UNITED RENTALS NORTH AMERICA INC
10-K, 1999-03-29
EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASING, NEC
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<PAGE>
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
 
                                   FORM 10-K
 
                       FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS
                    PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
(Mark One)
 
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
  ACT OF 1934
 
  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.
 
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
  For the transition period from          to
 
                         Commission File Number 1-14387
                              United Rentals, Inc.
                         Commission File Number 1-13663
                      United Rentals (North America), Inc.
          (Exact Names of Registrants as Specified in Their Charters)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
                   Delaware                                      06-1522496
                   Delaware                                      06-1493538
        State or Other Jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. Employer
        Incorporation or Organization                       Identification Nos.)
         Four Greenwich Office Park,
            Greenwich, Connecticut                                 06083
   (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                      (Zip code)
 
   Registrants' telephone number, including area code: (203) 622-3131
 
   Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
             Title of Each Class                          Name of Each Exchange on
                                                              Which Registered
   Common Stock, $.01 par value, of United
                 Rentals, Inc.                            New York Stock Exchange
</TABLE>
 
   Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
 
   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
                                                                 [X] Yes  [ ] No
 
   Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to
the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]
 
   As of March 22, 1999, there were 70,788,238 shares of United Rentals, Inc.
common stock outstanding. The aggregate market value of such common stock held
by non-affiliates of the registrant at March 22, 1999 was approximately $1.1
billion. Such aggregate market value was calculated by using the closing price
of such common stock as of such date on the New York Stock Exchange ($27.13).
There is no market for the common stock of United Rentals (North America),
Inc., all outstanding shares of which are owned by United Rentals, Inc.
 
   Documents incorporated by reference: Certain sections of the Proxy Statement
of United Rentals, Inc. to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 within 120 days of the registrant's fiscal year
are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
 
 
   This combined Form 10-K is separately filed by (i) United Rentals, Inc. and
(ii) United Rentals (North America), Inc. (which is a wholly owned subsidiary
of United Rentals, Inc.). United Rentals (North America), Inc. meets the
conditions set forth in general instruction I(1) (A) and (B) of Form 10-K and
is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format permitted by
such instruction.
<PAGE>
 
                             FORM 10-K REPORT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  10-K Part
 and Item No.                                                          Page No.
 ------------                                                          --------
 <C>          <S>                                                      <C>
 PART I
 Item 1       Business..............................................       1
 Item 2       Properties............................................      15
 Item 3       Legal Proceedings.....................................      16
 Item 4       Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders...      16
 PART II
 Item 5       Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related
              Stockholder Matters...................................      16
 Item 6       Selected Financial Data...............................      18
 Item 7       Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
              Condition and Results of Operations...................      19
              Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
 Item 7A      Risk..................................................      30
 Item 8       Financial Statements and Supplementary Data...........      31
 Item 9       Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
              Accounting and Financial Disclosure...................      73
 PART III
 Item 10      Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant....      73
 Item 11      Executive and Director Compensation...................      73
              Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
 Item 12      Management............................................      73
 Item 13      Certain Relationships and Related Transactions........      73
 PART IV
              Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports
 Item 14      on Form 8-K...........................................      73
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
    United Rentals, Inc. ("Holdings") is principally a holding company and
primarily conducts its operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, United
Rentals (North America), Inc. ("URI"), and subsidiaries of URI. URI was
incorporated in August 1997, initially capitalized in September 1997 and
commenced equipment rental operations in October 1997. Holdings was
incorporated in July 1998 and became the parent company of URI on August 5,
1998, in connection with a reorganization of URI's corporate structure that was
effected in order to facilitate certain financings. As part of such
reorganization, the outstanding common stock of URI was converted, on a share
for share basis, into common stock of Holdings and the common stock of Holdings
commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange instead of the common stock of
URI. Prior to such reorganization, the name of United Rentals (North America),
Inc. was United Rentals, Inc. Unless otherwise indicated or the context
otherwise clearly requires, (i) the terms "United Rentals" and the "Company"
refer collectively to URI and its subsidiaries, with respect to periods prior
to such reorganization, and to Holdings and its subsidiaries, with respect to
periods thereafter, and (ii) the term "Common Stock" refers to the common stock
or URI, with respect to periods prior to such reorganization, and to the common
stock of Holdings, with respect to periods thereafter.
 
    Certain statements contained in this Report are forward-looking in nature.
Such statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology
such as "believes," "expects," "may" "will," "should," or "anticipates" or the
negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy. You
are cautioned that our business and operations are subject to a variety of
risks and uncertainties and, consequently, our actual results may materially
differ from those projected by any forward-looking statements. Certain of such
risks and uncertainties are discussed below under Item 1--"Business--Factors
that May Influence Future Results and Accuracy of Forward-Looking Statements."
We make no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in
order to reflect events or circumstances after the date any such statement is
made.
 
                                     PART I
 
  All pro forma operating and financial data contained under Item 1 and Item 2
with respect to the year ended December 31, 1998 gives effect to all
acquisitions completed by the Company (through March 22, 1999) after the
beginning of the period and the financing of such acquisitions, as if all such
transactions had occurred at the beginning of the period. Unless otherwise
indicated, the information under Item 1 and Item 2 is as of March 22, 1999.
 
Item 1. Business
 
General
 
    United Rentals is the largest equipment rental company in North America
with 453 branch locations in 39 states, Canada and Mexico. We offer for rent
over 600 different types of equipment on a daily, weekly or monthly basis and
serve customers that include construction industry participants, industrial
companies and homeowners. We also sell used rental equipment, act as a dealer
for many types of new equipment, and sell related merchandise and parts. In the
past year, we have served over 900,000 customers.
 
    We have one of the most comprehensive and newest equipment rental fleets in
the industry. The types of rental equipment that we offer include a broad range
of light to heavy construction and industrial equipment, such as backhoes,
aerial lifts, skid-steer loaders, forklifts, compressors, pumps and generators,
as well as a variety of smaller tools and equipment. Our equipment fleet has an
original purchase price of approximately $2.2 billion and a weighted average
age of approximately 26 months (based on original purchase price).
 
                                       1
<PAGE>
 
    We began operations in October 1997 and have grown through a combination of
internal growth and the acquisition of 103 companies. Our completed
acquisitions include our merger with U.S. Rentals in September 1998. At the
time of the merger, U.S. Rentals was the second largest equipment rental
company in the United States based on 1997 rental revenues.
 
Competitive Advantages
 
    We believe that we benefit from the following competitive advantages:
 
    Full Range of Rental Equipment. We have one of the largest and most
comprehensive equipment rental fleets in the industry, enabling us to:
 
  .   attract customers by providing the benefit of "one-stop" shopping;
 
  .   serve a diverse customer base, which reduces our dependence on any
      particular customer or group of customers;
 
  .   serve large customers that require assurance that substantial
      quantities of different types of equipment will be available as
      required on a continuing basis; and
 
  .   minimize lost sales due to equipment being unavailable.
 
    Operating Efficiencies. We generally group our branches into clusters of 10
to 30 locations that are in the same area. Our management information system
enables each branch to track equipment at any other branch and to access all
available equipment within a cluster. We believe that our cluster strategy
produces significant operating efficiencies by enabling us to:
 
  .   market the equipment within a cluster through multiple branches,
      rather than a single branch, which increases our equipment utilization
      rate;
 
  .   cross-market the equipment specialities of different branches within
      each cluster, which increases revenues without increasing marketing
      expenses; and
 
  .   reduce costs by centralizing common functions such as payroll, credit
      and collection, and certain equipment delivery.
 
    Significant Purchasing Power. We have significant purchasing power because
of our volume purchases. As a result, we can generally buy new equipment and
related merchandise and parts at prices that are significantly lower than
prices paid by smaller companies. We can also buy many other products and
services--such as insurance, telephone and fuel--at attractive rates.
 
    Management Information System. We have a modern management information
system which facilitates rapid and informed decision-making and enables us to
respond quickly to changing market conditions. The system provides management
with a wide range of real time operating and financial data, including reports
on inventory, receivables, customers, vendors, fleet utilization and price and
sales trends. The system also enables branch personnel to search for needed
equipment throughout a geographic region, determine its closest location and
arrange for delivery to a customer's work site. The system includes software
developed by our Wynne Systems subsidiary, which is the leading provider of
proprietary software for use by equipment rental companies in managing and
operating multiple branch locations. We have an in-house staff of 35 management
information specialists that supports our system and extends it to new
locations.
 
    Customer Diversity. Our customer base is highly diversified and ranges from
Fortune 100 companies to small contractors and homeowners. We estimate that our
top ten customers accounted for approximately 4% of our pro forma revenues
during 1998.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
    Geographic Diversity. We have branches in 39 states, Canada and Mexico. We
believe that our geographic diversity should reduce the impact that
fluctuations in regional economic conditions have on our overall financial
performance. Our geographic diversity and large network of branch locations
also give us the ability to serve national accounts and access used equipment
re-sale markets across the country.
 
    Experienced Senior Management. Our senior management combines executives
who have extensive operating experience in the equipment rental industry with
executives who have proven track records in other industries. Our senior
management includes former officers of United Waste Systems, Inc., which was a
publicly-traded solid waste management company that successfully executed a
growth strategy combining a disciplined acquisition program, the integration
and optimization of acquired facilities, and internal growth. Our senior
management also includes former executives of U.S. Rentals who have extensive
experience in the equipment rental industry.
 
    Strong and Motivated Branch Management. Each of our branches has a full-
time branch manager who is supervised by one of our 35 district managers and
eight regional vice presidents. We believe that our branch and district
managers, who average over 20 years of experience in the equipment rental
industry, are among the most knowledgeable and experienced in the industry. We
encourage entrepreneurship at the branch level by giving branch managers a
high degree of autonomy relating to day-to-day operations. For example, each
branch manager is empowered to make decisions--within budgetary guidelines--
concerning staffing, pricing and equipment purchasing. We also promote
entrepreneurship at the branch level, as well as equipment sharing among
branches, through our profit sharing program which directly ties the
compensation of branch personnel to their branch's financial performance and
equipment utilization rates. We balance the autonomy that we grant branch
managers with systems through which senior management closely tracks branch
performance. We also share information across branches so that each branch can
measure its operating performance relative to other branches and benefit from
the best practices developed throughout our organization.
 
    Professional Acquisition Team. Our 25-person acquisition team works full-
time on identifying and evaluating acquisition candidates and executing our
acquisition program. The core of this group consists of seasoned acquisition
professionals--most of whom were members of the acquisition team at United
Waste Systems, where they completed over 200 acquisitions. The team also
includes former owners of businesses that we acquired, who have extensive
industry experience and contacts with potential acquisition candidates.
 
Growth Strategy
 
    Our plan for future growth includes the following key elements.
 
    Continue Strong Internal Growth. We are seeking to sustain our strong
internal growth by:
 
  .   expanding and modernizing our equipment fleet;
 
  .   increasing the cross-marketing of our equipment specialties at
      different locations;
 
  .   increasing our advertising--which becomes increasingly cost-effective
      as we grow because the benefit is spread over a larger number of
      branches;
 
  .   expanding our national accounts program--which dedicates a portion of
      our sales force to establishing and expanding our relationships with
      large customers that have a national or multi-regional presence; and
 
  .   increasing our rentals to industrial companies by developing a
      comprehensive marketing program specifically aimed at this sector.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
    Execute Disciplined Acquisition Program. We intend to continue our
disciplined acquisition program. We generally seek to acquire multiple
locations within the regions that we enter, with the goal of creating clusters
of locations that can share various resources, including equipment, marketing
resources, back office functions, and certain equipment delivery. We are
seeking to acquire companies of varying sizes, including relatively large
companies to serve as platforms for new regional clusters and smaller companies
to complement existing or anticipated locations. In considering whether to buy
a company, we evaluate a number of factors, including purchase price,
anticipated impact on earnings, the quality of the target's rental equipment
and management, the opportunities to improve operating margins and increase
internal growth at the target, the economic prospects of the region in which
the target is located, the potential for additional acquisitions in the region,
and the competitive landscape in the target's markets.
 
    Open New Rental Locations. Because most of the businesses that we acquired
grew through developing start-up rental locations, many of our managers have
substantial experience in this area. We intend to leverage this experience by
selectively opening new rental locations in attractive markets where there are
no suitable acquisition targets available or where the economics of a start-up
location are more attractive than buying an existing business.
 
    Increase Cost Savings. We work to reduce costs by efficiently integrating
new and existing operations, eliminating duplicative costs, centralizing common
functions, consolidating locations that serve the same areas, and using our
purchasing power to negotiate discounts from suppliers.
 
  Continue to Emphasize Management Systems and Controls. We intend to further
strengthen our management systems and controls, which currently include:
 
  .   a 12-person internal audit department that is responsible for ensuring
      that we have adequate financial, operating, and management information
      controls throughout our organization;
 
  .   a team of 25 regional and district controllers that monitors each
      branch for compliance with financial and accounting procedures
      established at corporate headquarters; and
 
  .   a 32-person risk management and safety department that is responsible
      for: (1) developing and implementing safety programs and procedures,
      (2) developing our customer and employee training programs and (3)
      investigating and managing any claims that may be asserted against us.
 
Industry Background
 
  Industry Size and Growth
 
    We estimate that the U.S. equipment rental industry (including used and new
equipment sales by rental companies) generates annual revenues in excess of $20
billion. The combined equipment rental revenues of the 100 largest equipment
rental companies have increased at an estimated compound annual rate of
approximately 23% from 1992 through 1997 (based upon 1992 revenues and 1997 pro
forma revenues, giving effect to certain acquisitions completed after the
beginning of 1997, reported by the Rental Equipment Register, an industry trade
publication). In addition to reflecting general economic growth, we believe
that the growth in the equipment rental industry reflects the following trends:
 
    Recognition of Advantages of Renting. Equipment users are increasingly
  recognizing the many advantages that equipment rental may offer compared
  with ownership. They recognize that by renting they can: (1) avoid the
  large capital investment required for equipment purchases, (2) reduce
  storage and maintenance costs, (3) supplement the equipment that they own
  and thereby increase the range and number of jobs that they can work on,
  (4) access a
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
  broad selection of equipment and select the equipment best suited for each
  particular job, (5) obtain equipment as needed and minimize the costs
  associated with idle equipment, and (6) access the latest technology
  without investing in new equipment. These advantages frequently allow
  equipment users to reduce their overall costs by renting, rather than
  buying, the equipment they need.
 
    Increase in Rentals by Contractors. There has been a fundamental shift
  in the way contractors meet their equipment needs. While contractors have
  historically used rental equipment on a temporary basis--to provide for
  peak period capacity, meet specific job requirements or replace broken
  equipment--many contractors are now also using rental equipment on an
  ongoing basis to meet their long-term equipment requirements.
 
    Although growth in the equipment rental industry has to date been largely
driven by the increase in rentals by the construction industry, we believe that
other equipment users may increasingly contribute to future industry growth.
For example, many industrial companies require equipment for operating,
repairing, maintaining and upgrading their facilities, and renting this
equipment is often more cost-effective than purchasing because typically this
equipment is not used full-time. We believe that the cost and other advantages
of renting, together with the general trend toward the corporate outsourcing of
non-core competencies, may increasingly lead industrial companies to rent
equipment. We also believe that these same considerations may lead others
equipment users--such as municipalities, government agencies and utilities--to
increasingly rent equipment. Because the penetration of these markets by the
equipment rental industry is very low in comparison to its penetration of the
construction market, we believe there is significant potential for additional
growth in these markets.
 
  Industry Fragmentation
 
    The equipment rental industry is highly fragmented. It consists of a small
number of multi-location regional or national operators and a large number of
relatively small, independent businesses that serve discrete local markets.
This fragmentation is reflected in the following data:
 
  .   in 1997, there were only 10 equipment rental companies that had
      equipment rental revenues in excess of $100 million and approximately
      100 equipment rental companies that had equipment rental revenues
      between $5 million and $100 million (based upon rental revenues for
      1997 as reported by the Rental Equipment Register, an industry trade
      publication);
 
  .   we estimate that there are more than 20,000 companies with annual
      equipment rental revenues of less than $5 million; and
 
  .   we estimate that the 100 largest equipment rental companies combined
      have less than a 30% share of the market.
 
    We believe that the fragmented nature of the industry presents substantial
consolidation and growth opportunities for companies with access to capital and
the ability to implement a disciplined acquisition program. We also believe
that our management team's extensive experience in acquiring and effectively
integrating acquisition targets should enable us to capitalize on these
opportunities.
 
Acquisitions
 
    We have completed 103 acquisitions to date (through March 22, 1999),
including our merger with U.S. Rentals that was completed in September 1998. At
the time of the merger, U.S. Rentals was the second largest equipment rental
company in the United States based on 1997 rental revenues.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
    We believe that there will continue to be a large number of attractive
acquisition opportunities in the equipment rental industry due to the highly
fragmented nature of the industry, the capital constraints facing many small
and mid-sized equipment rental companies looking to expand and modernize, and
the desire of many long-time owners for liquidity. We have an experienced
acquisition team of 25 professionals dedicated to identifying and evaluating
acquisition candidates and executing our acquisition program. The team includes
seasoned acquisition professionals with extensive acquisition, operating and
financial experience. The team also includes former owners of businesses that
we acquired, who have extensive equipment rental industry experience and
contacts with potential acquisition candidates.
 
Start-up Locations
 
    Because most of the businesses that we acquired grew through developing
start-up rental locations, many of our managers have substantial experience in
this area. We intend to leverage this experience by selectively opening new
rental locations in attractive markets where there are no suitable acquisition
targets available or where the economics of a start-up location are more
favorable than buying an existing business.
 
Products and Services
 
    We offer for rent a wide variety of equipment to customers that include
construction industry participants, industrial companies, homeowners and
others. We also sell used equipment, act as a dealer for many types of new
equipment, and sell related merchandise and parts. In addition, our Wynne
Systems subsidiary develops and markets software for use by equipment rental
companies in managing and operating multiple branch locations. For financial
information concerning our industry segment and foreign and domestic
operations, see Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
of the Company included elsewhere in this Report.
 
  Equipment Rental
 
    We offer for rent a broad range of light to heavy construction and
industrial equipment and general tools and equipment. Customers may rent
equipment by the hour, day, week or month. The following are examples of the
types of equipment that we offer for rent:
 
    Construction and Industrial: aerial lifts (such as boom and scissor
    lifts), air compressors, backhoes, ditching equipment, earth moving
    equipment, forklifts, generators, pumps and skid-steer loaders.
 
    General Tools and Equipment: garden and landscaping equipment, hand
    tools, high-pressure washers, paint sprayers, power tools and roto-
    tillers.
 
    We believe that our rental fleet is one of the newest, most comprehensive
and well maintained in the industry. As of March 22, 1999, our rental fleet had
an original purchase price of approximately $2.2 billion and a weighted average
age (based on original purchase price) of approximately 26 months. We estimate
that (based on original purchase price) construction and industrial equipment
represents approximately 95% of our rental equipment and that general tools and
equipment represents approximately 5%. We also estimate that each of the
following categories represents more than 12% of our rental equipment: (i)
aerial lift equipment (represents approximately 23%), (ii) earth moving
equipment (represents approximately 17%) and (iii) forklifts (represents
approximately 13%). We vary our equipment mix from branch to branch in response
to local market conditions and customer requirements. Most of our branches
offer a general mix of equipment, while some specialize in specific equipment
categories such as aerial lift equipment.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
    We seek to maintain the quality of our fleet by regularly investing in new
equipment and selling used equipment. We also devote substantial efforts to
preventive maintenance and believe that we have one of the most advanced
preventive maintenance programs in the equipment rental industry. This program
increases the reliability, extends the life, and enhances the resale value of
our equipment.
 
  Used Equipment Sales
 
    We routinely sell used rental equipment and are generally able to achieve
favorable prices due to our preventive maintenance program and our national
sales force that can access many resale markets across North America. In
addition, the incentives created by our profit sharing program motivate our
branch managers to carefully consider the best time for selling equipment in
view of maintenance costs, rental demand patterns and resale prices.
 
    We principally sell used equipment through our sales force. We also sell
our used equipment to used equipment dealers and through public auctions. In
addition, we sometimes trade in used equipment to our vendors when we buy new
equipment.
 
  New Equipment Sales
 
    We are a dealer for many leading tool and equipment manufacturers. These
include Genie Industries, Inc., Grove Worldwide, JLG Industries, Inc., and
Snorkel (aerial lifts); Ingersoll-Rand Co., Inc. (air compressors, tools,
pumps); Kubota (earthmoving equipment); Trak International (loaders and
forklifts); Multiquip, Inc. (compaction equipment and compressors); Stihl, Inc.
(chain saws and power cut-off saws); Edco Manufacturing (surfacing equipment);
and Wacker (compaction equipment). Typically, dealership agreements do not have
a specific term and may be terminated at any time. The types of new equipment
that we sell varies by branch.
 
  Related Merchandise, Parts and Other Services
 
    At most of our locations, we sell equipment parts and a variety of supplies
and merchandise that may be used with our rental equipment, such as saw blades,
fasteners, drill bits, hard hats, gloves and other safety equipment. At certain
of our branches, we also offer maintenance services for equipment that is owned
by our customers.
 
  Operations of Our Wynne Systems Subsidiary
 
    Our Wynne Systems subsidiary develops and markets software for use by
equipment rental companies in managing and operating multiple branch locations.
Eight of the ten largest equipment rental companies, including United Rentals,
use software developed by Wynne Systems.
 
Customers
 
    We estimate that on a pro forma basis we rented equipment to approximately
940,000 customers in 1998. Our customer base is highly diversified and ranges
from Fortune 100 companies to small contractors and homeowners. We estimate
that (1) no single customer accounted for more than 0.5% of our pro forma
revenues during 1998 and (2) our top 10 customers accounted for approximately
4% of our pro forma revenues in 1998.
 
    Our customer base varies widely by branch and is determined by several
factors, including the equipment mix and marketing focus of the particular
branch and the business composition of the local economy. We classify our
customer base into the following general categories:
 
  .   construction industry participants--such as construction companies,
      contractors and subcontractors--that require equipment for commercial
      and residential construction projects;
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
  .   industrial companies--such as manufacturers, chemical companies, paper
      mills and utilities--that require equipment for plant maintenance,
      upgrades, expansion and construction; and
 
  .   homeowners and other individuals.
 
    We estimate that on a pro forma basis (1) construction industry
participants and industrial companies combined accounted for 90% of our
revenues in 1998 and (2) homeowners and others accounted for 10% of such
revenues.
 
Sales and Marketing
 
    We are establishing a distinct corporate identity throughout North America.
In promoting our corporate identity, we emphasize the benefits that United
Rentals seeks to offer its customers, including:
 
  .   a comprehensive selection of equipment that is available when required
      by the customer;
 
  .   on-time equipment delivery and pick-up;
 
  .   equipment that is well-maintained and reliable;
 
  .   rapid repair or replacement of equipment when required;
 
  .   instructions and training for equipment usage and safety; and
 
  .   experienced and knowledgeable sales personnel available to assist
      customers.
 
  We market our products and services through multiple channels as described
  below.
 
    Sales Force. We market our products and services though our own sales force
which consists of approximately 947 in-store customer service representatives
and 739 field-based salespeople. Our field-based sales force calls on
contractors' offices and job sites and industrial facilities and assists our
customers in planning for their equipment needs. We provide our sales force
with extensive training. Supplier representatives also frequently visit our
facilities and train our personnel on the operating features and maintenance
requirements of new equipment.
 
    We have established a national accounts program. Under this program, a
portion of our sales force is assigned to calling on the corporate headquarters
of our large customers, particularly those with a national or multi-regional
presence. The goal of this program is to expand existing business relationships
with these customers to include additional facilities and construction sites.
The efforts of our national accounts sales force supplement the efforts of our
branch-based sales personnel, who deal directly with the management of the
local facilities of these customers.
 
    Internet Site. We have an Internet web site (www.unitedrentals.com) that
describes our locations, products and services, and used equipment available
for sale. The site allows visitors to search for a particular type of used
equipment and obtain detailed information about each item of used equipment
available for sale.
 
    Advertising. We promote our business through advertising in various media,
including trade publications, yellow pages, billboards and direct mail. We also
regularly participate in industry trade shows and conferences.
 
Branch Management
 
    We currently operate 453 branch locations. Each branch has a full-time
branch manager who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the branch.
In addition, each branch is staffed with
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
additional personnel which, depending on the specific needs of the location,
may include an assistant manager, sales personnel, back office clerks, truck
drivers, and mechanics. We believe that our branch managers, who average over
20 years of experience in the equipment rental industry, are among the most
knowledgeable and experienced in the industry.
 
    We encourage entrepreneurship at the branch level by giving branch managers
a high degree of autonomy with respect to day-to-day operations. For example,
each branch manager is empowered to make decisions--within budgetary
guidelines--concerning staffing, pricing and equipment purchases. We also
promote entrepreneurship at the branch level, as well as equipment sharing
among our branches, through a profit sharing program that directly ties the
compensation of branch personnel to their branch's financial performance and
equipment utilization rates.
 
    We balance the autonomy that we grant to our branch managers with extensive
systems and procedures through which senior management closely tracks branch
performance. In addition, we share information across branches so that each
branch can measure its operating performance relative to other branches and
benefit from the best practices developed throughout our organization.
Important elements of the systems and procedures that we use to manage our
branches include:
 
  .   our eight regional vice presidents and 35 district managers supervise
      our branch managers--with each branch manager reporting to a district
      manager and each district manager reporting to a regional vice
      president;
 
  .   all levels of management can obtain a wide range of branch-level
      operating data on a real-time basis through our management information
      system;
 
  .   on a monthly basis (1) each branch manager meets with his or her
      district manager and thoroughly reviews the operation of his or her
      branch and (2) a detailed operating report for each branch is provided
      to senior management;
 
  .   each district manager generally meets with a member of senior
      management on a quarterly basis to review in detail the operations of
      the branches within his or her district;
 
  .   our 12-person internal audit department is engaged full-time in
      ensuring that we have adequate financial, operating and information
      technology controls throughout our organization; and
 
  .   our team of 25 regional and district controllers monitor each branch
      for compliance with financial and accounting procedures established at
      corporate headquarters.
 
    We encourage cooperation among our branches. In furtherance of this
objective, we have established procedures and policies to facilitate the
sharing of equipment and other resources among the branches in the same
cluster. In addition, we have guidelines that are intended to eliminate
competition among branches for the same customers.
 
Purchasing
 
    We have significant purchasing power because of our volume purchases. As a
result, we can generally buy new equipment and related merchandise and parts at
prices that are significantly lower than prices paid by smaller companies. We
can also buy many other products and services--such as insurance, telephone and
fuel--at attractive rates. We believe that our purchasing power will continue
to increase as we expand and further consolidate purchasing.
 
    We estimate that on a pro forma basis our largest supplier accounted for
approximately 15% of our equipment purchases in 1998, and that our top 10
largest suppliers accounted for approximately 60% our equipment purchases
during that period. We believe that we have sufficient alternative sources of
supply for the equipment that we purchase in each of our principal product
categories.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
Management Information System
 
    We have a modern management information system designed to facilitate rapid
and informed decision-making and enable us to respond quickly to changing
market conditions. Each branch at which the system is operational is equipped
with a workstation that is electronically linked to each of our other locations
and to our centralized databases. All rental transactions are entered at these
workstations and processed on a real-time basis through a centralized AS400
system located at corporate headquarters. Personnel at each location are able
to access the system 24 hours a day in order to determine equipment
availability, monitor business activity on a real-time basis, and obtain a wide
range of operating and financial data. The data available through the system
includes: (1) inventory reports, (2) accounts receivable information, (3)
customer and vendor information, (4) sales by store, region, equipment category
or customer, (5) fleet utilization by individual asset or asset class and (6)
financial results by store or region. The system also enables branch personnel
to search for needed equipment throughout their district, determine the closest
location of such equipment and arrange for delivery to a customer's work site.
 
    Our management information system is supported by our in-house group of 35
management information specialists. This group operates a support desk to
assist branch personnel in the day-to-day use of the system; trains our branch
personnel, either at the branch or at one of our four training centers;
provides hardware and technology support; and extends the system to newly
acquired locations.
 
    It generally takes us three to five weeks to extend our management
information system to newly acquired locations (but may take longer in the case
of very large acquisitions). We have extended the system to all of the
locations that we acquired in the U.S. Rentals merger.
 
Risk and Safety Management
 
    We place great emphasis on risk reduction and safety and believe that we
have one of the most comprehensive risk management and safety programs in the
industry. We have a separate department, which includes 32 experienced
professionals, that is responsible for: (1) developing and implementing safety
programs and procedures, (2) developing our employer and customer training
programs and (3) investigating and managing any claims that may be asserted
against us.
 
    We are among the few equipment rental companies that have on staff
personnel who are certified by the National Safety Council (a government
sponsored agency) to provide training in the use of equipment. In 1997, our
equipment training program received the National Safety Council Chairman's
Award--granted for effectively promoting safety within a business organization.
 
Competition
 
    The equipment rental industry is highly fragmented and competitive. Our
competitors primarily include: small, independent businesses with one or two
rental locations; regional competitors which operate in one or more states;
public companies or divisions of public companies; and equipment vendors and
dealers who both sell and rent equipment directly to customers. We believe
that, in general, large companies enjoy significant competitive advantages
compared to smaller operators, including greater purchasing power, a lower cost
of capital, the ability to provide customers with a broader range of equipment
and services and with newer and better maintained equipment, and greater
flexibility to transfer equipment among locations in response to customer
demand.
 
Environmental and Safety Regulations
 
    There are numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations governing
environmental protection and occupational health and safety. These include laws
and regulations that govern wastewater discharges, the use, treatment, storage
and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes and
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
materials, air quality and the remediation of contamination associated with the
release of hazardous substances. Under these laws, an owner or lessee of real
estate may be liable for, among other things, (1) the costs of removal or
remediation of hazardous or toxic substances located on, in, or emanating from,
the real estate, as well as related costs of investigation and property damage
and substantial penalties, and (2) environmental contamination at facilities
where its waste is or has been disposed. These laws often impose liability
whether or not the owner or lessee knew of the presence of the hazardous or
toxic substances and whether or not the owner or lessee was responsible for
these substances. Our activities that are or may be affected by these laws
include our use of hazardous materials to clean and maintain equipment and our
disposal of solid and hazardous waste and wastewater from equipment washing. We
also dispense petroleum products from underground and above-ground storage
tanks located at certain rental locations, and at times we must remove or
upgrade tanks to comply with applicable laws. Furthermore, we have acquired or
lease certain locations which have or may have been contaminated by leakage
from underground tanks or other sources and are in the process of assessing the
nature of the required remediation. Based on the conditions currently known to
us, we believe that any unreserved environmental remediation and compliance
costs required with respect to those conditions will not have a material
adverse effect on our business. However, we cannot be certain that we will not
identify adverse environmental conditions that are not currently known to us,
that all potential releases from underground storage tanks removed in the past
have been identified, or that environmental and safety requirements will not
become more stringent or be interpreted and applied more stringently in the
future. If we are required to incur environmental compliance or remediation
costs that are not currently anticipated by us, our business could be adversely
affected depending on the magnitude of the cost.
 
Employees
 
    We have 8,501 employees. These include 271 corporate and regional
management employees, 6,544 operational employees and 1,686 sales people. Of
these employees, 2,162 are salaried personnel and 6,339 are hourly personnel.
Collective bargaining agreements relating to 23 separate locations cover
approximately 310 of our employees. We consider our labor relations to be good.
 
Factors that May Influence Future Results and Accuracy of Forward-Looking
Statements
 
    The Company, in an effort to help keep its stockholders and the public
informed about the Company's operations, may from time to time issue certain
statements, either in writing or orally, that contain or may contain forward-
looking information. Such statements can be identified by the use of forward-
looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," or
"anticipates" or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by
discussions of strategy. You are cautioned that our business and operations are
subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and, consequently, our actual
results may materially differ from those projected by any forward-looking
statements. Certain of such risks and uncertainties are discussed below. We
make no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order
to reflect events or circumstances after the date any such statement is made.
 
  Sensitivity to Changes in Construction and Industrial Activities
 
    Our equipment is principally used in connection with construction and
industrial activities. Consequently, a downturn in construction or industrial
activity may lead to a decrease in demand for our equipment, which could
adversely affect our business. We have identified below certain of the factors
which may cause such a downturn, either temporarily or long-term:
 
  .   a general slow-down of the economy;
 
  .   an increase in interest rates; or
 
  .   adverse weather conditions which may temporarily affect a particular
      region.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
  Acquired Companies Not Historically Operated as a Combined Business
 
    The businesses that we acquired have been in existence an average of 29
years and some have been in existence for more than 50 years. However, these
businesses were not historically managed or operated as a single business.
Although we believe that we can successfully manage and operate the acquired
businesses as a single business, we cannot be certain of this.
 
  Limited Operating History
 
    We commenced equipment rental operations in October 1997 and have grown
through a combination of internal growth and the acquisition of 103 companies
(through March 22, 1999), including a merger in September 1998 with U.S.
Rentals. Due to the relatively recent commencement of our operations, we have
only a limited history upon which you can base an assessment of our business
and prospects.
 
  Risks Relating to Growth Strategy
 
    Key elements of our growth strategy are to continue to expand through a
combination of internal growth, a disciplined acquisition program and the
opening of new rental locations. We have identified below some of the risks
relating to our growth strategy:
 
    Availability of Acquisition Targets and Sites for Start-Up Locations. We
may encounter substantial competition in our efforts to acquire additional
rental companies and sites for start-up locations. Such competition could have
the effect of increasing the prices that we will have to pay in order to
acquire such businesses and sites. We cannot guarantee that any additional
businesses or sites that we may wish to acquire will be available to us on
terms that are acceptable to us.
 
    Need to Integrate New Operations. Our ability to realize the expected
benefits from completed and future acquisitions depends, in large part, on our
ability to integrate the new operations with our existing operations in a
timely and effective manner. Accordingly, we devote substantial efforts to the
integration of new operations. We cannot, however, guarantee that these efforts
will always be successful. In addition, under certain circumstances, these
efforts could adversely affect our existing operations.
 
    Debt Covenants. Certain of the agreements governing our outstanding
indebtedness provide that we may not make acquisitions unless certain financial
conditions are satisfied or the consent of the lenders is obtained. Our ability
to grow through acquisitions may be constrained as a result of these
provisions.
 
    Certain Risks Related to Start-Up Locations. We expect that start-up
locations may initially have a negative impact on our results of operations and
margins for a number of reasons, including that (1) we will incur significant
start-up expenses in connection with establishing each start-up location and
(2) it will generally take some time following the commencement of operations
for a start-up location to become profitable. Although we believe that start-
ups can generate long-term growth, we cannot guarantee that any start-up
location will become profitable within any specific time period, if at all.
 
  Dependence on Additional Capital to Finance Growth
 
    We will require substantial capital in order to execute our growth
strategy. We will require capital for, among other purposes, completing
acquisitions, establishing new rental locations, and acquiring rental
equipment. If the cash that we generate from our business, together with cash
that we may borrow under our credit facility, is not sufficient to fund our
capital requirements, we will
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
require additional debt and/or equity financing. We cannot, however, be certain
that any additional financing will be available or, if available, will be
available on terms that are satisfactory to us. If we are unable to obtain
sufficient additional capital in the future, our ability to implement our
growth strategy could be limited.
 
  Possible Undiscovered Liabilities of Acquired Companies
 
    Prior to making an acquisition, we seek to assess the liabilities of the
target company that we will become responsible for as a result of the
acquisition. Nevertheless, we may fail to discover certain of such liabilities.
We seek to reduce our risk relating to these possible hidden liabilities by
generally obtaining the agreement of the seller to reimburse us in the event
that we discover any material hidden liabilities. However, this type of
agreement, if obtained, may not fully protect us against hidden liabilities
because (1) the seller's obligation to reimburse us is generally limited in
duration and/or amount and (2) the seller may not have sufficient financial
resources to reimburse us. Furthermore, when we acquire a public company (such
as when we acquired U.S. Rentals) there is no seller from which to obtain this
type of agreement.
 
  Dependence on Management
 
    We are highly dependent upon our senior management team. Consequently, our
business could be adversely affected in the event that we lose the services of
any member of senior management. Furthermore, if we lose the services of
certain members of senior management, it is an event of default under the
agreements governing our credit facility and certain of our other indebtedness,
unless we appoint replacement officers satisfactory to the lenders within 30
days. We do not maintain "key man" life insurance with respect to members of
senior management.
 
  Competition
 
    The equipment rental industry is highly fragmented and competitive. Our
competitors primarily include small, independent businesses with one or two
rental locations; regional competitors which operate in one or more states;
public companies or divisions of public companies; and equipment vendors and
dealers who both sell and rent equipment directly to customers. We may in the
future encounter increased competition from our existing competitors or from
new companies. In addition, certain equipment manufacturers may commence (or
increase their existing efforts relating to) renting and selling equipment
directly to our customers.
 
  Quarterly Fluctuations of Operating Results
 
    We expect that our revenues and operating results may fluctuate from
quarter to quarter due to a number of factors, including:
 
  .   seasonal rental patterns of our customers--with rental activity
      tending to be lower in the winter;
 
  .   changes in general economic conditions in our markets, including
      changes in construction and industrial activities;
 
  .   the timing of acquisitions, new location openings, and related
      expenditures;
 
  .   the effect of the integration of acquired businesses and start-up
      locations;
 
  .   the timing of expenditures for new equipment and the disposition of
      used equipment; and
 
  .   price changes in response to competitive factors.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
 
  Liability and Insurance
 
    We are exposed to various possible claims relating to our business. These
include claims relating to (1) personal injury or death caused by equipment
rented or sold by us, (2) motor vehicle accidents involving our delivery and
service personnel and (3) employment related claims. We carry a broad range of
insurance for the protection of our assets and operations. However, such
insurance may not fully protect us for a number of reasons, including:
 
  .   our coverage is subject to a deductible of $0.5 million and limited to
      a maximum of $97 million per occurrence;
 
  .   we do not maintain coverage for environmental liability, since we
      believe that the cost for such coverage is high relative to the
      benefit that it provides; and
 
  .   certain types of claims, such as claims for punitive damages or for
      damages arising from intentional misconduct, which are often alleged
      in third party lawsuits, might not be covered by our insurance.
 
