(a) Condition of Equipment at Delivery; Inspection: Prior to taking possession of the Equipment from RocxGroup. Lessee personally inspected the Equipment and found it to be in good and safe condition, free from defects and suitable for the purposes for which Lessee is renting the Equipment.
(b) Loading/Unloading: Unless otherwise indicated on the first page of the Rental Contract, Lessee is responsible for transport of the Equipment from the RocxGroup’ Store to the Job Site, and its return to the RocxGroup Store at the end of the rental period. If Lessee is responsible for transport, Lessee acknowledges that it is Lessee’s responsibility to secure the Equipment on Lessee’s transport vehicle. The Lessee may request the RocxGroup’ employees to assist in the loading of the Equipment. If such assistance is provided, Lessee agrees to assume the risk of, hold RocxGroup harmless from, and defend RocxGroup against any losses (including but not limited to property damage and personal injury) which might result from such loading and unloading and at all times when the Equipment is in Lessee’s possession. ROCXGROUP DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO WHETHER THE EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN LOADED IN A SAFE AND SECURE MANNER ONTO LESSEE’S TRANSPORT VEHICLE. Lessee also acknowledges that if has inspected the trailer coupling mechanisms and safety chain before leaving RocxGroup’ premises and the same is in good working order and condition. Lessee agrees to maintain the trailer coupling mechanism and safety chain in good working order and condition, and to inspect the same periodically, but not less than every 250 miles.
(c) Equipment Use; Compliance with Laws. Lessee acknowledges that RocxGroup has no control over the utilization and use of the Equipment by Lessee, the trade or occupation of Lessee, and the qualifications for lack thereof of .the Lessee to use the Equipment. Lessee shall operate the Equipment and assumes any and all, responsibility to guarantee that the Equipment is used only: (i) at the Job Site (unless Lessee notifies RocxGroup of a different or additional address at which the Equipment is to be used and the duration of intended use at such other location); (ii) for the purposes for which the Equipment was manufactured and intended as set forth in the Manufacturer’s safety and operating instructions, and (iii) by a “Properly Trained Individual”, defined as a person employed by Lessee who is at least 21 years old and has received the training and instruction necessary to operate the Equipment in correct and safe manner. Use of the Equipment (a) in violation of any of the preceding clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and/or (b) in any manner which constitutes an exception to the Loss/Damage Waiver (whether or not Lessee elected or declined such Loss/Damage Waiver) is prohibited and shall constitute ”Improper Use.” Lessee further agrees that at Lessee’s sole expense, Lessee will comply with all governmental safety or health regulations (including without limitation the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), all operational and/or maintenance standards or requirements, and all municipal, county, state and federal laws applicable to the use of the Equipment. Lessee agrees that RocxGroup shall have no responsibility for Lessee’s compliance therewith. All licenses, fees or taxes arising from Lessee’s rental and/or use of the Equipment shall be paid for by Lessee.
(d) Rental Period. The “Rental Period” shall be defined as the period of time for and during which the Equipment is rented to Lessee as set forth on the first page of this Rental Contract, plus any and all extension(s) granted pursuant to Subsection 2(f) below. Notwithstanding the stated Rental Period, Rental Charges as provided in Section 1(e), below, commence accruing upon the earlier of the date for delivery set forth on the first page of this Rental Contract or when the Equipment leaves the RocxGroup Store, and shall continue to accrue until the Equipment is returned to RocxGroup as provided for in Section 2(g), below. Rental Charges accrue during weekends and holidays. In the event Lessee returns the Equipment prior to the expiration of the Rental Period set forth on the first page of this Rental Contract, Lessee shall be required to pay (a) the Rental Charges set forth on the first page of this Rental Contract or (b) Rental Charges for the actual period during which the Equipment out of RocxGroup’ possession, whichever is greater.
