<b><b>From small tools, to excavators and dump trucks, there's a machine for any job, available for hire somewhere. Geoff Ashcroft looks at the options available for those considering compact machinery hire</b></b><br><b>Apart from the obvious high profile hire centres already known to builders and ground workers which might include Hewden Hire Centres, Jewson, HSS and Speedy Hire for example, the choice for machinery hire is not an obvious one.</b><br><b>A good starting point for many is Yellow Pages. Alternatively, the publication Where Hire? 2001, is an invaluable reference guide for those looking to hire machinery. The 256-page guide* enables users to find a specific item of plant anywhere in the UK, or to search by company name or to find hire information by county. </b><br><b>Alternatively, those with access to a computer could visit www.get-on-site.com for an electronic listing, or phone 0870 600 7483 for the information you need to get the job done. </b><br><b><b>Rough diamonds </b></b><br> Having found the sources for equipment hire, however, sieving out the rough diamonds from the smooth operators is a difficult task. Be aware that machines have a tough life when out on hire and it might not be in as pristine a condition as you would …