SDMO gives renters close-up on Compact range

SDMO has been showing European rental buyers its new range of Rental Compact generators, the first of which was launched at the Bauma exhibition last year.

SDMO staff accompanied delegates from some of the UK's top generator rental firms at a product demonstration in Barcelona, Spain late last year, with 100 kVA and 30 kVA units on display.

Clive Dix, general manager of SDMO Energy - SDMO's UK subsidiary - said orders had already been placed, with Rotherham-based rental company Power Command buying four of the 100 kVA units and Speedy ordering 32 sets ranging from 80 to 500kVA, powered by either a John Deere or Volvo diesel engines.

The Speedy units were scheduled for shipping in the first few weeks of 2011 for distribution throughout Speedy's Power division in the UK and the Middle East.

Mr Dix said the new gensets had been designed with rental companies in mind; "Naturally, the first consideration was to make sure that all the technical features and benefits, demanded by the rental industry, was included as standard into the sets.

"However, as we anticipate that these rental generators will be used in wide variety of situations, we became aware that we needed to consider the overall look of the sets. Therefore our designers produced a canopy that is not only compact and practical, but also pleasing to the eye, ensuring that these sets will not look out of place in any surroundings, whilst remaining highly durable in extreme weather conditions."

The current SDMO rental range offers generator fleet solutions between 2.75 and 2500 kVA and the new Rental Compact range encompasses sets between 16.0 and 700.0 kVA, using Leroy Somer alternators combined with John Deere, Mitsubishi or Volvo engines.

Each set is fitted with low level sockets and a hardwire facility. Engine access has been improved with wide opening galvanised doors and door retainer clips. The generators have "whisper-quiet sound levels", said SDMO, and the long-run fuel tank is fully bunded.

The operating and control section is now separated from the engine/alternator compartment, making it more accessible and easier to use. SDMO says this has also reduced sound levels (to 76.5 dB (A)).

Transportation and off-loading is made simple via nylon lined, fork access pockets inserted into the base which protect the set from damage, with a central lifting eye retained within the canopy surround.

SDMO Generators have their headquarters and manufacturing facility in Brest, France. Over 100,000 generating sets rated between 15 and 3500 kVA roll from the SDMO production lines each year.

The first models in the new line were made available in September last year to be followed by further sizes in 2011, including the 135 kVA R135C3. Other models in the 250 to 700 kVA sizes will be launched at the end of 2011 or during 2012.