(e) Rental Charges: As consideration for the rental of the Equipment, Lessee agrees to pay rental charges (“Rental Charges”) at the rate set forth in the first page of this Rental Contract. Lessee also agrees to comply with the other terms and conditions of this Rental Contract. The rental rate on the first page of this Rental Contract is for Equipment usage not exceeding a maximum of 8 hours in any one day (“Daily Maximum Usage“), 5 eight hour days in any one week (“Weekly Maximum Usage“) and 20 eight-hour days in any 30 consecutive day period (“Monthly Maximum Usage”) (collectively, “Normal Usage”). USAGE AND LOCATION OF THE EQUIPMENT MAY BE MONITORED BY METER OR SATELLITE/GPS MONITORING. Use in excess of the Normal Usage, or usage in violation of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall be deemed “Excessive Usage.” In the event of Excessive Usage, Lessee shall pay Rental Charges for each hour or fractional hour of Excess Usage at the “Overtime Rate” indicated on the first page of this Rental Contract. Rental Charges do not include fuel. Lessee is solely responsible for payment of fuel and other consumables used in the operation of the Equipment
(f) Extension of Rental Period. In the event Lessee desires to extend the Rental Period beyond the expiration date stated on the first page of this Rental Contract, Lessee shall immediately make a written request to RocxGroup for such extension, including the proposed expiration date for such extension. Upon written approval of such extension by the RocxGroup, Lessee and RocxGroup will execute a written extension setting forth the terms of such extension. Unless otherwise indicated in such written extension, all terms and conditions of this Rental Contract shall apply during the extension. In the event Lessee does not return the Equipment upon the expiration of the Rental Period and any approved extension, the Lessee’s obligations to pay Rental Charges and observe the terms of this Rental Contract, shall continue until such time as the Equipment is returned. In addition, RocxGroup shall be entitled to pursue any and all of its rights, remedies and damages for such failure to timely return the Equipment.
(g) Return of the Equipment. Lessee acknowledges and agrees that (i) Lessee shall return the Equipment to the Store (or such other location as RocxGroup may direct) during normal business hours at the end of the Rental Period; (ii) RocxGroup may suffer economic damages in the event of Lessee’s failure to timely return the Equipment, for which Lessee agrees it will be fully liable, and (iii) until such time as Lessee returns the Equipment to RocxGroup, Lessee will be legally responsible to pay the applicable rental rate as stated on the first page of this Rental Contract. Additionally, failure to return the Equipment within forty-eight (48) hours of the expiration of the Rental Period (or any extension thereof), in certain circumstances, may be construed as evidence of an intention to fraudulently convert the Equipment and RocxGroup may, in its sole discretion, report to law enforcement authorities that the Equipment is missing and may have been stolen.
(h) Condition of Equipment upon Return . Prior to its return, Lessee shell clean the Equipment and return the Equipment to RocxGroup in the same condition as when the Equipment was received by Lessee, reasonable wear and tear resulting from Normal Usage, excepted. Unless Lessee has elected and paid for the Loss/Damage Waiver provided for in Section 2(n), below, Lessee agrees to pay for any and all loss or damage to the Equipment occurring during the period between the delivery of the Equipment to Lessee and its return to RocxGroup, regardless of how or by whom caused. If Lessee has elected and paid for the Loss/Damage Waiver, Lessee shall not be obligated to pay for loss or damage to the extent the cause of such loss or damaged is covered by the terms thereof (See Section 2(n), below). Reasonable wear and tear shall mean the normal natural deterioration of Equipment caused by Normal Use in accordance with the terms of this Rental Contract. In the event of Excessive Usage, in addition to paying Rental Charges at the Overtime Rate, Lessee shall reimburse RocxGroup for the costs of refurbishing or otherwise restoring the wear and tear attributable to such Excessive Usage and any other damages (including loss of value and loss of useful life) caused by such Excessive Usage. If the Equipment is returned unclean, Lessee will pay RocxGroup for cleaning at the rate set forth on the first page of the Rental Contract. Excess tire or rubber track wear will be prorated based on the tire vendor’s wear chart. Any tire or rubber track with cuts to the cord or severe tread chucks missing will be the responsibility of the Lessee. Lessee will reimburse RocxGroup upon invoicing for new tire costs plus installation (including service call) less pre-existing wear. Equipment must be return with at least as much fuel as when delivered to Lessee. Costs of refueling by RocxGroup will be charged to Lessee at the rate on the first page of this Rental Contract.
(i) Payment of Charges; Non-Payment. Lessee agrees to pay to RocxGroup, all Rental Charges and other amounts (including reimbursement for damages and Excess Usage) due by Lessee as provided for herein. Rental Charges will be paid in advance unless an approved credit account has been established. Rental and other amounts due by approved credit Lessees, and all other amounts (including damages) due by non-credit approved Lessees, are due net 30 days upon receipt of an invoice from RocxGroup. A service charge equal to the lesser of 1.5% or the maximum rate permitted by applicable law, will be charged on all accounts which are overdue. RocxGroup reserves the right to require and advance deposit on any rental. In the event of non-payment when due, Lessee shall reimburse RocxGroup for all costs of collection including, without limitation, reasonable attorney fees, court costs and any other expenses actually incurred.
