Custom Tool Trailer Supports Solar Farm Build

To install solar panels on a solar farm, crews must first install thousands of racks to which the panels will be secured. It’s a massive undertaking, and one that requires specialized tools, including hydraulic rivet blind (BOM) guns, hydraulic rivet lock bolt guns and hydraulic power packs.

One of the top solar contractors in the southern United States was performing such an installation job on a large, remote solar project with a tight construction timeline. To maximize productivity, the company sought to ensure that crews had all the tools they needed at the ready and that the tools remained in peak operating condition to avoid tool-related downtime. Given the considerable expense of the specialty tools, tracking tools and minimizing tool loss were additional project priorities.

United Rentals provided a multi-pronged solution: an onsite managed tool trailer and onsite tool maintenance for critical tools.

Onsite managed tool trailer made tools accessible

United Rentals stocked a custom-designed tool trailer with all the requisite tools, which kept the tools organized and eliminated the need for last-minute offsite trips for critical tools.

High-value and frequently used tools were affixed with Bluetooth tags to enable tool tracking. To assign a crew member a tool, the tool trailer coordinator scanned the barcode associated with the tool as well as a barcode on the worker’s helmet. Tracking tool distribution in this way created accountability for each tool.

The tool trailer, which featured controlled access to protect the valuable assets inside, could be easily moved to other locations on the vast jobsite as the project progressed so tools were always near where crews needed them most. The inventory was ramped up as necessary over the course of the project.

Always-on maintenance kept crews on task

Solar panel rack installation puts considerable stress on tools. During heavy use, the BOM guns and rivet lock bolt guns require regular ongoing maintenance. Guns in poor operating condition may break down; in addition, they waste rivets.

United Rentals took a proactive approach to tool maintenance. The tool trailer coordinator received training from the tool manufacturer on proper repair and maintenance of the rivet guns. This training enabled United Rentals to effectively handle a wide range of tasks including cleaning, lubrication, inspection of seals, nosepiece maintenance, hydraulic component checks and calibration checks. Onsite maintenance and repair eliminated the time and expense of sending tools offsite.

The tool trailer coordinator also spent time in the field checking the tools and swapping them out as necessary so that maintenance could be performed before any serious issues arose.

The customer was impressed. The project engineer noted that United Rentals “went above and beyond” to ensure that crews were able to hit the ground running every day.

Tool training increased safety and tool life

The United Rentals’ tool trailer coordinator also educated crews on the proper use of the tools, stressing safety protocols, which contributed to a culture of safety on the worksite. During training, workers were taught how to spot signs that the guns required maintenance, as well as how to achieve the most rivets per unit.

United Rentals’ proactive approach to maintenance paid off, maximizing tool life and performance while reducing expenditures on parts and rivets. On similar jobs, spending on consumables can run as high as $30,000 per month. The customer spent only $44,663 over a ten-month period.

Tool tracking contributed to project efficiency

Bluetooth tool tracking allowed teams to quickly locate each tool. As a tool moved around the site, its Bluetooth tag pinged telematics devices on nearby construction equipment, which sent the precise location to Total Control®, United Rentals’ worksite management platform.

Tool tracking not only reduced time-consuming hunts for tools but also enabled the contractor to make informed decisions about inventory management and resource allocation.

A model for future project success

Combining a secure tool storage solution with real-time tool tracking capabilities provided a new level of security for tools and equipment on the project site. At the same time, onsite tool maintenance and repair minimized downtime and extended the lifespan of tools, contributing to overall project efficiency.

According to Candice De Melo, United Rentals regional project development manager, the customer was so thrilled with the results that it has signed a national account agreement with United Rentals and intends to deploy similar United Rentals tool solutions at other solar project sites.

To inquire about a managed tool trailer solution for your next project, contact United Rentals Tool Solutions.