An error has occurred during checkout. We are sorry for the inconvenience. Please contact RDO Equipment Co. at (701) 401-9744 or RDOAccountHelp@RDOequipment.com.
Owning equipment builds equity and ensures availability but depending on a contractor’s scheduled projects, some fleet managers may opt to rent or lease.
“Buying equipment builds equity and can increase productivity and revenue,” said Scott Weness, Regional Sales Manager at RDO Equipment Co. “Still, contractors often delay purchases due to economic or operational considerations. This is when they can talk to their trusted equipment expert about renting, leasing or a potential Rental Purchase Option (RPO).”
Contractors have tapped into RDO’s large’s rental fleet or considered an RPO due to several factors:
Face uncertain project pipelines
Want to avoid high interest rates
Prefer flexible cash flow
Need time to test different models before committing
Rent, Lease or RPO? How to Choose
When contractors reach out to their local RDO store, equipment experts guide them through three main options when purchasing a new machine is off the table:
Renting: Offers short-term flexibility. Contractors pay only when they use the equipment and avoid maintenance surprises.
Leasing: Provides longer-term access (typically 24-36 months) and includes a potential path to ownership.
RPOs: Combines flexibility with equity-building. Contractors can switch models while investing in ownership
.
“RPOs allow contractors to build equity gradually while maintaining flexibility,” Weness said. “It’s a great option for those who want to try different machines before committing.”
Watch this episode of The Track to learn how to prepare for the rent vs RPO talk.
Why Renting Works
Renting or opting for an RPO allows contractors to navigate operational costs like labor or fuel while managing predictable machine costs.
“Renting allows contractors to adapt to the ebbs and flows of their business needs,” Weness said.
Contractors who rent from RDO gain several advantages:
Minimize downtime: If a machine needs service, RDO quickly replaces it to keep projects on track.
Remote Support: RDO’s Connected Support team tracks machine health and dispatches technicians proactively.
Protect with warranties: Every rental machine includes warranty coverage.
Test out attachments or technology: Contractors test attachments and technology without long-term commitments.
“Many RDO rental machines include Fleet Management Software like John Deere Operations Center,” Weness said. “This technology enables remote health monitoring and fast technician dispatch.”
Ready to Rent with RDO?
RDO’s rental team tracks usage patterns to optimize inventory and offer competitive rates. Contractors who plan now position themselves for success in upcoming seasonal work.
Find your nearest RDO store to connect with our rental experts today. In the links below, explore our current rental inventory by region or call your regional rental dispatch team to check availability on specific machines (not all machines may be listed online):
Si Hanna is the Vice President of Equipment at RDO Equipment Co., managing inventory levels and fleet valuation, along with supporting machine health and remarketing sales. Hanna began with RDO in 2005 in Compact Construction Equipment (CCE) sales. He has held roles including Store Manager in Hewitt, TX, and General Manager of Remarketing. His first job in equipment was with RDO, and 20 years later, he’s a trusted expert in a rapidly changing industry.