    We cannot be certain that insurance will continue to be available to us on
economically reasonable terms, if at all.
 
  Environmental and Safety Regulations
 
    There are numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations governing
environmental protection and occupational health and safety matters. These
include laws and regulations that govern wastewater discharges, the use,
treatment, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes and materials,
air quality and the remediation of contamination associated with the release of
hazardous substances. Under these laws, an owner or lessee of real estate may
be liable for, among other things, (1) the costs of removal or remediation of
hazardous or toxic substances located on, in, or emanating from, the real
estate, as well as related costs of investigation and property damage and
substantial penalties, and (2) environmental contamination at facilities where
its waste is or has been disposed. These laws often impose liability whether or
not the owner or lessee knew of the presence of the hazardous or toxic
substances and whether or not the owner or lessee was responsible for these
substances. Our activities that are or may be affected by these laws include
our use of hazardous materials to clean and maintain equipment and our disposal
of solid and hazardous waste and wastewater from equipment washing. We also
dispense petroleum products from underground and above-ground storage tanks
located at certain rental locations, and at times we must remove or upgrade
tanks to comply with applicable laws. Furthermore, we have acquired or lease
certain locations which have or may have been contaminated by leakage from
underground tanks or other sources and are in the process of assessing the
nature of the required remediation. Based on the conditions currently known to
us, we believe that any unreserved environmental remediation and compliance
costs required with respect to those conditions will not have a material
adverse effect on our business. However, we cannot be certain that we will not
identify adverse environmental conditions that are not currently known to us,
that all potential releases from underground storage tanks removed in the past
have been identified, or that environmental and safety requirements will not
become more stringent or be interpreted and applied more stringently in the
future. If we are required to incur environmental compliance or remediation
costs that are not currently anticipated by us, our business could be adversely
affected depending on the magnitude of the cost.
 
  Risks Related to International Operations
 
    Our operations outside the United States are subject to risks normally
associated with international operations. These include the need to convert
currencies, which could result in a gain or loss depending on fluctuations in
exchange rates, and the need to comply with foreign laws.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
 
  Year 2000 Issues
 
    Our software vendors have informed us that our recently-installed
management information system is year 2000 compliant. We have, therefore, not
developed any contingency plans relating to year 2000 issues and have not
budgeted any funds for year 2000 issues. Although we believe that our system is
year 2000 compliant, unanticipated year 2000 problems may arise which,
depending on the nature and magnitude of the problem, could adversely affect
our business. Furthermore, year 2000 problems involving third parties may have
a negative impact on our customers or suppliers, the general economy or on the
ability of businesses generally to receive essential services (such as
telecommunications, banking services, etc.). Any such problem could adversely
affect our business. We are unable at this time to assess the possible impact
on our business of year 2000 problems involving any third party.
 
  Restrictive Covenants
 
    The agreements governing our existing long-term indebtedness contain, and
future agreements governing our long-term indebtedness may also contain,
certain restrictive financial and operating covenants which affect, and in many
respects significantly limit or prohibit, among other things, our ability to
incur indebtedness, make prepayments of certain indebtedness, make investments,
create liens, make acquisitions, sell assets and engage in mergers and
consolidations. These covenants may significantly limit our operating and
financial flexibility.
 
Item 2. Properties
 
    We currently operate 453 branch locations. Of these locations, 388 are in
the United States, 64 are in Canada and one is in Mexico. The number of
locations in each state or province is shown below:
 
    United States
 
    . Alabama (12)             . Kentucky (8)          . North Carolina (17)
    . Arizona (4)              . Louisiana (3)         . Ohio (3)
    . Arkansas (3)             . Maryland (18)         . Oklahoma (2)
    . California (83)          . Massachusetts (2)     . Oregon (23)
    . Colorado (9)             . Michigan (5)          . Pennsylvania (6)
    . Connecticut (7)          . Minnesota (5)         . Rhode Island (3)
    . Delaware (4)             . Missouri (2)          . South Carolina (9)
    . Florida (18)             . Nebraska (1)          . Tennessee (5)
    . Georgia (3)              . Nevada (11)           . Texas (32)
    . Idaho (2)                . New Hampshire (1)     . Utah (8)
    . Indiana (8)              . New Jersey (6)        . Virginia (12)
    . Illinois (6)             . New Mexico (2)        . Washington (33)
    . Kansas (2)               . New York (9)          . Wisconsin (1)
 
    Canada                     Mexico
 
 
    . Alberta (2)              . Nuevo Leon (1)
    . British Columbia (13)
    . Newfoundland (8)
    . Ontario (31)
    . Quebec (10)
 
    Our branch locations generally include facilities for displaying equipment
and, depending on the location, may include separate equipment service areas
and storage areas.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
 
    We own 78 of our rental locations and lease the other locations. Our leases
provide for varying terms and include 25 leases that are on a month-to-month
basis and 31 leases that provide for a remaining term of less than one year and
do not provide a renewal option. We are currently negotiating renewals for most
of the leases that provide for a remaining term of less than one year. Certain
of our leases were entered into (or assumed) in connection with acquisitions
and most of the lessors under these leases are former owners of businesses that
we acquired.
 
    We maintain a fleet of vehicles that is used for delivery, maintenance and
sales functions. We own a portion of this fleet and lease a portion. The fleet
includes approximately 9,748 vehicles.
 
    Our corporate headquarters are located in Greenwich, Connecticut, where we
occupy approximately 27,000 square feet under (1) a lease for approximately
15,000 square feet that extends until 2001 (subject to extension rights) and
(2) a lease for approximately 12,000 square feet that extends until 2003.
 
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
 
    The Company is party to various litigation matters, in most cases involving
ordinary and routine claims incidental to our business. The Company cannot
estimate with certainty its ultimate legal and financial liability with respect
to such pending litigation matters. However, the Company believes, based on its
examination of such matters, that the Company's ultimate liability will not
have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations
or cash flows.
 
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
    During the fourth quarter of 1998, no matter was submitted to a vote of the
security holders of the Company.
 
                                    PART II
 
Item 5. Market For Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
 
Price Range of Common Stock
 
    The Company's Common Stock commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange
on December 18, 1997 under the symbol "URI." The following table sets forth,
for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for the Common Stock,
as reported by the New York Stock Exchange.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    High   Low
                                                                   ------ ------
<S>                                                                <C>    <C>
1997:
  Fourth Quarter (from December 18, 1997)......................... $19.31 $14.38
1998:
  First Quarter...................................................  27.38  17.25
  Second Quarter..................................................  42.00  24.13
  Third Quarter...................................................  48.00  18.12
  Fourth Quarter..................................................  33.75  10.56
1999:
  First Quarter (through March 22, 1999)..........................  35.69  26.44
</TABLE>
 
    As of March 22, 1999, there were approximately 281 holders of record of the
Common Stock. The Company believes that the number of beneficial owners is
substantially greater than the number of record holders, because a large
portion of the Common Stock is held of record in broker "street names."
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
 
Dividend Policy
 
    The Company intends to retain all earnings for the foreseeable future for
use in the operation and expansion of its business and, accordingly, the
Company currently has no plans to pay dividends on its Common Stock. The
payment of any future dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors in
light of conditions then existing, including the Company's earnings, financial
condition and capital requirements, restrictions in financing agreements,
business conditions and other factors. Under the terms of certain agreements
governing the Company's outstanding indebtedness, the Company is prohibited or
restricted from paying dividends on its Common Stock. In addition, under
Delaware law, the Company is prohibited from paying any dividends unless it has
capital surplus or net profits available for this purpose. See Item 7--
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Certain Information Concerning the Credit Facility and Other
Indebtedness."
 
Sales of Unregistered Securities During the Fourth Quarter of 1998
 
    Set forth below is a listing of all sales by the Company of unregistered
equity securities during 1998, excluding sales that were previously reported on
a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Unless otherwise indicated (i) such sales were
exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Act"), pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Act, as they were transactions not
involving a public offering and (ii) the sales were made by the Company without
the assistance of any underwriters.
 
  1.  In August 1998, a subsidiary trust of Holdings sold for cash $300
      million of 6 1/2% Convertible Quarterly Income Preferred Securities.
      The initial purchasers of these securities were Goldman, Sachs & Co.;
      BT Alex. Brown, Deutsche Bank Securities; Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette;
      Merrill Lynch & Co.; and Salomon Smith Barney. The initial purchasers
      reoffered the securities in reliance on Rule 144A under the Act. For
      additional information concerning this offering, see Item 7--
      "Managements' Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
      Results of Operations--Certain Information Concerning Preferred
      Securities."
 
  2.  In October 1998, the Company issued 1,578 shares of Common Stock to an
      executive officer pursuant to an employment agreement.
 
  3.  In October and December 1998, the Company issued, in connection with
      two acquisitions, 15,259 shares of Common Stock as part of the
      consideration for such acquisitions.
 
  4.  In November and December 1998, the Company issued, in connection with
      two acquisitions, (i) a convertible note in the principal amount of
      $1,200,000 which provides for a conversion price of $28.56 per share
      and (ii) a convertible note in the principal amount of $1,000,000 which
      provides for a conversion price of $22.25 per share.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
 
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
 
   The data presented below with respect to the Company should be read in
conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes
thereto of the Company included elsewhere in this Report and Item 7--
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."
 
   During the periods presented below, the Company completed certain
acquisitions that were accounted for as poolings-of-interests (including a
merger in September 1998 with U.S. Rentals) and others that were accounted for
as purchases. The selected financial data presented below has been restated for
all periods presented to include the accounts of the businesses acquired in
transactions accounted for as poolings-of-interests (excluding one such
transaction which was not material) as if the Company and these businesses
acquired were combined for all periods presented. The accounts of businesses
acquired in transactions accounted for as purchases are included from their
respective acquisition dates. In view of the fact that the Company's operating
results for the periods presented below were impacted by acquisitions that were
accounted for as purchases, the Company believes that its results of operations
for the years presented are not directly comparable. See Note 3 of the Notes to
the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company included elsewhere in this
Report.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Year Ended December 31,
                          --------------------------------------------------
                            1994      1995      1996      1997       1998
                          --------  --------- --------  --------  ----------
                             (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>
Income statement data:
Total revenues..........  $222,326  $ 283,432 $354,478  $489,838  $1,220,282
Total cost of
 operations.............   153,769    194,234  241,445   340,546     796,834
                          --------  --------- --------  --------  ----------
Gross profit............    68,557     89,198  113,033   149,292     423,448
Selling, general and
 administrative
 expenses...............    34,948     39,707   54,721    70,835     195,620
Merger-related
 expenses...............                                              47,178
Non-rental depreciation
 and amortization.......     5,107      6,916    9,387    13,424      35,248
Termination cost of
 deferred compensation
 agreements.............                                  20,290
                          --------  --------- --------  --------  ----------
Operating income........    28,502     42,575   48,925    44,743     145,402
Interest expense........     6,245      7,490   11,278    11,847      64,157
Preferred dividends of a
 subsidiary trust.......                                               7,854
Other (income) expense,
 net....................    (3,768)     1,304     (499)   (2,021)     (4,906)
                          --------  --------- --------  --------  ----------
Income before provision
 for income taxes and
 extraordinary items....    26,025     33,781   38,146    34,917      78,297
Provision for income
 taxes..................       523        484      420    29,508      43,499
                          --------  --------- --------  --------  ----------
Income before
 extraordinary items....    25,502     33,297   37,726     5,409      34,798
Extraordinary items, net
 (1)....................                                   1,511      21,337
                          --------  --------- --------  --------  ----------
Net income..............  $ 25,502  $  33,297 $ 37,726  $  3,898  $   13,461
                          ========  ========= ========  ========  ==========
Pro forma provision for
 income taxes before
 extraordinary items
 (2)....................  $ 10,637  $  13,715 $ 15,487  $ 14,176  $   44,386
Pro forma income before
 extraordinary items
 (2)....................    15,388     20,066   22,659    20,741      33,911
Basic earnings before
 extraordinary items per
 share..................  $   1.28  $    1.47 $   1.67  $   0.12  $     0.53
Diluted earnings before
 extraordinary items per
 share..................  $   1.28  $    1.47 $   1.67  $   0.11  $     0.48
Basic earnings per share
 (3)....................  $   1.28  $    1.47 $   1.67  $   0.08  $     0.20
Diluted earnings per
 share (3)..............  $   1.28  $    1.47 $   1.67  $   0.08  $     0.18
Other financial data:
EBITDA (4)..............  $ 73,446  $ 101,438 $123,606  $160,554  $  403,738
Depreciation and
 amortization...........    44,944     58,863   74,681    95,521     211,158
Dividends on common
 stock..................
<CAPTION>
                                           December 31,
                          --------------------------------------------------
                            1994      1995      1996      1997       1998
                          --------  --------- --------  --------  ----------
                                      (dollars in thousands)
<S>                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>
Balance sheet data:
Cash and cash
 equivalents............  $  2,956  $   3,728 $  2,906  $ 72,411  $   20,410
Rental equipment, net...   136,731    182,082  235,055   461,026   1,143,006
Total assets............   233,359    297,994  381,228   826,010   2,634,663
Total debt..............   107,284    131,771  214,337   264,573   1,314,574
Company-obligated
 mandatorily redeemable
 convertible preferred
 securities
 of a subsidiary trust..                                             300,000
Stockholders' equity....    77,600    104,392  105,420   446,388     726,230
</TABLE>
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
 
- --------
(1) The Company recorded an extraordinary item (net of income taxes) of $1.5
    million in 1997 and an extraordinary item (net of income taxes) of $21.3
    million in 1998. Such charge in 1997 resulted from the prepayment of
    certain debt by U.S. Rentals. Such charge in 1998 resulted from the early
    extinguishment of certain debt and primarily reflected prepayment penalties
    on certain debt of U.S. Rentals.
(2) U.S. Rentals was taxed as a Subchapter S Corporation until its initial
    public offering in February 1997, and another company acquired in a
    pooling-of-interests transaction was taxed as a Subchapter S Corporation
    until being acquired by the Company in 1998. In general, the income or loss
    of a Subchapter S Corporation is passed through to its owners rather than
    being subjected to taxes at the entity level. Pro forma provision for
    income taxes before extraordinary items and pro forma income before
    extraordinary items reflect a provision for income taxes as if all such
    companies were liable for federal and state income taxes as taxable
    corporate entities for all periods presented.
(3) The Company's earnings during 1997 were impacted by $20.3 million of
    expenses relating to the termination of certain deferred compensation
    expenses in connection with U.S. Rentals' initial public offering, a $7.5
    million charge to recognize deferred tax liabilities of U.S. Rentals and an
    extraordinary item (net of income taxes) of $1.5 million. The Company's
    earnings during 1998 were impacted by merger-related expenses of $47.2
    million ($33.2 million net of taxes), a $4.8 million charge to recognize
    deferred tax liabilities of a company acquired in a pooling-of-interests
    transaction and an extraordinary item (net of income taxes) of $21.3
    million. Excluding such amounts, (i) basic earnings per share for the years
    ended 1997 and 1998 would have been $0.70 and $1.10, respectively, and (ii)
    diluted earnings per share for the years ended 1997 and 1998 would have
    been $0.66 and $1.00, respectively.
(4) EBITDA is defined as net income (excluding (i) non-operating income and
    expense, (ii) a $20.3 million non-recurring charge incurred by U.S. Rentals
    in 1997 arising from the termination of deferred compensation agreements
    with certain executives and (iii) $47.2 million in merger-related expenses
    in 1998 related to the three acquisitions accounted for as poolings-of-
    interests, including the merger with U.S. Rentals) plus interest expense,
    income taxes and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA data is presented to
    provide additional information concerning the Company's ability to meet its
    future debt service obligations and capital expenditure and working capital
    requirements. However, EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance
    under generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, EBITDA should
    not be considered an alternative to net income or cash flows as indicators
    of the Company's operating performance or liquidity.
 
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations
 
    The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto included elsewhere
in this Report. Certain of the statements contained in such discussion are
forward looking in nature. Such statements can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will,"
"should," or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or comparable terminology,
or by discussions of strategy. You are cautioned that our business and
operations are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and,
consequently, our actual results may materially differ from those projected by
any forward-looking statements. Certain of these factors are discussed under
Item 1--"Business--Factors that May Influence Future Results and Accuracy of
Forward-Looking Statements." We make no commitment to revise or update any
forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after
the date any such statement is made.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
 
Introduction
 
    The Company commenced equipment rental operations in October 1997 and has
completed 103 acquisitions (through March 22, 1999), including the merger with
U.S. Rentals (the "U.S. Rentals Merger") which was completed in September 1998.
 
    Three of the acquisitions completed by the Company (including the U.S.
Rentals Merger) were accounted for as "poolings-of-interests," and the
Company's financial statements have been restated to include the accounts of
two of the companies acquired in such transactions (but were not restated for
one that was not material, which has been combined with the Company effective
July 1, 1998). See Note 3 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
of the Company included elsewhere in this Report. As a result of such
restatement, the Company's financial statements include historical financial
information of these two acquired companies for periods that precede the date
on which the Company commenced its own operations.
 
    The other 100 acquisitions completed by the Company were accounted for as
"purchases". The results of operations of the businesses acquired in these
acquisitions are included in the Company's financial statements only from their
respective dates of acquisition. In view of the fact that the Company's
operating results for 1996, 1997 and 1998 were impacted by acquisitions that
were accounted for as purchases, the Company believes that the results of its
operations for such periods are not directly comparable.
 
General
 
    The Company primarily derives revenues from the following sources: (i)
equipment rental (including additional fees that may be charged for equipment
delivery, fuel, repair of rental equipment, and damage waivers), (ii) the sale
of rental equipment, (iii) the sale of new equipment, and (iv) the sale of
related merchandise and parts.
 
    Cost of operations consists primarily of depreciation costs associated with
rental equipment, the cost of repairing and maintaining rental equipment, the
cost of rental and new equipment sold, personnel costs, occupancy costs and
supplies.
 
    The Company records rental equipment expenditures at cost and depreciates
equipment using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life (which
ranges from 2 to 10 years), after giving effect to an estimated salvage value
of 0% to 10% of cost.
 
    Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily include sales
commissions, advertising and marketing expenses, management salaries, and
clerical and administrative overhead.
 
    Non-rental depreciation and amortization includes (i) depreciation expense
associated with equipment that is not offered for rent (such as vehicles,
computers and office equipment) and amortization expense associated with
leasehold improvements and (ii) the amortization of intangible assets. The
Company's intangible assets include goodwill, which represents the excess of
the purchase price of acquired companies over the estimated fair market value
of the net assets acquired.
 
Results of Operations
 
 Years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997
 
    Revenues. Total revenues for 1998 were $1,220.3 million, representing an
increase of 149.1% over total revenues in 1997 of $489.8 million. The Company's
revenues in 1998 and 1997 were attributable to: (i) equipment rental ($895.5
million, or 73.4% of revenues, in 1998 compared to
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
 
$388.2 million, or 79.2% of revenues, in 1997), (ii) sales of rental equipment
($119.6 million, or 9.8% of revenues, in 1998 compared to $41.4 million, or
8.5% of revenues, in 1997) and (iii) sales of new equipment, merchandise and
other revenues ($205.2 million, or 16.8% of revenues, in 1998 compared to $60.3
million, or 12.3% of revenues, in 1997).
 
    The 149.1% increase in total revenues in 1998 reflected (i) increased
revenues at locations open more than one year (which accounted for
approximately 36.2 percentage points) and (ii) new rental locations acquired
through acquisitions and the opening of start-up locations (which accounted for
approximately 112.9 percentage points). The increase in revenues at locations
open more than one year primarily reflected (a) an increase in the volume of
rental transactions, (b) expansion of the product lines offered by the Company
for sale, (c) an increase in the sale of related merchandise and parts which
was driven by the increase in equipment rental and sales transactions and (d)
an increase in the sale of used equipment in order to maintain the quality of
the Company's rental fleet.
 
    Gross Profit. Gross profit increased to $423.4 million in 1998 from $149.3
million in 1997. This increase in gross profit was primarily attributable to
the increase in revenues described above. The Company's gross profit margin by
source of revenue in 1998 and 1997 was: (i) equipment rental (36.3% in 1998 and
30.0% in 1997), (ii) sales of rental equipment (44.7% in 1998 and 50.6% in
1997) and (iii) sales of new equipment, merchandise and other revenues (22.0%
in 1998 and 19.6% in 1997). The increase in the gross profit margin from rental
revenues in 1998 was primarily attributable to greater equipment utilization
rates and to economies of scale. The decrease in the gross profit margin from
the sales of rental equipment in 1998 primarily reflected (i) a shift in mix
towards more late-model used equipment, which generally generates lower gross
profit margins than somewhat older equipment, and (ii) the sale of certain
equipment items which were acquired through acquisitions and which were not in
optimal condition for sale due to age, usage or other factors. The increase in
the gross profit margin from sales of new equipment, merchandise and other
revenue in 1998 primarily reflected the benefits of greater purchasing power
and a shift in the sales mix to higher margin items.
 
    Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses ("SG&A") were $195.6 million, or 16.0% of total
revenues, during 1998 and $70.8 million, or 14.5% of total revenues, during
1997. The increase in SG&A as a percentage of revenues in 1998 primarily
reflected the additional expenses for senior management and corporate overhead
that the Company began incurring in the third quarter of 1997 as it built the
management team and infrastructure required to support its growth strategy.
 
    Merger-related Expenses. The Company incurred merger-related expenses in
1998 of $47.2 million ($33.2 million after-tax) in connection with three
acquisitions completed by the Company in 1998 that were accounted for as
poolings-of-interests. These expenses consisted of: (i) $18.5 million for
investment banking, legal, accounting services and other merger costs, (ii)
$14.5 million of expenses relating to the closing of duplicate facilities,
(iii) $8.2 million for employee severance and related matters, (iv) $2.1
million for the write down of the computer systems acquired through the U.S.
Rentals Merger and one of the other acquisitions accounted for as a pooling-of-
interests and (v) $3.9 million in other expenses.
 
    Non-rental Depreciation and Amortization. Non-rental depreciation and
amortization was $35.2 million, or 2.9% of total revenues, in 1998 and $13.4
million, or 2.7% of total revenues, in 1997. The increase in the dollar amount
of non-rental depreciation and amortization in 1998 primarily reflected the
amortization of goodwill attributable to the acquisitions completed at the end
of 1997 and in 1998.
 
    Termination Cost of Deferred Compensation Agreements. The Company's results
for 1997 were impacted by $20.3 million of expenses for "termination cost of
deferred compensation agreements." These expenses reflect one-time expenses
that were incurred by U.S. Rentals in connection with the termination of
certain deferred incentive compensation agreements in connection with U.S.
Rentals' initial public offering in February 1997.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
 
    Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to $64.2 million in 1998 from
$11.8 million in 1997. This increase primarily reflected the fact that the
Company's indebtedness significantly increased in 1998, primarily to fund
acquisitions.
 
    Preferred Dividends of a Subsidiary Trust. During 1998, preferred dividends
of a subsidiary trust of United Rentals were $7.9 million. These dividends
relate to the preferred securities issued in August 1998 by such subsidiary
trust. See "--Certain Information Concerning Preferred Securities."
 
    Other (Income) Expense. Other income was $4.9 million in 1998 compared with
$2.0 million in 1997. The increase in other income in 1998 primarily reflected
gain realized in 1998 from the disposition of certain business lines that were
acquired as part of acquisitions but did not fit with the Company's strategy.
 
    Income Taxes. Income taxes increased to $43.5 million, or an effective rate
of 55.6%, in 1998 from $29.5 million, or an effective rate of 84.5%, in 1997.
During 1998, the Company's high effective tax rate reflected (i) the non-
deductibility of $7.4 million for income tax purposes of certain merger related
expenses and (ii) a $4.8 million charge to recognize deferred tax liabilities
of an acquired business, which was a Subchapter S Corporation prior to being
acquired by the Company. During 1997, the Company's high effective tax rate
reflected (i) a $7.5 million charge to recognize deferred tax liabilities of
U.S. Rentals, which was a Subchapter S Corporation prior to its initial public
offering, and (ii) the non-deductibility of $7.5 million for income tax
purposes of certain losses that were incurred by U.S. Rentals prior to a
recapitalization effected in connection with its initial public offering.
 
    Extraordinary Items. The Company recorded an extraordinary charge of $35.6
million ($21.3 million net of taxes) in 1998 and an extraordinary charge of
$2.5 million ($1.5 million net of taxes) in 1997. This charge in 1998 was
incurred in connection with the early extinguishment of certain debt and
primarily reflected prepayment penalties on certain debt of U.S. Rentals. This
charge in 1997 was incurred by U.S. Rentals in connection with the prepayment
of certain debt.
 
 Years Ended December 31, 1997 and 1996
 
    Revenues. Total revenues for 1997 were $489.8 million, representing an
increase of 38.2% over total revenues in 1996 of $354.5 million. The Company's
revenues in 1997 and 1996 were attributable to: (i) equipment rental ($388.2
million, or 79.2% of revenues in 1997, compared to $295.3 million, or 83.3% of
revenues, in 1996), (ii) sales of rental equipment ($41.4 million, or 8.5% of
revenues, in 1997 compared to $25.5 million, or 7.2% of revenues, in 1996) and
(iii) sales of new equipment, merchandise and other revenues ($60.3 million, or
12.3% of revenues, in 1997 compared to $33.7 million, or 9.5% of revenues, in
1996).
 
    The 38.2% increase in total revenues in 1997 reflected (i) increased
revenues at locations open more than one year (which accounted for
approximately 24.8 percentage points) and (ii) new rental locations acquired
through acquisitions and the opening of start-up locations (which accounted for
approximately 13.4 percentage points). The increase in such revenues at
locations open more than one year primarily reflected (a) an increase in
customer demand for rental equipment and for new and used equipment offered for
sale, (b) expansion of the product lines offered by the Company for sale, (c)
an increase in the sale of related merchandise and parts which was driven by
the increase in equipment rental and sales transactions and (d) an increase in
sales efforts relating to used equipment.
 
    Gross Profit. Gross profit increased to $149.3 million in 1997 from $113.0
million in 1996. This increase in gross profit was primarily attributable to
the increase in revenues described above. The Company's gross profit margin by
source of revenue was: (i) equipment rental (30.0% in 1997 and 31.2% in 1996),
(ii) sales of rental equipment (50.6% in 1997 and 58.6% in 1996) and (iii)
sales
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
 
of new equipment, merchandise and other revenues (19.6% in 1997 and 18.1% in
1996). The decrease in the gross profit margin from rental revenues in 1997
primarily reflected the fact that the Company in 1997 incurred expenses in
connection with expanding its rental fleet and opening new rental locations.
The increase in the gross profit margin from sales of new equipment,
merchandise and other revenues in 1997 primarily reflected a shift in sales mix
to higher margin items.
 
    Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. SG&A increased to $70.8
million in 1997 from $54.7 million in 1996, but as a percentage of revenues
decreased to 14.5% in 1997 from 15.4% in 1996. This decrease in SG&A as a
percentage of revenues in 1997 primarily reflected (i) increased operating
efficiencies and (ii) certain economies of scale related to the increase in
revenue described above.
 
    Non-rental Depreciation and Amortization. Non-rental depreciation and
amortization was $13.4 million, or 2.7% of total revenues in 1997, and $9.4
million, or 2.6% of total revenues, in 1996. The increase in the dollar amount
of non-rental depreciation and amortization in 1997 primarily reflected
increases in (i) depreciation expense attributable to equipment not offered for
rent, (ii) depreciation expense associated with rental facility locations and
(iii) amortization expense relating to leaseholds.
 
    Termination Cost of Deferred Compensation Agreements. The Company's results
for 1997 were impacted by $20.3 million of expenses for "termination cost of
deferred compensation agreements." These expenses reflect one-time expenses
that were incurred by U.S. Rentals in connection with the termination of
certain deferred incentive compensation agreements in connection with its
initial public offering.
 
    Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to $11.8 million in 1997 from
$11.3 million in 1996. This increase was primarily the result of an increase in
related party interest expense, offset by a decrease in interest as a result of
lower average debt outstanding during 1997 due to repayment of certain debt
with proceeds from U.S. Rentals' initial public offering.
 
    Other (Income) Expense. Other income was $2.0 million in 1997 compared with
$0.5 million in 1996. The increase in other income in 1997 primarily reflected
increased interest income in 1997 as a result of higher cash balances resulting
from the financing transactions completed during 1997.
 
    Income Taxes. Income taxes were $29.5 million, or an effective rate of
84.5%, in 1997 and $0.4 million, or an effective rate of 1.1%, in 1996. The
Company's low effective tax rate in 1996 reflected the fact that (i) U.S.
Rentals was taxed as a Subchapter S Corporation for federal and state purposes
until its initial public offering in February 1997 and (ii) Rental Tools
(another company that United Rentals acquired in a transaction that was
accounted for as a pooling-of-interests) was taxed as a Subchapter S
Corporation for federal and state purposes until it was acquired by the Company
in 1998. The Company's high effective tax rate in 1997 primarily reflected (i)
a $7.5 million charge to recognize deferred tax liabilities of U.S. Rentals and
(ii) the non-deductibility of $7.5 million for income tax purposes of certain
losses that were incurred by U.S. Rentals prior to a recapitalization effected
in connection with its initial public offering.
 
    Extraordinary Item. The Company recorded an extraordinary charge of $2.5
million ($1.5 million net of taxes) during 1997. This charge was incurred by
U.S. Rentals in connection with the prepayment of certain debt.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
  General
 
    Since commencing operations in October 1997, the Company has funded its
cash requirements from a combination of cash generated from operations, the
sale of rental equipment, borrowings
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
 
under a revolving credit facility and the proceeds of other financing
transactions. These other financing transactions included (i) the sale of
Common Stock and warrants in private placements for aggregate consideration of
$54.7 million, (ii) the sale of Common Stock in public offerings in December
1997 and March 1998 for aggregate consideration of $307.0 million (after
deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses), (iii) the sale of $200
million aggregate principal amount of 9 1/2% senior subordinated notes (the "9
1/2% Notes") in May 1998 for aggregate consideration of $193.0 million (after
deducting the initial purchasers' discount and offering expenses), (iv) a $250
million term loan (the "Term Loan") obtained in July 1998, (v) the issuance by
a subsidiary trust of Holdings of preferred securities (the "Trust Preferred
Securities") in August 1998 which resulted in the Company receiving net
proceeds of $290.0 million, (vi) the sale of $205 million aggregate principal
amount of 8.80% senior subordinated notes (the "8.80% Notes") in August 1998
for aggregate consideration of $196.0 million (after deducting the initial
purchaser's discount and offering expenses), (vii) the sale of $300 million
aggregate principal amount of 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes ("9 1/4% Notes")
in December 1998 for aggregate consideration of $292.1 million (after deducting
the initial purchaser's discount and estimated offering expenses), (viii) the
sale of 300,000 shares of Series A Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock in
January 1999 for aggregate consideration of $287.0 million (after deducting
issuance fees and expenses), (ix) the sale of Common Stock in a public offering
in March 1999 for the aggregate consideration of $64.8 million (after deducting
underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses) and (x) the sale of
$250 million aggregate principal amount of 9% Senior Subordinated Notes ("9%
Notes") in March 1999 for aggregate consideration of $245.0 million (after
deducting the initial purchasers' discount and estimated offering expenses).
For additional information concerning certain of the financings described
above, see "--Certain Information Concerning the Credit Facility and Other
Indebtedness" and "--Certain Information Concerning Preferred Securities."
 
    During 1998, the Company (i) generated cash from operations of
approximately $216.1 million, (ii) generated cash from the sale of rental
equipment of approximately $119.6 million and (iii) had net cash from financing
activities of approximately $1,082.1 million. The Company used cash during this
period principally to (i) pay consideration for acquisitions (approximately
$911.8 million), (ii) repay indebtedness in connection with the U.S. Rentals
Merger and the acquisition of Rental Tools (approximately $450.3 million),
(iii) purchase rental equipment (approximately $479.5 million) and (iv)
purchase other property and equipment (approximately $84.6 million). These cash
expenditures were the principal reason for the decrease in cash at December 31,
1998 compared with December 31, 1997.
 
    In September 1998, URI obtained a new $762.5 million revolving credit
facility (the "Credit Facility") from a group of financial institutions. This
facility replaced the credit facility that had previously been used by URI. For
additional information concerning the Credit Facility, see "--Certain
Information Concerning the Credit Facility and Other Indebtedness."
 
  Certain Balance Sheet Changes
 
    The acquisitions and the equipment purchases made by the Company in 1998
(and the financing of such acquisitions and purchases) were the principal
reasons for the increase in the following items at December 31, 1998 compared
with December 31, 1997: accounts receivable, inventory, rental equipment,
property and equipment, intangible assets, accounts payable, debt, and accrued
expenses and other liabilities.
 
    The increase in prepaid expenses and other assets at December 31, 1998
compared with December 31, 1997 primarily reflects (i) an increase in prepaid
expenses relating to the Company's operations and (ii) certain direct costs
relating to potential acquisitions that were capitalized.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
 
    The Company-obligated manditorily redeemable convertible preferred
securities of a subsidiary trust at December 31, 1998, reflects the issuance of
Trust Preferred Securities in August 1998 as described under "--Certain
Information Concerning Preferred Securities."
 
    The increase in stockholders' equity at December 31, 1998 compared with
December 31, 1997, primarily reflects (i) the sale of 8,625,000 shares of
Common Stock in a public offering in March 1998 for aggregate consideration of
$207.4 million (after deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses)
and (ii) the issuance of an aggregate of 2,188,255 shares of Common Stock and
warrants during the year ended December 31, 1998, primarily as consideration
for acquisitions.
 
  Cash Requirements Related to Operations
 
    The Company's principal existing sources of cash are (i) borrowings
available under the Credit Facility ($760.5 million available as of March 23,
1999), (ii) cash generated from operations and (iii) the remaining net proceeds
from the sale by the Company of its 9% Notes in March 1999 (approximately
$125.0 million as of March 23, 1999).
 
    The Company expects that its principal needs for cash relating to its
existing operations over the next 12 months will be to fund (i) operating
activities and working capital, (ii) the purchase of rental equipment and
inventory of items offered for sale and (iii) debt service. The Company plans
to fund such cash requirements relating to its existing operations from its
existing sources of cash described above.
 
    The Company estimates that equipment expenditures over the next 12 months
will be approximately $475.0 million for the existing operations of the
Company. These expenditures are comprised of approximately $255.0 million of
expenditures in order to maintain the average age of the Company's rental fleet
and $220.0 million of discretionary expenditures to increase the size of the
Company's rental fleet. The Company expects that it will fund such expenditures
from a combination of approximately $190.0 million of proceeds expected to be
generated from the sale of used equipment, cash generated from operations and,
if required, borrowings available under the Credit Facility. In addition, the
Company expects that it will be required to make equipment expenditures in
connection with new acquisitions. The Company cannot quantify at this time the
amount of equipment expenditures that will be required in connection with new
acquisitions.
 
    Principal elements of the Company's strategy include continued expansion
through a disciplined acquisition program and the opening of new rental
locations. The Company expects to pay for future acquisitions using cash,
capital stock, notes and/or assumption of indebtedness. To the extent that the
Company's existing sources of cash described above are not sufficient to fund
such future acquisitions, the Company will require additional financing and,
consequently, the Company's indebtedness may increase as the Company implements
its growth strategy. There can be no assurance, however, that any additional
financing will be available or, if available, will be on terms satisfactory to
the Company.
 
    Based upon the terms of the Company's currently outstanding indebtedness,
the Company is scheduled to repay approximately $14.3 million during 1999. In
addition, the Company may be required at any time to repay a $21.5 million
demand note that the Company assumed in connection with the U.S. Rentals
Merger.
 
Relationship Between Holdings and URI
 
    Holdings is principally a holding company and primarily conducts its
operations through its wholly owned subsidiary URI and subsidiaries of URI.
Holdings provides certain services to URI in connection with its operations.
These services principally include: (i) senior management services,
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
 
(ii) finance related services and support, (iii) information technology systems
and support and (iv) acquisition related services. In addition, Holdings leases
certain equipment and real property that are made available for use by URI and
its subsidiaries. URI has made, and expects to continue to make, certain
payments to Holdings in respect of the services provided by Holdings to the
Company. The expenses relating to URI's payments to Holdings are reflected on
URI's financial statements as selling, general and administrative expenses. In
addition, although not legally obligated to do so, URI has in the past, and
expects that it will in the future, make distributions to Holdings to, among
other things, enable Holdings to pay dividends on the Trust Preferred
Securities (as described under
"--Certain Information Concerning Preferred Securities").
 
    The Trust Preferred Securities are the obligation of a subsidiary trust of
Holdings and are not the obligation of URI. As a result, the dividends payable
on these securities are reflected as an expense on the consolidated financial
statements of Holdings, but are not reflected as an expense on the consolidated
financial statements of URI. This is the principal reason why the net income
reported on the consolidated financial statements of URI is higher than the net
income reported on the consolidated financial statements of Holdings.
 
Year 2000 Compliance
 
    The Company has been informed by its software vendors that the Company's
new management information system is year 2000 compliant. The Company has,
therefore, not developed any contingency plans relating to year 2000 issues and
has not budgeted any funds for year 2000 issues. Although the Company believes
that its system is year 2000 compliant, there can be no assurance that
unanticipated year 2000 problems will not arise which, depending on the nature
and magnitude of the problem, could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business and financial condition. Furthermore, year 2000 problems
involving third parties may have a negative impact on the Company's customers
or suppliers, the general economy or on the ability of businesses generally to
receive essential services (such as telecommunications, banking services,
etc.). Any such problem could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business and financial condition. The Company is unable at this time to assess
the possible impact on its business of year 2000 problems involving any third
party.
 
