Ravi Patel Takes on New Adventures Each Day as a CDL Delivery Driver

Ravi Patel was dispatched to recover two scissor lifts two hours south of his branch in Columbia, Missouri, and as he approached his destination in the small town of Linn, his face lit up when the State Tech campus came into view.

“I love seeing the projects from start to finish. This one’s new, this one’s new, this one’s new,” Patel said, pointing out new facilities on campus. “There’s a sense of excitement and pride in seeing a project come full circle, and knowing the equipment I delivered played a key part in making the job possible is really rewarding.”

This is the story of a day in the life of an EquipmentShare CDL delivery driver, a career that will take you new places and challenge you in unexpected ways every day.

The adventure begins

“This might get interesting,” Patel said as he approached the entrance to the school. “But what I enjoy most is that no two days are ever quite the same.”

Active construction on a roundabout required he take a different approach than first planned. The only way around was through the school’s parking lot. He turned tight corners and slowly bumped over curbs until he reached the back of the campus. 

Despite busy construction sites at both ends of campus, Patel knew where to find the machines. Using EquipmentShare’s T3® technology, he saw the machine’s location, health and service history.

“Having real-time information at my fingertips makes the job smoother and helps me focus on getting equipment on time,” Patel said. “Compared to other jobs where I relied on paper logs, phone calls or my own judgement on the road, I use EquipmentShare’s technology every day to plan routes, communicate with dispatch and stay on top of delivery schedules.”

Patel located both lifts, wiped off the dust and stray nails and considered how to get them to the truck. Turning the rig around in the cramped lot wouldn't be easy. Just then, a telehandler approached.

“Want help loading these onto the truck?” the operator asked. 

Patel took him up on the offer.

With a few hand signals and nods, Patel guided him to lift the scissor lifts at the right angle. It was a quiet collaboration between two pros who knew their work. Patel strapped the lifts to the trailer.

Back in the cab, Patel mapped his way out. As the truck crawled down a gravel road, he recalled lessons learned from his early days with EquipmentShare. 

“I was headed to a new location and relied too much on Maps,” Patel said. “My route took me off the main roads and onto a gravel road where I lost signal. Luckily, I was able to get back out to the highway without having to turn around, but it was a stressful experience. I learned from that moment to always research locations ahead of time, look at the map, check the route, and prepare before leaving to save a lot of unnecessary headaches.”

Life on the road

Back on the highway, Patel turned up the radio and settled in for the drive back to the rental yard. With the lifts recovered, he remembered his introduction to trucking. He was a boy — riding alongside his dad, who was a long-haul trucker. 

“I was exposed to trucking at an early age and really enjoyed the opportunities it gave me to see different parts of the country,” Patel said. “I’ve always had an adventurous side and never pictured myself in an office job. Trucking was the perfect way to combine my love of adventure with my passion for driving.”

Patel’s career began hauling for the live music and band management industry, traveling the country across all seasons. Then, he drove for the Missouri Department of Transportation and later delivered construction supplies and building materials. Just before joining EquipmentShare in 2021, he hauled seed crops, a job in which timing was critical during planting and harvest seasons.

These experiences prepared him for the work he does now. But at EquipmentShare, the job connects to something bigger.

“Here, it’s not just about driving from Point A to Point B, it’s about being part of the bigger picture.” Patel said. “Every delivery is connected to a project’s success, and I get to see firsthand how the equipment we bring out makes a difference.”

The bigger picture

Patel enjoys the variety and sense of purpose of the job, but he also values returning home to his family. 

“My wife and I adopt senior dogs, and caring for them has become one of the most meaningful parts of my life,” Patel said. “Being home creates balance. I can do the work I love while still being present for my family and the work my wife and I do together.”

Back at his branch’s rental yard, Patel and a service technician unloaded the scissor lifts. Then Patel drove a telehandler onto the trailer, strapped it in and drove off to the next delivery. 

At the end of the day, Patel delivered and recovered several different types of equipment. But whether it’s aerial lifts, material handlers, earthmovers or even a John Deere side-by-side, the job goes beyond driving. 

“There’s a strong sense of teamwork,” Patel said. “Dispatchers, mechanics and drivers all work together to make sure customers get what they need safely and on time. If you want a job where you can take pride in what you do and feel connected to something bigger, this is the place.”

If you’re ready to play an important part in building the future of construction, explore careers as an EquipmentShare CDL delivery driver, where each day you’ll take on new challenges and adventures.