At a glance
| Phase | Equipment | When to book it |
|---|---|---|
| Demolish and cut | Saw, compressor + pneumatic breaker, backhoe breaker | First days |
| Haul debris | Skid steer, mini excavator, pallet truck | During demolition |
| Prep the base | Rammer, walk-behind roller | Before the pour |
| Pour | Mixer, vibrator | On pour day |
| Finishing and joints | Power trowel, saw | When the concrete is ready |
Phase 1 — Demolish and cut
- Cut before you break: the SIMAQ floor saw (13 HP Honda GX390, diamond blade, adjustable depth) leaves a straight edge and protects what stays.
- Detail demolition, sidewalks or interiors where a machine can't go → Doosan C185 compressor (185 CFM, single-axle towable, enclosed canopy) with a pneumatic breaker.
- Thick slabs, foundations or rock → SIMAQ DB 60V hydraulic breaker on a backhoe, with or without the backhoe.
Phase 2 — Haul debris and move material
- Bobcat S18, S570 and S590 skid steers: they fit where the site gets tight, load debris and take Bob-Tach attachments. The S18 has 10 units in the fleet.
- Utility trenches right against a wall → Bobcat E50z mini excavator, with zero tail swing.
- Pallets of material at floor level → SIMAQ 2.5 t hydraulic pallet truck.
Phase 3 — Prepare the base
- Fill under the slab, utility trenches and edges → SIMAQ SQ60 PRO rammer, in layers.
- Yard, sidewalk or ramp base in an open area → 0.8 t walk-behind double-drum roller.
- Compact the base at the right moisture and in layers of the thickness the spec calls for — it's explained in the guide on compaction by soil type.
Phase 4 — Pour
- 365 L mixer: electric (2,200 W, no fumes) for indoor or built-up areas; gas (5.5 HP Honda) if there's no power or the mixing point moves.
- SIMAQ 3 HP electric vibrator with a 40 mm head: drives out air and prevents honeycombing in columns, beams and slabs.
- Large, continuous volume → consider ready-mix and rent the rest.
Phase 5 — Finishing and joints
- SIMAQ S100 power trowel (Honda GX160, adjustable steel blades, float pan included): fine slab finish. Coordinate the pour time so it's on site when the concrete is ready.
- Floor saw for the control joints.
At height and at night
- Ceilings, installations and vertical indoor work → 12.4 m SIMAQ electric scissor lift, indoor-capable.
- Spots you need to reach around (façades, structures) → 13.7 m articulating boom.
- Façade work for weeks → scaffolding by the module.
- A pour that runs into the night → SIMAQ TLK6000 light tower (9 m mast).
How to quote it without paying for idle days
Each phase runs a different length: don't rent the power trowel on the day demolition starts. From the equipment pages, use 'add to quote' to build the list and set start and return dates; you get one proposal for the whole package. If you were looking to 'rent tools', this is the list that actually moves the job: powered and structural site equipment, with maintenance on us.
Common mistakes
- Renting everything on day one and paying for equipment waiting for its phase.
- Breaking without cutting first: you damage what stays.
- Pouring without a vibrator.
- Compacting the base in one thick layer.
- Not timing the power trowel with the pour.
Frequently asked questions
What equipment do I need to pour a slab?
A mixer (or ready-mix for big volumes), a vibrator to drive out air, a power trowel for the finish and a floor saw for control joints. If there's fill under the slab, a rammer before the pour.
Do you rent remodeling equipment in Guatemala?
Yes. RentaCentro rents concrete, cutting and compaction equipment in Guatemala, among other categories. Quote with your site location and we'll confirm availability and delivery.
When do I use a compressor and when a backhoe breaker?
A hydraulic breaker on the backhoe for slabs, foundations and rock: volume and force. A pneumatic breaker with a compressor for detail demolition, sidewalks and spots the machine can't reach. Many jobs use both.
Can I rent everything in a single quote?
Yes: build the list from the equipment pages with 'add to quote', set your dates and you get one proposal for the whole package.
What do I use for ceilings or indoor installations?
The 12.4 m electric scissor lift: it rises straight up with a full guardrail and is indoor-capable. For façade work lasting weeks, scaffolding usually comes out ahead.
Equipment in this guide
Add them to your quote with the + button and send them together, with dates, in a single request.
SIMAQ 365 Electric Concrete Mixer (2,200 W)The same drum, no fumes: for indoor and urban work.
Get a quote