Certain Information Concerning the Credit Facility and Other Indebtedness
 
    Credit Facility. In September 1998, URI obtained a new $762.5 million
revolving Credit Facility from a group of financial institutions. This facility
replaced the credit facility that had previously been used by URI. Set forth
below is certain information concerning the terms of the Credit Facility.
 
    The Credit Facility enables URI to borrow up to $762.5 million on a
revolving basis and permits a Canadian subsidiary of URI (the "Canadian
Subsidiary") to directly borrow up to $40.0 million under the Credit Facility
(provided that the aggregate borrowings of URI and the Canadian Subsidiary do
not exceed $762.5 million). Up to $25.0 million of the Credit Facility is
available in the form of letters of credit. The agreement governing the Credit
Facility requires that the aggregate commitment shall be reduced on the last
day of each calendar quarter, beginning September 30, 2001 and continuing
through June 30, 2003, by an amount equal to $19.1 million. The Credit Facility
terminates on September 26, 2003, at which time all outstanding indebtedness is
due. As of March 23, 1999, no amount of indebtedness was outstanding under the
Credit Facility (not including undrawn outstanding letters of credit in the
amount of $2.0 million).
 
    Borrowings by URI under the Credit Facility accrue interest at URI's
option, at either (a) the Base Rate (which is equal to the greater of (i) the
Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% or (ii) Bank of America's reference rate) or (b)
the Eurodollar Rate (which for borrowings by URI is equal to Bank of
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
 
America's reserve adjusted eurodollar rate) plus a margin ranging from 0.825%
to 1.500% per annum. Borrowings by the Canadian Subsidiary under the Credit
Facility accrue interest, at such subsidiary's option, at either (x) the Prime
Rate (which is equal to Bank of America Canada's prime rate), (y) the BA Rate
(which is equal to Bank of America Canada's BA Rate) plus a margin ranging from
0.825% to 1.500% per annum or (z) the Eurodollar Rate (which for borrowing by
the Canadian Subsidiary is equal to Bank of America Canada's reserve adjusted
Eurodollar Rate) plus a margin ranging from 0.825% to 1.500% per annum. If at
any time an event of default (as defined in the agreement governing the Credit
Facility) exists, the interest rate applicable to each loan will increase by 2%
per annum. The Company is also required to pay the banks an annual facility fee
equal to 0.375% of the banks' $762.5 million aggregate lending commitment under
the Credit Facility (which fee may be reduced to 0.300% for periods during
which the Company maintains a specified funded debt to cash flow ratio).
 
    The obligations of URI under the Credit Facility are (i) secured by
substantially all of its assets, the stock of its United States subsidiaries
and a portion of the stock of URI's Canadian subsidiaries and (ii) guaranteed
by Holdings and secured by the stock of URI. The obligations of the Canadian
Subsidiary under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by URI and secured by
substantially all of the assets of the Canadian Subsidiary and the stock of the
subsidiaries of the Canadian Subsidiary.
 
    The Credit Facility contains certain covenants that require the Company to,
among other things, satisfy certain financial tests relating to: (a) maximum
leverage, (b) the ratio of senior debt to cash flow, (c) minimum interest
coverage ratio, (d) the ratio of funded debt to cash flow, and (e) the ratio of
senior debt to tangible assets. The agreements governing the Credit Facility
also contain various other covenants that restrict the Company's ability to,
among other things, (i) incur additional indebtedness, (ii) permit liens to
attach to its assets, (iii) pay dividends or make other restricted payments on
its common stock and certain other securities and (iv) make acquisitions unless
certain financial conditions are satisfied. In addition, the agreement
governing the Credit Facility (a) requires the Company to maintain certain
financial ratios and (b) provides that failure by any two of Messrs. Jacobs,
Milne, Nolan and Miner to continue to hold executive positions with the Company
for a period of 30 consecutive days constitutes an event of default unless
replacement officers satisfactory to the lenders are appointed.
 
    Term Loan. In July 1998, URI obtained a $250 million term loan from a group
of financial institutions. The term loan matures on June 30, 2005. Prior to
maturity, quarterly installments of principal in the amount of $625,000 are due
on the last day of each calendar quarter, commencing September 30, 1999. The
amount due at maturity is $235,625,000. The term loan accrues interest, at the
Company's option, at either (a) the Base Rate (as defined above with respect to
the Credit Facility) plus a margin ranging from 0% to 0.5% per annum, or (b)
the Eurodollar Rate (as defined above with respect to the Credit Facility for
borrowings by the Company) plus a margin ranging from 1.875% to 2.375% per
annum. The Term Loan is secured pari passu with the Credit Facility. The
agreement governing the Term Loan contains restrictive covenants substantially
similar to those provided under the Credit Facility.
 
    9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes. In May 1998, URI issued $200 million
aggregate principal amount of 9 1/2% Notes which are due June 1, 2008. The 9
1/2% Notes are unsecured. URI may, at its option, redeem the 9 1/2% Notes on or
after June 1, 2003 at specified redemption prices which range from 104.75% in
2003 to 100.00% in 2006 and thereafter. In addition, on or prior to June 1,
2001, URI may, at its option, use the proceeds of a public equity offering to
redeem up to 35% of the outstanding 9 1/2% Notes, at a redemption price of
109.5%. The indenture governing the 9 1/2% Notes contains certain restrictive
covenants, including (i) limitations on additional indebtedness, (ii)
limitations on restricted payments, (iii) limitations on liens, (iv)
limitations on dividends and other payment restrictions, (v) limitations on
preferred stock of certain subsidiaries, (vi) limitations on
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
 
transactions with affiliates, (vii) limitations on the disposition of proceeds
of asset sales and (viii) limitations on the ability of the Company to
consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of its assets.
 
    8.80% Senior Subordinated Notes. In August 1998, URI issued $205 million
aggregate principal amount of 8.80% Notes which are due August 15, 2008. The
8.80% Notes are unsecured. URI may, at its option, redeem the 8.80% Notes on or
after August 15, 2003 at specified redemption prices which range from 104.40%
in 2003 to 100.00% in 2006 and thereafter. In addition, on or prior to August
15, 2001, URI may, at its option, use the proceeds of a public equity offering
to redeem up to 35% of the outstanding 8.80% Notes, at a redemption price of
108.8%. The indenture governing the 8.80% Notes contains restrictions
substantially similar to those applicable to the 9 1/2% Notes.
 
  9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes. In December 1998, URI issued $300 million
aggregate principal amount of 9 1/4% Notes which are due January 15, 2009. The
9 1/4% Notes are unsecured. URI may, at its option, redeem the 9 1/4% Notes on
or after January 15, 2004 at specified redemption prices which range from
104.625% in 2004 to 100.00% in 2007 and thereafter. In addition, on or prior to
January 15, 2002, URI may, at its option, use the proceeds of a public equity
offering to redeem up to 35% of the outstanding 9 1/4% Notes, at a redemption
price of 109.25%. The indenture governing the 9 1/4% Notes contains
restrictions substantially similar to those applicable to the 9 1/2% Notes.
 
  9% Senior Subordinated Notes. In March 1999, URI issued $250 million
aggregate principal amount of 9% Notes which are due April 1, 2009. The 9%
Notes are unsecured. URI may, at its option, redeem the 9% Notes on or after
April 1, 2004 at specified redemption prices which range from 104.50% in 2004
to 100.00% in 2007 and thereafter. In addition, on or prior to April 1, 2002,
URI may, at its option, use the proceeds of a public equity offering to redeem
up to 35% of the outstanding 9% Notes, at a redemption price of 109.00%. The
indenture governing the 9% Notes contains restrictions substantially similar to
those applicable to the 9 1/2% Notes.
 
Certain Information Concerning Preferred Securities
 
  Trust Preferred Securities
 
    In August 1998, a subsidiary trust (the "Trust") of Holdings sold $300
million of 6 1/2% Convertible Quarterly Income Preferred Securities (the "Trust
Preferred Securities"). The net proceeds from the sale of the Trust Preferred
Securities were approximately $290 million. The Trust used such proceeds to
purchase convertible subordinated debentures from Holdings which resulted in
Holdings receiving all of the proceeds from the sale of the Trust Preferred
Securities. Holdings in turn contributed the net proceeds from the sale of the
Trust Preferred Securities to its wholly owned subsidiary URI. The Trust
Preferred Securities are convertible into common stock of Holdings at a
conversion price equivalent to $43.63 per share.
 
  Series A Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock
 
    In January 1999, Holdings sold 300,000 shares of its Series A Perpetual
Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred") to Apollo Investment Fund
IV, L.P. and Apollo Overseas Partners IV, L.P. The net proceeds from the sale
of the Series A Preferred were approximately $287.0 million. Holdings
contributed such net proceeds to URI.
 
Fluctuations in Operating Results
 
    The Company expects that its revenues and operating results may fluctuate
from quarter to quarter due to a number of factors, including: seasonal rental
patterns of the Company's customers (with rental activity tending to be lower
in the winter); changes in general economic conditions in the
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
 
Company's markets; the timing of acquisitions and the opening of start-up
locations and related costs; the effect of the integration of acquired
businesses and start-up locations; the timing of expenditures for new equipment
and the disposition of used equipment; and price changes in response to
competitive factors.
 
    The Company is continually involved in the investigation and evaluation of
potential acquisitions. In accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, the Company capitalizes certain direct out-of-pocket expenditures
(such as legal and accounting fees) relating to potential or pending
acquisitions. Indirect acquisition costs, such as executive salaries, general
corporate overhead, public affairs and other corporate services, are expensed
as incurred. The Company's policy is to charge against earnings any capitalized
expenditures relating to any potential or pending acquisition that the Company
determines will not be consummated. There can be no assurance that the Company
in future periods will not be required to incur a charge against earnings in
accordance with such policy, which charge, depending upon the magnitude
thereof, could adversely affect the Company's results of operations.
 
    The Company will be required to incur significant start-up expenses in
connection with establishing each start-up location. Such expenses may include,
among others, pre-opening expenses related to setting up the facility, and
expenses in connection with training employees, installing information systems
and marketing. The Company expects that, in general, start-up locations will
initially operate at a loss or at less than normalized profit levels.
Consequently, the opening of a start-up location may negatively impact the
Company's margins until the location achieves normalized profitability.
 
    There may be a lag between the time that the Company purchases new
equipment and begins to incur the related depreciation and interest expenses
and the time that the equipment begins to generate revenues at normalized
rates. As a result, the purchase of new equipment, particularly equipment
purchased in connection with expanding and diversifying the Company's rental
equipment, may periodically reduce margins.
 
General Economic Conditions and Inflation
 
    The Company's operating results may be adversely affected by (i) changes in
general economic conditions, including changes in construction and industrial
activity, or increases in interest rates, or (ii) adverse weather conditions
that may temporarily decrease construction and industrial activity in a
particular geographic area. Although the Company cannot accurately anticipate
the effect of inflation on its operations, the Company believes that inflation
has not had, and is not likely in the foreseeable future to have, a material
impact on its results of operations.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
    For the year ended December 31, 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 130,
"Reporting Comprehensive Income". SFAS No. 130 establishes standards for
reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in primary
financial statements. SFAS No. 130 requires the Company's foreign currency
translation adjustments to be included in other comprehensive income. The
adoption of SFAS No. 130 had no impact on the Company's net income or
shareholders' equity.
 
    Effective January 1, 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures
about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information". SFAS No. 131
establishes a new method by which companies will report operating segment
information. This method is based on the manner in which management organizes
the segments within a company for making operating decisions and assessing
performance. SFAS No. 131 also establishes standards for related disclosures
about
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
 
products and services, geographic areas and major customers. The Company had
included the required disclosures in the notes to its financial statements
included elsewhere herein.
 
    In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities". SFAS No. 133
establishes a new model for accounting for derivatives and hedging activities.
The Company will adopt SFAS No. 133 beginning January 1, 2000. The adoption of
SFAS No. 133 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's
consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
    Our exposure to market risk primarily consists of interest rate risk
associated with our variable rate debt and foreign currency exchange rate risk
primarily associated with our Canadian operations. We do not use, nor have we
historically used, derivative financial instruments to manage or reduce market
risk.
 
    Interest Rate Risk. All borrowings under our $762.5 million Credit Facility
bear interest at a variable rate of interest. The outstanding indebtedness
under the Credit Facility was $305.0 million as of December 31, 1998. Our other
variable rate debt primarily consists of the $250 million Term Loan and a $21.5
million demand note. The interest rates applicable to our variable rate debt as
of December 31, 1998 were (i) 6.25% for the Credit Facility, (ii) 7.25% for the
Term Loan and (iii) 6.5% for the demand note. The interest rates applicable to
our variable rate debt have remained relatively stable over the past year.
Based upon the amount of variable debt that we had outstanding as of December
31, 1998 (approximately $582.8 million in the aggregate), our net income would
decrease by approximately $3.5 million for each one percentage point increase
in the interest rates applicable to our variable rate debt. The amount of our
variable rate indebtedness may fluctuate significantly as a result of changes
in the amount of indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Facility from time
to time. For additional information concerning the terms of our variable rate
debt, see Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included
elsewhere herein.
 
    Currency Exchange Risk. The functional currency for our Canadian operations
is the Canadian dollar. As a result, our future earnings could be affected by
fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. and Canadian dollars. Based
upon the current level of our Canadian operations, a 10% change in this
exchange rate would not have a material impact on our earnings.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
 
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>
(1) Consolidated Financial Statements:
 
  Report of Independent Auditors..........................................  32
 
  United Rentals, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets--December 31, 1998 and
   1997...................................................................  33
 
  United Rentals, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years
   ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.................................  34
 
  United Rentals, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for
   the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.......................  35
 
  United Rentals, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years
   ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.................................  36
 
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..............................  38
 
  Report of Independent Auditors..........................................  57
  United Rentals (North America), Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets--
   December 31, 1998 and 1997.............................................  58
  United Rentals (North America), Inc. Consolidated Statements of
   Operations for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996........  59
 
  United Rentals (North America), Inc. Consolidated Statements of
   Stockholder's Equity for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and
   1996...................................................................  60
  United Rentals (North America), Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash
   Flows for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.............  61
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..............................  62
(2) Financial Statement Schedules:
 
  Report of Independent Auditors on Financial Statement Schedules.........  67
 
  Schedule I Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant............  68
  Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts...........................  72
</TABLE>
 
    Schedules other than those listed are omitted as they are not applicable or
the required or equivalent information has been included in the financial
statements or notes thereto.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
 
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
Board of Directors
United Rentals, Inc.
 
    We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of United
Rentals, Inc. as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1998. These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the management of United Rentals, Inc. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.
 
    We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
    In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position
of United Rentals, Inc. at December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the consolidated
results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                                   /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
MetroPark, New Jersey
February 17, 1999,
except for Note 17, as
to which the date is
February 26, 1999
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               December 31
                                                           --------------------
                                                              1998       1997
                                                           ----------  --------
                                                             (In thousands,
                                                           except share data)
<S>                                                        <C>         <C>
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents................................. $   20,410  $ 72,411
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
 accounts of $41,201 and $11,085 at 1998 and 1997,
 respectively.............................................    233,282    82,592
Inventory.................................................     70,994    21,778
Prepaid expenses and other assets.........................     59,395    16,287
Rental equipment, net.....................................  1,143,006   461,026
Property and equipment, net...............................    185,511    98,268
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of
 $14,520 and $568 at 1998 and 1997, respectively..........    922,065    73,648
                                                           ----------  --------
                                                           $2,634,663  $826,010
                                                           ==========  ========
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities:
  Accounts payable........................................ $  121,940  $ 41,392
  Debt....................................................  1,314,574   264,573
  Deferred taxes..........................................     43,560    24,395
  Accrued expenses and other liabilities..................    128,359    49,262
                                                           ----------  --------
    Total liabilities.....................................  1,608,433   379,622
Commitments and contingencies
Company-obligated manditorily redeemable convertible
 preferred securities of a subsidiary trust...............    300,000
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock--$.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares
   authorized, No shares issued and outstanding...........
  Common stock--$.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares
   authorized in 1998 and 75,000,000 in 1997, 68,427,999
   shares issued and outstanding in 1998 and 56,239,375 in
   1997...................................................        684       562
  Additional paid-in capital..............................    689,018   401,758
  Retained earnings.......................................     36,809    44,068
  Accumulated other comprehensive income..................       (281)
                                                           ----------  --------
    Total stockholders' equity............................    726,230   446,388
                                                           ----------  --------
                                                           $2,634,663  $826,010
                                                           ==========  ========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Year Ended December 31
                                  --------------------------------------------
                                       1998           1997           1996
                                  --------------  -------------  -------------
                                   (in thousands, except per share amounts)
<S>                               <C>             <C>            <C>
Revenues:
 Equipment rentals..............  $      895,466       $388,181  $     295,308
 Sales of rental equipment......         119,620         41,406         25,518
 Sales of new equipment,
  merchandise and other
  revenues......................         205,196         60,251         33,652
                                  --------------  -------------  -------------
Total revenues..................       1,220,282        489,838        354,478
Cost of revenues:
 Cost of equipment rentals,
  excluding depreciation........         394,750        189,578        138,018
 Depreciation of rental
  equipment.....................         175,910         82,097         65,294
 Cost of rental equipment
  sales.........................          66,136         20,455         10,570
 Cost of new equipment and
  merchandise sales and other
  operating costs...............         160,038         48,416         27,563
                                  --------------  -------------  -------------
Total cost of revenues..........         796,834        340,546        241,445
                                  --------------  -------------  -------------
Gross profit....................         423,448        149,292        113,033
Selling, general and
 administrative expenses........         195,620         70,835         54,721
Merger-related expenses.........          47,178
Non-rental depreciation and
 amortization...................          35,248         13,424          9,387
Termination cost of deferred
 compensation agreements........                         20,290
                                  --------------  -------------  -------------
Operating income................         145,402         44,743         48,925
Interest expense................          64,157         11,847         11,278
Preferred dividends of a
 subsidiary trust...............           7,854
Other (income) expense, net.....          (4,906)        (2,021)          (499)
                                  --------------  -------------  -------------
Income before provision for
 income taxes and extraordinary
 items..........................          78,297         34,917         38,146
Provision for income taxes......          43,499         29,508            420
                                  --------------  -------------  -------------
Income before extraordinary
 items..........................          34,798          5,409         37,726
Extraordinary items, net of tax
 benefit of $14,255 in 1998 and
 $995 in 1997...................          21,337          1,511
                                  --------------  -------------  -------------
Net income......................  $       13,461  $       3,898  $      37,726
                                  ==============  =============  =============
Basic earnings before
 extraordinary items per share..  $         0.53  $        0.12  $        1.67
                                  ==============  =============  =============
Diluted earnings before
 extraordinary items per share..  $         0.48  $        0.11  $        1.67
                                  ==============  =============  =============
Basic earnings per share........  $         0.20  $        0.08  $        1.67
                                  ==============  =============  =============
Diluted earnings per share......  $         0.18  $        0.08  $        1.67
                                  ==============  =============  =============
Unaudited pro forma data (Note
 9):
 Historical income before income
  taxes and extraordinary
  items.........................  $       78,297  $      34,917  $      38,146
 Pro forma income tax expense...          44,386         14,176         15,487
                                  --------------  -------------  -------------
 Pro forma income before
  extraordinary items...........  $       33,911  $      20,741  $      22,659
                                  ==============  =============  =============
 Pro forma basic income before
  extraordinary items per
  share.........................  $         0.51  $        0.44  $        1.00
                                  ==============  =============  =============
 Pro forma diluted income before
  extraordinary items per
  share.........................  $         0.46  $        0.42  $        1.00
                                  ==============  =============  =============
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Common Stock
                         ------------------
                                                                                Accumulated
                                            Additional                             Other
                           Number            Paid-in   Retained  Comprehensive Comprehensive
                         of Shares   Amount  Capital   Earnings     Income        Income
                         ----------  ------ ---------- --------  ------------- -------------
                                       (In thousands, except share amounts)
<S>                      <C>         <C>    <C>        <C>       <C>           <C>
Balance, December 31,
 1995................... 22,661,994   $227   $ 13,383  $ 90,719
  Subchapter S
   distributions of a
   pooled entity........                                (36,530)
  Treasury stock
   purchase.............    (25,229)             (105)
  Net income............                                 37,726     $37,726
                         ----------   ----   --------  --------     =======        -----
Balance, December 31,
 1996................... 22,636,765    227     13,278    91,915
  Issuance of common
   stock and warrants... 33,602,610    335    343,797
  Distribution of non-
   operating assets,
   net..................                       (4,219)
  Reclassification of
   Subchapter S
   accumulated earnings
   to paid-in capital...                       48,902   (48,902)
  Subchapter S
   distributions of a
   pooled entity........                                 (2,843)
  Net income............                                  3,898     $ 3,898
                         ----------   ----   --------  --------     =======        -----
Balance, December 31,
 1997................... 56,239,375    562    401,758    44,068
  Comprehensive income:
   Net income...........                                 13,461     $13,461
   Other comprehensive
    income:
     Foreign currency
      translation
      adjustments.......                                               (281)       $(281)
                                                                    -------
  Comprehensive income..                                            $13,180
                                                                    =======
  Issuance of common
   stock and warrants... 10,813,255    108    267,214
  Conversion of
   convertible notes....     30,947               461
  Cancellation of common
   stock................   (137,600)    (1)         1
  Reclassification of
   Subchapter S
   accumulated earnings
   to paid-in-capital...                       18,979   (18,979)
  Pooling-of-interests..  1,456,997     15        (14)    1,795
  Exercise of common
   stock options........     25,025               619
  Subchapter S
   distributions of a
   pooled entity........                                 (3,536)
                         ----------   ----   --------  --------                    -----
Balance, December 31,
 1998................... 68,427,999   $684   $689,018  $ 36,809                    $(281)
                         ==========   ====   ========  ========                    =====
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Year Ended December 31
                                              ---------------------------------
                                                 1998        1997       1996
                                              -----------  ---------  ---------
                                                      (In thousands)
<S>                                           <C>          <C>        <C>
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income..................................  $    13,461  $   3,898  $  37,726
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
 cash provided by operating activities:
 Depreciation and amortization..............      211,158     95,521     74,681
 Amortization of original issue discount and
  deferred financing fees...................        1,153
 Gain on sale of rental equipment...........      (53,484)   (20,951)   (14,948)
 Gain on sales of businesses................       (4,189)
 Write down of assets held for sale.........        4,040
 Non-cash interest, net.....................                     201
 Extraordinary items........................       35,592      2,506
 Deferred taxes.............................       27,345     25,075
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 Accounts receivable........................      (53,368)   (19,837)    (8,271)
 Inventory..................................       (6,392)    (3,785)    (1,148)
 Prepaid expenses and other assets..........       (3,526)    (9,821)    (2,219)
 Accounts payable...........................       39,251     11,704     (7,966)
 Accrued expenses and other liabilities.....        5,088      8,618      8,116
                                              -----------  ---------  ---------
 Net cash provided by operating activities..      216,129     93,129     85,971
                                              -----------  ---------  ---------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Purchases of rental equipment...............     (479,534)  (268,548)  (116,021)
Purchases of property and equipment.........      (84,617)   (53,653)   (27,269)
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment.....      119,620     41,406     25,518
Proceeds from sales of businesses...........       10,640
Collection of notes receivable..............                     122      2,537
Purchase of other companies.................     (911,837)  (115,528)   (15,033)
Payment of contingent purchase price........       (3,956)
In-process acquisition costs................         (241)      (129)
                                              -----------  ---------  ---------
 Net cash used in investing activities......   (1,349,925)  (396,330)  (130,268)
                                              -----------  ---------  ---------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net
 of issuance costs..........................      207,005    340,738
Proceeds from debt..........................    2,363,637    308,858    131,053
Payments on debt............................   (1,785,667)  (271,418)   (50,713)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback................       35,000
Proceeds from the issuance of redeemable
 convertible preferred securities...........      300,000
Payment of financing costs..................      (34,982)    (1,631)      (230)
Proceeds from the exercise of common stock
 options....................................          619
Subchapter S distributions of a pooled
 entity.....................................       (3,536)    (2,843)   (36,530)
Purchase of treasury stock..................                               (105)
Cash retained by Predecessor in connection
 with Recapitalization......................                    (998)
                                              -----------  ---------  ---------
 Net cash provided by financing activities..    1,082,076    372,706     43,475
Effect of foreign exchange rates............         (281)
                                              -----------  ---------  ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
 equivalents................................      (52,001)    69,505       (822)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
 year.......................................       72,411      2,906      3,728
                                              -----------  ---------  ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year....  $    20,410  $  72,411  $   2,906
                                              ===========  =========  =========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS--(Continued)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Year Ended December 31
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                      1998       1997     1996
                                                   ----------  --------  -------
                                                         (In thousands)
<S>                                                <C>         <C>       <C>
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest...........................  $   43,157  $ 13,090  $13,766
Cash paid for taxes..............................  $   10,224  $ 11,487  $   399
Deferred compensation and bonus payments through
 issuance of common stock........................              $    486
Net assets retained by Predecessor in connection
 with Recapitalization...........................              $  3,221
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and
 financing activities
During the year ended December 31, 1998,
 convertible notes in the original principal
 amount of $500 were converted into 31 shares of
 common stock
The Company acquired the net assets and assumed
 certain liabilities of other companies as
 follows:
 Assets, net of cash acquired....................  $1,501,467  $162,954  $15,033
 Liabilities assumed.............................    (518,861)  (43,301)
 Less:
 Amounts paid in common stock and warrants.......     (60,304)   (3,825)
 Amounts paid through issuance of debt...........     (10,465)     (300)
                                                   ----------  --------  -------
Net cash paid....................................  $  911,837  $115,528  $15,033
                                                   ==========  ========  =======
</TABLE>
 
 
 
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
           (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
1. Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
    United Rentals, Inc. is principally a holding company ("Holdings") and
conducts its operations primarily through its wholly owned subsidiary United
Rentals (North America), Inc. ("URI") and subsidiaries of URI. URI was
incorporated in August 1997, initially capitalized in September 1997 and
commenced equipment rental operations in October 1997. Holdings was
incorporated in July 1998 and became the parent of URI on August 5, 1998,
pursuant to the reorganization of the legal structure of URI described in Note
10. Prior to such reorganization, the name of URI was United Rentals, Inc.
References herein to the "Company" refer to Holdings and its subsidiaries, with
respect to periods following the reorganization, and to URI and its
subsidiaries, with respect to periods prior to the reorganization. As a result
of the reorganization, Holdings' primary asset is its sole ownership of all
issued and outstanding shares of common stock of URI. URI's various credit
agreements and debt instruments place restrictions on its ability to transfer
funds to its shareholder.
 
    The Company rents a broad array of equipment to a diverse customer base
that includes construction industry participants, industrial companies,
homeowners and others in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Company also
engages in related activities such as selling rental equipment, acting as a
distributor for certain new equipment and selling related merchandise and
parts. The nature of the Company's business is such that short-term obligations
are typically met by cash flow generated from long-term assets. Consequently,
consistent with industry practice, the accompanying balance sheets are
presented on an unclassified basis.
 
    The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, giving retroactive effect for
the reorganization for all periods presented. All significant intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The accompanying consolidated
financial statements for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 include the
accounts of certain acquisitions completed in 1998 that were accounted for as
poolings-of-interests, as described in Note 3.
 
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Cash Equivalents
 
    The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with a maturity of
three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
 
Inventory
 
    Inventory consists of equipment, tools, parts, fuel and related supply
items. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined
on either a weighted average or first-in, first-out method.
 
Rental Equipment
 
    Rental equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated over the estimated
useful lives of the equipment generally using the straight-line method. The
range of useful lives estimated by management for rental equipment is two to
ten years. Rental equipment is depreciated to a salvage value of zero to ten
percent of cost. Rental equipment having a cost of $0.5 or less is expensed at
the time of purchase. Ordinary maintenance and repair costs are charged to
operations as incurred.
 
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
Property and Equipment
 
    Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated over their
estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. The range of useful
lives estimated by management for property and equipment is two to thirty-nine
years. Ordinary maintenance and repair costs are charged to operations as
incurred. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method
over their estimated useful lives or the remaining life of the lease, whichever
is shorter.
 
Intangible Assets
 
    Intangible assets consist of the excess of cost over the value of
identifiable net assets of businesses acquired and are being amortized on a
straight-line basis over forty years.
 
Long-Lived Assets
 
    Long-lived assets are recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair
value. As part of an ongoing review of the valuation of long-lived assets,
management assesses the carrying value of such assets if facts and
circumstances suggest they may be impaired. If this review indicates that the
carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable, as determined by a
nondiscounted cash flow analysis over the remaining useful life, the carrying
value would be reduced to its estimated fair value. There have been no material
impairments recognized in these financial statements.
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
    The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheets for accounts
receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
approximate fair value due to the immediate to short-term maturity of these
financial instruments. The fair values of the Credit Facility, other lines of
credit, the Term Loan and the demand note to stockholder are determined using
current interest rates for similar instruments as of December 31, 1998 and 1997
and approximate the carrying value of these financial instruments due to the
fact that the underlying instruments include provisions to adjust interest
rates to approximate fair market value. The estimated fair value of the
Company's other financial instruments at December 31, 1998 and 1997 are based
upon available market information and are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    1998                       1997
                         -------------------------- --------------------------
                         Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value
                         --------------- ---------- --------------- ----------
<S>                      <C>             <C>        <C>             <C>
Redeemable convertible
 preferred securities...    $300,000      $289,128
Senior subordinated
 notes..................     700,153       705,425
Seller notes............      10,465        10,465
Other debt..............      27,456        27,456      $6,360        $6,360
</TABLE>
 
Revenue Recognition
 
    Revenue related to the sale of equipment and merchandise is recognized at
the point of sale. Revenue related to rental equipment is recognized over the
contract term.
 
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
Advertising Expense
 
    The Company advertises primarily through trade publications and yellow
pages. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and totaled $13,540, $6,866
and $4,487 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
 
Income Taxes
 
    The Company uses the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under
this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the
differences between financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities
and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be
in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Recognition of deferred
tax assets is limited to amounts considered by management to be more likely
than not realized in future periods.
 
    U.S. Rentals, Inc. ("U.S. Rentals") (prior to February 20, 1997) and Rental
Tools and Equipment Co. ("Rental Tools") (prior to August 24, 1998) elected to
be treated as Subchapter S Corporations (See Note 9).
 
Use of Estimates
 
    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk
 
    Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant
concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash investments and
accounts receivable. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with high
quality financial institutions.
 
    Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are
limited because a large number of geographically diverse customers make up the
Company's customer base. No single customer represents greater than 10% of
total accounts receivable. The Company controls credit risk through credit
approvals, credit limits, and monitoring procedures.
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
    The Company accounts for its stock based compensation arrangements under
the provisions of Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees". Since stock options are granted by
the Company with exercise prices at or greater than the fair value of the
shares at the date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized.
 
Computation of Earnings Per Share
 
    Earnings per share is calculated under the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings Per Share". Common
stock issued for consideration below the initial public offering price ("IPO
price") of $13.50 per share at which shares were sold in the Company's initial
public offering (the "IPO"), and stock options and warrants granted with
exercise prices below the IPO price per share during the twelve months
preceding the date of the initial filing of the registration statement for the
IPO are included in the calculation of common equivalent shares at the IPO
price per share.
 
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
Related Party Transactions
 
    As disclosed in these financial statements, the Company has participated in
certain transactions with related parties. In the opinion of management, all
transactions with related parties have been conducted on terms which are fair
and equitable.
 
Insurance
 
    The Company is insured for general liability, workers' compensation, and
group medical claims up to a specified claim and aggregate amounts (subject to
a deductible of $500). Insured losses subject to this deductible are accrued
based upon the aggregate liability for reported claims incurred and an
estimated liability for claims incurred but not reported. These liabilities are
not discounted.
 
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
    For the year ended December 31, 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 130,
"Reporting Comprehensive Income". SFAS No. 130 establishes standards for
reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in primary
financial statements. SFAS No. 130 requires the Company's foreign currency
translation adjustments to be included in other comprehensive income. The
adoption of SFAS No. 130 had no impact on the Company's net income or
shareholders' equity.
 
    In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities". SFAS No. 133
establishes a new model for accounting for derivatives and hedging activities.
The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 133 beginning January 1, 2000. The
adoption of SFAS No. 133 is not expected to have a material effect on the
Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
Reclassifications
 
    Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the 1998
presentation.
 
3. Acquisitions
 
    During the year ended December 31, 1998, the Company completed 84
acquisitions. Three of such acquisitions were accounted for as poolings-of-
interests (the "Pooling Transactions") and 81 were accounted for as purchases.
 
Acquisitions Accounted for as Poolings-of-Interests
 
    On August 24, 1998, the Company issued 2,744,368 shares of its common stock
for all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Rental Tools. This
transaction was accounted for as a pooling-of-interests and, accordingly, the
1997 and 1996 consolidated financial statements were previously restated to
include the accounts of Rental Tools.
 
    On September 24, 1998, the Company issued 1,456,997 shares of its common
stock for all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Wynne Systems, Inc.
("Wynne"). This transaction was accounted for as a pooling-of-interests;
however, this transaction was not material to the Company's consolidated
operations and financial position and, therefore, the Company's financial
statements have not been restated for this transaction but have been combined
beginning July 1, 1998.
 
    On September 29, 1998, a merger (the "Merger") of United Rentals, Inc. and
U.S. Rentals was completed. The Merger was effected by having a wholly owned
subsidiary of United Rentals, Inc.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
merge with and into U.S. Rentals. Following the Merger, United Rentals, Inc.
contributed the capital stock of U.S. Rentals to URI, a wholly owned subsidiary
of United Rentals, Inc. Pursuant to the Merger, each outstanding share of
common stock of U.S. Rentals was converted into the right to receive 0.9625 of
a share of common stock of United Rentals, Inc. An aggregate of approximately
29.6 million shares of United Rentals, Inc. common stock were issued in the
Merger in exchange for the outstanding shares of U.S. Rentals common stock. The
Merger was accounted for as a pooling-of-interests and, accordingly, the 1997
and 1996 consolidated financial statements were previously restated to include
the accounts of U.S. Rentals.
 
    The table below shows the separate revenue and net income (loss) of the
Company prior to the above mergers ("United"), U.S. Rentals and Rental Tools
for periods prior to combination:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     U.S.   Rental
                                          United   Rentals   Tools   Combined
                                         --------  -------- -------  --------
<S>                                      <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>
For the nine months ended September 30,
 1998:
  Revenues.............................. $311,919  $451,101 $41,242  $804,262
  Net income (loss).....................  (53,178)   43,670   4,695    (4,813)
For the year ended December 31, 1997:
  Revenues..............................   10,633   430,443  48,762   489,838
  Net income (loss).....................       34     4,830    (966)    3,898
For the year ended December 31, 1996:
  Revenues..............................            306,118  48,360   354,478
  Net income............................             33,084   4,642    37,726
</TABLE>
 
Acquisitions Accounted for as Purchases
 
    The acquisitions completed during the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997
and 1996 include 81, 15 and 2 acquisitions, respectively, that were accounted
for as purchases. The results of operations of the businesses acquired in these
acquisitions have been included in the Company's results of operations from
their respective acquisition dates.
 
    In January 1998 the Company purchased the outstanding stock and certain
assets of (i) Access Rentals, Inc. and Affiliate, (ii) the BNR Group of
Companies and (iii) Mission Valley Rentals, Inc. The aggregate initial
consideration paid by the Company for these three acquisitions that were
accounted for as purchases was $88,674 and consisted of approximately $81,433
in cash and 370,231 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 30,000 shares of the Company's common stock. In addition, the
Company repaid or assumed outstanding indebtedness of these three companies
acquired in the aggregate amount of $64,011.
 
    Also during 1998, the Company purchased the outstanding stock and certain
assets of (i) Power Rental Co., Inc., in June (ii) Equipment Supply Co., Inc.
and Affiliates in June and (iii) McClinch Inc. and Subsidiaries and McClinch
Equipment Services, Inc. in September. The aggregate initial consideration paid
by the Company for these three acquisitions that were accounted for as
purchases was $298,401 and consisted of approximately $277,969 in cash and
496,063 shares of common stock. In addition, the Company repaid or assumed
outstanding indebtedness of these three companies acquired in the aggregate
amount of $155,414.
 
    The aggregate initial consideration paid by the Company for other 1998
acquisitions that were accounted for as purchases was $550,437 and consisted of
approximately $507,326 in cash and 1,083,997 shares of common stock, and seller
notes of $10,465. In addition, the Company repaid or assumed outstanding
indebtedness of the other companies acquired in 1998 in the aggregate amount of
$211,837.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
 
 
    In October 1997, the Company purchased the outstanding stock of (i) A&A
Tool Rentals and Sales, Inc., (ii) Bronco High-Lift, Inc., (iii) Coran
Enterprises, Inc., (iv) J&J Rental Services, Inc., (v) Mercer Equipment Company
and (vi) Rent-It Center, Inc. The aggregate consideration paid for these
acquisitions was $56,965 in cash with the exception of two acquisitions. One
acquisition included a $300 convertible note and the consideration for another
acquisition was paid through the issuance of 318,712 shares of the Company's
common stock. These shares were subject to adjustment so that their value will
equal $3,800 based upon the average daily closing price of the Company's common
stock during the 60 day period beginning December 18, 1997. In accordance with
such provision, 137,600 shares of common stock issued by the Company in
connection with such acquisition were canceled. In addition, the Company repaid
or assumed outstanding indebtedness of the 1997 companies acquired in the
aggregate amount of $43,301.
 
    The aggregate initial consideration paid by the Company for other 1997
acquisitions was $66,820 in cash.
 
    The aggregate initial consideration paid by the Company for the 1996
acquisitions was $15,033 in cash.
 
    The Company has agreed, through December 31, 1998 in connection with 14
acquisitions to pay to former owners additional amounts based upon specified
future revenues and/or new store openings. Such amounts are limited (i) in the
case of 13 of the acquisitions, to a specified maximum amount which varies from
$300 to $10,000 (with the average being $1,786) and (ii) in the case of one
acquisition, to an amount based upon the performance of a single store.
 
