Scottsdale, Ariz. — RSC Equipment Rental announced the launch of a solid-tire initiative with aerial work platform and forklift supplier JLG Industries at an event at its Scottsdale, Ariz., headquarters last month. RSC officials said solid rubber tires last three- to four-times longer than standard or foam-filled tires, leading to a decrease in down time, fewer costly replacements and a significant reduction in wastes.

“This exciting step will benefit our rental customers by further reducing the likelihood of downtime caused by flats and related tire issues,” said John McVeigh, RSC's vice president of product management. “This investment will provide huge benefits in efficiency, customer service, reliability and availability, while positively impacting the environment and saving significant costs.”

McVeigh told RER that solid tires are designed to increase ride comforts and that they meet the designated weight/ballast requirements for applicable reach forklifts, an important consideration for this type of machinery.

Previous field evaluations and successful implementation of similar tires on applicable skid-steer loaders and industrial forklifts in 2005 helped RSC decide to make solid tires the new standard spec for all newly purchased reach forklifts, and plans to introduce the tires to all new forklifts.

JLG officials said RSC is the only national rental chain asking for solid tires on reach forklifts. The use of the tires has influenced JLG to include them within their supply chain and factory options.

At the Scottsdale event, RSC also celebrated its one-year anniversary as a public company.