When the time comes to hire a generator for your business or home, it’s natural to have a lot of questions. Generators differ considerably when it comes to factors like size, appearance, fuel and voltage. They range from small 10kVA units to shipping crate-size 1250kVA behemoths. Hiring a generator that suits your needs starts with asking the right questions. With the information you need, the power is in your hands.

Generators provide much-needed electricity to industries of all kinds, especially in remote locations where the power supply doesn’t reach.  They’re common in industries such as mining, construction, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, manufacturing, defence and outdoor events, among others. Backup generators are important in all kinds of industries to ensure staff safety and protect your business from loss of revenue and reputation.

There are benefits to hiring a generator instead of buying one. It’s more affordable, it’s better for short-term projects, and your generator is guaranteed to be thoroughly well-maintained and in top condition. However, not all generators are built the same, and not all of them are ideal for the same functions. There are many factors to consider, like fuel options for your generator, the safety of operation and diesel generator hire cost.

It all starts with finding out the right information. Total Generators are ready to find you the generator that best suits your needs. To help you get there, here are seven of the top questions to ask when you begin the process of hiring a generator.

What Generator Should I Hire For My Business?

Choosing the right generator depends heavily on the business you’re in. Building sites, mines and outdoor concerts and festivals require large amounts of power and sometimes more than one generator. If you’re running a food truck at a market, a quiet and highly portable generator is probably your best bet. For hard agricultural or mining work, it’s necessary to hire a strong and mighty generator.

Business owners should consider their energy needs, noise restrictions, local building codes etc, when liaising with a generator hire company about which model is right for them. Every business is different, and sometimes you need to run the facts past a qualified professional to settle on the right generator.

Does the Generator Rental Company Deliver and Install It?

There’s transportation, pick-up and installation to consider when hiring a generator, all of which can result in extra costs. Some generator companies handle these steps of the process for you. It’s worth checking during the first consultation whether the company you’re hiring from has a full-service approach or whether you’ll have to do any additional labour yourself.

Will Refuelling the Generator Be a Problem?

Discussing fuel options for your generator doesn’t just mean narrowing down on the petrol the right generator should run on, whether diesel, gasoline, natural gas, solar or a hybrid. It also means discussing the practicalities of replenishing your generator if it runs out of fuel.

Refuelling is a procedure best left to an expert. Generators have different refuelling processes, including guidelines for fuel handling and accident prevention. Some generator agencies have specific rules about who can handle refuelling. It’s worth knowing not only the fuel options for your generator but also the rental company’s process and procedures.

Does The Rental Company Provide Emergency Generator Support?

Generators are powerful machines that need to be used responsibly. While there are some consistent safety guidelines involved in their operation, many have their own specific safety protocol. Your generator rental company is aware of that protocol and also has plans in place in case of an emergency. A failing backup generator (or any other generator-related emergency) is not something that anyone should have to deal with on their own. Knowing that your generator rental company will step in and help if you experience any kind of crisis situation makes hiring a generator a less stressful ordeal.

What Equipment Comes With the Hired Generator?

In a nutshell, a generator is made up of five primary parts: an internal combustion engine, alternator, starter, fuel tank and outlets. Other items that commonly come with hired generators include instruction manuals, power cables, safety equipment and tool kits.

The additional equipment that comes with a generator differs from company to company. That’s why you need to have a conversation with your particular hire company to find out what kind of equipment, if any, comes with your generator. Depending on the deal you pay for, you may have to supply some of your own safety equipment, tools and other accessories. These components may be included with hiring the generator.

Is The Generator Rental Contract Flexible?

When hiring a generator, your contract usually stipulates a number of things. This can include the diesel generator hire costs, upfront deposit, insurance, rental rate and period and your responsibilities. Yet circumstances change, and most generator rental companies are sympathetic to situations that come up out of the blue.

Depending on your circumstances, you may have to adjust the terms of your generator hire, extend your loan period, or make changes to the pickup or delivery schedules. A generator hire company that’s willing to extend you some flexibility when unforeseen circumstances arise will make your project a lot easier.

How Safe Is The Hired Generator?

Safety is the highest priority when hiring a generator. It’s important to find a hire company with a reputation for it. The generator has to meet WorkCover safety standards and it has to be manufactured to Australian standards (AS2790). To determine how safe a generator is, you should ask your hire company about factors such as circuit breakers, waterproof outlets, maintenance procedures, emergency procedures, fuel storage and handling and training and instruction. A company’s compliance with regulations and how they handle emergency situations will give you a clear indication of how much you can trust them when you hire one of their generators for yourself.

Reliable Generator Hire with Total Generators

Total Generators takes the stress out of hiring a generator that meets your needs. With more than 25 years of experience and affordable diesel generator hire costs, we provide customised solutions to meet your individual requirements rather than the one-size-fits-all approach. Ready to hire a generator? Check out our comprehensive range.

As the supplier of choice for many industries with high energy demands like remote mining camps, film productions and commercial shipping activities, we have a track record of success providing reliable supplies of power 24/7.  Discussing the fuel options for your generator is a simple step in the process for Total Generators, and we’ll make sure you’re never stuck without a fuel top-up when you need it. If you need help figuring out your power supply needs, you can calculate the kVA you need with our power calculator.

Clients that work with Total Generators on a generator maintenance agreement receive a quarterly scheduled visit and 24/7 technical support. With three tilt trays of our own, we can arrange mobilisation to your worksite in line with an approved delivery schedule. We balance affordability and reliability, and we think you’ll find our diesel generator hire costs reasonable.

Contact the Total Generators team for a free quote and any questions you may have.