    The purchase prices for all acquisitions accounted for as purchases have
been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their
respective fair values at their respective acquisition dates. However, the
Company has not completed its valuation of all of its purchases and,
accordingly, the purchase price allocations are subject to change when
additional information concerning asset and liability valuations are completed.
Contingent purchase price is capitalized when earned and amortized over the
remaining life of the related asset.
 
    The following table summarizes, on an unaudited pro forma basis, the
combined results of operations of the Company for the years ended December 31,
1998 and 1997 as though each acquisition described above was made on January 1,
for each of the periods.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1998       1997
                                                          ---------- ----------
   <S>                                                    <C>        <C>
   Revenues.............................................. $1,550,744 $1,306,406
   Net income............................................     51,963     53,264
   Basic earnings per share.............................. $     0.76 $     0.78
                                                          ========== ==========
   Diluted earnings per share............................ $     0.69 $     0.75
                                                          ========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
    The unaudited pro forma results are based upon certain assumptions and
estimates which are subject to change. These results are not necessarily
indicative of the actual results of operations that might have occurred, nor
are they necessarily indicative of expected results in the future.
 
Merger-Related Expenses and Extraordinary Items
 
    The results of operations for the year ended December 31, 1998, include
pre-tax expenses related to the three Pooling Transactions totaling
approximately $47,200 ($33,200 after-tax), consisting of (i) $18,500 for
investment banking, legal, accounting services and other merger costs, (ii)
$14,500 of expenses relating to the closing of duplicate facilities, (iii)
$8,200 for employee
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
 
severance and related matters, (iv) $2,100 for the write down of computer
systems acquired through the U.S. Rentals merger and one of the other
acquisitions accounted for as a pooling-of-interests and (v) $3,900 in other
expenses.
 
    The Company recorded pre-tax extraordinary items of $35,592 ($21,337 after-
tax) in 1998 and $2,506 ($1,511 after tax) in 1997. The charge in 1998 related
to the early extinguishment of debt primarily related to the Merger with U.S.
Rentals. The charge in 1997 resulted from the prepayment of certain debt by
U.S. Rentals.
 
4. Related Party Transactions
 
    On February 20, 1997, U.S. Rentals completed a recapitalization upon
completing its initial public offering whereby it exchanged 20,748,975 shares
of its common stock for all the operating assets and liabilities of its
predecessor (the "Recapitalization"). The predecessor retained only non-
operating assets and liabilities, including $25,700 of notes receivable from an
affiliate and $24,400 of notes payable to related parties. In conjunction with
the Recapitalization, certain deferred compensation agreements totaling $20,290
were terminated and expensed. Unless otherwise indicated, U.S. Rentals also
refers to the Predecessor prior to the Recapitalization.
 
    Prior to the Recapitalization, the Company earned interest income from the
affiliate of $555 and $3,420 for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively, and the accompanying financial statements include principal
adjustments in notes receivable and other income in the amounts of $146 and
$572 for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The
accompanying financial statements include related party interest expense of
$1,311, $1,245 and $3,078 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
respectively (See Note 8 for related party note to stockholder).
 
5. Rental Equipment
 
    Rental equipment consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              December 31
                                                          ---------------------
                                                             1998       1997
                                                          ----------  ---------
   <S>                                                    <C>         <C>
   Rental equipment...................................... $1,490,572  $ 718,960
   Less accumulated depreciation.........................   (347,566)  (257,934)
                                                          ----------  ---------
   Rental equipment, net................................. $1,143,006  $ 461,026
                                                          ==========  =========
</TABLE>
 
6. Property and Equipment
 
    Property and equipment consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                December 31
                                                             ------------------
                                                               1998      1997
                                                             --------  --------
   <S>                                                       <C>       <C>
   Land..................................................... $ 36,855  $ 24,102
   Buildings................................................   61,851    34,474
   Transportation equipment.................................   81,168    52,407
   Machinery and equipment..................................   21,545     7,751
   Furniture and fixtures...................................   26,820     9,521
   Leasehold improvements...................................   18,578    17,846
                                                             --------  --------
                                                              246,817   146,101
   Less accumulated depreciation and amortization...........  (61,306)  (47,833)
                                                             --------  --------
   Property and equipment, net.............................. $185,511  $ 98,268
                                                             ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
7. Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
 
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                December 31
                                                              ----------------
                                                                1998    1997
                                                              -------- -------
   <S>                                                        <C>      <C>
   Accrued profit sharing.................................... $ 31,536 $12,844
   Accrued insurance.........................................   20,553  11,665
   Accrued interest..........................................   21,934     924
   Other.....................................................   54,336  23,829
                                                              -------- -------
                                                              $128,359 $49,262
                                                              ======== =======
</TABLE>
 
8. Debt
 
    Debt and note payable to related party consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                December 31
                                                            -------------------
                                                               1998      1997
                                                            ---------- --------
   <S>                                                      <C>        <C>
   Credit Facility, interest payable at 6.25% at December
    31, 1998..............................................  $  305,000
   Term Loan, interest payable at 7.25% at December 31,
    1998..................................................     250,000
   Senior Subordinated Notes, interest payable semi-
    annually, (9 1/2% at December 31, 1998)...............     200,000
   Senior Subordinated Notes, interest payable semi-
    annually, (8.80% at December 31, 1998)................     200,153
   Senior Subordinated Notes, interest payable semi-
    annually, (9 1/4% at December 31, 1998)...............     300,000
   Seller notes, interest payable at various rates ranging
    from 6.5% to 8.5% at December 31, 1998, due through
    2003..................................................      10,465
   Other debt, interest payable at various rates ranging
    from 6.1% to 10.6% at December 31, 1998 and 1997, due
    through 2005..........................................      27,456 $  6,360
   Demand note to stockholder, interest payable monthly at
    a rate indexed to the Company's revolving line of
    credit (6.5% and 5.90% at December 31, 1998 and 1997,
    respectively).........................................      21,500   17,000
   U.S. Rentals' revolving line of credit, interest
    payable monthly at various rates ranging from 6.03% to
    6.34% at December 31, 1997............................              203,000
   Rental Tools' revolving line of credit, interest
    payable monthly at various rates ranging from 7.58% to
    8.50% at December 31, 1997............................               38,213
                                                            ---------- --------
                                                            $1,314,574 $264,573
                                                            ========== ========
</TABLE>
 
  Credit Facility. The Credit Facility enables URI to borrow up to $762,500 on
a revolving basis and permits a Canadian subsidiary of URI (the "Canadian
Subsidiary") to directly borrow up to $40,000 under the Credit Facility
(provided that the aggregate borrowings of URI and the Canadian Subsidiary do
not exceed $762,500). Up to $25,000 of the Credit Facility is available in the
form of letters of credit. The agreement governing the Credit Facility requires
that the aggregate commitment shall be reduced on the last day of each calendar
quarter, beginning September 30, 2001 and
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
continuing through June 30, 2003, by an amount equal to $19,100. The Credit
Facility terminates on September 26, 2003, at which time all outstanding
indebtedness is due.
 
    Borrowings by URI under the Credit Facility accrue interest at URI's
option, at either (a) the Base Rate (which is equal to the greater of (i) the
Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% or (ii) Bank of America's reference rate) or (b)
the Eurodollar Rate (which for borrowings by URI is equal to Bank of America's
reserve adjusted eurodollar rate) plus a margin ranging from 0.825% to 1.500%
per annum. Borrowings by the Canadian Subsidiary under the Credit Facility
accrue interest, at such subsidiary's option, at either (x) the Prime Rate
(which is equal to Bank of America Canada's prime rate), (y) the BA Rate (which
is equal to Bank of America Canada's BA Rate) plus a margin ranging from 0.825%
to 1.500% per annum or (z) the Eurodollar Rate (which for borrowing by the
Canadian Subsidiary is equal to Bank of America Canada's reserve adjusted
Eurodollar Rate) plus a margin ranging from 0.825% to 1.500% per annum. If at
any time an event of default (as defined in the agreement governing the Credit
Facility) exists, the interest rate applicable to each loan will increase by 2%
per annum. The Company is also required to pay the banks an annual facility fee
equal to 0.375% of the banks' $762,500 aggregate lending commitment under the
Credit Facility (which fee may be reduced to 0.300% for periods during which
the Company maintains a specified funded debt to cash flow ratio).
 
    The obligations of URI under the Credit Facility are (i) secured by
substantially all of its assets, the stock of its United States subsidiaries
and a portion of the stock of URI's Canadian subsidiaries and (ii) guaranteed
by Holdings and secured by the stock of URI. The obligations of the Canadian
Subsidiary under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by URI and secured by
substantially all of the assets of the Canadian Subsidiary and the stock of the
subsidiaries of the Canadian Subsidiary.
 
    The Credit Facility contains certain covenants that require the Company to,
among other things, satisfy certain financial tests relating to: (a) maximum
leverage, (b) the ratio of senior debt to cash flow, (c) minimum interest
coverage ratio, (d) the ratio of funded debt to cash flow, and (e) the ratio of
senior debt to tangible assets. The agreements governing the Credit Facility
also contain various other covenants that restrict the Company's ability to,
among other things, (i) incur additional indebtedness, (ii) permit liens to
attach to its assets, (iii) pay dividends or make other restricted payments on
its common stock and certain other securities and (iv) make acquisitions unless
certain financial conditions are satisfied. In addition, the agreement
governing the Credit Facility (a) requires the Company to maintain certain
financial ratios and (b) provides that failure by any two of certain of the
Company's executive officers to continue to hold executive positions with the
Company for a period of 30 consecutive days constitutes an event of default
unless replacement officers satisfactory to the lenders are appointed.
 
    The revolving lines of credit of U.S. Rentals and Rental Tools were repaid
and terminated at the time of acquisition by the Company.
 
  Term Loan. URI obtained a $250,000 term loan (the "Term Loan") from a group
of financial institutions. The term loan matures on June 30, 2005. Prior to
maturity, quarterly installments of principal in the amount of $625 are due on
the last day of each calendar quarter, commencing September 30, 1999. The
amount due at maturity is $235,625. The term loan accrues interest, at the
Company's option, at either (a) the Base Rate (as defined above with respect to
the Credit Facility) plus a margin ranging from 0% to 0.5% per annum, or (b)
the Eurodollar Rate (as defined above with respect to the Credit Facility for
borrowings by the Company) plus a margin ranging from 1.875% to
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
2.375% per annum. The Term Loan is secured pari passu with the Credit Facility.
The agreement governing the Term Loan contains restrictive covenants
substantially similar to those provided under the Credit Facility.
 
  9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes. URI issued $200,000 aggregate principal
amount of 9 1/2% senior subordinated notes, (the "9 1/2 Notes") which are due
June 1, 2008. The 9 1/2% Notes are unsecured. URI may, at its option, redeem
the 9 1/2% Notes on or after June 1, 2003 at specified redemption prices which
range from 104.75% in 2003 to 100.00% in 2006 and thereafter. In addition, on
or prior to June 1, 2001, URI may, at its option, use the proceeds of a public
equity offering to redeem up to 35% of the outstanding 9 1/2% Notes, at a
redemption price of 109.5%. The indenture governing the 9 1/2% Notes contains
certain restrictive covenants, including (i) limitations on additional
indebtedness, (ii) limitations on restricted payments, (iii) limitations on
liens, (iv) limitations on dividends and other payment restrictions, (v)
limitations on preferred stock of certain subsidiaries, (vi) limitations on
transactions with affiliates, (vii) limitations on the disposition of proceeds
of asset sales and (viii) limitations on the ability of the Company to
consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of its assets.
 
  8.80% Senior Subordinated Notes. URI issued $205,000 aggregate principal
amount of 8.80% senior subordinated notes, (the "8.80% Notes") which are due
August 15, 2008. The 8.80% Notes are unsecured. URI may, at its option, redeem
the 8.80% Notes on or after August 15, 2003 at specified redemption prices
which range from 104.40% in 2003 to 100.00% in 2006 and thereafter. In
addition, on or prior to August 15, 2001, URI may, at its option, use the
proceeds of a public equity offering to redeem up to 35% of the outstanding
8.80% Notes, at a redemption price of 108.8%. The indenture governing the 8.80%
Notes contains restrictions substantially similar to those applicable to the 9
1/2% Notes.
 
  9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes. URI issued $300,000 aggregate principal
amount of 9 1/4% senior subordinated notes, the ("9 1/4% Notes") which are due
January 15, 2009. The 9 1/4% Notes are unsecured. URI may, at its option,
redeem the 9 1/4% Notes on or after January 15, 2004 at specified redemption
prices which range from 104.625% in 2004 to 100.00% in 2007 and thereafter. In
addition, on or prior to January 15, 2002, URI may, at its option, use the
proceeds of a public equity offering to redeem up to 35% of the outstanding 9
1/4% Notes, at a redemption price of 109.25%. The indenture governing the 9
1/4% Notes contains restrictions substantially similar to those applicable to
the 9 1/2% Notes.
 
    Maturities of the Company's debt for each of the next five years at
December 31, 1998 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
            <S>                                  <C>
            1999................................ $ 35,827
            2000................................   11,521
            2001................................   11,154
            2002................................    5,486
            2003................................  310,299
            Thereafter..........................  940,287
</TABLE>
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
9. Income Taxes
 
    The provision for historical federal and state income taxes is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Year ended December 31
                                                      --------------------------
                                                        1998      1997    1996
                                                      --------  -------- -------
   <S>                                                <C>       <C>      <C>
   Historical:
     Domestic federal:
       Current....................................... $ 14,291  $  3,765
       Deferred......................................   21,047    14,276
       Deferred tax recorded upon Recapitalization...              6,141
                                                      --------  -------- ------
                                                        35,338    24,182
     Domestic state:
       Current.......................................    1,067       668  $ 420
       Deferred......................................    7,020     3,279
       Deferred tax recorded upon Recapitalization...              1,379
                                                      --------  -------- ------
                                                         8,087     5,326    420
                                                      --------  -------- ------
       Total domestic................................   43,425    29,508    420
 
     Foreign federal:
       Current.......................................      519
       Deferred......................................     (492)
                                                      --------  -------- ------
                                                            27
     Foreign provincial:
       Current.......................................      277
       Deferred......................................     (230)
                                                      --------  -------- ------
                                                            47
                                                      --------  -------- ------
       Total foreign.................................       74
                                                      --------  -------- ------
                                                      $ 43,499  $ 29,508 $  420
                                                      ========  ======== ======
</TABLE>
 
    A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes and the amount computed
by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% to income before
provision for income taxes is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Year ended
                                                                 December 31
                                                               ----------------
                                                                1998     1997
                                                               -------  -------
   <S>                                                         <C>      <C>
   Computed tax rate at statutory tax rate...................  $27,404  $12,221
   State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit............    4,177    1,716
   Cumulative deferred taxes recorded upon Recapitalization..             7,520
   Loss prior to Recapitalization excluded from taxable
    income...................................................             7,543
   Non-deductible expenses...................................    7,400
   Provision for deferred taxes of Subchapter S Corporation
    at time of pooling.......................................    4,750
   Other.....................................................     (232)     508
                                                               -------  -------
                                                               $43,499  $29,508
                                                               =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
 
    The components of deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              December 31
                                                           -------------------
                                                             1998       1997
                                                           ---------  --------
   <S>                                                     <C>        <C>
     Property and equipment............................... $(115,355) $(36,290)
     Intangibles..........................................    (7,044)     (633)
     Reserves.............................................    28,468    11,291
     Net operating loss carryforward......................    38,102       314
     Other................................................    12,269       923
                                                           ---------  --------
                                                           $ (43,560) $(24,395)
                                                           =========  ========
</TABLE>
 
    U.S. Rentals was taxed as a Subchapter S Corporation until its initial
public offering in February 1997, and Rental Tools was taxed as a Subchapter S
Corporation until being acquired by the Company. In general, the income or loss
of a Subchapter S Corporation is passed through to its stockholders rather than
being subjected to taxes at the corporate level. Pro forma net income reflects
a provision for income taxes on a pro forma basis for all periods presented as
if all such companies were liable for federal and state income taxes as taxable
corporate entities for all periods presented.
 
    The Company has net operating loss carryforwards ("NOL's") of $90,000 for
federal income tax purposes that expire through 2018.
 
10. Holding Company Reorganization
 
    URI was formerly named United Rentals, Inc. On August 5, 1998, a
reorganization was effected pursuant to which (i) URI became a wholly owned
subsidiary of Holdings, a newly formed holding company, (ii) the name of URI
was changed from United Rentals, Inc. to United Rentals (North America), Inc.,
(iii) the name of the new holding company became United Rentals, Inc., (iv) the
outstanding common stock of URI was automatically converted, on a share-for-
share basis, into common stock of Holdings and (v) the common stock of Holdings
commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "URI" instead
of the common stock of URI. The purpose of the reorganization was to facilitate
certain financings. The business operations of the Company did not change as a
result of the new legal structure. The stockholders of Holdings have the same
rights, privileges and interests with respect to Holdings as they had with
respect to URI immediately prior to the reorganization.
 
11. Company-Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Securities
    of a Subsidiary Trust
 
    A subsidiary trust (the "Trust") of Holdings issued and sold in a private
offering (the "Preferred Securities Offering") $300,000 of 30 year, 6 1/2%
Convertible Quarterly Income Preferred Securities (the "Preferred Securities").
The net proceeds from the Preferred Securities Offering were approximately
$290,000. The Trust used the proceeds from the Preferred Securities Offering to
purchase 6 1/2% convertible subordinated debentures due 2028, the
("Debentures") from Holdings which resulted in Holdings receiving all of the
net proceeds of the Preferred Securities Offering. Holdings in turn contributed
the net proceeds of the Preferred Securities Offering to URI. The Preferred
Securities are non-voting securities, carry a liquidation value of $50 per
security and are
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
convertible into the Company's common stock at an initial rate of 1.146 shares
per security (equivalent to an initial conversion price of $43.63 per share).
They are convertible at any time at the holders' option and are redeemable, at
the Company's option, after three years, subject to certain conditions.
 
    Holders of the Preferred Securities are entitled to preferential cumulative
cash distributions from the Trust at an annual rate of 6 1/2% of the
liquidation value, accruing from the original issue date and payable quarterly
in arrears beginning February 1, 1999. The distribution rate and dates
correspond to the interest rate and payments dates on the Debentures. Holdings
may defer interest payments on the Debentures for up to twenty consecutive
quarters, but not beyond the maturity date of the Debentures. If interest
payments on the Debentures are deferred, so are the payments on the Preferred
Securities. Under this circumstance, Holdings will be prohibited from paying
dividends on any of its capital stock or making payments with respect to its
debt that rank pari passu with or junior to the Debentures.
 
    Holdings has executed a guarantee with regard to payment of the Preferred
Securities to the extent that the Trust has sufficient funds to make the
required payments.
 
12. Capital Stock
 
    At a special meeting of stockholders held on September 29, 1998, the
shareholders approved an amendment to the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation increasing the number of authorized shares of common stock from
75,000,000 to 500,000,000.
 
    As of December 31, 1998 there are outstanding warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 6,539,329 shares of common stock. The weighted average exercise
price of the warrants is $10.18 per share. All warrants are currently
exercisable and may be exercised at any time through 2008.
 
    The Company's Board of Directors has the authority to designate 5,000,000
shares of $.01 par value preferred stock in series, to establish as to each
series the designation and number of shares to be issued and the rights,
preferences, privileges and restrictions of the shares of each series, and to
determine the voting powers, if any, of such shares. At December 31, 1998, the
Company's Board of Directors had not designated any shares.
 
    1997 Stock Option Plan. The Company's 1997 Stock Option Plan provides for
the granting of options to purchase not more than an aggregate of 5,000,000
shares of common stock. Some or all of such options may be "incentive stock
options" within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code. All officers,
directors and employees of the Company and other persons who perform services
on behalf of the Company are eligible to participate in this plan. Each option
granted pursuant to this plan must provide for an exercise price per share that
is at least equal to the fair market value per share of common stock on the
date of grant. No options may be granted under this plan after August 31, 2007.
As of December 31, 1998 and 1997, options to purchase an aggregate of 4,859,875
shares and 904,583 shares of common stock, respectively, were outstanding under
this plan. The exercise price of each option, the period during which each
option may be exercised and other terms and conditions of each option are
determined by the Board of Directors (or by a committee appointed by the Board
of Directors).
 
    1998 Stock Option Plan. The Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan provides for
the granting of options to purchase not more than an aggregate of 4,200,000
shares of common stock. Some or all of the options issued under the 1998 Stock
Option Plan may be "incentive stock options" within the
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
meaning of the Internal Revenue Code. All officers and directors of the Company
and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the 1998 Stock Option Plan.
Each option granted pursuant to the 1998 Stock Option Plan must provide for an
exercise price per share that is at least equal to the fair market value per
share of common stock on the date of grant. No options may be granted under the
1998 Stock Option Plan after August 20, 2008. As of December 31, 1998, options
to purchase an aggregate of 3,980,000 shares of common stock were outstanding
pursuant to this plan to executive officers and directors. The exercise price
of each option, the period during which each option may be exercised and other
terms and conditions of each option are determined by the Board of Directors
(or by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors).
 
    1998 Supplemental Stock Option Plan. The Company has adopted a stock option
plan pursuant to which options, for up to an aggregate of 2,750,000 shares of
common stock, may be granted to employees who are not officers or directors and
to consultants and independent contractors who perform services for the Company
or its subsidiaries. As of December 31, 1998, options to purchase an aggregate
of 1,194,400 shares were outstanding pursuant to this plan. The exercise price
of each option, the period during which each option may be exercised and other
terms and conditions of each option are determined by the Board of Directors
(or by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors).
 
    1997 Performance Award Plan. Effective February 20, 1997, U.S. Rentals
adopted the 1997 Performance Award Plan under which stock options and other
awards could be granted to key employees and directors at prices and terms
established by U.S. Rentals at the date of grant. Options to purchase an
aggregate of 3,921,116 shares of common stock were outstanding at December 31,
1997. The options vest ratably over periods ranging from five to ten years and
expire in 2007. As a result of the Merger, all outstanding options to purchase
shares of U.S. Rentals common stock became fully vested and were converted into
options to purchase the Company's common stock.
 
    A summary of the transactions within the Company's stock option plans
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Weighted
                                                                        Average
                                                                        Exercise
                                                              Shares     Price
                                                            ----------  --------
   <S>                                                      <C>         <C>
   Outstanding at January 1, 1997..........................
     Granted...............................................  4,825,699   $19.52
     Exercised.............................................
     Canceled..............................................
                                                            ----------
   Outstanding at December 31, 1997........................  4,825,699    19.52
     Granted...............................................  9,453,718    19.78
     Exercised.............................................    (43,313)   20.78
     Canceled..............................................   (191,290)   22.94
                                                            ----------
   Outstanding at December 31, 1998........................ 14,044,814   $19.60
                                                            ==========   ======
   Exercisable at December 31, 1998........................  4,787,474   $20.64
                                                            ==========   ======
</TABLE>
 
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                Options Outstanding        Options Exercisable
                          -------------------------------- --------------------
                                       Weighted
                                        Average   Weighted             Weighted
                                       Remaining  Average              Average
                            Amount    Contractual Exercise   Amount    Exercise
Range of Exercise Prices  Outstanding    Life      Price   Exercisable  Price
- ------------------------  ----------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
<S>                       <C>         <C>         <C>      <C>         <C>
$10.00 - $15.00..........  4,561,791   9.6 years   $12.31     295,775   $12.10
 15.01 -  20.00..........    180,844   9.2 years    19.32      87,347    19.28
 20.01 -  25.00..........  8,028,836   8.8 years    21.61   4,309,992    21.06
 25.01 -  30.00..........    295,276   9.4 years    26.10      52,127    26.13
 30.01 -  50.00..........    978,067   9.5 years    35.19      42,233    33.50
                          ----------                        ---------
                          14,044,814   9.1 years    19.60   4,787,474    20.64
                          ==========                        =========
</TABLE>
 
    The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees" in accounting for stock-based employee compensation arrangements
whereby no compensation cost related to stock options is deducted in
determining net income. Had compensation cost for the Company's stock option
plans been determined pursuant to SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation", the Company's net income and earnings per share would have
differed. The Black-Scholes option pricing model estimates fair value of
options using subjective assumptions which can materially affect fair value
estimates and, therefore, does not necessarily provide a single measure of fair
value of options. Using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and a risk-free
interest rate average of 4.6% in 1998 and ranging from 5.8% to 6.61% in 1997, a
volatility factor for the market price of the Company's common stock of 85% in
1998 and 32% in 1997 and a weighted-average expected life of options of
approximately three years in 1998 and three to five years in 1997, the
Company's net income (loss), basic earnings (loss) per share and diluted
earnings (loss) per share would have been $(13,372), $(0.20) and $(0.20),
respectively for the year ended December 31, 1998 and, after giving affect to
the Recapitalization, would have been $17,055, $0.37 and $0.35, respectively
for the year ended December 31, 1997. For purposes of these pro forma
disclosures, the estimated fair value of options is amortized over the options'
vesting period. Since the number of options granted and their fair value may
vary significantly from year to year, the pro forma compensation expense in
future years may be materially different.
 
    At December 31, 1998 there are 6,539,329 shares of common stock reserved
for the exercise of warrants, 15,687,244 shares of common stock reserved for
issuance pursuant to options granted, and that may be granted in the future,
under the Company's stock option plans, 6,875,580 shares of common stock
reserved for the issuance of outstanding preferred securities of a subsidiary
trust and 86,961 shares of common stock reserved for the conversion of
convertible debt.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
 
                             UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
 
13. Earnings Per Share
 
    The following table sets forth the computation of historical basic and
diluted earnings per share:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Year Ended December 31
                                               --------------------------------
                                                  1998       1997       1996
                                               ---------- ---------- ----------
   <S>                                         <C>        <C>        <C>
   Numerator:
    Income before extraordinary items........  $   34,798 $    5,409 $   37,726
                                               ========== ========== ==========
   Denominator:
    Denominator for basic earnings per share-
     weighted-average shares.................  66,225,492 46,660,955 22,654,599
    Effect of dilutive securities:
     Employee stock options..................   2,641,194    743,597
     Warrants................................   4,208,434  1,644,445
                                               ---------- ---------- ----------
    Denominator for dilutive earnings per
     share- adjusted weighted-average
     shares..................................  73,075,120 49,048,997 22,654,599
                                               ========== ========== ==========
   Earnings per equivalent share-basic:
    Income before extraordinary items........  $     0.53 $     0.12 $     1.67
    Extraordinary items, net.................        0.33       0.04
                                               ---------- ---------- ----------
    Net income...............................  $     0.20 $     0.08 $     1.67
                                               ========== ========== ==========
   Earnings per equivalent share-diluted:
    Income before extraordinary items........  $     0.48 $     0.11 $     1.67
    Extraordinary items, net.................        0.30       0.03
                                               ---------- ---------- ----------
    Net income...............................  $     0.18 $     0.08 $     1.67
                                               ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
14. Commitments and Contingencies
 
Operating Leases
 
    The Company leases rental equipment, real estate and certain office
equipment under operating leases. Certain real estate leases require the
Company to pay maintenance, insurance, taxes and certain other expenses in
addition to the stated rentals. Future minimum lease payments, by year and in
the aggregate, for noncancellable operating leases with initial or remaining
terms of one year or more are as follows at December 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Rental
                                                                       and Other
                                                           Real Estate Equipment
                                                             Leases     Leases
                                                           ----------- ---------
<S>                                                        <C>         <C>
1999......................................................  $ 17,516    $11,380
2000......................................................    15,713      8,846
2001......................................................    14,028      5,538
2002......................................................    12,808      3,452
2003......................................................     9,711      3,014
Thereafter................................................    32,269      2,794
                                                            --------    -------
                                                            $102,045    $35,024
                                                            ========    =======
</TABLE>
 
    The Company was the seller-lessee in a sales-leaseback transaction during
1998 where it sold rental equipment for proceeds of $35,000. The Company will
lease back the rental equipment over a five year period beginning December
1998 and recognized a deferred gain on the sale of approximately $600. The
future payments under the lease are included in the table above.
 
 
                                      53
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
    Rent expense under non-cancelable operating leases totaled $20,501, $6,367
and $4,151 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
 
Employee Benefit Plan
 
    The Company currently sponsors one defined contribution 401(k) retirement
plan which is subject to the provisions of ERISA. Under the plan, the Company
matches a minimum of 50% of the participants contributions up to a specified
amount. Company contributions to the plan were $1,001, $358 and $316 for the
years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
 
Legal Matters
 
    The Company is party to legal proceedings and potential claims arising in
the ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management, the Company
has adequate legal defenses, reserves, or insurance coverage with respect to
these matters so that the ultimate resolution will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or cash
flows. The Company has accrued $16,168 and $9,563 at December 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively, to cover the uninsured portion of possible costs arising
from these pending claims and other potential unasserted claims.
 
Environmental Matters
 
    The Company and its operations are subject to various laws and related
regulations governing environmental matters. Under such laws, an owner or
lessee of real estate may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of
certain hazardous or toxic substances located on or in, or emanating from, such
property, as well as investigation of property damage. The Company incurs
ongoing expenses associated with the removal of underground storage tanks and
the performance of appropriate remediation at certain of its locations. The
Company believes that such removal and remediation will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or
cash flows.
 
15. Segment Information
 
    Effective January 1, 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 131, "Disclosure
about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information". SFAS No. 131
establishes a new method by which companies will report operating segment
information. This method is based upon the manner in which management organizes
the segments within a company for making operating decisions and assessing
performance. SFAS No. 131 also establishes standards for related disclosures
about products and services, geographic areas and major customers.
 
    The Company operates in one industry segment consisting of the rental and
sales of equipment and related merchandise and parts. The Company's operations
are managed as one segment, or strategic unit, because it offers similar
products and services in similar markets and the factors determining strategic
decisions are comparable for all products and services.
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
 
    The Company operates in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Revenues are
attributable to countries based upon the location of the customers. Geographic
area information for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 is as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Year ended December 31
                                                   ----------------------------
                                                      1998      1997     1996
                                                   ---------- -------- --------
<S>                                                <C>        <C>      <C>
Revenues from external customers
 Domestic......................................... $1,166,471 $489,838 $354,478
 Foreign..........................................     53,811
                                                   ---------- -------- --------
Total revenues from external customers............ $1,220,282 $489,838 $354,478
                                                   ========== ======== ========
Rental equipment, net
 Domestic......................................... $1,089,132 $461,026 $235,055
 Foreign..........................................     53,874
                                                   ---------- -------- --------
Total consolidated rental equipment, net.......... $1,143,006 $461,026 $235,055
                                                   ========== ======== ========
Property and equipment, net
 Domestic......................................... $  179,777 $ 98,268 $ 56,443
 Foreign..........................................      5,734
                                                   ---------- -------- --------
Total consolidated property and equipment, net.... $  185,511 $ 98,268 $ 56,443
                                                   ========== ======== ========
Intangible assets, net
 Domestic......................................... $  867,090 $ 73,648 $  1,035
 Foreign..........................................     54,975
                                                   ---------- -------- --------
Total consolidated intangible assets, net......... $  922,065 $ 73,648 $  1,035
                                                   ========== ======== ========
</TABLE>
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
 
16. Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
 
Selected Financial Data
 
    The following table of quarterly financial information has been prepared
from unaudited financial statements of the Company, and reflects adjustments
which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of
the interim periods presented.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           First     Second   Third     Fourth
                                          Quarter   Quarter  Quarter   Quarter
                                          --------  -------- --------  --------
   <S>                                    <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>
   For the year ended December 31, 1998:
    Total revenues......................  $171,141  $254,047 $379,074  $416,020
    Gross profit........................    47,911    87,422  138,717   149,398
    Income (loss) before extraordinary
     item...............................     6,704    19,976  (10,156)   18,274
    Extraordinary item..................                       21,337
    Net income (loss)...................     6,704    19,976  (31,493)   18,274
    Basic earnings (loss) before
     extraordinary item per share.......  $   0.11  $   0.30 $  (0.15) $   0.26
    Diluted earnings (loss) before
     extraordinary item per share.......      0.11      0.27    (0.13)     0.24
   For the year ended December 31, 1997:
    Total revenues......................    90,409   108,395  129,020   162,014
    Gross profit........................    22,025    32,515   45,464    49,288
    Income (loss) before extraordinary
     item...............................   (24,165)    8,062   11,258    10,254
    Extraordinary item..................     1,511
    Net income (loss)...................   (25,676)    8,062   11,258    10,254
    Basic earnings (loss) before
     extraordinary item per share.......  $  (0.58) $   0.17 $   0.24  $   0.21
    Diluted earnings (loss) before
     extraordinary item per share.......     (0.56)     0.16     0.23      0.20
</TABLE>
 
    The data relating to the first and second quarters of 1998 above differ
from the amounts as shown in the Company's Form 10-Q filings for the periods
ended March 31, 1998 and June 30, 1998, respectively, because of the mergers
with U.S. Rentals and Rental Tools. These mergers were accounted for as
poolings-of-interests. Thus the Company's financial statements for the quarters
prior to the mergers were restated to include the accounts of U.S. Rentals and
Rental Tools.
 
17. Subsequent Events
 
    Subsequent to December 31, 1998 and through February 26, 1999, the Company
completed the acquisitions of 11 equipment rental companies and the aggregate
consideration paid by the Company for the acquisitions was $53,803 and
consisted of approximately $49,408 in cash and $4,395 in seller notes. The
Company funded the cash consideration for these acquisitions with cash on hand
and borrowings under the Credit Facility.
 
    In January 1999, the Company sold 300,000 shares of its Series A Perpetual
Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred"). The net proceeds from the
sale of the Series A Preferred were approximately $287.0 million. The Series A
Preferred is convertible into 12,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock
at $25 per share.
 
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
 
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
Board of Directors
United Rentals, Inc. (Parent Company of United Rentals (North America), Inc.)
 