(j) Liability for Damage to Persons and Property; Indemnification. Lessee assumes the risk of any and all damage or injury to persons or property of any kind or nature, including wrongful death, caused by, resulting from or in any way connected with the use of the Equipment while the Equipment is subject to the terms of this Rental Contract, or arising out of the breach of any provision of this Rental Contract. Lessee agrees to indemnify and hold harmless RocxGroup and its members, officers, employees, successors and assigns, from and against any and all suits, actions, proceedings, claims, judgments, demands, damages, losses, costs and liabilities of any kind or nature (including, but not limited to, all attorney’s fees and defense costs) (collectively “Losses”) caused by, resulting from or in any way connected with the use of Equipment at any time while it is subject to the terms of this Rental Contract, or arising out of a breach of any provision of this Rental Contract. Such indemnification shall apply whether or not such Losses were caused by the active or passive negligence or other fault of RocxGroup or any other person indemnified hereunder including. Losses include but are not limited to claims of wrongful death of employees of Lessee or anyone else, property damage and any of the foregoing whether based on contract or tort including claims arising or imposed in accordance with the doctrine of strict or absolute liability. Lessee’s indemnification obligations contained in this Section 1(j) shall survive the expiration or termination of this Rental Contract.
(k) Liability for Loss or Total Destruction of Equipment. In the event of (a) loss, (b) total destruction, (c) loss of possession of the Equipment. or (d) Lessee’s inability to return the Equipment to RocxGroup for any reason whatsoever, Lessee shall pay RocxGroup the full replacement value of the Equipment, together with the applicable Rental Charges at the rate set forth on the first page this Rental Contract. Payment of the applicable rental rate shall continue until such time as RocxGroup, using commercially reasonable efforts, is able to replace the Equipment. Lessee’s payment obligation under this provision may be reduced by Lessee’s election of the Loss/Damage Waiver, if the cause of such loss or total destruction is covered by the terms thereof
(l) Equipment Maintenance and Storage. Lessee shall, at its own expense, maintain the Equipment in a careful and proper manner and, in any event, in accordance with Manufacturer’s specifications. Lessee shall store the Equipment in a safe and secure location and shall take all commercially reasonable measures necessary to protect the Equipment against theft, vandalism, or malicious mischief.
(m) Equipment Damage or Malfunction. If the Equipment is damaged (including damage caused by Excessive Usage or Improper Use) or malfunctioning in any way, Lessee shall immediately discontinue use of the Equipment, and also immediately notify RocxGroup of such damage or malfunction. RocxGroup agrees that, within a reasonable period of time of receiving such notification, it will repair the Equipment (or, within RocxGroup’ sole discretion,, replace such Equipment with a like piece of Equipment.) If the RocxGroup deems it advisable to repair the Equipment, Lessee shall be liable to RocxGroup for (i) the cost, including parts and labor, either incurred by RocxGroup to have the Equipment repaired by a third party or customarily charged by RocxGroup to perform such repairs, and (ii) the applicable Rental Charges at the rate on the first page of this Rental Contract until such repair has been completed. Lessee shall not be liable for the foregoing if the Equipment is malfunctioning (not damaged) and such malfunction is not related to Lessee’s use or operation of the Equipment. If, in RocxGroup’ sole discretion, the Equipment is damaged to such an extent that the Equipment cannot be adequately repaired, RocxGroup may consider such damage to be a total loss, and Lessee shall be liable to RocxGroup as though such damage constitutes a total loss. Such liability may be reduced by a reasonable estimate of the scrap value, if any, of the Equipment.
Loss/Damage Waiver. NOTE: THIS IS NOT INSURANCE. IF LESSEE ACCEPTS THE LOSS/DAMAGE WAIVER, in consideration of the additional charge paid by Lessee. Lessee’s liability for loss or damage to the Equipment shall be modified only and strictly as follows:
THIS LOSS/DAMAGE WAIVER IS NOT INSURANCE AND DOES NOT PROTECT LESSEE FROM LIABILITY TO OTHERS ARISING OUT OF POSSESSION, USE OR OPERATION OF THE EQUIPMENT. LESSEE HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES REVIEWING THIS RENTAL CONTRACT, SPECIFICALLY SECTIONS 2(n) and 2(o) WITH ITS INSURANCE AGENT.