Rental Rumbles: August 2009

ECHO donates equipment to college
A unique partnership between ECHO Power Equipment (Canada) and Fanshawe College in London, Ont., will provide the school’s horticulture technician students with a range of new power tools for student use at both the London Campus and the A.M. (Mac) Cuddy Gardens. The donation has an approximate value of $8,000 and will be replenished each year to provide training opportunities for Fanshawe students. 

From left, Mary Flannigan-Hockin, development co-ordinator, Fanshawe College; Michael Pascoe, co-ordinator, Horticulture Technician program, Fanshawe College; Students, Horticulture Technician program; Ed Zynomirski, president, ECHO Power Equipment (Canada); Lawrence Kinlin, vice-chair, Fanshawe College Foundation (incoming chair, Sept. 2009). Back row, Brent Baer, district manager, ECHO Power Equipment (Canada); Horticulture Technician students; Mario Scopazzi, co-operative education consultant, Jack Parker, faculty, School of Design; Catherine Finlayson, executive director, Fanshawe College Foundation.

Tools donated to Fanshawe College include: power pruner, trimmer with pro-sweep, pro-paddle and tiller cultivator attachments, edger, power blower power vac, hedge trimmers, chain saws, and powered sprayers. The company is also donating three sets of safety equipment for operating the chain saws. All of these tools will have a wide range of use for students in both diploma and apprenticeship programs.

ECHO Power Equipment (Canada) president, Ed Zynomirski, made the announcement while visiting the college in June. “The college approached us as part of its business strategy to partner with companies that offer top quality equipment for their training program. With the funding cuts going on and the cutbacks institutions are experiencing, businesses in the community have to get involved and a donation like this helps them save money that they can re-direct to other educational programs,” he says.

“It was a natural fit for our organizations as we both have quality products,” says Zynomirski, referring to Fanshawe’s horticulture technician program. “The people who graduate from the program will be using our products and this gives us some advance exposure to future landscaping professionals.”
www.echo.ca

RDSI to offer PureLight towers
Rick Darche Sales Inc., (RDSI), will now be offering a new line of portable light towers by Light Engineering (LE).

The company says its PureLight30 model represents the most significant advancement in the portable lighting industry in the last 20 years. The tower utilizes patented LE GenSmart generator technology which enables a lower life cycle cost, significantly less fuel consumption and reduced weight.

Powered by a Liquid Cooled Yanmar, (2TNV70) engine and a lightweight GenSmart Permanent Magnet Generator (G24N1-018), the light tower has a 30 foot section mast, coiled mast cords with a 360 degree rotating tower.

The enclosure is constructed of heavy gauge powder-coated steel and the control system has an integrated key switch start with hour meter, low oil/high temperature shutdown protection. The tower’s rated output is 4000 W (4-1000 Watt Metal Halide) with enhanced flicker-free operation. One very significant attribute of the PureLight 30 is that the Machine does not require ballasts that are costly and require frequent replacement.
www.rdsi.ca
http://lt-eng.com/products/light-towers.html

A night on the water
The CRA will spend a night on the waters of Lake Ontario during a social event planned for September 13. Members will board the Tall Ship Kajama, the same ship that has become a Toronto harbour landmark and was featured on the CBS program, The Amazing Race.

Launched as the Wilfried in Rendsburg, Germany in 1930, the Kajama traded under sail for nearly 70 years. In 1999, Kajama was delivered transatlantic by Great Lakes Schooner Company and restored to her original profile. 

The cost for this event is $60 per person and includes related cruise expenses and dinner.  James Morden, CRA Ontario president, recommends association members make reservations early. “The Great Lakes Schooner Company and CRA Ontario are proud to offer this 164-foot three-masted gaff-rigged schooner, for this one-of-a-kind private sunset evening dinner cruise,” he says, adding that there will be a prepared meal in Kajama’s spacious single dining room; a 1006 square foot, open and airy venue that enjoys natural lighting and ventilation through massive skylights. “This is unique for us and it will certainly be one of the special occasions of the year,” says Morden.
www.crarental.org

Golf tournament scores 40
The Canadian Rental Association (CRA) Ontario will host its annual golf tournament at Trehaven golf and Country Club between Orillia and Barrie on September 15. Organizers say this event will mark the tournament’s 40th anniversary.

Registration is $135 which includes 18 holes, breakfast, lunch and a steak dinner. Prizes are available for ‘closest to the pin’ and for ‘longest drives.’ Hole in one holes are worth $10,000 each. Participants will also have a chance to win a trip for two to Orlando, Fla.

The golf tournament will coincide with the CRA’s national meeting which will take place two days prior.
www.crarental.org