    We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of United
Rentals (North America), Inc. as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholder's equity, and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998. These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the management of
United Rentals (North America), Inc. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
 
    We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
    In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position
of United Rentals (North America), Inc. at December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1998 in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
MetroPark, New Jersey
February 17, 1999
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
 
                      UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              December 31
                                                          --------------------
                                                             1998       1997
                                                          ----------  --------
                                                            (In thousands,
                                                           except share data)
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents................................ $   20,410  $ 72,411
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
 accounts of $41,201 and $11,085 at 1998 and 1997,
 respectively............................................    233,282    82,592
Inventory................................................     70,994    21,778
Prepaid expenses and other assets........................     43,176    16,287
Rental equipment, net....................................  1,143,006   461,026
Property and equipment, net..............................    170,537    98,268
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of
 $14,520 and $568 at 1998 and 1997, respectively.........    922,065    73,648
                                                          ----------  --------
                                                          $2,603,470  $826,010
                                                          ==========  ========
Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity
Liabilities:
  Accounts payable.......................................  $ 108,426  $ 41,392
  Debt...................................................  1,314,574   264,573
  Deferred taxes.........................................     43,560    24,395
  Accrued expenses and other liabilities.................    115,558    49,262
                                                          ----------  --------
    Total liabilities....................................  1,582,118   379,622
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholder's equity:
  Common stock--$.01 par value, 3,000 shares authorized,
   1,000 shares issued and outstanding ..................
  Additional paid-in capital.............................    984,345   402,320
  Retained earnings......................................     37,288    44,068
  Accumulated other comprehensive income.................       (281)
                                                          ----------  --------
    Total stockholder's equity...........................  1,021,352   446,388
                                                          ----------  --------
                                                          $2,603,470  $826,010
                                                          ==========  ========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
 
                      UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Year Ended December 31
                                                ------------------------------
                                                   1998       1997      1996
                                                ----------  --------  --------
                                                       (In thousands)
<S>                                             <C>         <C>       <C>
Revenues:
 Equipment rentals............................  $  895,466  $388,181  $295,308
 Sales of rental equipment....................     119,620    41,406    25,518
 Sales of new equipment, merchandise and other
  revenues....................................     205,196    60,251    33,652
                                                ----------  --------  --------
Total revenues................................   1,220,282   489,838   354,478
Cost of revenues:
 Cost of equipment rentals, excluding
  depreciation................................     394,750   189,578   138,018
 Depreciation of rental equipment.............     175,910    82,097    65,294
 Cost of rental equipment sales...............      66,136    20,455    10,570
 Cost of new equipment and merchandise sales
  and other operating costs...................     160,038    48,416    27,563
                                                ----------  --------  --------
Total cost of revenues........................     796,834   340,546   241,445
                                                ----------  --------  --------
Gross profit..................................     423,448   149,292   113,033
Selling, general and administrative expenses..     195,620    70,835    54,721
Merger-related expenses.......................      47,178
Non-rental depreciation and amortization......      34,684    13,424     9,387
Termination cost of deferred compensation
 agreements...................................                20,290
                                                ----------  --------  --------
Operating income..............................     145,966    44,743    48,925
Interest expense..............................      64,157    11,847    11,278
Other (income) expense, net...................      (5,097)   (2,021)     (499)
                                                ----------  --------  --------
Income before provision for income taxes and
 extraordinary items..........................      86,906    34,917    38,146
Provision for income taxes....................      46,971    29,508       420
                                                ----------  --------  --------
Income before extraordinary items.............      39,935     5,409    37,726
Extraordinary items, net of tax benefit of
 $14,255 and $995, in 1998 and 1997,
 respectively.................................      21,337     1,511
                                                ----------  --------  --------
Net income....................................  $   18,598  $  3,898  $ 37,726
                                                ==========  ========  ========
Unaudited pro forma data:
 Historical income before income taxes and
  extraordinary items.........................  $   86,906  $ 34,917  $ 38,146
 Pro forma income tax expense.................      47,858    14,176    15,487
                                                ----------  --------  --------
 Pro forma income before extraordinary items..  $   39,048  $ 20,741  $ 22,659
                                                ==========  ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
 
                      UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Common Stock                                       Accumulated
                         ---------------- Additional                             Other
                          Number           Paid-in   Retained  Comprehensive Comprehensive
                         of Shares Amount  Capital   Earnings     Income        Income
                         --------- ------ ---------- --------  ------------- -------------
                                       (In thousands except share amounts)
<S>                      <C>       <C>    <C>        <C>       <C>           <C>
Balance, December 31,
 1995...................   1,000           $ 13,610  $ 90,719
  Subchapter S
   distributions of a
   pooled entity........                              (36,530)
  Treasury stock
   purchase.............                       (105)
  Net income............                               37,726     $37,726
                           -----   -----   --------  --------     =======        -----
Balance, December 31,
 1996...................   1,000             13,505    91,915
  Contributed capital
   from Parent..........                    157,696
  Issuance of common
   stock................                    186,436
  Distribution of non-
   operating assets,
   net..................                     (4,219)
  Reclassification of
   Subchapter S
   accumulated earnings
   to capital from
   Parent...............                     48,902   (48,902)
  Subchapter S
   distributions of a
   pooled entity........                               (2,843)
  Net income............                                3,898     $ 3,898
                           -----   -----   --------  --------     =======        -----
Balance, December 31,
 1997...................   1,000            402,320    44,068
  Comprehensive Income:
    Net income..........                               18,598     $18,598
    Other comprehensive
     income:
      Foreign currency
       translation
       adjustments......                                             (281)       $(281)
                                                                  -------
  Comprehensive income..                                          $18,317
                                                                  =======
  Contributed capital
   from Parent..........                    563,045
  Reclassification of
   Subchapter S
   accumulated earnings
   to capital from
   Parent...............                     18,979   (18,979)
  Pooling-of-interests..                          1     1,795
  Subchapter S
   distributions of a
   pooled entity........                               (3,536)
  Dividend distribution
   to Parent............                               (4,658)
                           -----   -----   --------  --------                    -----
Balance, December 31,
 1998...................   1,000           $984,345  $ 37,288                    $(281)
                           =====   =====   ========  ========                    =====
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
 
                      UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Year Ended December 31
                                              ---------------------------------
                                                 1998        1997       1996
                                              -----------  ---------  ---------
                                                      (In thousands)
<S>                                           <C>          <C>        <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income..................................  $    18,598  $   3,898  $  37,726
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
 cash provided by operating activities:
 Depreciation and amortization..............      210,594     95,521     74,681
 Amortization of original issue discount and
  deferred financing fees...................        1,153
 Gain on sale of rental equipment...........      (53,484)   (20,951)   (14,948)
 Gain on sale of businesses.................       (4,189)
 Write down of assets held for sale.........        4,040
 Non-cash interest, net.....................                     201
 Extraordinary items........................       35,592      2,506
 Deferred taxes.............................       27,345     25,075
 Changes in operating assets and
  liabilities:
 Accounts receivable........................      (53,368)   (19,837)    (8,271)
 Inventory..................................       (6,392)    (3,785)    (1,148)
 Prepaid expenses and other assets..........       12,693     (9,821)    (2,219)
 Accounts payable...........................       25,737     11,704     (7,966)
 Accrued expenses and other liabilities.....       (7,713)     8,618      8,116
                                              -----------  ---------  ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities...      210,606     93,129     85,971
                                              -----------  ---------  ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of rental equipment...............     (479,534)  (268,548)  (116,021)
Purchases of property and equipment.........      (69,643)   (53,653)   (27,269)
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment.....      119,620     41,406     25,518
Proceeds from sale of businesses............       10,640
Collection of notes receivable..............                     122      2,537
Purchase of other companies.................     (911,837)  (115,528)   (15,033)
Payment of contingent purchase price........       (3,956)
In-process acquisition costs................                    (129)
                                              -----------  ---------  ---------
Net cash used in investing activities.......   (1,334,710)  (396,330)  (130,268)
                                              -----------  ---------  ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net
 of issuance costs..........................                 186,436
Capital contribution by Parent..............      492,590    154,302
Proceeds from debt..........................    2,363,637    308,858    131,053
Payments on debt............................   (1,785,667)  (271,418)   (50,713)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback ...............       35,000
Purchase of treasury stock..................                               (105)
Cash retained by Predecessor in connection
 with Recapitalization......................                    (998)
Dividend distribution to Parent.............       (4,658)
Subchapter S distributions of a pooled
 entity.....................................       (3,536)    (2,843)   (36,530)
Payment of debt financing costs.............      (24,982)    (1,631)      (230)
                                              -----------  ---------  ---------
Net cash provided by financing activities...    1,072,384    372,706     43,475
Effect of foreign exchange rates............         (281)
                                              -----------  ---------  ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
 equivalents................................      (52,001)    69,505       (822)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
 year.......................................       72,411      2,906      3,728
                                              -----------  ---------  ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year....  $    20,410  $  72,411  $   2,906
                                              ===========  =========  =========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow
 information:
Cash paid for interest......................  $    43,157  $  13,090  $  13,766
Cash paid for taxes.........................  $    10,224  $  11,487  $     399
Deferred compensation and bonus payments
 through issuance of common stock...........               $     486
Net assets retained by Predecessor in
 connection with Recapitalization...........               $   3,221
Supplemental schedule of non cash investing
 and financing activities:
The Company acquired the net assets and
 assumed certain liabilities of other
 companies as follows:
 Assets, net of cash acquired...............  $ 1,501,467  $ 162,954  $  15,033
 Liabilities assumed........................     (518,861)   (43,301)
 Less:
 Amounts paid in common stock and warrants
  of the Parent.............................      (60,304)    (3,825)
 Amounts paid through issuance of debt......      (10,465)      (300)
                                              -----------  ---------  ---------
Net cash paid...............................  $   911,837  $ 115,528  $  15,033
                                              ===========  =========  =========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
 
                      UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                             (Dollars in thousands)
 
1. Basis of Presentation
 
    United Rentals (North America), Inc., ("URI") and subsidiaries is a wholly
owned subsidiary of United Rentals, Inc., which is principally a holding
company ("Holdings" or "Parent"). URI was incorporated in August 1997,
initially capitalized in September 1997 and commenced equipment rental
operations in October 1997. Holdings was incorporated in July 1998 and became
the parent of URI on August 5, 1998, pursuant to the reorganization of the
legal structure of URI. Prior to such reorganization, the name of URI was
United Rentals, Inc. References herein to the "Company" refer to URI and its
subsidiaries. As a result of the reorganization all periods presented have been
adjusted to reflect the Company's capitalization of 1,000 shares of common
stock as if it occurred at the beginning of the period.
 
    Certain footnotes are not provided for the accompanying financial
statements as the information in Notes 1 through 10, 12 and 14 through 17 to
the consolidated financial statements of United Rentals, Inc. included
elsewhere in this Report is substantially equivalent to that required for the
consolidated financial statements of URI and its subsidiaries. Earnings per
share data is not provided for the operating results of URI and subsidiaries,
as they are wholly owned subsidiaries of Holdings. URI's various credit
agreements and debt instruments place restrictions on its ability to transfer
funds to its shareholder.
 
    Holdings provides certain services to URI in connection with its
operations. These services principally include: (i) senior management services,
(ii) finance related services and support, (iii) information technology systems
and support and (iv) acquisition related services. In addition, Holdings leases
certain equipment and real property that are made available for use by URI and
its subsidiaries. URI has made, and expects to continue to make, certain
payments to Holdings in respect of the services provided by Holdings to the
Company. The expenses relating to URI's payments to Holdings are reflected on
URI's financial statements as selling, general and administrative expenses. In
addition, although not legally obligated to do so, URI has in the past, and
expects that it will in the future, make distributions to Holdings for, among
other things, enabling Holdings to pay dividends on its preferred securities.
 
2. Capital Stock and Contributions
 
    At December 31, 1998, the Company has authorized 3,000 shares of its $0.01
par value common stock of which 1,000 shares are issued and outstanding. All of
the issued and outstanding common shares are owned by its Parent.
 
    Pursuant to the reorganization described in Note 1, the net proceeds from
the Company's initial public offering completed in December 1997 and the public
offering completed in March 1998 have been reflected as Contributed Capital
from the Parent in the accompanying statement of stockholder's equity. In
addition, Holdings contributed the net proceeds from the issuance of redeemable
convertible preferred securities in August 1998 to URI.
 
3. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
    Certain indebtedness of URI is guaranteed by URI's United States
subsidiaries (the "guarantor subsidiaries") but is not guaranteed by URI's
foreign subsidiaries (the "non-guarantor subsidiaries"). The guarantor
subsidiaries are all wholly-owned and the guarantees are made on a joint and
several basis and are full and unconditional (subject to subordination
provisions and subject to a standard limitation which provides that the maximum
amount guaranteed by each guarantor will not exceed the maximum amount that can
be guaranteed without making the guarantee void under fraudulent
 
                                       62
<PAGE>
 
                      UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
conveyance laws). All expenses incurred by URI, have been charged by URI to its
guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries. Separate consolidated financial
statements of the guarantor subsidiaries have not been presented because
management believes that such information would not be material to investors.
However, condensed consolidating financial information as of and for the year
ended December 31, 1998, are presented. The condensed consolidating financial
information as of and for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 have been
omitted since the non-guarantors subsidiaries came into existence during 1998.
The condensed consolidating financial information of URI and its subsidiaries
are as follows:
 
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
 
                               December 31, 1998
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Non-
                                      Guarantor    Guarantor                 Consolidated
                             URI     Subsidiaries Subsidiaries Eliminations     Total
                          ---------- ------------ ------------ ------------  ------------
                                                  (In thousands)
<S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
Assets
Cash and cash
 equivalents............  $    1,774  $   16,257    $  2,379                  $   20,410
Accounts receivable,
 net....................                 218,285      14,997                     233,282
Intercompany receivable
 (payable)..............     898,641    (820,958)    (77,683)
Inventory...............                  65,401       5,593                      70,994
Prepaid expenses and
 other assets...........      30,963      10,816       1,397                      43,176
Rental equipment, net...               1,099,539      43,467                   1,143,006
Property and equipment,
 net....................                 165,803       4,734                     170,537
Investment in
 subsidiaries...........   1,390,706                           $(1,390,706)
Intangible assets, net..          29     867,061      54,975                     922,065
                          ----------  ----------    --------   -----------    ----------
                          $2,322,113  $1,622,204    $ 49,859   $(1,390,706)   $2,603,470
                          ==========  ==========    ========   ===========    ==========
Liabilities And
 Stockholder's Equity
Liabilities:
  Accounts payable......  $    3,250  $   98,680    $  6,496                  $  108,426
  Debt..................   1,286,118      23,976       4,480                   1,314,574
  Deferred taxes........                  43,560                                  43,560
  Accrued expenses and
   other liabilities....      30,535      82,112       2,911                     115,558
                          ----------  ----------    --------   -----------    ----------
    Total liabilities...   1,319,903     248,328      13,887                   1,582,118
Commitments and
 contingencies
Stockholder's equity:
  Common stock..........
  Additional paid-in
   capital..............     964,922   1,338,576      34,265   $(1,353,418)      984,345
  Retained earnings.....      37,288      35,300       1,988       (37,288)       37,288
  Accumulated other
   comprehensive
   income...............                                (281)                       (281)
                          ----------  ----------    --------   -----------    ----------
  Total stockholder's
   equity...............   1,002,210   1,373,876      35,972    (1,390,706)    1,021,352
                          ----------  ----------    --------   -----------    ----------
                          $2,322,113  $1,622,204    $ 49,859   $(1,390,706)   $2,603,470
                          ==========  ==========    ========   ===========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
 
                      UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                      For the Year Ended December 31, 1998
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   Guarantor   Non-Guarantor              Consolidated
                            URI   Subsidiaries Subsidiaries  Eliminations    Total
                          ------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
                                                 (In thousands)
<S>                       <C>     <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>
Revenues:
 Equipment rentals......           $  863,331     $32,135                  $  895,466
 Sales of rental
  equipment.............              114,731       4,889                     119,620
 Sales of new equipment,
  merchandise and other
  revenues..............              190,009      15,187                     205,196
                          -------  ----------     -------      --------    ----------
Total revenues..........            1,168,071      52,211                   1,220,282
Cost of revenues:
 Cost of equipment
  rentals, excluding
  depreciation..........              380,992      13,758                     394,750
 Depreciation of rental
  equipment.............              171,412       4,498                     175,910
 Cost of rental
  equipment sales.......               63,391       2,745                      66,136
 Cost of new equipment
  and merchandise sales
  and other operating
  costs.................              148,086      11,952                     160,038
                          -------  ----------     -------      --------    ----------
Total cost of revenues..              763,881      32,953                     796,834
                          -------  ----------     -------      --------    ----------
Gross profit............              404,190      19,258                     423,448
Selling, general and
 administrative
 expenses...............              186,604       9,016                     195,620
Merger-related
 expenses...............               47,178                                  47,178
Non-rental depreciation
 and amortization.......               33,451       1,233                      34,684
                          -------  ----------     -------      --------    ----------
Operating income........              136,957       9,009                     145,966
Interest expense........               57,199       6,958                      64,157
Other(income)expense,
 net....................               (5,086)        (11)                     (5,097)
                          -------  ----------     -------      --------    ----------
Income before provision
 for income taxes and
 extraordinary item.....               84,844       2,062                      86,906
Provision for income
 taxes..................               46,897          74                      46,971
                          -------  ----------     -------      --------    ----------
Income before
 extraordinary item and
 equity in net earnings
 of subsidiaries........               37,947       1,988                      39,935
Extraordinary item,
 net....................               21,337                                  21,337
                          -------  ----------     -------      --------    ----------
Income before equity in
 net earnings of
 subsidiaries...........               16,610       1,988      $(18,598)
Equity in net earnings
 of subsidiaries........  $18,598                                              18,598
                          -------  ----------     -------      --------    ----------
Net income..............  $18,598  $   16,610     $ 1,988      $(18,598)   $   18,598
                          =======  ==========     =======      ========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                       64
<PAGE>
 
                      UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
 
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING CASH FLOW INFORMATION
                      For the Year Ended December 31, 1998
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Non-
                                      Guarantor    Guarantor                Consolidated
                            URI      Subsidiaries Subsidiaries Eliminations    Total
                         ----------  ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
                                                 (In thousands)
<S>                      <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Net cash provided by
(used in) operating ac-
tivities................ $ (457,413)   $659,246     $ 8,773                  $  210,606
Cash Flows From Invest-
 ing Activities:
  Purchase of rental
   equipment............               (465,634)    (13,900)                   (479,534)
  Purchase of property
   and equipment........                (68,593)     (1,050)                    (69,643)
  Proceeds from sales of
   rental equipment.....                114,731       4,889                     119,620
  Proceeds from sale of
   businesses...........                 10,640                                  10,640
  Payment of contingent
   purchase price.......                 (2,800)     (1,156)                     (3,956)
  Purchase of other com-
   panies...............   (899,327)    (12,510)                               (911,837)
                         ----------    --------     -------    -----------   ----------
    Net cash used in in-
     vesting activi-
     ties...............   (899,327)   (424,166)    (11,217)                 (1,334,710)
Cash Flows from Financ-
 ing Activities:
  Dividend distribution
   to Parent............     (4,658)                                             (4,658)
  Proceeds from debt....  2,325,586      10,187      27,864                   2,363,637
  Repayment of debt..... (1,532,222)   (230,685)    (22,760)                 (1,785,667)
  Proceeds from sale-
   leaseback............     35,000                                              35,000
  Payment of debt fi-
   nancing costs........    (24,982)                                            (24,982)
  Capital contribution
   by parent............    492,590                                             492,590
  Distribution to stock-
   holders..............                 (3,536)                                 (3,536)
                         ----------    --------     -------    -----------   ----------
    Net cash provided by
     (used in) financing
     activities.........  1,291,314    (224,034)      5,104                   1,072,384
  Effect of foreign ex-
   change rates.........                               (281)                       (281)
                         ----------    --------     -------    -----------   ----------
Net increase (decrease)
 in cash and cash
 equivalents............    (65,426)     11,046       2,379                     (52,001)
Cash and cash equiva-
 lents at beginning of
 period.................     67,200       5,211                                  72,411
                         ----------    --------     -------    -----------   ----------
Cash and cash equiva-
 lents at end of
 period................. $    1,774    $ 16,257     $ 2,379                  $   20,410
                         ==========    ========     =======    ===========   ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                       65
<PAGE>
 
                      UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
 
 
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
                      For The Year Ended December 31, 1998
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Guarantor   Non-guarantor              Consolidated
                             URI      Subsidiaries Subsidiaries  Eliminations    Total
                          ----------  ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
                                                  (In thousands)
<S>                       <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>
Supplemental disclosure
 of cash flow
 information:
Cash paid for Interest..  $   31,743    $11,098       $  316                   $   43,157
Cash paid for income
 taxes..................                $ 8,034       $2,190                   $   10,224
Supplemental disclosure
 of non-cash investing
 and financing
 activities:
The Company acquired the
 net assets and assumed
 certain liabilities of
 other companies as
 follows:
 Assets, net of cash
  acquired..............  $1,488,957    $12,510                                $1,501,467
 Liabilities assumed....    (518,861)                                            (518,861)
 Less:
 Amounts paid in common
  stock and warrants of
  Parent................     (60,304)                                             (60,304)
 Amounts paid through
  issuance of debt......     (10,465)                                             (10,465)
                          ----------    -------       ------        -----      ----------
 Net cash
  paid.....               $  899,327    $12,510                                $  911,837
                          ==========    =======       ======        =====      ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                       66
<PAGE>
 
        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
Board of Directors
United Rentals, Inc.
 
    We have audited the consolidated financial statements of United Rentals,
Inc. as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1998, and have issued our report thereon dated
February 17, 1999, except for Note 17 as to which the date is February 26, 1999
included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Our audits also included the financial
statement schedules listed in Item 14(a)(2). These schedules are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion based on our audits.
 
    In our opinion, the financial statement schedules referred to above, when
considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as
a whole, present fairly in all material respects the information set forth
therein.
 
                                              /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
MetroPark, New Jersey
February 17, 1999
 
                                       67
<PAGE>
 
           SCHEDULE I--CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                            CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
                               December 31, 1998
                                 (In thousands)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                  <C>
Assets
Property and equipment, net......................................... $   14,974
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries..........................  1,035,960
                                                                     ----------
                                                                     $1,050,934
                                                                     ==========
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities:
  Accounts payable.................................................. $   13,514
  Debt..............................................................    300,000
  Accrued expenses and other liabilities............................     11,190
                                                                     ----------
    Total liabilities...............................................    324,704
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock......................................................        684
  Additional paid-in capital........................................    689,018
  Retained earnings.................................................     36,528
                                                                     ----------
    Total stockholders' equity......................................    726,230
                                                                     ----------
                                                                     $1,050,934
                                                                     ==========
</TABLE>
 
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       68
<PAGE>
 
           SCHEDULE I--CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                       CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                      For the Year Ended December 31, 1998
                                 (In thousands)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                     <C>
Non-rental depreciation and amortization............................... $   561
                                                                        -------
Operating loss.........................................................    (561)
Interest expense.......................................................   7,854
                                                                        -------
Loss before benefit for income taxes...................................  (8,415)
Benefit for income taxes...............................................   3,472
                                                                        -------
Net loss before equity in earnings of subsidiaries.....................  (4,943)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries.....................................  18,404
                                                                        -------
Net income............................................................. $13,461
                                                                        =======
</TABLE>
 
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       69
<PAGE>
 
           SCHEDULE I--CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                        CONDENSED CASH FLOW INFORMATION
                      For the Year Ended December 31, 1998
                                 (In thousands)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                  <C>
Net cash provided by operating activities........................... $  (4,157)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
  Purchase of property and equipment................................   (15,535)
  Capital contributed to subsidiary.................................  (492,590)
                                                                     ---------
    Net cash used in investing activities...........................  (508,125)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants, net of issu-
   ance costs.......................................................   207,005
  Proceeds from debt................................................   300,000
  Proceeds from the exercise of stock options.......................       619
  Proceeds from dividends from subsidiary...........................     4,658
                                                                     ---------
    Net cash provided by financing activities.......................   512,282
                                                                     ---------
  Net increase in cash and cash equivalents.........................
  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period..................       --
                                                                     ---------
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period...................... $
                                                                     =========
</TABLE>
 
 
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       70
<PAGE>
 
           SCHEDULE I--CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                    NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               December 31, 1998
 
1. Basis of Presentation
 
    United Rentals, Inc. is principally a holding company ("Holdings") and
conducts its operations primarily through its wholly owned subsidiary United
Rentals (North America), Inc. ("URI") and subsidiaries. In the parent company-
only financial statements, Holdings, investment in subsidiaries is stated at
cost plus equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries since the date of
acquisition. Holdings share of net income of its unconsolidated subsidiaries is
included in consolidated income using the equity method. The parent company-
only financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's
consolidated financial statements.
 
2. Debt
 
    See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information
concerning the debt.
 
3. Guarantee
 
    See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information
concerning the guarantee.
 
                                       71
<PAGE>
 
                 SCHEDULE II--VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
                                 (In thousands)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Additions
                                    ------------------
                         Balance at Charged to                          Balance
                         Beginning  Costs and                           at End
      Description        of Period   Expenses   Other     Deductions   of Period
      -----------        ---------- ---------- -------    ----------   ---------
<S>                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
Year ended December 31,
 1998:
 Allowance for doubtful
  accounts..............  $11,085    $22,530   $19,079(a)  $11,493(c)   $41,201
 Reserve for inventory
  obsolescence and
  shrinkage.............      620      3,254     6,068(b)      654(d)     9,288
 Insurance reserves.....   11,665     16,456                 7,568(e)    20,553
Year ended December 31,
 1997:
 Allowance for doubtful
  accounts..............    7,346      9,646     1,226(a)    7,133(c)    11,085
 Reserve for inventory
  obsolescence and
  shrinkage.............      245        375                                620
 Insurance reserves.....   14,002      5,756                 8,093(e)    11,665
Year ended December 31,
1996:
 Allowance for doubtful
  accounts..............    6,444      4,755       191(a)    4,044(c)     7,346
 Reserve for inventory
  obsolescence and
  shrinkage.............      177         68                                245
 Insurance reserves.....    7,731      9,737                 3,466(e)    14,002
</TABLE>
 
 
 
 
 
- --------
(a) Represents allowance for doubtful accounts assumed through acquisitions.
(b) Represents reserve for inventory obsolescence and shrinkage assumed through
acquisitions.
(c) Represents write-offs of accounts, net of recoveries.
(d) Represents write-offs of inventory items.
(e) Represents payments.
 
                                       72
<PAGE>
 
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and
       Financial Disclosure
 
    None.
 
                                    PART III
 
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
 
    The information set forth under the captions "Election of Directors" and
"Compliance with Section 11(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934" in the
Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its 1999 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, prior to April 30, 1999 (the "1999 Proxy
Statement"), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 11. Executive and Director Compensation
 
    The information set forth under the captions "Executive and Director
Compensation" and "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation"
in the 1999 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
 
    The information set forth under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management" in the 1999 Proxy Statement is incorporated
herein by reference.
 
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
 
    The information set forth under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management" in the 1999 Proxy Statement is incorporated
herein by reference.
 
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                                                                        <C>
(a)(1) Consolidated Financial Statements:
 
   Report of Independent Auditors
 
   United Rentals, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets--December 31, 1998 and
    1997
 
   United Rentals, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
    years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
 
   United Rentals, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
    for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
 
   United Rentals, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
    years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
 
   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
   Report of Independent Auditors
 
   United Rentals (North America), Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets--
    December 31, 1998 and 1997
 
   United Rentals (North America), Inc. Consolidated Statements of
    Operations for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
 
</TABLE>
 
 
                                       73
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                      <C>
   United Rentals (North America), Inc. Consolidated Statements of
    Stockholder's Equity for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and
    1996
 
   United Rentals (North America), Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash
    Flows for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
 
   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules:
 
   Report of Independent Auditors on Financial Statement Schedules
   Schedule I Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
   Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
    Schedules other than those listed are omitted as they are not applicable or
the required or equivalent information has been included in the financial
statements or notes thereto.
 
(a)(3) Exhibits
</TABLE>
 
 
                                       74
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Exhibit
 Number                          Description of Exhibit
 -------                         ----------------------
 <C>     <S>
  2(a)   Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of August
         31, 1998, among United Rentals, Inc., UR Acquisition Corporation and
         U.S. Rentals, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 of United
         Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration
         No. 333-63171)
  3(a)   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of United Rentals,
         Inc., in effect as of the date hereof (incorporated by reference to
         exhibit 3.1 of United Rentals, Inc. Report on Form 10-Q for the
         quarter ended June 30, 1998)
  3(b)   Certificate of Amendment to the United Rentals, Inc. Certificate of
         Incorporation dated September 29, 1998 (incorporated by reference to
         Exhibit 4.2 to the United Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form
         S-3, No. 333-70151)
  3(c)   By-laws of United Rentals, Inc., in effect as of the date hereof
         (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.2 of United Rentals, Inc.
         Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998)
  3(d)   Form of Certificate of Designation for Series A Perpetual Convertible
         Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(k) to the
         United Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 333-
         64463)
  3(e)   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of United Rentals
         (North America), Inc., in effect as of the date hereof (incorporated
         by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the United Rentals (North America),
         Inc. Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998)
  3(f)   By-laws of United Rentals (North America), Inc., in effect as of the
         date hereof (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the United
         Rentals (North America), Inc. Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
         ended June 30, 1998)
  4(a)   Form of certificate representing United Rentals, Inc. Common Stock
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 of United Rentals, Inc.
         Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-39117)
  4(b)   Certificate of Trust of United Rentals Trust I (incorporated by
         reference to Exhibit 4(a) of the United Rentals, Inc. Registration
         Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-64463)
  4(c)   Amended and Restated Trust Agreement dated August 5, 1998 among United
         Rentals, Inc., The Bank of New York, as Property Trustee, The Bank of
         New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, and the Administrative
         Trustees named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ii) of
         United Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration
         No. 333-63171)
  4(d)   Indenture dated August 5, 1998 by and between United Rentals, Inc. and
         The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
         10(hh) of United Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-4,
         Registration No. 333-63171)
  4(e)   Guarantee Agreement dated August 5, 1998 between United Rentals, Inc.
         and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(jj)
         of United Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-4,
         Registration No. 333-63171)
  4(f)   Form of Certificate representing 6 1/2% Convertible Quarterly Income
         Preferred Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(e) of the
         United Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration
         No. 333-64463)
  4(g)   Form of Certificate representing 6 1/2% Convertible Subordinated
         Debentures (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(f) of the United
         Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No.
         333-64463)
</TABLE>
 
 
                                       75
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Exhibit
 Number                          Description of Exhibit
 -------                         ----------------------
 <C>     <S>
 4(h)    Indenture dated May 22, 1998, among United Rentals (North America),
         Inc., the Guarantors named therein and State Street Bank and Trust
         Company, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) of the
         Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by United Rentals (North
         America), Inc., Registration No. 333-60467)
 4(i)    Notes Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 22, 1998, among
         United Rentals (North America), Inc., the subsidiaries of United
         Rentals (North America), Inc. named therein, Merrill Lynch & Co. and
         the other initial purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference
         to Exhibit 4(b) of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by
         United Rentals (North America), Inc., Registration No. 333-60467)
 4(j)    Registration Rights Agreement dated August 5, 1998 between United
         Rentals (North America), Inc., United Rentals, Inc., United Rentals
         Trust I, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and the other purchasers named therein
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(kk) of United Rentals, Inc.
         Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 333-63171)
 4(k)    Indenture dated August 12, 1998, among United Rentals (North America),
         Inc., the Guarantors named therein and State Street Bank and Trust
         Company, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(bb) of
         United Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration
         No. 333-63171)
 4(l)    Notes Registration Rights Agreement dated as of August 12, 1998, among
         United Rentals (North America), Inc., the subsidiaries of United
         Rentals, Inc. named therein, and Merrill Lynch & Co. (incorporated by
         reference to Exhibit 10(cc) of United Rentals, Inc. Registration
         Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 333-63171)
 4(m)    Form of Registration Rights Agreement with certain affiliates of U.S.
         Rentals (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(gg) of United
         Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No.
         333-63171)
 4(n)    Indenture dated December 15, 1998, among United Rentals (North
         America), Inc., the Guarantors named therein and State Street Bank and
         Trust Company, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)
         to the United Rentals (North America), Inc. Registration Statement on
         Form S-3, No. 333-74275)
 4(o)    Notes Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 15, 1998
         among United Rentals (North America), Inc., the subsidiaries of United
         Rentals (North America), Inc. named therein, and Goldman, Sachs & Co.
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b) to the United Rentals
         (North America), Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 333-
         74275)
 4(p)*   Registration Rights Agreement relating to Series A Perpetual
         Convertible Preferred Stock, dated as of December 21, 1998 among
         United Rentals, Inc., Bradley S. Jacobs, Apollo Investment Fund IV,
         L.P. and Apollo Overseas Partners IV, L.P.
 4(q)*   Indenture dated March 23, 1999 among United Rentals (North America),
         Inc., the Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as
         trustee
 4(r)*   Notes Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 23, 1999 among
         United Rentals (North America), Inc., the subsidiaries of United
         Rentals (North America), Inc. named therein, and the initial
         purchasers named therein.
</TABLE>
 
 
                                       76
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Exhibit
 Number                          Description of Exhibit
 -------                         ----------------------
 <C>     <S>
 10(a)   The following agreements (i) Second Amended and Restated Credit
         Agreement dated as of March 30, 1998, between United Rentals (North
         America), Inc., various financial institutions, Bank of America
         Canada, as Canadian agent, and Bank of America National Trust and
         Savings Association, as U.S. agent (incorporated by reference to
         Exhibit 10.1 to United Rentals, Inc. Report on Form 10-Q for the
         quarterly period ended March 31, 1998), (ii) Third Amended and
         Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 12, 1998, between United
         Rentals (North America), Inc., various financial institutions, Bank of
         America Canada, as Canadian agent, and Bank of America National Trust
         and Savings Association, as U.S. agent (incorporated by reference to
         Exhibit 10(a)(ii) to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by
         United Rentals (North America), Inc., Registration No. 333-60467) and
         (iii) First Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
         dated as of July 10, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
         10(a)(iii) to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by United
         Rentals (North America), Inc., Registration No. 333-60467)
 10(b)   Credit Agreement dated as of September 29, 1998, between United
         Rentals (North America), Inc., various financial institutions, Bank of
         America Canada, as Canadian agent, and Bank of America National Trust,
         as U.S. Agent (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of United
         Rentals, Inc. Report on From 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
         1998).
 10(c)   Term Loan Agreement dated as of July 10, 1998 among United Rentals
         (North America), Inc., various financial institutions and Bank of
         America National Trust and Savings Association, as Agent (incorporated
         by reference to Exhibit 10(dd) of the Registration Statement on Form
         S-4 filed by United Rentals (North America), Inc., Registration No.
         333-60467)
 10(d)   First Amendment to the Term Loan Agreement dated as of September 29,
         1998 among United Rentals (North America), Inc., various financial
         institutions and Bank of America National Trust and Savings
         Association, as Agent (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 of
         United Rentals, Inc. Report on From 10-Q for the quarter ended
         September 30, 1998).
 10(e)   Form of Warrant Agreement (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10(c)
         of United Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1,
         Registration No. 333-39117)(1)++
 10(f)   Form of Indemnification Agreement for Officers and Directors
         (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10(f) of United Rentals, Inc.
         Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-39117)++
 10(g)   1997 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10(b) of
         United Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration
         No. 333-39117)++
 10(h)   1998 Stock Option Plan of United Rentals, Inc. (incorporated by
         reference to Exhibit 99.1 to United Rentals, Inc. Registration
         Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 333-63171)++
 10(i)   1998 Supplemental Stock Option Plan of United Rentals, Inc.
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the United Rentals, Inc.
         Registration Statement on Form S-8, No. 333-70345)
 10(j)   Employment Agreement with Bradley S. Jacobs, dated as of September 19,
         1997 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10(g) of United Rentals,
         Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-39117)++
 10(k)   Employment Agreement with John N. Milne, dated as of September 19,
         1997 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10(h) of United Rentals,
         Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-39117)++
 10(l)   Employment Agreement with Michael J. Nolan, dated as of October 14,
         1997 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10(i) of United Rentals,
         Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-39117)++
 10(m)   Employment Agreement with Robert P. Miner, dated as of October 10,
         1997 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10(j) of United Rentals,
         Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-39117)++
</TABLE>
 
 
                                       77
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Exhibit
 Number                          Description of Exhibit
 -------                         ----------------------
 <C>     <S>
 10(n)   Subscription Agreement dated November 14, 1997, from Wayland R. Hicks
         (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10(r) of United Rentals, Inc.
         Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-39117)++
 10(o)   Agreement dated November 14, 1997, with Wayland R. Hicks (incorporated
         by reference to exhibit 10(s) of United Rentals, Inc. Registration
         Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-39117)++
 10(p)   Form of Employment Agreement with William Berry (incorporated by
         reference to Exhibit 10(ee) of United Rentals, Inc. Registration
         Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 333-63171)++
 10(q)   Form of Employment Agreement with John McKinney (incorporated by
         reference to Exhibit 10(ff) of United Rentals, Inc. Registration
         Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 333-63171)++
 10(r)   Form of Private Placement Purchase Agreement entered into by certain
         officers in connection with purchasing shares and warrants from United
         Rentals, Inc., together with the form of Amendment No. 1 thereto (the
         Private Placement Purchase Agreement is incorporated by reference to
         exhibit 10(d) of United Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form
         S-1, Registration No. 333-39117; and Amendment No. 1 is incorporated
         by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to United Rentals, Inc. Report on Form
         10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1998)(2)++
 10(s)   Form of Subscription Agreement for September 1997 Private Placement
         (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10(e) of United Rentals, Inc.
         Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-39117)(3)
 10(t)   Form of U.S. Purchase Agreement for the public offering completed by
         United Rentals, Inc. on March 11, 1998 (incorporated by reference to
         Exhibit 1(a) to United Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-
         1, Registration No. 333-45605)
 10(u)   Form of International Repurchase Agreement for the public offering
         completed by United Rentals, Inc. on March 11, 1998 (incorporated by
         reference to Exhibit 1(b) to United Rentals, Inc. Registration
         Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-45605)
 10(v)   Form of U.S. Purchase Agreement for United Rentals, Inc. initial
         public offering (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a) to United
         Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No.
         333-39117)
 10(w)   Form of International Purchase Agreement for United Rentals, Inc.
         initial public offering (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(b) to
         United Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration
         No. 333-39117)
 10(x)   Purchase Agreement dated July 30, 1998 relating to the initial sale by
         United Rentals Trust I of $300 million aggregate principal amount of 6
         1/2% Convertible Quarterly Income Preferred Securities convertible
         into common stock of United Rentals, Inc. (incorporated by reference
         to Exhibit 10(hh) of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
         Form S-4 filed by United Rentals (North America), Inc., Registration
         No. 333-60467)
 10(y)*  Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated December 21, 1998 between
         United Rentals, Inc., Apollo Investment Fund IV, L.P. and Apollo
         Overseas Partners IV, L.P.
 10(z)   Form of U.S. Underwriting Agreement for the public offering completed
         on March 9, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a) to the
         United Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 333-
         71775)
 10(aa)  Purchase Agreement dated May 19, 1998 relating to the initial sale by
         United Rentals (North America), Inc. of $200 million aggregate
         principal amount of 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(bb) of the Registration
         Statement on Form S-4 filed by United Rentals (North America), Inc.,
         Registration No. 333-60467)
</TABLE>
 
 
                                       78
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Exhibit
 Number                          Description of Exhibit
 -------                         ----------------------
 <C>     <S>
 10(bb)  Purchase Agreement dated August 7, 1998 relating to the initial sale
         by United Rentals (North America), Inc. of $205 million aggregate
         principal amount of 8.80% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(mm) of Amendment No. 1 to the
         Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by United Rentals (North
         America), Inc., Registration No. 333-60467)
 10(cc)* Purchase Agreement dated December 8, 1998 relating to the initial sale
         by United Rentals (North America), Inc. of $300 million aggregate
         principal amount of 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009+
 10(dd)* Purchase Agreement dated March 16, 1999 relating to the initial sale
         by United Rentals (North America), Inc. of $250 million aggregate
         principal amount of 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009
 10(ee)  Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 22, 1998, with United Rentals
         of Canada, Inc., Access Rentals, Inc., Reinhart Leasing, LLC and the
         Stockholders of Access Rentals, Inc., (incorporated by reference to
         Exhibit 10(t) to United Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form
         S-1, Registration No. 333-45605)+
 10(ff)  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 22, 1998, with United
         Rentals of Canada, Inc. and BNR Equipment Limited and Affiliates
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(v) to United Rentals, Inc.
         Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-45605)+
 10(gg)  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 9, 1998, with the
         shareholders of Power Rental Co., Inc. (incorporated by reference to
         Exhibit 10 to United Rentals, Inc. Report on Form 8-K dated June 18,
         1998)+
 
 
 10(hh)  Agreement among United Rentals (North America), Inc., United Rentals
         of New Jersey, Inc., HR Merger Corp., SMSV Acquisition Corp.,
         Equipment Supply Company, Inc., High Reach Co., Inc., Space Maker of
         Va., Inc. and the Stockholders of Rylan, Inc., High Reach Co., Inc.
         and Space Maker Systems of Va., Inc., dated as of June 30, 1998
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(cc) of the Registration
         Statement on Form S-4 filed by United Rentals (North America), Inc.,
         Registration No. 333-60467)+
 10(ii)  Share Purchase Agreement dated July 30, 1998 among United Rentals
         (North America), Inc. and the parties listed therein for all of the
         outstanding shares of McClinch Equipment Services, Inc. (incorporated
         by reference to Exhibit 10(ll) of United Rentals, Inc. Registration
         Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 333-63171)
 10(jj)  Share Purchase Agreement dated July 30, 1998 among United Rentals
         (North America), Inc. and the parties listed therein for all of the
         outstanding shares of McClinch, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
         Exhibit 10(dd) of United Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form
         S-4, Registration No. 333-63171)
 21*     Subsidiaries of United Rentals, Inc.
 23*     Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
 27*     Financial Data Schedule
 27.1*   Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
- --------
*Filed herewith.
+  Filed without exhibits and schedules (to be provided supplementally upon
   request of the Commission).
++ This document is a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
                                       79
<PAGE>
 
(1) United Rentals, Inc. issued a warrant in this form to the following
    officers and other employees of United Rentals, Inc. (or in certain cases
    to an entity controlled by such officer) for the number of shares
    indicated: Bradley S. Jacobs (5,000,000); John N. Milne (714,286); Michael
    J. Nolan (285,715); Robert P. Miner (142,857); Sandra E. Welwood (50,000);
    Joseph J. Kondrup, Jr. (50,000); Kai E. Nyby (50,000); and Richard A.
    Volonino (50,000).
(2) Each officer or other employee of United Rentals, Inc. who purchased
    securities of United Rentals, Inc. prior to December 18, 1997, other than
    Messrs. Jacobs and Hicks, entered into a Private Placement Purchase
    Agreement in this form (modified, in the case of Messrs. Barker and Imig,
    to reflect the fact that said officers did not purchase warrants) with
    respect to the shares of Common Stock and warrants purchased by such
    individual from United Rentals, Inc. United Rentals, Inc. entered into
    Amendment No. 1 with each of Mr. Milne, Mr. Nolan and Mr. Miner.
(3) Each purchaser of shares of Common Stock in United Rentals, Inc.'s
    September 1997 private placement entered into a Subscription Agreement in
    this form with respect to the shares purchased.
 
