60 Years in the Making: From Rental Ranch to RR Equipment
Wichita has seen a lot of changes since 1966, and at our shop on 29th Street and Amidon. We’ve had a front-row seat to all of them. What many of you know today as a hub for professional landscape gear actually began with a much broader—and sometimes unusual—inventory.
The United Rent-All Days
The story began sixty years ago when Melvin and Opal Redburn founded the family business as a franchise called United Rent-All. In those early days, the focus was purely on equipment rental. If you lived in Wichita in the 60s, you might remember coming to us for everything from sewer snakes and power tools to hospital beds and fine china.
By the early 1970s, the Redburns decided to move away from the franchise model, purchased the business outright, and rebranded it as Rental Ranch. That name became a staple for Wichita homeowners and contractors for over half a century.
A Legacy Spanning Three Generations
We have always believed that a family business should actually be run by the family. Mel Redburn started helping his father at the shop when he was just twelve years old, eventually taking over leadership in the mid-1980s.
Today, we are proud to be entering our third generation of local ownership. Mel’s son, Darren Redburn, is now at the helm, moving the family legacy forward into a new era. While the leadership has passed from father to son, the core value remains: when you do business with us, you still have direct access to the owner.
Evolving for the Future: “Double R”
As we enter 2026, we are embracing a change that reflects how much we’ve grown. While we still rent a wide variety of homeowner and light contractor equipment, our expertise has expanded deeply into specialized sales and precision service.
To align with this growth, we are officially changing our name to RR Equipment Sales & Service—or as we like to call it, “Double R”.
This new name highlights our commitment to being more than just a rental stop. We are now a premier destination for:
- Top-Tier Sales: Authorized dealers for powerhouses like STIHL and TORO.
- Specialized Service: Expert maintenance for small engines and complex machinery like the Toro Dingo.
- Reliable Parts: Keeping your crew running with a deep inventory of components.
Looking Ahead to the Next 60 Years
While the sign on the building might look a little different, the people inside haven’t changed. We are the same family-owned company that Melvin and Opal started six decades ago. Whether you’re a DIYer looking for a lawn mower or a professional landscaper managing a massive fleet, we are honored to be your partner in the field.
Thank you, Wichita, for trusting us with your projects since 1966. We look forward to serving you for the next 60 years as RR Equipment.