the right industrial generator size
One of the most important aspects is choosing the right size of industrial generator for your jobsite application.
Industrial generators generally provide anywhere from 50kW to over 3 Megawatts of power. Choosing a generator with a capacity that is too small for the job means your jobsite demands won’t be met, and likewise, choosing a generator with capacities far larger than needed for your jobsite can damage the generator itself as well as equipment and components connected to it.
There is a common misconception that bigger is better when it comes to industrial generators, however this is not always the case, as every jobsite application is unique and selecting the correct generator size depends a variety of unique factors.
Tips for choosing the correct generator size for your industrial operations include:
- Create a list of all the equipment the generator will need to power
- Figure out the starting & running wattage
- Determine the continuous running time needed to power site equipment
Aside from uninterrupted operations, additional benefits of selecting the correct generator size include:
- Adequate load capacity
- Better generator performance
- Greater generator longevity
- Fewer maintenance issues
- Safer working conditions
Factors unique to your environment
In diverse landscapes and climates found in North America, location, weather, and factors unique to your jobsite location can heavily influence the type and size of generator you will need, as well as accessories.
Consider the appropriate fuel type for your application given the weather typical in the seasons your work will take place in. For example, a diesel-powered generator performs better in colder environments in contrast to a gasoline-powered generator because it doesn’t freeze as easily.
Other factors to consider include taking into account noise implications, ventilation, and accessibility for routine equipment maintenance.
For example, The Canada Labour Code regulates occupational noise in federally-regulated workplaces. Additionally, municipalities can set their own unique restrictions on noise emissions from industrial equipment, which are often stricter in environmental settings closely located to wildlife.
Location and transportation
Consider factors for ease of transportation when selecting your industrial generator model. Small features created to simplify and streamline unloading the generator on your site can make the process much easier and faster.
Consider if the generator units you’re considering renting or purchasing will have to be towed or loaded onto a truck – look to see if the unit has forklift slots and lifting eyes.
Seemingly small things like unloading a piece of equipment on-site can delay project work if not coordinated properly ahead of time.
Cost-savings
Aside from the rental or purchase cost arising from the type of generator, size and length of time the equipment is needed, fuel costs can be an understated budget drain when it comes to operating costs associated with industrial generators on your industrial, construction, pipeline, or oil and gas project.
By working with an experienced equipment provider like Axiom Equipment Group, you can predict fuel/operating costs and identify cost-savings with the help of one of our experienced Account Managers, who have decades of experience providing superior solutions in the equipment industry.
Choosing to rent or purchase
Whether you should opt to rent or purchase industrial generators for your job is dependent upon the job’s unique factors.
Factors to consider when choosing to rent or purchase your industrial generator include:
- Cost of ownership vs cost of renting
- Length of job and whether the job is a one-off or repeat job
- Logistics of storage – vendor-managed vs paying to store generator unit(s) when equipment is not in use
According to the Construction Business Owner, a general rule of thumb is that if you don’t use a piece of equipment more than 60 to 70 percent of the time, you should consider renting.
At Axiom Equipment Group, customers have rent-to-purchase options as part of our flexible financing solutions.
Learn more about how to decide on whether to rent or purchase your industrial equipment.
Other factors to consider
Along with size, considering unique weather and location elements and opting to rent or purchase your generator equipment, other factors to consider include:
- Using a TransCube as a separate/additional fuel container, which may be needed for remotely located or lengthy projects
- If a Positive Air Shutoff component is needed – in some situations, a Positive Air Shutoff is required for safety reasons. A Positive Air Shutoff is necessary for diesel-powered generators which may come into contact with flammable gasses such as propane or natural gas.
- Consider the run-time you need to power your equipment
By considering the above factors when choosing the right generator for your industrial jobsite, you’ll be sure to enjoy the peace of mind of continuous operations, greater equipment longevity and safe working conditions, while maximizing your overall cost savings.
At Axiom Equipment Group, we offer customers the option to trade and/or return your equipment as you need and can offer different combinations of power to fit specific requirements.
Our experienced team has decades of combined experience in equipment rental, sales and service.
At Axiom Equipment Group, we believe in ZERO DOWNTIME so much that we stand behind it with a unique iron clad promise that combines the industry’s most reliable equipment fleet with a rapid response program, around-the-clock availability, expert service and a financing option to fit every budget.
Contact us today for your industrial equipment and servicing needs.