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
 
<TABLE>
 <C> <S>
 (1) Form 8-K dated October 9, 1998 (earliest event reported September 29,
     1998); Items 2 and 7 were reported. The Form 8-K includes (a) the
     financial statements of U.S. Rentals, Inc., and (b) pro forma consolidated
     financial statements of the Company.
 (2) Form 8-K dated December 11, 1998 (earliest event reported December 11,
     1998); Item 5 was reported. The Form 8-K includes restated financial
     statements of United Rentals (North America), Inc. to reflect two
     acquisitions that were accounted for as poolings-of-interests for
     financial accounting purposes.
 (3) Form 8-K dated December 15, 1998 (earliest event reported December 15,
     1998); Item 5 was reported. The Form 8-K includes restated financial
     statements of United Rentals, Inc. to reflect two acquisitions that were
     accounted for as poolings-of-interests for financial accounting purposes.
 (4) Form 8-K dated December 24, 1998 (earliest event reported December 23,
     1998); Item 5 was reported. The Form 8-K includes financial statements for
     certain acquisitions completed by the Company that were accounted for as
     purchases for financial accounting purposes.
</TABLE>
 
                                       80
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
                                        UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
Date: March 26, 1999                               /s/ Michael J. Nolan
                                        By: ___________________________________
                                           Michael J. Nolan
                                           Chief Financial Officer
 
                                        UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.
 
Date: March 26, 1999                               /s/ Michael J. Nolan
                                        By: ___________________________________
                                           Michael J. Nolan
                                           Chief Financial Officer
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrants and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
 
             Signatures                      Title                 Date
 
    /s/  Bradley S. Jacobs            Chairman of the         March 26, 1999
- ------------------------------------   Boardof Directors
         Bradley S. Jacobs             and Chief
                                       Executive Officer
                                       (Principal
                                       Executive Officer)
 
    /s/   Wayland R. Hicks            Director                March 26, 1999
- ------------------------------------
          Wayland R. Hicks
 
    /s/    John N. Milne              Director                March 26, 1999
- ------------------------------------
           John N. Milne
 
    /s/   William F. Berry            Director                March 26, 1999
- ------------------------------------
          William F. Berry
 
    /s/   John S. McKinney            Director                March 26, 1999
- ------------------------------------
          John S. McKinney
 
    /s/    Leon D. Black              Director                March 26, 1999
- ------------------------------------
           Leon D. Black
 
    /s/ Richard D. Colburn            Director                March 26, 1999
- ------------------------------------
         Richard D. Colburn
 
    /s/   Ronald M. DeFeo             Director                March 26, 1999
- ------------------------------------
          Ronald M. DeFeo
 
    /s/   Michael S. Gross            Director                March 26, 1999
- ------------------------------------
          Michael S. Gross
 
 
                                      81
<PAGE>
 


             Signatures                         Title                Date
 
    /s/ Richard J. Heckmann             Director                March 26, 1999
- -------------------------------------
         Richard J. Heckmann
 
    /s/   Gerald Tsai, Jr.              Director                March 26, 1999
- -------------------------------------
          Gerald Tsai, Jr.
 
    /s/  Christian M. Weyer             Director                March 26, 1999
- -------------------------------------
         Christian M. Weyer
 
    /s/   Michael J. Nolan              Chief Financial         March 26, 1999
- -------------------------------------    Officer (Principal
          Michael J. Nolan               Financial Officer)
 
    /s/   John S. McKinney              Vice President,         March 26, 1999
- -------------------------------------    Finance (Principal
          John S. McKinney               Accounting Officer)
 
 
                                       82

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    Exhibit 4(p)

                             UNITED RENTALS, INC.







                                 -------------

                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                                 -------------










                            Dated December 21, 1998
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------
 
 Section                                                   Page
 -------                                                   ----

 
 1.   Introduction........................................   1

 2.   Registration under Securities Act, etc..............   1
      
      2.1  Registration on Request........................   1

           (a) Request....................................   1
           (b) Registration Statement Form................   2
           (c) Expenses...................................   3
           (d) Effective Registration Statement...........   3
           (e) Selection of Underwriters..................   3
           (f) Priority in Requested Registrations........   4

      2.2  Incidental Registration........................   4    

           (a) Right to Include Registrable Securities....   4
           (b) Priority in Incidental Registrations.......   5

      2.3  Registration Procedures........................   6    

      2.4  Underwritten Offerings.........................  12

           (a) Requested Underwritten Offerings...........  12 
           (b) Incidental Underwritten Offerings..........  13 
           (c) Holdback Agreements........................  13 
           (d) Participation in Underwritten Offerings....  15

      2.5  Preparation; Reasonable Investigation..........  15
                                                            
      2.6  Indemnification................................  16
 
           (a) Indemnification by the Company.............  16
           (b) Indemnification by the Sellers.............  17
           (c) Notices of Claims, etc.....................  17
           (d) Other Indemnification......................  18


                                       i
<PAGE>
 
           (e) Contribution...............................  18

      2.7  Suspension of Registration.....................  20
                                        
      2.8  Other Agreements...............................  21
 
3.    Tag-Along Rights....................................  21
 
      3.1  Transfer of Common Stock.......................  21

           (a) Underwritten Offerings.....................  21
           (b) Other Offerings............................  22
           (c) Notices....................................  25
           (d) ...........................................  25
           (e) ...........................................  25
           (f) ...........................................  25
                
      3.2  Priority in Registrations......................  25
                                                            
4.    Definitions.........................................  26
                                                            
5.    Rules 144 and 144A..................................  29
                                         
6.    Amendments and Waivers..............................  30
                                         
7.    Nominees for Beneficial Owners......................  30

8.    Notices.............................................  30
                             
9.    Assignment..........................................  31
                             
10.   Descriptive Headings................................  31
                             
11.   Governing Law.......................................  31
                                                            
12.   Counterparts........................................  31
                                                            
13.   Entire Agreement....................................  31



                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
14.   Submission to Jurisdiction..........................  32
                                   
15.   Severability........................................  32
 



                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT



     REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of December 21, 1998, among United
Rentals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), Bradley S. Jacobs and the
other undersigned parties hereto (the "Holders").

     1.  Introduction. The Company is a party to the Stock Purchase Agreement
         --------------                                                      
(the "Stock Purchase Agreement"), dated December 21, 1998, with the Holders,
pursuant to which the Company has agreed, among other things, to issue 300,000
shares of its Series A Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per
share (the "Preferred Stock"), to the Holders. Pursuant to the terms of the
Certificate of Designation with respect to the Preferred Stock (the "Certificate
of Designation"), the Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of the
Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"). This
Agreement shall become effective upon the issuance of the Preferred Stock to the
Holders pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement. Certain capitalized terms used
in this Agreement are defined in section 3 hereof; references to sections shall
be to sections of this Agreement.

     2.  Registration under Securities Act, etc.
         ---------------------------------------

         2.1  Registration on Request.
              ----------------------- 

              (a) Request. At any time or from time to time after the 90th day
                  -------                                                    
following the issuance of the Preferred Stock pursuant to the Stock Purchase
Agreement, upon the written request of one or more Initiating Holders,
requesting that the Company effect the registration under the Securities Act of
all or part of such Initiating Holders' Registrable Securities and specifying
the intended method of disposition thereof, the Company will promptly give
written notice of such requested registration to all registered holders of
Registrable Securities, and thereupon the Company will, subject to the terms of
this Agreement, use its best efforts to effect the registration under the
Securities Act of:

                        (i) the Registrable Securities which the Company has
     been so requested to register by such Initiating Holders for disposition
<PAGE>
 
     in accordance with the intended method of disposition stated in such
     request;

                        (ii) all other Registrable Securities the holders of
     which shall have made a written request to the Company for registration
     thereof within 15 days after the giving of such written notice by the
     Company (which request shall specify the intended method of disposition of
     such Registrable Securities); and

                        (iii)  all shares of Common Stock which the Company or
     other holders of the Company's Common Stock having registration rights may
     elect to register in connection with the offering of Registrable Securities
     pursuant to this section 2.1,

all to the extent requisite to permit the disposition (in accordance with the
intended methods thereof as aforesaid) of the Registrable Securities and the
additional shares of Common Stock, if any so to be registered; provided, that
                                                               --------    
the Company shall not be required to effect any registration pursuant to this
section 2.1 (x) on more than three separate occasions and (y) unless the Holders
have requested to sell at least 2 million shares of Registrable Securities or
shares of Registrable Securities to be sold have a fair market value (based upon
the closing price of such Registrable Securities quoted on the securities
exchange or over-the-counter quotation system on which such Registrable
Securities are listed or quoted, as the case may be, on the trading day
immediately preceding any request pursuant to this section 2.1) of at least $50
million; provided, however, the Company shall be required, if so requested, to
         --------
effect one additional registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 subsequent to
the third anniversary of the issuance of the Preferred Stock to the Holders by
the Company which request may be made by Apollo or its Affiliates, whether or
not an Initiating Holder, and will not be subject to the volume or fair market
value limitations set forth in clause (y) above.

          (b) Registration Statement Form. Registrations under this section 2.1
              -----------------------------                                    
shall be on such appropriate registration form of the Commission as shall permit
the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended
method or methods of disposition specified in their request for such
registration and as shall be permitted under the Securities Act; provided, that
                                                                 --------      
such form shall not indicate that the securities to be registered thereunder are
to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the
Securities Act.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          (c) Expenses. The Company will pay all Registration Expenses in
              ----------                                                 
connection with any registration requested pursuant to this section 2.1 by any
Initiating Holders. All other expenses (including underwriting discounts and
commissions and transfer taxes, if any) in connection with each other
registration requested under this section 2.1 shall be allocated pro rata among
                                                                 ---------     
all Persons on whose behalf securities of the Company are included in such
registration, on the basis of the respective amounts of the securities then
being registered on their behalf.

          (d) Effective Registration Statement. A registration requested
              ----------------------------------                        
pursuant to this section 2.1 shall not be deemed to have been effected (i)
                                                                       ---
unless a registration statement with respect thereto has become effective,
provided that a registration which does not become effective after the Company
- --------                                                                     
has filed a registration statement with respect thereto solely by reason of the
refusal to proceed of the Initiating Holders (other than a refusal to proceed
based upon the written advice of counsel relating to a matter with respect to
the Company) shall be deemed to have been effected by the Company at the request
of such Initiating Holders unless the Initiating Holders shall have elected to
pay all Registration Expenses in connection with such registration, (ii) if,
                                                                    ----   
after it has become effective, such registration becomes subject to any stop
order, injunction or other order or requirement of the Commission or other
governmental agency or court for any reason, other than by reason of some act or
omission by such Initiating Holders with respect thereto, (iii) if the
                                                          -----      
conditions to closing specified in the purchase agreement or underwriting
agreement entered into in connection with such registration are not satisfied,
other than by reason of some act or omission by such Initiating Holders or (iv)
                                                                           ----
if the sale of the securities is not consummated due to the lack of agreement
between the Initiating Holders and the underwriters with respect to the
underwriting discount on the securities to be sold.

          (e) Selection of Underwriters. If a requested registration pursuant to
              ---------------------------                                       
this section 2.1 involves an underwritten offering, the managing or lead
underwriter shall be selected by the Company and shall be reasonably acceptable
to the holders of at least a majority (by number of shares) of the Registrable
Securities as to which registration has been requested, which shall not
unreasonably withhold its acceptance of any such underwriters, and any co-
managing and co-lead underwriters shall be selected by the Company.



                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          (f) Priority in Requested Registration . If a requested registration
              -----------------------------------                             
pursuant to this section 2.1 involves an underwritten offering, and the managing
underwriter shall advise the Company in writing (with a copy to each holder of
Registrable Securities requesting registration) that, in its opinion, the number
of securities requested to be included in such registration (including Common
Stock of the Company or other Persons which are not Registrable Securities)
exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering within a price range
acceptable to the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities requested
to be included in such registration, the Company will include in such
registration, to the extent of the number which the Company is so advised can be
sold in such offering, (i) first, Registrable Securities requested to be 
                       ---
included in such registration by the holder or holders of Registrable 
Securities, pro rata among such holders requesting such registration on the 
            --- ----
basis of the number of such securities requested to be included by such 
holders, (ii) second, Common Stock the Company proposes to sell and (iii) third,
         ----                                                       -----
Common Stock of the Company held by other Persons having registration rights
proposed to be included in such registration by the holders thereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) in connection with the first requested
registration pursuant to this section 2.1 in any twelve month period, the
Company shall in all events be entitled to register and sell up to 25% of the
total number of shares of Common Stock to be registered and (B) in connection
with any subsequent requested registration pursuant to this section 2.1 in such
twelve month period, the Company shall in all events be entitled to register and
sell up to 50% of the total number of shares of Common Stock to be registered;
provided that if the Company registers and sells in excess of 33.3% of the total
- --------
number of shares of Common Stock to be registered, the request for registration
pursuant to this section 2.1 shall not be deemed to have been effected.

     2.2  Incidental Registration.
          ------------------------

          (a) Right to Include Registrable Securities. If the Company at any
              -----------------------------------------                     
time after the 90 day following the issuance of the Preferred Stock pursuant to
the Stock Purchase Agreement proposes to register any of its securities under
the Securities Act (other than by a registration on Form S-4 or any successor
form, Form S-8, or any successor form thereto, relating to a stock option plan,
stock purchase plan, managing directors' plan, savings or similar plan and other
than pursuant to section 2.1), whether or not for sale for its own account, it
will each such time give prompt written notice to all holders of Registrable
Securities of its intention to do so and of such holders' rights under this
section 2.2. Upon the written request of any such holder made within 10

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Business Days after the receipt of any such notice (which request shall specify
the number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such holder
and the intended method of disposition thereof), the Company will, subject to
the terms of this Agreement, use its best efforts to effect the registration
under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities which the Company has
been so requested to register by the holders thereof, to the extent requisite to
permit the disposition (in accordance with the intended methods thereof as
aforesaid) of the Registrable Securities so to be registered, by inclusion of
such Registrable Securities in the registration statement which covers the
securities which the Company proposes to register, provided that if, at any time
                                                   --------                    
after giving written notice of its intention to register any securities and
prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection
with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason either not to
register or to delay registration of such securities, the Company may, at its
election, give written notice of such determination to each holder of
Registrable Securities and, thereupon, (i) in the case of a determination not to
                                       ---
register, shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable
Securities in connection with such registration (but not from its obligation to
pay the Registration Expenses in connection therewith), without prejudice,
however, to the rights of any holder or holders of Registrable Securities
entitled to do so to request that such registration be effected as a
registration under section 2.1, and (ii) in the case of a determination to
                                    ----
delay registering, shall be permitted to delay registering any Registrable
Securities, for the same period as the delay in registering such other
securities. No registration effected under this section 2.2 shall relieve the
Company of its obligation to effect any registration upon request under section
2.1, nor shall any such registration hereunder be deemed to have been effected
pursuant to section 2.1. The Company will pay all Registration Expenses in
connection with each registration of Registrable Securities requested pursuant
to this section 2.2.

          (b) Priority in Incidental Registrations. If the Company at any time
              ------------------------------------
proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act as
contemplated by this section 2.2 and such securities are to be distributed by or
through one or more underwriters, the Company will, if requested by any holder
of Registrable Securities use its best efforts to arrange for such underwriters
to include all the Registrable Securities to be offered and sold by such holder
among the securities to be distributed by such underwriters, provide that if the
                                                             --------           
managing underwriter of such underwritten offering shall inform the holders of
the Registrable Securities requesting such registration and the holders of any
Common Stock of the Company which shall have exercised, in respect of such
underwritten offering, registration rights comparable to the rights under this
section 2.2, by

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
letter of its belief that inclusion in such underwritten distribution of all or
a specified number of such Registrable Securities or of such other securities of
the Company so requested to be included would interfere with the successful
marketing of the securities so being registered (other than such Registrable
Securities and other Common Stock of the Company so requested to be included) by
the underwriters (such writing to state the basis of such belief and the
approximate number of such Registrable Securities and shares of Common Stock so
requested to be included which may be included in such underwritten offering
without such effect), then the Company may, upon written notice to all holders
of such Registrable Securities and of such other shares of Common Stock of the
Company so requested to be included, exclude pro rata from such underwritten
                                             --------
offering (if and to the extent stated by such managing underwriter to be
necessary to eliminate such effect) the number of such Registrable Securities
and shares of such other Common Stock so requested to be included the
registration of which shall have been requested by each holder of Registrable
Securities and by the holders of such other Common Stock so that the resultant
aggregate number of such Registrable Securities and of such other shares of
Common Stock so requested to be included which are included in such underwritten
offering shall be equal to the approximate number of shares stated in such
managing underwriter's letter.

          2.3  Registration Procedures. If and whenever the Company is required
               -----------------------                                       
to use its best efforts to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities
under the Securities Act as provided in sections 2.1 and 2.2, the Company shall,
as expeditiously as possible:

                        (i) prepare and (in the case of a registration pursuant
     to section 2.1, such filing to be made within 45 days after the initial
     request of one or more Initiating Holders of Registrable Securities or in
     any event as soon thereafter as possible) file with the Commission the
     requisite registration statement to effect such registration (including
     such audited financial statements as may be required by the Securities Act
     or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) and thereafter use its
     best efforts to cause such registration statement to become and remain
     effective, provided however that the Company may discontinue any 
                --------
     registration of its securities which are not Registrable Securities
     (and, under the circumstances specified in section 2.2(a), its securities
     which are Registrable Securities) at any time prior to the effective date
     of the registration statement relating thereto, provided further that 
                                                     --------
     before filing such registration statement or any amendments thereto, the
     Company will furnish to the

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     counsel selected by the holders of Registrable Securities which are to be
     included in such registration copies of all such documents proposed to be
     filed, which documents will be subject to the review, but not the prior
     approval, of such counsel;

                        (ii) prepare and file with the Commission such
     amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the
     prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such
     registration statement effective and to comply with the provisions of the
     Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by
     such registration statement until the earlier of such time as all of such
     securities have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of
     disposition by the seller or sellers thereof set forth in such registration
     statement or (i) in the case of a registration pursuant to section 2.1,
     the expiration of 180 days after such registration statement becomes
     effective, or (ii) in the case of a registration pursuant to section 2.2,
     the expiration of 90 days after such registration statement becomes
     effective;

                        (iii)  furnish to each seller of Registrable Securities
     covered by such registration statement and each underwriter, if any, of the
     securities being sold by such seller such number of conformed copies of
     such registration statement and of each such amendment and supplement
     thereto (in each case including all exhibits), such number of copies of the
     prospectus contained in such registration statement (including each
     preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus) and any other prospectus
     filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act, in conformity with the
     requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents, as such
     seller and underwriter, if any, may reasonably request;

                        (iv) use its best efforts to register or qualify all
     Registrable Securities and other securities covered by such registration
     statement under such other securities laws or blue sky laws of such
     jurisdictions as any seller thereof and any underwriter of the securities
     being sold by such seller shall reasonably request, to keep such
     registrations or qualifications in effect for so long as such registration
     statement remains in effect, and take any other action which may be
     reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller and underwriter to
     consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the securities owned by
     such seller, except that the Company shall not for any such purpose be
     required to qualify general-

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     ally to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it
     would not but for the requirements of this subdivision (iv) be obligated to
     be so qualified, to subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or
     to consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;

                        (v) use its best efforts to cause all Registrable
     Securities covered by such registration statement to be registered with or
     approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be
     necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof to consummate the
     disposition of such Registrable Securities;

                        (vi) furnish to each seller of Registrable Securities a
     signed counterpart, addressed to such seller and the underwriters, if any,
     of:

        (x) an opinion of counsel for the Company, dated the effective date of
        such registration statement (or, if such registration includes an
        underwritten public offering, an opinion dated the date of the closing
        under the underwriting agreement), reasonably satisfactory in form and
        substance to such seller, and

        (y) a "comfort" letter (or, in the case of any such Person which does
        not satisfy the conditions for receipt of a "comfort" letter specified
        in Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72, an "agreed upon procedures"
        letter), dated the effective date of such registration statement (and,
        if such registration includes an underwritten public offering, a letter
        of like kind dated the date of the closing under the underwriting
        agreement), signed by the independent public accountants who have
        certified the Company's financial statements included in such
        registration statement, covering substantially the same matters with
        respect to such registration statement (and the prospectus included
        therein) and, with respect to events subsequent to the date of such
        financial statements, as are customarily covered in opinions of issuer's
        counsel and in accountants' letters delivered to the underwrit-

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
        ers in underwritten public offerings of securities (with, in the case of
        an "agreed upon procedures" letter, such modifications or deletions as
        may be required under Statement on Auditing Standards No. 35) and, in
        the case of the accountants' letter, such other financial matters, and,
        in the case of the legal opinion, such other legal matters, as such
        seller (or the underwriters, if any) may reasonably request;

                        (vii) notify the holders of Registrable Securities and
     the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, promptly and confirm such
     advice in writing promptly thereafter:

                                (a) when the registration statement, the
        prospectus or any prospectus supplement related thereto or 
        post-effective amendment to the registration statement has been filed,
        and, with respect to the registration statement or any post-effective
        amendment thereto, when the same has become effective;

                                (b) of any request by the Commission for
        amendments or supplements to the registration statement or the
        prospectus or for additional information;

                                (c) of the issuance by the Commission of any
        stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or
        the initiation of any proceedings by any Person for that purpose;

                                (d) if at any time the representations and
        warranties of the Company made as contemplated by section 2.4 below
        cease to be true and correct;

                                (e) of the receipt by the Company of any
        notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any
        Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or blue sky laws of
        any jurisdiction or the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such
        purpose; and

                        (viii) notify each seller of Registrable Securities
     covered by such registration statement, at any time when a prospectus

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, upon
     the discovery that, or upon the happening of any event as a result of
     which, the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then in
     effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state
     any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
     statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances under
     which they were made, and at the request of any such seller promptly
     prepare and furnish to such seller and each underwriter, if any, a
     reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such
     prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the
     purchasers of such securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
     be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
     misleading in the light of the circumstances under which they were made;

                        (ix) make every reasonable effort to obtain the
     withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of the registration
     statement at the earliest possible moment;

                        (x) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all
     applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to
     its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings
     statement covering the period of at least twelve months, but not more than
     eighteen months, beginning with the first full calendar month after the
     effective date of such registration statement, which earnings statement
     shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and
     Rule 158 thereunder, and will furnish to each such seller at least five
     business days prior to the filing thereof a copy of any amendment or
     supplement to such registration statement or prospectus and shall not file
     any thereof to which any such seller shall have reasonably objected on the
     grounds that such amendment or supplement does not comply in all material
     respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or of the rules or
     regulations thereunder;

                        (xi) subject to the provisions of section 2.5, make
     available for inspection by a representative or representatives of the
     holders of Registrable Securities to be included in such registration
     statement, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to the
     registration statement and any attorney or accountant retained by such
     selling holders or underwriter (each, an "Inspector"), all financial and
     other records, pertinent

                                      10
<PAGE>
 
     corporate documents and properties of the Company (the "Records"), and
     cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all
     information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with
     such registration in order to permit a reasonable investigation within the
     meaning of Section II of the Securities Act;

                        (xii) provide and cause to be maintained a transfer
     agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by such
     registration statement from and after a date not later than the effective
     date of such registration statement;

                        (xiii) enter into such agreements and take such other
     actions as sellers of such Registrable Securities holding 51 % of the
     shares so to be sold or any underwriter shall reasonably request in order
     to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities,
     including, without limitation, causing members of senior management of the
     Company to participate in customary "road-show" activities;

                        (xiv) use its best efforts to list all Registrable
     Securities covered by such registration statement on any securities
     exchange on which any of the securities of the same class as the
     Registrable Securities are then listed; and

                        (xv) use its best efforts to provide a CUSIP number for
     the Registrable Securities, not later than the effective date of the
     registration statement.

     The Company may require each seller of Registrable Securities as to which
any registration is being effected to furnish the Company such information
regarding such seller and the distribution of such securities as the Company may
from time to time reasonably request in writing.

     The Company will not file any registration statement or amendment thereto
or any prospectus or any supplement thereto (including such documents
incorporated by reference and proposed to be filed after the initial filing of
the registration statement) to which the holders of at least a majority of the
Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement or the underwriter
or underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object, provided that the Company may
                                                  --------                    
file such document in a form required by law or upon the advice of its counsel.


                                      11
<PAGE>
 
     Each holder of Registrable Securities agrees by acquisition of such
Registrable Securities that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the
occurrence of any event of the kind described in subdivision (viii) of this
section 2.3, such holder will forthwith discontinue such holder's disposition of
Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement relating to such
Registrable Securities until such holder's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by subdivision (viii) of this
section 2.3 and, if so directed by the Company, will deliver to the Company (at
the Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in
such holder's possession of the prospectus relating to such Registrable
Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the
Company shall give any such notice, the period mentioned in paragraph (ii) of
this section 2.3 shall be extended by the length of the period from and
including the date when each seller of any Registrable Securities covered by
such registration statement shall have received such notice to the date on which
each such seller has received the copies of the supplemented or amended
prospectus contemplated by paragraph (viii) of this section 2.3.

     If any such registration statement refers to any holder of Registrable
Securities by name or otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Company,
then such holder shall have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of
                                                 ---
language, in form and substance satisfactory to such holder, to the effect that
the holding by such holder of such securities is not to be construed as a
recommendation by such holder of the investment quality of the Company's
securities covered thereby and that such holding does not imply that such holder
will assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the Company, or 
(ii) in the event that such reference to such holder by name or otherwise is
- ----
not required by the Securities Act or any similar federal statute then in force
and a written opinion from counsel to the holder to such effect is delivered to
the Company, the deletion of the reference to such holder.

     2.4  Underwritten Offerings.
          ----------------------

          (a) Requested Underwritten Offerings. If requested by the underwriters
              --------------------------------
for any underwritten offering by holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to a
registration requested under section 2.1, the Company will enter into an
underwriting agreement with such underwriters for such offering, such agreement
to be satisfactory in substance and form to the Company, each such holder and
the underwriters, and to contain such representations and warranties by the
Company and such other terms as are generally prevailing in agreements of this

                                      12
<PAGE>
 
type, including, without limitation, indemnities at least as broad as those
provided in section 2.6. The holders of the Registrable Securities will
cooperate with the Company in the negotiation of the underwriting agreement and
will give consideration to the reasonable suggestions of the Company regarding
the form thereof, provided that nothing herein contained shall diminish the
                  ---------                                                
foregoing obligations of the Company. The holders of Registrable Securities to
be distributed by such underwriters shall be parties to such underwriting
agreement and may, at their option, require that any or all of the
representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the
Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters shall also be made to and
for the benefit of such holders of Registrable Securities and that any or all of
the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such
underwriting agreement be conditions precedent to the obligations of such
holders of Registrable Securities. Any such holder of Registrable Securities
shall not be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements
with the Company or the underwriters other than representations and warranties
or agreements regarding such holder, such holder's Registrable Securities and
such holder's intended method of distribution and any other representation
required by law.

     (b) Incidental Underwritten Offerings. The holders of Registrable
         ----------------------------------
Securities to be distributed by such underwriters shall be parties to the
underwriting agreement between the Company and such underwriters and may, at
their option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by,
and the other agreements on the part of, the Company to and for the benefit of
such underwriters shall also be made to and for the benefit of such holders of
Registrable Securities and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the
obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement be conditions
precedent to the obligations of such holders of Registrable Securities. Any such
holder of Registrable Securities shall not be required to make any
representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the
underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such
holder, such holder's Registrable Securities and such holder's intended method
of distribution and any other representation required by law.

     (c)  Holdback Agreements.
          --------------------

          (i) So long as a holder of Registrable Securities and its Affiliates
own Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock convertible into Common Stock exceeding
5 % of the Common Stock of the Company

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
outstanding (including Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred
Stock) or such holder has designated a member of the board of directors of the
Company pursuant to paragraph 6(ii) of the Certificate of Designation which
director continues to serve on such board, such holder of Registrable Securities
agrees, by acquisition of such Registrable Securities, (x) if so required by the
managing underwriter, not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any
option for the purchase of, effect any public sale or distribution of or
otherwise dispose of any Common Stock or Registrable Securities not to be sold
in an underwritten offering pursuant to section 2.1 or 2.2, during the 30 days
prior to the anticipated consummation of such underwritten offering and 90 days
after the applicable underwritten registration pursuant to section 2.1 or 2.2
has become effective, except as part of such underwritten registration and (y)
in connection with any acquisition by or merger with the Company which is
accounted for under generally accepted accounting principles as a pooling of
interest, upon the request of the Company, not to sell, make any short sale of,
loan, grant any option for the purchase of, effect any public sale or
distribution of or otherwise dispose of any Common Stock or Registrable
Securities, for the period commencing 30 days before the effective date of such
acquisition or merger until the publication of the Company's financial results
covering a period of at least 30 days following such acquisition or merger which
is sufficient in accordance with Accounting Series Release No. 135, or such
shorter period if consistent with the requirements for pooling of interests
accounting treatment. Notwithstanding clause (x) of the foregoing sentence and
subject to clause (y), during any period described above, each holder of
Registrable Securities subject to the foregoing sentence shall be entitled to
sell securities in a private sale so long as the purchaser of such securities
agrees to be bound by the restrictions set forth above to the same extent as the
seller for the remainder of the applicable period.

                        (ii) The Company agrees if so required by the managing
underwriter (x) not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option
            ---
for the purchase of, effect any public sale or distribution of or otherwise
dispose of its equity securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable
or exercisable for any of such securities during the 30 days prior to and the 90
days after any underwritten registration pursuant to section 2.1 has become
effective, except as part of such underwritten registration and except in
connection with (A) a merger or acquisition by the Company in which securities
of the Company are issued directly to

                                      14
<PAGE>
 
     shareholders of the target entity or sellers of assets in exchange for
     shares of such target entity or such assets or (B) a stock option plan,
     stock purchase plan, managing directors' plan, savings or similar plan, or
     an acquisition of a business, merger or exchange of stock for stock,
     provide that no such agreement pursuant to this clause (x) shall prevent 
     -------
     the Company from fulfilling its obligations pursuant to section 2.1 or 2.2,
     subject to the provisions of section 2.7 and (y) to use its reasonable best
     efforts to cause each director and executive officer of the Company and any
     holder (other than the Holders) of its equity securities or any securities
     convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any of such equity
     securities, in each case purchased from the Company at any time after the
     date of this Agreement (other than in a public offering and other than
     securities issued to employees who are not directors or executive officers
     of the Company pursuant to an employee benefit plan or similar arrangement)
     to agree not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for
     the purchase of, effect any public sale or distribution of or otherwise
     dispose of such securities during such period, it being understood that no
     action is required by the Company pursuant to this clause (y) until the
     managing underwriter requests.

          (d) Participation in Underwritten Offerings. No Person (other than the
              -----------------------------------------                         
Company, which will be subject to and governed by the other terms and provisions
of this Agreement) may participate in any underwritten offering hereunder unless
such Person (i) agrees to sell such Person's securities on the basis provided in
any underwriting arrangements approved, subject to the terms and conditions
hereof, by the holders of a majority of Registrable Securities to be included in
such underwritten offering and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires,
                               ----
indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents (other than powers of
attorney) required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no underwriting agreement (or other agreement in
connection with such offering) shall require any holder of Registrable
Securities to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the
Company or the underwriters other than representations and warranties or
agreements regarding such holder, such holder's Registrable Securities and such
holder's intended method of distribution and any other representation required
by law.

          2.5 Preparation: Reasonable Investigation. In connection with the
              ---------------------------------------                      
preparation and filing of each registration statement under the Securities Act
pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will give the holders of Registrable

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
Securities registered under such registration statement, their underwriters, if
any, and their respective counsel and accountants, the opportunity to
participate in the preparation of such registration statement, each prospectus
included therein or filed with the Commission, and each amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, and will give each of them such access to its books and
records (collectively, the "Records") and such opportunities to discuss the
business of the Company with its officers and the independent public accountants
who have certified its financial statements as shall be necessary, in the
opinion of such holders' and such underwriters' respective counsel, to conduct a
reasonable investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act; provided,
                                                                   ---------
that Records which the Company determines, in good faith, to be confidential and
which it notifies such holder, underwriter, counsel or accountant are
confidential shall not be disclosed by such Person (other than to any holder of
Registrable Securities) unless (a) such Records have become generally available
to the public or (b) the disclosure of such Records may be necessary or, in the
case of clause (z) below, appropriate (x) in compliance with any law, rule,
regulation or order applicable to any such holder, underwriter, counsel or
accountant, (y) in response to any subpoena or other legal process or (z) in
connection with any litigation to which such holder, underwriter, counsel or
accountant is a party, and such Person shall sign an agreement to such effect
that shall be customary in form and reasonably acceptable to the Company.

     2.6  Indemnification.
          ----------------

          (a) Indemnification by the Company. In the event of any registration
              ------------------------------
of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act pursuant to this
Agreement, the Company will, and hereby does agree to, indemnify and hold
harmless in the case of any registration statement filed pursuant to section 2.1
or 2.2, the holder of any Registrable Securities covered by such registration
statement, its directors and officers, each Person, if any, who controls such
holder within the meaning of the Securities Act, against any losses, claims,
damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such holder or any such
director or officer or controlling person may become subject under the
Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement
under which such securities were registered under the Securities Act, any
preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or summary prospectus contained
therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the case of any
preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or summary prospectus, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and the Company will
reimburse such holder and each such director, officer, and controlling person
for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection
with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, liability, action or
proceeding, provided that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to
            --------
the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability (or action or proceeding
in respect thereof) or expense arises out of or is based upon an untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in
such registration statement, any such preliminary prospectus, final prospectus,
summary prospectus, amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such holder
specifically for use therein. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and
effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such holder or
any such director, officer, underwriter or controlling person and shall survive
the transfer of such securities by such holder.

          (b) Indemnification by the Sellers. As a condition to including any
              ------------------------------                               
Registrable Securities in any registration statement filed pursuant to section
2.3, the Company shall have received from each seller of Registrable Securities
a written undertaking satisfactory to it from the prospective seller of such
Registrable Securities, to indemnify and hold harmless (in the same manner and
to the same extent as set forth in subdivision (a) of this section 2.6) the
Company, each director of the Company, each officer of the Company and each
other person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the
Securities Act, with respect to any statement or alleged statement in or
omission or alleged omission from such registration statement, any preliminary
prospectus, final prospectus or summary prospectus contained therein, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, if such statement or alleged statement or
omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such seller
specifically stating that it is for use in the preparation of such registration
statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus, summary prospectus,
amendment or supplement. Any such indemnity shall remain in full force and
effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or
any such director, officer or controlling person and shall survive the transfer
of such securities by such seller.

          (c) Notices of Claims, etc. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified
            ------------------------                                        
party of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding

                                      17
<PAGE>
 
involving a claim referred to in the preceding subdivisions of this section 2.6,
such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against
an indemnifying party, give written notice to the latter of the commencement of
such action, provided that the failure of any indemnified party to give notice
             --------                                                        
as provided herein shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations
under the preceding subdivisions of this section 2.6, except to the extent that
the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced by such failure to give notice. In
case any such action is brought against an indemnified party, unless in such
indemnified party's reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such
indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such claim, the
indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and to assume the defense
thereof, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to the
extent that the indemnifying party may wish, with counsel reasonably
satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying
party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense
thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party
for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the latter in
connection with the defense thereof. No indemnifying party shall, without the
consent of the indemnified party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into
any settlement of any such action which does not include as an unconditional
term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party
of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation. No
indemnified party shall consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any
settlement of any such action the defense of which has been assumed by an
indemnifying party without the consent of such indemnifying party.

          (d) Other Indemnification. Indemnification similar to that specified
              -----------------------                                         
in the preceding subdivisions of this section 2.6 (with appropriate
modifications) shall be given by the Company and each seller of Registrable
Securities with respect to any required registration or other qualification of
securities under any Federal or state law or regulation of any governmental
authority, other than the Securities Act.

