Small Telehandlers Make a Big Impact: A Conversation with AK Equipment Rental

For a quarter of a century, AK Equipment Rental and Sales in Cullman, Ala., has been a cornerstone of light construction support in Cullman County, serving a population of about 80,000 residents. As a full-service equipment rental and sales business, AK Rentals has built its reputation on listening to its customers and responding with the right tools.

One of its most in-demand machines today? The ultra-compact SkyTrak^® 3013 telehandler from JLG. We spoke with Brian Arndt, manager of AK Rentals, to learn how this seemingly small machine is making a big impact.

What first got you interested in the 3013 telehandlers?

For years, we were dealers for another equipment brand, but we’d been looking to refresh our fleet with something more adaptable. We already had success with the SkyTrak 6034 telehandlers — we’ve got seven of those now, all under two years old — but we also had a customer come in needing a smaller machine. He liked skid steers but wanted more reach. That’s when we found the 3013.

What did you find compelling about the 3013?

It’s a unique piece of equipment. The 3013 weighs just 5,300-lb and has a load capacity of 2,700-lb. It lifts up to 13-ft, but it’s compact — only 4-ft 6-in wide and 8-ft 9-in long — and maneuverable with rear-pivot steering. It’s got 4-wheel drive, 2-wheel rear steer and a hydrostatic drive powered by a 24.8-hp Kubota diesel. The whole machine is light enough to tow behind a half-ton pickup. That’s a big deal — most of our customers can pick it up themselves with a trailer and a half-ton truck. They don’t need us to deliver it. They can haul it themselves and get right to work. That saves on delivery and gives them more flexibility.

How are your customers using it?

They’re not your typical construction site machines. We rent them out for all kinds of uses — warehouses, mini storage units with gravel lots, setting up deer blinds, loading hot tubs onto porches, backfilling over retaining walls, moving roofing material, unloading pallets of sod and so on.

Around here, they’ve even been used to help set up community events like Oktoberfest, the AL Strawberry Festival and the City of Cullman's Christmas market. With its narrow frame and excellent visibility from the cab, it works great in city parks or other tight spaces.

The City actually rents 3013s from us for months at a time. But for most customers, it’s usually a half-day or one-day rental.

Where does the 3013 fit compared to other machines?

It fills a very specific need. When a skid steer is too heavy, a 6034 is too large and a forklift just gets stuck — this is the machine they need.

It’s got the reach of a forklift and a skid steer's lifting power and can go almost anywhere. Its compact profile is also ideal for maneuvering in public spaces like parks and streets, which means that it is well-suited for municipal and event-use cases. Customers love how it fits into tight spots and handles well on gravel or uneven surfaces.

Plus, it uses standard skid steer attachments like forks and buckets, so folks with existing gear can swap tools easily.

Do you see more rental stores adopting the 3013?

Honestly, I’m surprised that more places don’t carry it. If they gave it a shot, I think they’d be amazed at how versatile and useful it is. There’s always a waitlist for ours — we have two right now (with another one on order) that are constantly booked.

What’s ahead for AK Rentals?

We’ll keep doing what we’ve always done — listen to our customers and make sure we have the tools they need to do their jobs. The 3013 has been a great find for us: Simple, reliable and in high demand.

Expanding Possibilities

When machine efficiency, adaptability and reliability are more important than ever, AK Rentals’ experience with the SkyTrak 3013 telehandler demonstrates how the right machine can unlock new opportunities for contractors, municipalities, event planners and so many more.

AK Rentals has turned ultra-compact telehandlers into a cornerstone of their rental fleet by listening to their customers and investing in equipment that delivers real-world value. As more rental companies look to differentiate themselves and meet the demands of diverse job sites, AK Rentals’ success with 3013s is a good reminder that, sometimes, the smallest machines can make the biggest impact.

Learn more about ultra-compact JLG^® and SkyTrak^® telehandlers at JLG.com.