          (e) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in the preceding
              --------------                                                    
subdivisions of this section 2.6 is unavailable to an indemnified party in
respect of any expense, loss, claim, damage or liability referred to therein,
then each indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party,
shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a
result of such expense, loss, claim, damage or liability (i) in such proportion
as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on
the one hand and

                                      18
<PAGE>
 
the holder or other Person, as the case may be, on the other from the
distribution of the Registrable Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by
                                               --                             
clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i)
above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the
holder or other Person, as the case may be, on the other in connection with the
statements or omissions which resulted in such expense, loss, damage or
liability, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative
benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the holder or other Person,
as the case may be, on the other in connection with the distribution of the
Registrable Securities shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total
net proceeds received by the Company from the initial sale of the Registrable
Securities by the Company to the purchasers pursuant to the Stock Purchase
Agreement bear to the gain, if any, realized by the selling holder or the
underwriting discounts and commissions received by the underwriter, as the case
may be. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the holder or
other Person, as the case may be, on the other shall be determined by reference
to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Company, by the holder or by the other Person and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission, provided that the foregoing contribution
                                    --------                               
agreement shall not inure to the benefit of any indemnified party if
indemnification would be unavailable to such indemnified party by reason of the
provisions contained in the first sentence of subdivision (a) of this section
2.6, and in no event shall the obligation of any indemnifying party to
contribute under this subdivision (e) exceed the amount that such indemnifying
party would have been obligated to pay by way of indemnification if the
indemnification provided for under subdivisions (a) or (b) of this section 2.6
had been available under the circumstances.

     The Company and the holders of Registrable Securities agree that it would
not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subdivision (e) were
determined by pro rata allocation (even if the holders and any underwriters were
              --------
treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation
that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the
immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified
party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in
the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the
limitations set forth in the preceding sentence and subdivision (c) of this
section 2.6, any legal or other

                                      19
<PAGE>
 
expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
investigating or defending any such action or claim.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision (e), no holder of
Registrable Securities or underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount
in excess of the amount by which (i) in the case of any such holder, the net
proceeds received by such holder from the sale of Registrable Securities or (ii)
in the case of an underwriter, the total price at which the Registrable
Securities purchased by it and distributed to the public were offered to the
public exceeds, in any such case, the amount of any damages that such holder or
underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11 (f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.

          2.7  Suspension of Registration. Notwithstanding anything to the
               --------------------------                               
contrary contained herein, the Company will not be required to file any
registration statement pursuant to section 2. 1 (a) or furnish any supplement to
a prospectus pursuant to section 2.3(viii) during any of the following periods:
(i) 30 days prior to the anticipated consummation of a public offering by the
Company of its securities and 90 days subsequent to the consummation of such
public offering where, in the good faith judgment of the managing underwriter or
underwriters thereof, such filing or furnishing of such supplement would have an
adverse effect on such offering, (ii) if such filing or furnishing of such
supplement is prohibited by applicable law, (iii) if the filing of such
registration statement or furnishing of such supplement would require the
Company to disclose a material financing, acquisition or other corporate
development, and the proper officers of the Company shall have determined in
good faith that such disclosure is not in the best interest of the Company or
(iv) during the period described in section 2.4(c)(ii), provided that the
                                                        --------        
Company may not delay the filing of any registration statement or furnishing of
such supplement pursuant to this section 2.7 for more than an aggregate of 135
days in any twelve-month period; and provided, further, that any such delay
                                     ---------                            
pursuant to this section 2.7 shall not in the aggregate exceed 135 days in any
twelve-month period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a public
offering by any holder of the Company's capital stock (the "Selling Holder")
pursuant to rights granted by the Company to such holder similar to section 2.1,
no delay in the filing of a registration statement or the furnishing of a
supplement pursuant to clause (i) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be
for a time period longer than any similar time period for delay imposed on such

                                      20
<PAGE>
 
Selling Holder pursuant to the agreement with the Company granting such Selling
Holder registration rights. Upon the expiration of the period described in
clause (iii) of the first sentence of this section 2.7, the Company shall give
prompt notice to all holders of Registrable Securities and shall promptly file
any registration statement requested to be filed pursuant to 2.1(a) and
furnish any prospectus supplement required to be furnished pursuant to section
2.3(viii).

          2.8  Other Agreements. The Company shall not enter into any agreement
               ----------------                                              
or instrument which would conflict with or result in a breach or violation of
any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement. In addition, the Company shall
not enter into any agreement or instrument with any Person (other than Apollo or
its Affiliates) which grant such Person rights similar to those in section 2.1
unless such agreement permits the holders of Registrable Securities to exercise
their rights pursuant to section 2.2 hereof in connection with any registration
statement filed pursuant to which such Person will sell securities of the
Company.

   3.     Tag-Along Rights.
          ----------------

          3.1  Transfer of Common Stock. (a) Underwritten Offerings. In
               ------------------------      ----------------------
connection with any proposed underwritten sale which is to be registered with
the Commission under the Securities Act (an "Underwritten Sale") of Common
Stock, or rights, options, warrants or other securities convertible into or
exchangeable into Common Stock, Beneficially Owned by Jacobs prior to the fifth
anniversary of the date of the issuance of the Preferred Stock, no later than
ten (10) Business Days prior to the filing of the registration statement
relating to such sale, Jacobs shall provide written notice of such proposed sale
to Apollo and any Affiliate of Apollo that then Beneficially Owns any shares of
Preferred Stock or Common Stock of the Company. During such five-year period,
Jacobs shall afford Apollo and any such Affiliate of Apollo, the opportunity to
participate proportionately in such Underwritten Sale (based upon, with respect
to Apollo and its Affiliates, the Beneficial Ownership of Registrable Securities
as of the date of issuance of the Preferred Stock (including any shares of
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock) and, with respect
to Jacobs, 16.7 million shares (subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments
including, but not limited to, stock dividends, stock subdivisions, stock
combinations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and reclassifications ("Anti-
Dilution Adjustments")) of Common Stock Beneficially Owned on the date hereof
or currently or hereafter issuable upon exercise of options or warrants held on
the date hereof, in each case less any of such shares of

                                      21
<PAGE>
 
Common Stock or Preferred Stock sold subsequent to the date hereof) by selling
Registrable Securities for the same consideration and otherwise on the same
terms as the sale by Jacobs.

                (b)  Other Offerings:
                     ---------------

                        (i)  Certain Definitions.
                             -------------------

                             (1) The term "Jacobs Options" means rights, options
        or warrants or other securities which are Beneficially Owned on the date
        hereof by Jacobs and which are exercisable for, convertible into or
        exchangeable for shares of Common Stock.

                             (2) The term "Excess Option Shares" means at any
        time the amount by which (x) the number (subject to Anti-Dilution
        Adjustments) of shares of Common Stock issuable or issued on exercise,
        conversion or exchange of Jacobs Options, which Jacobs shall then
        propose to sell or shall have sold since the date hereof in private
        sales, public sales or otherwise, exceeds (y) 2,500,000 (subject to 
        Anti-Dilution Adjustments).

                             (3) The term "Excess Common Shares" means at any
        time the amount by which (x) the number (subject to Anti-Dilution
        Adjustments) of shares of Common Stock which Jacobs shall then propose
        to sell or shall have sold since the date hereof in private sales,
        public sales or otherwise, but excluding any shares acquired upon
        exercise of Jacobs Options, exceeds (y) 5,000,000 (subject to Anti-
        Dilution Adjustments).

                             (4) The term " 144 Exempt Shares" means as of any
        date, that number of shares of Common Stock which Jacobs could then sell
        under the volume limitations of Rule 144, without taking into account in
        calculating such volume limitation any sales by Jacobs within the
        preceding 90 days only if Apollo shall theretofore have had the right to
        participate in such sale under section 3.1(a) or 3.1(b) and without
        regard as to whether or not any proposed sale by Jacobs is in fact being
        made under Rule 144. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the number of 144
        Exempt Shares shall be zero so long as Apollo and its Affiliates shall
        have sold an aggre-

                                      22
<PAGE>
 
        gate of less than 7,000,000 shares (subject to Anti-Dilution
        Adjustments) of Common Stock to Persons which at the time of the sale
        are not Affiliates of Apollo in private sales, public sales or
        otherwise.

                        (ii) Tag-Along. Prior to the fifth anniversary of the 
                             ----------
     issuance of the Preferred Stock, in connection with any proposed sale by
     Jacobs (other than an Underwritten Sale or a sale of 144 Exempt Shares
     which will be free from resale restrictions under the Securities Act
     subsequent to such sale) of any Excess Option Shares or any Excess Common
     Shares (each such sale, a "Covered Sale"), Jacobs shall, as soon as
     practicable, but in any event no later than three (3) or earlier than
     fifteen (15) Business Days prior to the trade date of such Covered Sale,
     provide written notice of such proposed Covered Sale to Apollo and any
     Affiliate of Apollo that then Beneficially Owns shares of Preferred Stock
     or Common Stock of the Company. During such five-year period, Jacobs shall
     afford Apollo and any Affiliate of Apollo the opportunity to participate in
     each Covered Sale by selling two shares of Registrable Securities for every
     three shares of Excess Common Shares or Excess Option Shares to be sold in
     such Covered Sale for the same consideration and otherwise on the same
     terms as the sale by Jacobs; provided, however, if the number of Excess
                                  --------  -------
     Common Shares or Excess Option Shares exceeds by any amount (the "Over 50%
     Amount") 50% of the total number of shares of Common Stock and Common Stock
     issuable upon exchange of Jacobs Options to be sold by all Persons
     (including, without limitation, Jacobs and Apollo) in such Covered Sale,
     then Jacobs shall afford Apollo and its Affiliates the opportunity to
     further participate in such Covered Sale by selling one share of
     Registrable Securities for every one share of Excess Common Shares or
     Excess Option Shares which is included in the Over-50% Amount. To
     participate in any Covered Sale, except as provided below, Apollo or its
     Affiliates must provide written notice to Jacobs, by facsimile or other-
     wise, no later than three (3) Business Days after the day Jacobs provides
     notice to Apollo and such Affiliate of such Covered Sale pursuant to this
     paragraph.

                Notwithstanding the foregoing requirement that Jacobs provide
     three (3) Business Days prior notice of any Covered Sale, Jacobs shall be
     required to give such notice of a Covered Sale pursuant to an unsolicited
     bid which is reasonable in the circumstances (an "Expedited Notice"),
     provided, that if such notice is given less than one Business Day before 
     --------            
     the     

                                      23
<PAGE>
 
     sale, then such notice shall be given to Apollo no more than one hour after
     receipt of such bid and not less than 30 minutes before the expiration
     of such bid. Apollo and its Affiliates shall give notice to Jacobs of their
     binding intention to participate in such sale a reasonable time after
     receipt of such Expedited Notice, provided that notice from Apollo and its
     Affiliates shall be deemed to be reasonable if given to Jacobs not later
     than the later of 30 minutes after receipt of such notice or 30 minutes
     prior to the expiration of the bid. If, for example, Jacobs receives an
     unsolicited bid at 1 p.m. which expires at 4 p.m. on the same day, he must
     give notice no later than 2 p.m. in order for such notice to be deemed
     reasonable. If he receives a bid at 1 p.m. which expires at 1:30 p.m.,
     he must give immediate notice to Apollo if he intends to accept such bid,
     in order for such notice to be deemed reasonable. A bid shall be considered
     solicited only if it is responsive to an explicit request for a bid from
     Jacobs. A bid which is responsive to an explicit request of Jacobs shall
     nevertheless be deemed unsolicited if Jacobs provided Apollo notice of such
     request immediately after making such request and such bid is received no
     earlier than the day after such request and no later than seven days after
     such request. A notice under this paragraph shall be given by telephone or
     in person to the person or persons designated from time to time by Apollo,
     who shall initially be Michael Gross, Andy Africk or John Hannan, or such
     other persons who may be designated in writing hereafter; provided that if
     Jacobs has used his best efforts to telephone Apollos' designees at the
     numbers provided to him for that purpose and has been unable to reach them,
     he will be deemed to have given the required notice if he has left messages
     for each of such persons and has sent a fax outlining the terms of the sale
     to the fax numbers provided by Apollo for such purpose.

                In addition, prior to the fifth anniversary of the issuance of
     the Preferred Stock, Apollo may at any time provide to Jacobs a notice (a
     "Sale Notice") in writing as to its intention to participate in any Covered
     Sale until the earlier of (i) 30 days from the date of such notice or (ii)
     receipt by Jacobs a written cancellation or amendment of such notice, for a
     price equal to or greater than the price specified in the Sale Notice and
     for a number of shares or a percentage of shares equal to that set forth in
     such Sale Notice. In the event of a Covered Sale entered into by Jacobs
     during the period covered by such Sale Notice in a manner consistent with
     the terms of the Sale Notice, if Jacobs is unable to give actual notice of
     the Covered Sale because of his inability to speak to one of the persons
     designated by Apollo, he shall include


                                      24
<PAGE>
 
     the Apollo shares in such Covered Sale to the extent indicated in the Sale
     Notice.

                (c)  Notices. Unless otherwise specified herein, notices given
                     -------
by Jacobs pursuant to section 3.1(a) and 3.1(b) shall be given by facsimile
transmission to each of (i) Michael D. Weiner at (310) 201-4166, (ii) Michael
Gross and Andrew Africk at (212) 261-4071 and (iii) Vincent Pisano and Seth
Pearlstein at (212) 735-2000, or in each case such other facsimile number or
to the attention of such other Person as Apollo shall have furnished to Jacobs.

                (d) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, the
rights of Apollo and its Affiliates under this Section 3.1 shall be transferable
or assignable only to Affiliates of Apollo.

                (e) Jacobs will not grant to any Person (other than Apollo or
any of its Affiliates) rights similar to those contained in section 3.1(b)
which rights become effective before the rights granted to Apollo and its
Affiliates due to lesser thresholds than those contained in the parenthetical of
the first sentence of section 3.1(b).

                (f) The rights granted Apollo and its Affiliates pursuant to
section 3.1(b) shall not apply to any sale or gift by Jacobs to a member of
his family or to any trust whose principal beneficiaries are Jacobs or members
of his family or to any gift to a charitable organization. The obligations of
Jacobs under this section shall not transfer to any Person to whom Jacobs
transfer securities other than an Affiliate of Jacobs, a member of Jacob's
family or any trust whose principal beneficiaries are Jacobs or members of his
family.

          3.2  Priority in Registrations. In the event that, in connection with
               -------------------------                                     
an underwritten offering in which Jacobs is to sell securities of the Company,
the managing underwriter shall advise Jacobs and Apollo in writing that, in its
opinion, the number of securities requested to be included in such offering
exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without interfering with
the successful marketing of the securities so being registered, the number of
shares to be sold may be reduced to such number stated in the letter of the
managing underwriter which can be sold without interfering with the successful
marketing of such securities. In such circumstances, notwithstanding section
2.2(b) or the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September
29, 1998 between the Company, Jacobs and the other parties signatory thereto,
the number of shares

                                      25
<PAGE>
 
Beneficially Owned by each of Apollo, its Affiliates and Jacobs to be sold shall
be reduced by the same percentage.

     4.  Definitions. As used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, the
         -------------                                                          
following terms have the following respective meanings:

         Affiliate: With respect to any entity, any other entity directly or 
         -----------     
         indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect
         common control with, such specified entity. For purposes of this
         definition, the term "control" means (i) the power to direct the
         management and policies of an entity, directly or through one or more
         intermediaries, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
         contract or otherwise or (ii) without limiting the foregoing, the
         beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the voting power of the voting
         common equity of such entity (on a fully diluted basis).

         Apollo: Apollo Investment Fund IV, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners 
         --------      
         IV, L.P. and their Affiliates, collectively.

         Beneficial Ownership or Beneficially Owned: With respect to any 
         --------------------    ------------------
         person, any securities with respect to which such person is deemed to
         have "beneficial ownership" as defined in rule 13d-3 under the
         Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. For purposes of this
         Agreement only, any holder of Preferred Stock shall be deemed to be the
         beneficial owner of any shares of Common Stock of the Company issuable
         upon conversion of such Preferred Stock.

         Business Day: Any day except a Saturday, Sunday or nationally 
         ------------
         recognized holiday in the State of New York, United States of America.

         Commission: The Securities and Exchange Commission or any other 
         ----------
         Federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.

         Common Stock: As defined in section 1.
         ------------

         Company: As defined in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
         -------

                                      26
<PAGE>
 
         Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any similar 
         ------------
         Federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
         thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time. Reference
         to a particular section of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 shall
         include a reference to the comparable section, if any, of any such
         similar Federal statute.

         Holder: As defined in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
         ------

         Holder's Counsel: A single counsel (if any) designated by the holders 
         ----------------
         of not less than 25 % of the aggregate principal amount of the
         Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to section 2.1 or 2.2;
         provided, however, that if more than one counsel is so designated, the 
         -----------------
         Holder's Counsel shall be the designee of the holders that are holding
         the greater percentage of the Registrable Securities.

         Initiating Holders: Any holder or holders of Registrable Securities 
         ------------------
         holding at least 35 % of the Registrable Securities (in each case by
         number of shares at the time issued and outstanding), and initiating a
         request pursuant to section 2.1 for the registration of all or part of
         such holder's or holders' Registrable Securities.

         Jacobs: Bradley S. Jacobs.
         ------
 
         Person: A corporation, an association, a partnership, an organization, 
         -------
         business, an individual, a governmental or political subdivision
         thereof or a governmental agency.

         Preferred Stock: As defined in section 1.
         ---------------                              

         Registrable Securities: The Common Stock or any other securities 
         -----------------------
         issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the
         Stock Purchase Agreement and any securities issued or issuable with
         respect to any such Common Stock by way of stock dividend or stock
         split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization,
         merger, consolidation or other reorganization or otherwise which the
         holders thereof are entitled to receive. As to any particular
         Registrable Securities, once issued such securities shall

                                      27
<PAGE>
 
        cease to be Registrable Securities when (a) a registration statement 
                                                ---                             
        with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective
        under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been disposed of
        in accordance with such registration statement, (b) they shall have been
                                                        ---
        distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor
        provision) under the Securities Act, (c) they shall have been otherwise
                                             ---
        transferred, new certificates for them not bearing a legend restricting
        further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent
        disposition of them shall not require registration or qualification of
        them under the Securities Act or any similar state law then in force, or
        (d) they shall have ceased to be outstanding.
        ---                                         

        Registration Expenses: All expenses incident to the Company's 
        ---------------------    
        performance of or compliance with section 2, including, without
        limitation, (a) all Commission and any NASD registration and filing fees
        and expenses, (b) all fees and expenses in connection with the
        registration or qualification of the Registrable Securities for offering
        and sale under the State securities and blue sky laws and, in the case
        of an underwritten offering, determination of their eligibility for
        investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as the managing
        underwriter or underwriters may designate, including reasonable fees and
        disbursements, if any, of counsel for the underwriters in connection
        with such registrations or qualifications and determination, (c) all
        expenses relating to the preparation, printing, distribution and
        reproduction of the registration statement required to be filed
        hereunder, each prospectus included therein or prepared for distribution
        pursuant hereto, each amendment or supplement to the foregoing, the
        expenses of preparing the Registrable Securities for delivery and the
        expenses of printing or producing any underwriting agreement(s) among
        underwriters and "Blue Sky" or legal investment memoranda, any selling
        agreements and all other documents in connection with the offering, sale
        or delivery of Registrable Securities to be disposed of, (d) messenger,
        telephone and delivery expenses of the Company, (e) fees and expenses of
        any transfer agent and registrar with respect to the Registrable
        Securities and any escrow agent or custodian, (f) internal expenses of
        the Company (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of
        the Company's officers and employees performing legal or accounting

                                      28
<PAGE>
 
        duties), (g) fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel and independent
        certified public accountants of the Company (including the expenses of
        any opinions or "cold comfort" letters required by or incident to such
        performance and compliance), (h) fees, disbursements and expenses of any
        "qualified independent underwriter" engaged for acting in such capacity,
        (i) fees, expenses and disbursements of any other persons retained by
        the Company, including special experts retained by the Company in
        connection with such registration, (k) all fees and expenses incurred in
        connection with the qualification of the shares of Common Stock
        constituting Registrable Securities for quotation on the Nasdaq National
        Market, any over-the-counter market, or the listing of such shares on
        any securities exchange and (1) in the case of an underwritten offering,
        the reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of a single counsel
        retained by the Holders to represent them in connection with such
        offering (the selection of such counsel by such Holders to be made in
        the same manner as is provided in the definition of the terms "Holders'
        Counsel').

        Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, or any similar Federal 
        --------------
        statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all
        as of the same shall be in effect at the time. References to a
        particular section of the Securities Act of 1933 shall include a
        reference to the comparable section, if any, of any such similar Federal
        statute.

        Stock Purchase Aueement: As defined in section 1.
        -----------------------                        

    5.  Rules 144 and 144A. The Company shall timely file the reports required
        -------------------                                                  
to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (including but
not limited to the reports under sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act
referred to in subparagraph (c) of Rule 144 adopted by the Commission under the
Securities Act) and the rules and regulations adopted by the Commission
thereunder (or, if the Company is not required to file such reports, will, upon
the request of any holder of Registrable Securities, make publicly available
other information) and will take such further action as any holder of
Registrable Securities or any broker facilitating such sale may reasonably
request, all to the extent (i) required from time to time to enable such holder
to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act
within the limitation of the exemptions

                                      29
<PAGE>
 
provided by (a) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended
             -                                                              
from time to time, or (b) any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by
                       -
the Commission. The Company shall also provide such information and otherwise
use all reasonable commercial efforts to cooperate with any holder of
Registrable Securities in connection with any other sale by such holder pursuant
to another exemption under the Securities Act, in each case to the extent such
information or other action by the Company may be necessary to effect such sale
pursuant to the applicable exemption. Upon the request of any holder of
Registrable Securities, the Company will deliver to such holder any information
to be delivered or filed in connection with the requirements of this Section 5.

     6.  Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement may be amended and the Company
         ----------------------
may take any action herein prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein
required to be performed by it, only if the Company shall have obtained the
written consent to such amendment, action or omission to act, of the holder or
holders of 50% or more of the shares of Registrable Securities and, in the case
of any such amendment, action or omission to act in respect of the first
sentence of Section 5, the written consent of each holder affected thereby. Each
holder of any Registrable Securities at the time or thereafter outstanding shall
be bound by any consent authorized by this section 6, whether or not such
Registrable Securities shall have been marked to indicate such consent.

     7.  Nominees for Beneficial Owners. In the event that any Registrable
         ------------------------------
Securities are held by a nominee for the beneficial owner thereof, the
beneficial owner thereof may, at its election, be treated as the holder of such
Registrable Securities for purposes of any request or other action by any holder
or holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement or any
determination of any number or percentage of shares of Registrable Securities
held by any holder or holders of Registrable Securities contemplated by this
Agreement. If the beneficial owner of any Registrable Securities so elects, the
Company may require assurances reasonably satisfactory to it of such owner's
beneficial ownership of such Registrable Securities.

     8.  Notices. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices,
         -------                                                            
requests and other communications to any Person provided for hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be given to such Person (a) in the case of a party hereto
                                              -                             
other than the Company, addressed to such party in the manner set forth in the
applicable Stock Purchase Agreement or at such other address as such party shall
have furnished to the Company in writing, or (b) in the case of any other
                                              -                        

                                      30
<PAGE>
 
holder of Registrable Securities, at the address that such holder shall have
furnished to the Company in writing, or, until any such other holder so
furnishes to the Company an address, then to and at the address of the last
holder of such Registrable Securities who has furnished an address to the
Company, or (c) in the case of the Company or Jacobs, at Four Greenwich Office
            ---                                                              
Park, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 to the attention of its Chief Executive
Officer, with a copy to Oscar D. Folger at 521 Fifth Avenue, 24' floor, New
York, New York 10175, or at such other address, or to the attention of such
other officer, as the Company shall have furnished to each holder of Registrable
Securities at the time outstanding. Each such notice, request or other
communication shall be effective 01 if given by mail, 72 hours after such
communication is deposited in the mails with first class postage prepaid,
addressed as aforesaid or Cii) if given by any other means (including, without
limitation, by air courier), when delivered at the address specified above,
provided that any such notice, request or communication to any holder of
- --------                                                               
Registrable Securities shall not be effective until received.

     9.  Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
         ----------                                                     
benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns. In addition, the provisions of this Agreement which are
for the benefit of the parties hereto other than the Company shall also be for
the benefit of and enforceable by any subsequent holder of any Registrable
Securities that acknowledges such assignment in writing and agrees to the terms
hereof.

     10.  Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings of the several sections
          --------------------                                                
and paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for reference only and shall not
limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

     11.  GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN
          -------------                                                 
ACCORDANCE WITH, AND THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.

     12.  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any
          ------------                                                    
number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed anbriginal, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

     13.  Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and
          ----------------                                                
understanding between the Company and each other party hereto relating to

                                      31



<PAGE>



the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings
relating to such subject matter.

     14.  SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH
          --------------------------                                   
RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
OR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND,
BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE COMPANY HEREBY ACCEPTS FOR
ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE
JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND APPELLATE COURTS FROM ANY THEREOF. THE
COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OUT OF ANY OF THE
AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES
THEREOF TO THE COMPANY BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, RETURN
RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO THE COMPANY AT ITS ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 7. THE
PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY, AND THE COMPANY HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OBJECTION
TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT
                                               -------------------------        
MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN
SUCH RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS.

     15.  Severabili1y. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application
          ------------                                                      
of such provisions to any Person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the
remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such provision to Persons or
circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be
affected thereby.



                                      32



<PAGE>
 
 
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be 
executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as
of the date first above written.



                                UNITED RENTALS, INC.

                                By: /s/ Brad Jacobs
                                    ---------------------------------
                                    Name: Brad Jacobs

                                    Title: CEO


                                APOLLO INVESTMENT FUND IV, L.P.

                                By:  Apollo Advisors, IV, L.P.,
                                     its general partner

                                     By:  
                                         ----------------------------
                                         Name: 
                                         Title:


                                APOLLO OVERSEAS PARTNERS IV, L.P.

                                By:  Apollo Advisors, IV, L.P.,
                                     its general partner

                                      By:  Apollo Capital Management IV,
                                           Inc., its general partner

                                           By:  
                                              ----------------------------
                                              Name: 
                                              Title:

                                /s/ Bradley S. Jacobs
                                ---------------------------------
                                Bradley S. Jacobs




<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4(q)


        INDENTURE, dated as of March 23, 1999, between United Rentals (North
America), Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the
State of Delaware (herein called the "Company"), having its principal office at
Four Greenwich Office Park, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830, the Subsidiaries of
the Company named in Schedule A (herein called the "Guarantors") and The Bank of
                     --------
New York, a New York banking corporation having its principal corporate trust
office at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286, as trustee (herein
called the "Trustee").

                             RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

          The Company has duly authorized the creation of an issue of 9% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2009 (the "Securities") of substantially the tenor and
amount hereinafter set forth, and to provide therefor the Company has duly
authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture.

          Each Guarantor desires to make the Guaranty provided herein and has
duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture.

          All things necessary to make the Securities, when executed by the
Company, authenticated and delivered hereunder and duly issued by the Company,
and each Guaranty, when executed and delivered hereunder by each Guarantor, the
valid obligations of the Company and each Guarantor, and to make this Indenture
a valid agreement of the Company and each Guarantor, in accordance with their
and its terms, have been done.

          NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

          For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the
Securities by the Holders (as defined herein) thereof, it is mutually covenanted
and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the
Securities, as follows:


                                   ARTICLE I

                       Definitions and Other Provisions
                            of General Application
<PAGE>
 
SECTION I.1  Definitions.
             -----------   

          For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly
provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

          (1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to
     them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;

          (2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust
     Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings
     assigned to them therein;

          (3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the
     meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP (whether or not such is
     indicated herein);

          (4) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an
     "Article" or a "Section" refers to an Article or Section, as the case may
     be, of this Indenture;

          (5) the words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of
     similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular
     Article, Section or other subdivision; and

          (6) each reference herein to a rule or form of the Commission shall
     mean such rule or form and any rule or form successor thereto, in each case
     as amended from time to time.

          Whenever this Indenture requires that a particular ratio or amount be
calculated with respect to a specified period after giving effect to certain
transactions or events on a pro forma basis, such calculation shall be made as
if the transactions or events occurred on the first day of such period, unless
otherwise specified.

          "8.80% Notes" means the $205 million aggregate principal amount of
           -----------                                                      
8.80% Senior Subordinated Notes due 
                                       2
<PAGE>

2008 issued by the Company under the indenture, dated as of August 12, 1998,
among the Company, as issuer, its United States subsidiaries, as guarantors, and
State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee.

          "9 1/2% Notes" means the $200 million aggregate principal amount of 
           ------------      
9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 issued by the Company under the
indenture, dated as of May 22, 1998, among the Company, as issuer, its United
States subsidiaries, as guarantors, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as
trustee.

          "9 1/4% Notes" means the $300 million aggregate principal amount of 
           ------------   
9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009 issued by the Company under the
indenture, dated as of December 15, 1998, among the Company, as issuer, its
United States subsidiaries, as guarantors, and State Street Bank and Trust
Company, as trustee.

          "Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person (a) assumed in
           ---------------------                                               
connection with an Asset Acquisition from such Person or (b) existing at the
time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of any other Person and not incurred in
connection with, or in contemplation of, such Asset Acquisition or such Person
becoming a Subsidiary.

          "Act," when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified
           ---                                                                  
in Section 1.4.

          "Affiliate" means, with respect to any specified Person, (i) any other
           ---------                                                            
Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with such specified Person, (ii) any other Person that
owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of such specified Person's Capital
Stock, (iii) any officer or director of (A) any such specified Person, (B) any
Subsidiary of such specified Person or (C) any Person described in clauses (i)
or (ii) above.

          "Asset Acquisition" means (a) an Investment by the Company or any
           -----------------                                               
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in any other Person pursuant to which such
Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company, or shall be merged with or into the Company or 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, or (b) the acquisition by the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of the assets of any Person which
constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person, any division
or line of business of such Person or any other properties or assets of such
Person other than in the ordinary course of business.

          "Asset Sale" means any sale, issuance, conveyance, transfer, lease or
           ----------                                                          
other disposition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to
any Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, of
(a) any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; (b) all or
substantially all of the properties and assets of any division or line of
business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or (c) any
other properties or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company, other than (i) sales of obsolete, damaged or used equipment or other
equipment or inventory sales in the ordinary course of business, (ii) sales of
assets in one or a series of related transactions for an aggregate consideration
of less than $1,000,000, (iii) sales of Permitted Investments, and (iv) sales of
accounts receivable for financing purposes.  For the purposes of this
definition, the term "Asset Sale" shall not include any sale, issuance,
conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of properties or assets that is
governed by the provisions of Article VIII.

          "Asset Sale Offer" has the meaning specified in Section 10.14.
           ----------------                                             

          "Asset Sale Offer Price" has the meaning specified in Section 10.14.
           ----------------------                                             

          "Asset Sale Purchase Date" has the meaning specified in Section 10.14.
           ------------------------                                             

          "Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee
           --------------------                                            
pursuant to Section 6.14 hereof to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate
Securities.

          "Average Life to Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any
           -------------------------------                            
Indebtedness, as at any date of determination, the quotient obtained by dividing
(i) the sum of the products of (a) the number of years from such date to the
date or dates of each successive scheduled principal payment (including, without
limitation, any sink-

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
ing fund requirements) of such Indebtedness and (b) the amount of each such
principal payment by (ii) the sum of all such principal payments.

          "Board of Directors" means the board of directors of a company or its
           ------------------                                                  
equivalent, including managers of a limited liability company, general partners
of a partnership or trustees of a business trust, or any duly authorized
committee thereof.

          "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the
           ----------------                                               
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of a company to have been duly adopted by
the Board of Directors of such company and to be in full force and effect on the
date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

          "Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and
           ------------                                                     
Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive
order to close.

          "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
           -------------                                                        
interests, participations, rights in or other equivalents (however designated)
of such Person's capital stock or equity participations, and any rights (other
than debt securities convertible into capital stock), warrants or options
exchangeable for or convertible into such capital stock and, including, without
limitation, with respect to partnerships, limited liability companies or
business trusts, ownership interests (whether general or limited) and any other
interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share
of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, such partnerships,
limited liability companies or business trusts.

          "Capitalized Lease Obligation" means any obligation under a lease of
           ---------------------------                                        
(or other agreement conveying the right to use) any property (whether real,
personal or mixed) that is required to be classified and accounted for as a
capital lease obligation under GAAP, and, for the purpose of this Indenture, the
amount of such obligation at any date shall be the capitalized amount thereof at
such date, determined in accordance with GAAP.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
          "Cash Equivalents" means, at any time, (a) any evidence of
           ----------------                                         
Indebtedness, maturing not more than one year after such time, issued or
guaranteed by the United States Government or any agency thereof, (b) commercial
paper, maturing not more than one year from the date of issue, or corporate
demand notes, in each case rated at least A-1 by S&P or P-1 by Moody's, (c) any
certificate of deposit (or time deposits represented by such certificates of
deposit) or bankers' acceptance, maturing not more than one year after such
time, or overnight Federal Funds transactions that are issued or sold by a
commercial banking institution that is a member of the Federal Reserve System
and has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than
$500,000,000, (d) any repurchase agreement entered into with any commercial
banking institution of the stature referred to in clause (c) which (i) is
secured by a fully perfected security interest in any obligation of the type
described in any of clauses (a) through (c) and (ii) has a market value at the
time such repurchase agreement is entered into of not less than 100% of the
repurchase obligation of such commercial banking institution thereunder, and (e)
investments in short term asset management accounts managed by any bank party to
the Credit Facility or the Term Loan which are invested in indebtedness of any
state or municipality of the United States or of the District of Columbia and
which are rated under one of the two highest ratings then obtainable from S&P or
by Moody's or investments of the types described in clauses (a) through (d)
above, and (f) investments in funds investing primarily in investments of the
types described in clauses (a) through (e) above.

          "Cedel" means Cedel Bank, societe anonyme.
           -----                    ------- ------- 

          "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following
           -----------------                                              
events: (a) any "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d)
and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), excluding Permitted Holders, is or becomes the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act,
except that a person shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all
securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is
exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or
indirectly, of more than 50% of the total Voting Stock of the Company or
Holdings; provided, however, that a "Change of Con-
          --------  -------                                                   

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
trol" shall not be deemed to have occurred under this subclause (a) unless the
Permitted Holders do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or
otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of the Board of
Directors of the Company or Holdings; (b) the Company or Holdings consolidates
with, or merges with or into, another Person or sells, assigns, conveys,
transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of its
assets to any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into,
the Company (or Holdings), in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which
the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or Holdings is converted into or
exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such
transaction where (i) the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or Holdings is
converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock (other than Redeemable Capital
Stock) of the surviving or transferee corporation and (ii) immediately after
such transaction no "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in Section 13(d)
and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), excluding Permitted Holders, is the "beneficial
owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that
a person shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all securities that
such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more
than 50% of the total Voting Stock of the surviving or transferee corporation;
(c) during any consecutive two-year period, individuals who at the beginning of
such period constituted the Board of Directors of the Company or Holdings
(together with any new directors whose election by such Board of Directors or
whose nomination for election by the stockholders of the Company or Holdings was
approved by a vote of 66-2/3% of the directors then still in office who were
either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination
for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Company or Holdings then in office; or
(d) the Company is liquidated or dissolved or adopts a plan of liquidation.

          "Change of Control Offer" has the meaning specified in Section 10.13.
           -----------------------                                             

          "Change of Control Purchase Date" has the meaning specified in Section
           -------------------------------                                      
10.13.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
          "Change of Control Purchase Price" has the meaning specified in
           --------------------------------                              
Section 10.13.

          "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time
           ----                                                               
to time, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

          "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from
           ----------                                                       
time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time
after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and
performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the
body performing such duties at such time.

          "Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of
           ------------                                                      
Holdings.

          "Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first
           -------                                                      
paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter "Company"
shall mean such successor Person.

          "Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or order
           ---------------      -------------                                  
signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief
Executive Officer, its Chief Financial Officer, its President or a Vice
President, and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee or Paying Agent, as
applicable.

          "Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges" means, with
           --------------------------------------------------             
respect to any Person for any period, (i) the sum of, without duplication, the
amounts for such period, taken as a single accounting period, of (a)
Consolidated Net Income, (b) Consolidated Non-cash Charges, (c) Consolidated
Interest Expense, (d) Consolidated Income Tax Expense (other than income tax
expense (either positive or negative) attributable to extraordinary gains or
losses), (e) one-third of Consolidated Rental Payments, and (f) if any Asset
Sale or Asset Acquisition shall have occurred since the first day of any four
quarter period for which "Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges" is
being calculated (including to the date of calculation) (A) the cost of any
compensation, remuneration or other benefit paid or 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
provided to any employee, consultant, Affiliate or equity owner of the entity
involved in any such Asset Acquisition to the extent such costs are eliminated
or reduced (or public announcement has been made of the intent to eliminate or
reduce such costs) prior to the date of such calculation and not replaced and
(B) the amount of any reduction in general, administrative or overhead costs of
the entity involved in any such Asset Acquisition or Asset Sale, to the extent
such amounts under clauses (A) and (B) would be permitted to be eliminated in a
pro forma income statement prepared in accordance with Rule 11-02 of Regulation
S-X, less (ii)(x) non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income and (y) all
cash payments during such period relating to non-cash charges that were added
back in determining Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges in the
most recent Four Quarter Period (as defined in the definition of "Consolidated
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio").

          "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, with respect to any
           ----------------------------------------                            
Person, the ratio of the aggregate amount of Consolidated Cash Flow Available
for Fixed Charges of such Person for the four full fiscal quarters, treated as
one period, for which financial information in respect thereof is available
immediately preceding the date of the transaction (the "Transaction Date")
giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio (such four full fiscal quarter period being referred to herein as the
"Four 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
Quarter Period") to the aggregate amount of Consolidated Fixed Charges of
such Person for the Four Quarter Period.  In calculating "Consolidated Fixed
Charges" for purposes of determining the denominator (but not the numerator) of
this "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio," (i) interest on outstanding
Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis as of the Transaction Date and
which will continue to be so determined thereafter shall be deemed to have
accrued at a fixed rate per annum equal to the rate of interest on such
Indebtedness in effect on the Transaction Date; and (ii) if interest on any
Indebtedness actually incurred on the Transaction Date may optionally be
determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a
eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rates, then the interest rate in
effect on the Transaction Date will be deemed to have been in effect during the
Four Quarter Period.  If such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
directly or indirectly guarantees Indebtedness of a third Person, the above
clause shall give effect to the incurrence of such guaranteed Indebtedness as if
such Person or such Subsidiary had directly incurred or otherwise assumed such
guaranteed Indebtedness.

          "Consolidated Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any Person for any
           --------------------------                                           
period, the sum of, without duplication, the amounts for such period of (i)
Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) the aggregate amount of dividends and other
distributions paid or accrued during such period in respect of Redeemable
Capital Stock of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis and (iii) one-third of Consolidated Rental Payments.

          "Consolidated Income Tax Expense" means, with respect to any Person
           -------------------------------                                   
for any period, the provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes
of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on
a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

          "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, with respect to any Person for
           -----------------------------                                       
any period, without duplication, the sum of (i) the interest expense of such
Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, including, without limitation, (a)
any amortization of debt discount, (b) the net cost under Interest Rate
Protection Obligations (including any amortization of discounts), (c) the
interest portion of any deferred payment obligation, (d) all commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit,
bankers' acceptance financing or similar facilities and (e) all accrued interest
and (ii) the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations paid, accrued
and/or scheduled to be paid or accrued by such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries during such period as determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP.

          "Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any Person, for any
           -----------------------                                            
period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period as determined in accordance 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
with GAAP, adjusted, to the extent included in calculating such net income, by
excluding, without duplication, (i) all extraordinary gains or losses (net of
fees and expenses relating to the transaction giving rise thereto), (ii) the
portion of net income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries allocable
to minority interests in unconsolidated Persons or to Investments in
Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the extent that cash dividends or distributions
have not actually been received by such Person or one of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, (iii) net income (or loss) of any Person combined with such Person
or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries on a "pooling of interests" basis
attributable to any period prior to the date of combination, (iv) gains or
losses in respect of any Asset Sales by such Person or one of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (net of fees and expenses relating to the transaction giving rise
thereto), on an after-tax basis, (v) the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary
of such Person to the extent that the declaration of dividends or similar
distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that income is not at the time
permitted, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or
any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or
governmental regulations applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its
stockholders and (vi) any gain or loss realized as a result of the cumulative
effect of a change in accounting principles.

          "Consolidated Non-cash Charges" means, with respect to any Person for
           -----------------------------                                       
any period, the aggregate depreciation, amortization (including amortization of
goodwill and other intangibles) and other non-cash expenses of such Person and
its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income of such Person and
its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis
in accordance with GAAP (excluding any such charges constituting an
extraordinary item or loss).

          "Consolidated Rental Payments" of any Person means, for any period,
           ----------------------------                                      
the aggregate rental obligations of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries
(not including taxes, insurance, maintenance and similar expenses that the
lessee is obligated to pay under the terms of the relevant leases), determined
on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, payable in respect of such
period (net of income from subleases thereof, 

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
not including taxes, insurance, maintenance and similar expenses that the
sublessee is obligated to pay under the terms of such sublease), whether or not
such obligations are reflected as liabilities or commitments on a consolidated
balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries or in the notes
thereto, excluding, however, in any event, (i) that portion of Consolidated
         ---------  -------        
Interest Expense of such Person representing payments by such Person or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations (net of
payments to such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries under subleases
qualifying as capitalized lease subleases to the extent that such payments would
be deducted in determining Consolidated Interest Expense) and (ii) the aggregate
amount of amortization of obligations of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in respect of such Capitalized Lease Obligations for such period
(net of payments to such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and
subleases qualifying as capitalized lease subleases to the extent that such
payments could be deducted in determining such amortization amount).

          "control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the
           -------                                                          
power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or
indirectly, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings
correlative to the foregoing.

          "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which at
           ----------------------                                             
any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which
address as of the date of this Indenture is located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor
21 West, New York, New York 10286 Attention: Corporate Trust Trustee
Administration.

          "corporation" means (except in the definition of "Subsidiary") a
           -----------                                                    
corporation, association, company, joint-stock company or business trust.

          "Covenant Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 12.3.
           -------------------                                            

          "Credit Facility" means the Credit Agreement dated as of September 29,
           ---------------                                                      
1998, among the Company, Holdings, United Rentals of Canada, Inc., various
financial institutions, Bank of America Canada, as Canadian Agent, and Bank of
America National Trust and Savings Associa-

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
tion, as U.S. Agent, including any notes, guarantees, collateral documents,
instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as
amended (including any amendment and restatement thereof), modified, renewed,
refunded, replaced or refinanced from time to time, including any agreement
extending the maturity of, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring
(including increasing the amount of available borrowings thereunder or adding
Subsidiaries of the Company as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder)
all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or any successor or
replacement agreement and whether by the same or any other agents, lender or
group of lenders.

          "Default" means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time,
           -------                                                              
or both, would be, an Event of Default.

          "Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 12.2.
           ----------                                            

          "Depositary" means The Depository Trust Company, or its successor.
           ----------                                                       

          "Designated Guarantor Senior Indebtedness" means, with respect to a
           ----------------------------------------                          
Guarantor, amounts owing by such Guarantor under the Credit Facility or the Term
Loan and guarantees by such Guarantor of Designated Senior Indebtedness.

          "Designated Senior Indebtedness" means (i) all Indebtedness under the
           ------------------------------                                      
Credit Facility and the Term Loan and (ii) any other issue of Senior
Indebtedness which (a) at the time of the determination is equal to or greater
than $25,000,000 in aggregate principal amount and (b) is specifically
designated by the Company in the instrument evidencing such Senior Indebtedness
as "Designated Senior Indebtedness."

          "Disinterested Member of the Board of Directors of the Company" means,
           -------------------------------------------------------------        
with respect to any transaction or series of transactions, a member of the Board
of Directors of the Company other than a member who has any material direct or
indirect financial interest in or with respect to such transaction or series of
transactions or who is an Affiliate, officer, director or an employee of any
Person (other than the Company or Hold-

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
ings) who has any direct or indirect financial interest in or with respect to
such transaction or series of transactions.

          "Distribution Compliance Period" has the meaning set forth in Section
           ------------------------------                                      
3.14.

          "Euroclear" means Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels
           ---------                                                           
Office, as operator of the Euroclear System.

          "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.
           ----------------                                           

          "Excess Proceeds" has the meaning specified in Section 10.14.
           ---------------                                             

          "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
           ------------                                                        

          "Exchange Securities" has the meaning specified in the form of the
           -------------------                                              
Security in Exhibit A.

          "Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the definition
           ---------------                                                    
of "Offer to Purchase."

          "Fair Market Value" means, with respect to any asset, the price which
           -----------------                                                   
could be negotiated in an arm's- length free market transaction, for cash,
between a willing seller and a willing buyer, neither of which is under pressure
or compulsion to complete the transaction.  Fair Market Value shall be
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith.

          "Federal Bankruptcy Code" means Title 11, U.S. Code.
           -----------------------                            

          "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the
           ----                                                                 
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession of the United States of America, which are applicable at the date of
the Indenture.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
          "Global Securities" means one or more Regulation S Global Securities
           -----------------                                                  
and 144A Global Securities.

          "guarantee" means, as applied to any obligation, (i) a guarantee
           ---------                                                      
(other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the
ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner, of any part or
all of such obligation and (ii) an agreement, direct or indirect, contingent or
otherwise, the practical effect of which is to assure in any way the payment or
performance (or payment of damages in the event of nonperformance) of all or any
part of such obligation, including, without limiting the foregoing, the payment
of amounts available to be drawn down under letters of credit of another Person.
The term "guarantee" used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.  The term
"guarantor" shall mean any Person providing a guarantee of any obligation.

          "Guarantor Senior Indebtedness" of a Guarantor means the principal of,
           -----------------------------                                        
premium, if any, and interest on any Indebtedness of such Guarantor, whether
outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter created, incurred or assumed,
unless, in the case of any particular Indebtedness, the instrument creating or
evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding expressly
provides that such Indebtedness shall not be senior in right of payment to the
Notes or such Guarantor's Guaranty.  Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, (x) "Guarantor Senior Indebtedness" shall include the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on all obligations of every nature of such
Guarantor from time to time owed to the lenders under the Credit Facility and
the Term Loan, including, without limitation, principal of and interest on, and
all fees, indemnities and expenses payable under the Credit Facility and the
Term Loan, and (y) in the case of Designated Senior Indebtedness, "Guarantor
Senior Indebtedness" shall include interest accruing thereon subsequent to the
occurrence of any Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 5.1
relating to such Guarantor, whether or not the claim for such interest is
allowed under any applicable bankruptcy laws.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
"Guarantor Senior Indebtedness" shall not include (a) Indebtedness evidenced by
the Notes or the Guarantees, (b) Indebtedness that is expressly subordinate or
junior in right of payment to any Indebtedness of such Guarantor, including the
Guarantor's guarantee of the 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
9 1/4% Notes, the 9 1/2% Notes and the 8.80% Notes, (c) Indebtedness which, when
incurred and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of Title 11,
United States Code, is without recourse to such Guarantor, (d) Indebtedness
which is represented by Redeemable Capital Stock, (e) Indebtedness for goods,
materials or services purchased in the ordinary course of business or
Indebtedness consisting of trade payables or other current liabilities (other
than any current liabilities owing under the Credit Facility, or the current
portion of any long-term Indebtedness (including the Term Loan) which would
constitute Guarantor Senior Indebtedness but for the operation of this clause
(e)), (f) Indebtedness of or amounts owed by such Guarantor for compensation to
employees or for services rendered to such Guarantor, (g) any liability for
federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such Guarantor, (h)
Indebtedness of such Guarantor to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company or
any other Affiliate of the Company or any of such Affiliate's Subsidiaries, (i)
that portion of any Indebtedness which is incurred by such Guarantor in
violation of this Indenture and (j) amounts owing under leases.

          "Guarantor Subordinated Indebtedness" means, with respect to a
           -----------------------------------                          
Guarantor, indebtedness and other obligations of such Guarantor which are
expressly subordinated in right of payment to such Guarantor's Guaranty.

          "Guaranty" means each guaranty of the Securities contained in Article
           --------                                                            
XIII given by each Guarantor.

          "Guaranty Obligations" means, with respect to each Guarantor, the
           --------------------                                            
obligations of such Guarantor under Article XIII.

          "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the
           ------                                                              
Security Register.

          "Holdings" means United Rentals, Inc., a corporation duly organized
           --------                                                          
and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

          "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication,
           ------------                                                         
(a) all liabilities of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred
purchase price of property or services, excluding any trade 

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
payables and other accrued current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course
of business, but including, without limitation, all obligations, contingent or
otherwise, of such Person in connection with any letters of credit, banker's
acceptance or other similar credit transaction, (b) all obligations of such
Person evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or other similar instruments, (c)
all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title
retention agreement with respect to property acquired by such Person (even if
the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the
event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property), but
excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business, (d)
all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person, (e) all Indebtedness referred
to in the preceding clauses of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons,
the payment of which is secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness
has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon
property (including, without limitation, accounts and contract rights) owned by
such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the
payment of such Indebtedness (the amount of such obligation being deemed to be
the lesser of the value of such property or asset or the amount of the
obligation so secured), (f) all guarantees of Indebtedness referred to in this
definition by such Person, (g) all Redeemable Capital Stock of such Person
valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary maximum fixed repurchase
price plus accrued dividends, (h) all obligations under or in respect of
Interest Rate Protection Obligations of such Person, and (i) any amendment,
supplement, modification, deferral, renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding
of any liability of the types referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above;
provided, however, that Indebtedness shall not include (i) any holdback or
- --------  -------                                                         
escrow of the purchase price of property, services, businesses or assets or (ii)
any contingent payment obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition
of assets or business, which are contingent on the performance of the assets or
businesses so acquired.  For purposes hereof, the "maximum fixed repurchase
price" of any Redeemable Capital Stock which does not have a fixed repurchase
price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Redeemable
Capital Stock as if such Redeemable Capital Stock were purchased on any date on
which Indebtedness shall be required to 

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
be determined pursuant hereto, and if such price is based upon, or measured by,
the fair market value of such Redeemable Capital Stock, such fair market value
shall be approved in good faith by the Board of Directors of the issuer of such
Redeemable Capital Stock. In the case of Indebtedness of other Persons, the
payment of which is secured by a Lien on property owned by a Person as referred
to in clause (e) above, the amount of the Indebtedness of such Person
attributable to such Lien at any date shall be the lesser of the Fair Market
Value at such date of any asset subject to such Lien and the amount of the
Indebtedness secured.

          "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may
           ---------                                                           
from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures
supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof,
including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental
indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a
part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture,
respectively.

          "Initial Purchasers" means Goldman, Sachs & Co., Donaldson Lufkin &
           ------------------                                                
Jenrette Securities Corporation and NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC.

          "Initial Securities" means the 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009,
           ------------------                                                  
Series A, of the Company.

          "Interest Payment Date" means the Stated Maturity of an installment of
           ---------------------                                                
interest on the Securities.

          "Interest Rate Protection Agreement" means, with respect to any
           ----------------------------------                            
Person, any arrangement with any other Person whereby, directly or indirectly,
such Person is entitled to receive from time to time periodic payments
calculated by applying either a floating or a fixed rate of interest on a stated
notional amount in exchange for periodic payments made by such Person calculated
by applying a fixed or a floating rate of interest on the same notional amount
and shall include, without limitation, interest rate swaps, caps, floors,
collars and similar agreements.

          "Interest Rate Protection Obligations" means the obligations of any
           ------------------------------------                              
Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Protection Agreements.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
          "Investment" means, with respect to any Person, any direct or indirect
           ----------                                                           
loan or other extension of credit (including, without limitation, a guarantee)
or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property
to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of
others), or any purchase or acquisition by such Person of any Capital Stock,
bonds, notes, debentures or other securities or evidences of Indebtedness issued
by, any other Person.

          "Issue Date" means the original date of issuance of the Initial
           ----------                                                    
Securities.

          "Lien" means any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien (statutory or other),
           ----                                                                
security interest, hypothecation, assignment for security, claim, or preference
or priority or other encumbrance upon or with respect to any property of any
kind.  A Person shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any property which such
Person has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under
any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention
agreement.

          "Maturity Date" means April 1, 2009.
           ------------                       

          "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.
           -------                                                           

          "Net Cash Proceeds" means, with respect to any Asset Sale, the
           -----------------                                            
proceeds thereof in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents including payments in
respect of deferred payment obligations when received in the form of cash or
Cash Equivalents (except to the extent that such obligations are financed or
sold with recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company)
net of (i) brokerage commissions and other fees and expenses (including, without
limitation, fees and expenses of legal counsel and investment bankers, recording
fees, transfer fees and appraisers' fees) related to such Asset Sale, (ii)
provisions for all taxes payable as a result of such Asset Sale, (iii) amounts
required to be paid to any Person (other than the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company) owning a beneficial interest in the assets subject to
the Asset Sale, (iv) payments made to retire Indebtedness where payment of such
Indebtedness is secured by the assets or properties the subject of such Asset
Sale, and (v) appropriate 

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
amounts to be provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company, as the case may be, as a reserve required in accordance with GAAP
against any liabilities associated with such Asset Sale and retained by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, as the case may be, after
such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, pension and other post-
employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and
liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset
Sale, all as reflected in an Officer's Certificate delivered to the Trustee.

          "Non-U.S. Person" means a Person that is not a U.S. Person as such
           ---------------                                                  
term is defined in Regulation S.

          "Notice of Default" means a written notice of the kind specified in
           -----------------                                                 
Section 5.2.

          "Offer" means a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer.
           -----                                                         

          "Offer to Purchase" means an Offer sent by or on behalf of the Company
           -----------------                                                    
by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities at its
address appearing in the register for the Securities on the date of the Offer
offering to purchase up to the principal amount of Securities specified in such
Offer at the purchase price specified in such Offer (as determined pursuant to
this Indenture).  Unless otherwise provided in Section 10.13 or 10.14 or
otherwise required by applicable law, the Offer shall specify an expiration date
(the "Expiration Date") of the Offer to Purchase, which shall be not less than
      ---------------                                                         
20 Business Days nor more than 60 days after the date of such Offer (or such
later date as may be necessary for the Company to comply with the Exchange Act),
and a settlement date (the "Purchase Date") for purchase of Securities to occur
                            -------------                                      
no later than five Business Days after the Expiration Date.  The Company shall
notify the Trustee at least 15 Business Days (or such shorter period as is
acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the mailing of the Offer of the Company's
obligation to make an Offer to Purchase, and the Offer shall be mailed by the
Company or, at the Company's request, by the Trustee in the name and at the
expense of the Company.  The Offer shall contain all the information required by
applicable law to be included therein.  The Offer shall contain all instructions
and materials nec-

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
essary to enable such Holders to tender Securities pursuant to the Offer to
Purchase. The Offer shall also state:

               (1) the Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Offer to
          Purchase is being made;

               (2) the Expiration Date and the Purchase Date;

               (3) the purchase price to be paid by the Company for each $1,000
          aggregate principal amount of Securities accepted for payment (as
          specified pursuant to this Indenture) (the "Purchase Price"); and the
                                                      --------------           
          amount of accrued and unpaid interest to be paid;

               (4) that the Holder may tender all or any portion of the
          Securities registered in the name of such Holder and that any portion
          of a Security tendered must be tendered in an integral multiple of
          $1,000 principal amount;

               (5) the place or places where Securities are to be surrendered
          for tender pursuant to the Offer to Purchase;
               (6) that interest on any Security not tendered or tendered but
          not purchased by the Company pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will
          continue to accrue;

               (7) that on the Purchase Date the Purchase Price will become due
          and payable upon each Security being accepted for payment pursuant to
          the Offer to Purchase and that interest thereon shall cease to accrue
          on and after the Purchase Date;

               (8) that each Holder electing to tender all or any portion of a
          Security pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will be required to
          surrender such Security at the place or places specified in the Offer
          prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date (such Security
          being, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, duly endorsed by, or
          accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satis-

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
          factory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by the Holder
          thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing);

               (9) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw all or any portion
          of Securities tendered if the Company (or its Paying Agent) receives,
          not later than the close of business on the fifth Business Day next
          preceding the Expiration Date, a facsimile transmission or letter
          setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the
          Security the Holder tendered, the certificate number of the Security
          the Holder tendered and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing
          all or a portion of his tender;

               (10) that (a) if Securities purchasable at an aggregate Purchase
          Price less than or equal to the Purchase Amount are duly tendered and
          not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Company shall
          purchase all such Securities and (b) if Securities purchasable at an
          aggregate Purchase Price in excess of the Purchase Amount are tendered
          and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Company shall
          purchase Securities on a pro rata basis based on the Purchase Price
                                   --------                                  
          therefor or such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and
          appropriate (subject in each case to applicable rules of the
          Depositary and any securities exchange upon which the Securities may
          then be listed), with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate so
          that only Securities in denominations of $1,000 principal face amount
          or integral multiples thereof shall be purchased; notwithstanding the
          foregoing, if the Company is required to commence an Asset Sale Offer
          at any time when securities of the Company ranking pari passu in right
          of payment with the Securities are outstanding and the terms of such
          securities provide that a similar offer must be made with respect to
          such other securities, then the Asset Sale Offer for the Securities
          shall be made concurrently with such other offers and securities of
          each issue will be accepted on a 

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
          pro rata basis in proportion to the aggregate principal amount of
          securities of each issue which the holders thereof elect to have
          purchased; and

               (11) that in the case of a Holder whose Security is purchased
          only in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
          authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without
          service charge, a new Security or Securities, of any authorized
          denomination as requested by such Holder, in an aggregate principal
          amount equal to and in exchange for the unpurchased portion of the
          Security so tendered.

An Offer to Purchase shall be governed by and effected in accordance with the
provisions of this Indenture pertaining to the type of Offer to which it
relates.

          "Offering Circular" means the Offering Circular dated March 16, 1999
           -----------------                                                  
pursuant to which the Securities were offered, and any supplement thereto.

          "Officer's Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of
           ----------------------                                               
the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President, the
Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.  One of
the officers signing an Officer's Certificate given pursuant to Section 10.20
shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the
Company.

          "144A Global Security" means a permanent global security in registered
           --------------------                                                 
form representing the aggregate principal amount of Securities sold in reliance
on Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

          "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be
           ------------------                                                
counsel for the Company, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

          "Outstanding," when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the
           -----------                                                         
date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered
under this Indenture, except:
                      ------ 

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
          (i)  Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to
     the Trustee for cancellation;

          (ii)  Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the
     necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any
     Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated
     in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent)
     for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are
                                         -------- ----                        
     to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to
     this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been
     made;

          (iii)  Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in
     exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated
     and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in
     respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof
     satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser
     in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company; and

          (iv)  Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected pursuant to
     Section 12.2;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
- --------  -------                                                          
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action hereunder as of any date, Securities owned by the Company or any other
obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other
obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding (it being
understood that Securities to be acquired by the Company pursuant to an Offer or
other offer to purchase shall not be deemed to be owned by the Company until
legal title to such Securities passes to the Company), except that, in
determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action, only Securities which a 

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so
disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be
regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the
Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that
the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any
Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

          "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the
           ------------                                                       
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities on behalf of
the Company.

          "Permitted Holder" means (i) Holdings and (ii) Bradley S. Jacobs, John
           ----------------                                                     
N. Milne, Michael J. Nolan and their respective Affiliates, and trusts
established for the benefit of a Permitted Holder or members of his immediate
family.

          "Permitted Indebtedness" means, without duplication:
           ----------------------                             

          (a)  Indebtedness of the Company and the Guarantors evidenced by up to
     $250,000,000 principal amount of the Securities and the Guarantees,
     respectively;

          (b) Indebtedness of the Company and Restricted Subsidiaries under (i)
     the Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount at any one time
     outstanding not to exceed the greater of (x) $850,000,000 or (y) 100% of
     Tangible Assets, less, in either case, any amounts permanently repaid in
     accordance with Section 10.14 and (ii) the Term Loan in an aggregate amount
     not to exceed $250,000,000, less the amount of any repayments of the Term
     Loan;

          (c)  Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
     outstanding on the Issue Date, including the 93% Notes, the 92% Notes, the
     8.80% Notes and the respective guarantees thereof;

          (d) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
     Company incurred in respect of performance bonds, bankers' acceptances and
     letters of credit in the ordinary course of 

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
     business, including Indebtedness evidenced by letters of credit issued in
     the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice to support
     the insurance or self-insurance obligations of the Company or any of its
     Restricted Subsidiaries (including to secure workers' compensation and
     other similar insurance coverages), in the aggregate amount not to exceed
     $10,000,000 at any time; but excluding letters of credit issued in respect
     of or to secure money borrowed;

          (e) (i) Interest Rate Protection Obligations of the Company covering
     Indebtedness of the Company and (ii) Interest Rate Protection Obligations
     of any Restricted Subsidiary covering Permitted Indebtedness of such
     Restricted Subsidiary provided that, in the case of either clause (i) or
                           -------- ----                                     
     (ii), (x) any Indebtedness to which any such Interest Rate Protection
     Obligations correspond bears interest at fluctuating interest rates and is
     otherwise permitted to be incurred under Section 10.8 and (y) the notional
     principal amount of any such Interest Rate Protection Obligations that
     exceeds the principal amount of the Indebtedness to which such Interest
     Rate Protection Obligations relate shall not constitute Permitted
     Indebtedness;

          (f) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary owed to and held by the
     Company or another Restricted Subsidiary, except that (i) any transfer of
     such Indebtedness by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than to
     the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) and (ii) the sale, transfer
     or other disposition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
     Company of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than to the
     Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) which is owed Indebtedness of another
     Restricted Subsidiary shall, in each case, be an incurrence of Indebtedness
     by such Restricted Subsidiary subject to the other provisions hereof;

          (g) Indebtedness of the Company owed to and held by a Restricted
     Subsidiary which is unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to the
     payment and performance of the obligations of the Company under this
     Indenture and the Securities, except that (i) any transfer of such
     Indebtedness by the 

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
     Restricted Subsidiary (other than to another Restricted Subsidiary) and
     (ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition by the Company or any
     Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than to the Company or a
     Restricted Subsidiary) of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary which is
     owed Indebtedness of the Company shall, in each case, be an incurrence of
     Indebtedness by the Company, subject to the other provisions hereof;

          (h) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other
     financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently
     (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient
     funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that such
                                               --------  -------           
     Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of incurrence;

          (i) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary under
     equipment purchase or lines of credit or for Capitalized Lease Obligations
     not to exceed $25,000,000 in aggregate principal amount outstanding at any
     time;

          (j) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, in
     addition to that described in clauses (a) through (i) of this definition,
     in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time not to exceed
     $15,000,000;

          (k) (i) Indebtedness of the Company the proceeds of which are used
     solely to refinance (whether by amendment, renewal, extension or refunding)
     Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii)
     Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company the proceeds of
     which are used solely to refinance (whether by amendment, renewal,
     extension or refunding) Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary,
     provided, however, that (x) the principal amount of Indebtedness incurred
     --------  -------                                                        
     pursuant to this clause (k) (or, if such Indebtedness provides for an
     amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a
     declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, the original issue
     price of such Indebtedness) shall not exceed the sum of the principal
     amount of Indebtedness so refinanced, plus the 

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
     amount of any premium required to be paid in connection with such
     refinancing pursuant to the terms of such Indebtedness or the amount of any
     premium reasonably determined by the Company as necessary to accomplish
     such refinancing by means of a tender offer or privately negotiated
     purchase, plus the amount of expenses in connection therewith, and (y) in
     the case of Indebtedness incurred by the Company pursuant to this clause
     (k) to refinance Subordinated Indebtedness, such Indebtedness (A) has no
     scheduled principal payment prior to the 91st day after the Maturity Date,
     (B) has an Average Life to Stated Maturity greater than the remaining
     Average Life to Stated Maturity of the Securities and (C) is subordinated
     to the Securities in the same manner and to the same extent that the
     Subordinated Indebtedness being refinanced is subordinated to the
     Securities;

          (l) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or any
     Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment or holdback
     of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed
     in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets
     or a Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any
     Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary
     for the purpose of financing such acquisition; and

          (m) guarantees by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of
     Indebtedness that was permitted to be incurred under this Indenture.

          "Permitted Investments" means any of the following: (i) Investments in
           ---------------------                                                
the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary; (ii) Investments in another Person,
if as a result of such Investment (A) such other Person becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary or (B) such other Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or
transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary; (iii) Investments representing Capital Stock or
obligations issued to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in settlement of
claims against any other Person by reason of a composition or readjustment of
debt or a reorganization of any debtor of the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary; (iv) Investments in Interest Rate Protection Agreements 

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
on commercially reasonable terms entered into by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in connection with the
operations of the business of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries to
hedge against fluctuations in interest rates on its outstanding Indebtedness;
(v) Investments in the Securities; (vi) Investments in Cash Equivalents; (vii)
Investments acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection
with an Asset Sale permitted under Section 10.14 to the extent such Investments
are non-cash proceeds as permitted under Section 10.14; (viii) advances to
employees or officers of the Company in the ordinary course of business; (ix)
any Investment to the extent that the consideration therefor is Capital Stock
(other than Redeemable Capital Stock) of the Company and (x) other Investments
not to exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding.

       "Permitted Liens" means the following types of Liens:
        ---------------                                     
       (a) any Lien existing as of the Issue Date;

       (b) Liens securing Senior Indebtedness;

       (c) any Lien securing Acquired Indebtedness created prior to (and not
     created in connection with, or in contemplation of) the incurrence of such
     Indebtedness by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, if such Lien does
     not attach to any property or assets of the Company or any Restricted
     Subsidiary other than the property or assets subject to the Lien prior to
     such incurrence;

       (d) Liens in favor of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

       (e) Liens on and pledges of the Capital Stock of any Unrestricted
     Subsidiary securing any Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

       (f) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims either
     (i) not delinquent or (ii) contested in good faith by appropriate
     proceedings and as to which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries
     shall have set aside on its books such reserves as may be required pursuant
     to GAAP;

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
       (g) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen,
     mechanics, suppliers, materialmen, repairmen and other Liens imposed by law
     incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet delinquent or
     being contested in good faith, if such reserve or other appropriate
     provision, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made in
     respect thereof;

       (h) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in
     connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other
     types of social security, or to secure the performance of tenders,
     statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government
     contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar
     obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

       (i) judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default so long as such
     Lien is adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings which may
     have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment shall not have
     been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be
     initiated shall not have expired;

       (j) easements, rights-of-way, zoning restrictions and other similar
     charges or encumbrances in respect of real property not interfering in any
     material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company
     or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

       (k) any interest or title of a lessor under any Capitalized Lease
     Obligation or operating lease;

       (l) purchase money Liens to finance property or assets of the Company or
     any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company acquired in the ordinary course of
     business; provided, however, that (i) the related purchase money
               --------  -------                                     
     Indebtedness shall not be secured by any property or assets of the Company
     or any Subsidiary of the Company other than the property and assets so
     acquired and (ii) the Lien securing such Indebtedness shall be created
     within 90 days of such acquisition;

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
       (m) Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect to commercial
     letters of credit which encumber documents and other property relating to
     such letters of credit and products and proceeds thereof;

       (n) Liens securing refinancing Indebtedness permitted under clause (k) of
     the definition of "Permitted Indebtedness", provided such Liens do not
                                                 --------                  
     exceed the Liens replaced in connection with such refinanced Indebtedness;

       (o) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business by the Company or
     any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to obligations that do not exceed
     $5,000,000 at any time outstanding;

       (p)  Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising from
     statutory, regulatory,   contractual, or warranty requirements of the
     Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including rights of offset
     and set-off;

       (q) Liens securing Interest Rate Protection Obligations which Interest
     Rate Protection Obligations relate to Indebtedness that is secured by Liens
     otherwise permitted under this Indenture; and

      (r) Liens created in favor of the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.7 hereof.

       "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited
        ------                                                         
liability company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof.

       "Preferred Stock," as applied to any Person, means Capital Stock of any
        ---------------                                                       
class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of
dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares
of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
       "Private Placement Legend" shall mean the legend initially set forth on
        ------------------------                                              
the Securities in the form set forth on Exhibit A-1.
                                        ----------- 

       "Public Equity Offering" means an underwritten public offering of Common
        ----------------------                                                 
Stock pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Commission in
accordance with the Securities Act.

       "Purchase Amount" means, with respect to an Offer to Purchase, the
        ---------------                                                  
maximum aggregate amount payable by the Company for Securities under the terms
of such Offer to Purchase, if such Offer to Purchase were accepted in respect of
all Securities.

       "Purchase Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of
        -------------                                                       
"Offer to Purchase."

       "Qualified Equity Interest" in a Person means any interest in Capital
        -------------------------                                           
Stock of such Person, other than Redeemable Capital Stock.

       "Qualified Institutional Buyer" or "QIB" has the meaning specified in
        -----------------------------      ---                              
Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

       "Record Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 1.4.
        ----------------------                                           

       "Redeemable Capital Stock" means any class or series of Capital Stock
        ------------------------                                            
that, either by its terms, by the terms of any security into which it is
convertible or exchangeable or by contract or otherwise, is or upon the
happening of an event or passage of time would be, required to be redeemed prior
to the Maturity Date or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof at any
time prior to the Maturity Date, or is convertible into or exchangeable for debt
securities at any time prior to the Maturity Date; provided that Capital Stock
                                                   -------- ----              
will not constitute Redeemable Capital Stock solely because the holders thereof
have the right to require the Company to repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock
upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale.

       "Redemption Date," when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed,
        ---------------                                                         
means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
       "Redemption Price," when used with respect to any Security to be
        ----------------                                               
redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this
Indenture.

       "Registrable Securities" has the meaning set forth in the Registration
        ----------------------                                               
Rights Agreement.

       "Registration Rights Agreement" means the Notes Registration Rights
        -----------------------------                                     
Agreement dated as of March 23, 1999 by and among the Company, the Guarantors
and the Initial Purchasers, as the same may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

       "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment
        -------------------                                                  
Date means the March 15 or September 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the
case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.

       "Regulation S" means Regulation S under the Securities Act.
        ------------                                              

       "Regulation S Global Security" means a permanent global Security in
        ----------------------------                                      
registered form representing the aggregate principal amount of Securities sold
in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.

       "Replacement Assets" has the meaning specified in Section 10.14.
        ------------------                                             

       "Required Filing Dates" has the meaning specified in Section 10.19.
        ---------------------                                             

       "Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Trustee, means any
        -------------------                                                   
officer within the Corporate Trust Office, including, any vice president, any
assistant vice president, any assistant secretary, any assistant treasurer, or
any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to
those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with
respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such
matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the
particular subject.

       "Restricted Payments" has the meaning specified in Section 10.9.
        -------------------                                            

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
       "Restricted Security" means a Security that constitutes a "restricted
        -------------------                                                 
security" within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act;
                                                                        
provided, however, that the Trustee shall be entitled to request and
- --------  -------                                                   
conclusively rely on an opinion of counsel with respect to whether any Security
constitutes a Restricted Security.

       "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company that is not
        ---------------------                                                 
an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

       "Revocation" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.18.
        ----------                                             

       "Rule 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
        ---------                                           

       "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, and its successors.
        ---                                                            

       "Securities" means securities designated in the first paragraph of the
        ----------                                                           
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY.

       "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute
        -------------                                                   
successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

       "Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective meanings
        -----------------       ------------------                              
specified in Section 3.5.

       "Senior Indebtedness" means the principal of, premium, if any, and
        -------------------                                              
interest on any Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding on the Issue
Date or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, unless, in the case of any
particular Indebtedness, the instrument creating or evidencing the same or
pursuant to which the same is outstanding expressly provides that such
Indebtedness shall not be senior in right of payment to the Securities. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, (x) "Senior Indebtedness" shall
include the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all obligations of
every nature of the Company from time to time owed to the lenders under the
Credit Facility and the Term Loan, including, without limitation, principal of
and interest on, and all fees, indemnities and expenses payable under the Credit
Facility and the Term Loan and (y) in the case of Designated Senior
Indebtedness, "Senior Indebtedness" shall include interest accruing thereon
subse-

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
quent to the occurrence of any Event of Default specified in clause (7) or
(8) under Section 5.1, whether or not the claim for such interest is allowed
under any applicable bankruptcy law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, "Senior
Indebtedness" shall not include (a) Indebtedness evidenced by the Securities,
(b) Indebtedness that is expressly subordinate or junior in right of payment to
any Indebtedness of the Company, including the Company's 93% Notes, 92% Notes
and 8.80% Notes, (c) Indebtedness which, when incurred and without respect to
any election under Section 1111(b) of Title 11, United States Code, is without
recourse to the Company, (d) Indebtedness which is represented by Redeemable
Capital Stock, (e) Indebtedness for goods, materials or services purchased in
the ordinary course of business or Indebtedness consisting of trade payables or
other current liabilities (other than any current liabilities owing under the
Credit Facility, or the current portion of any long-term Indebtedness (including
the Term Loan) which would constitute Senior Indebtedness but for the operation
of this clause (e)), (f) Indebtedness of or amounts owed by the Company for
compensation to employees or for services rendered to the Company, (g) any
liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the Company,
(h) Indebtedness of the Company to a Subsidiary of the Company or any other
Affiliate of the Company or any of such Affiliate's Subsidiaries, (i) that
portion of any Indebtedness which is incurred by the Company in violation of
this Indenture and (j) amounts owing under leases.

       "Significant Subsidiary" of any Person means, as of any date of
        ----------------------                                        
determination, a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person which would be a
significant subsidiary of such Person as of such date as determined in
accordance with the definition in Rule 1-02(w) of Article I of Regulation S-X
promulgated by the Commission and as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

       "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a
        -------------------                                                   
date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.7.

       "Stated Maturity" means, when used with respect to any Security or any
        ---------------                                                      
installment of interest thereon, the date specified in such Security as the
fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of
interest is due and payable, and when used with re-

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
spect to any other Indebtedness, means the date specified in the instrument
governing such Indebtedness as the fixed date on which the principal of such
Indebtedness, or any installment of interest thereon, is due and payable.

       "Subordinated Indebtedness" means, with respect to the Company,
        -------------------------                                     
Indebtedness of the Company which is expressly subordinated in right of payment
to the Securities.

       "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (i) a corporation a
        ----------                                                        
majority of whose Voting Stock is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by
such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and
one or more Subsidiaries thereof and (ii) any other Person (other than a
corporation), including, without limitation, a partnership, limited liability
company, business trust or joint venture, in which such Person, one or more
Subsidiaries thereof or such Person and one or more Subsidiaries thereof,
directly or indirectly, at the date of determination thereof, has at least
majority ownership interest entitled to vote in the election of directors,
managers or trustees thereof (or other Person performing similar functions).
For purposes of this definition, any directors' qualifying shares or investments
by foreign nationals mandated by applicable law shall be disregarded in
determining the ownership of a Subsidiary.

       "Tangible Assets" means all assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries,
        ---------------                                                       
excluding all Intangible Assets.  For purposes of the foregoing, "Intangible
Assets" means goodwill, patents, trade names, trade marks, copyrights,
franchises, organization expenses and any other assets properly classified as
intangible assets in accordance with GAAP.

       "Term Loan" means the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of July 10, 1998, as
        ---------                                                              
amended on September 29, 1998, among the Company, various financial institutions
and Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as agent, including
any notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed
in connection therewith, and in each case as amended (including any amendment
and restatement thereof), modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced
from time to time, including any agreement extending the maturity of,

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring (including increasing the
amount of available borrowings thereunder or adding additional guarantors
thereunder) all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or any
successor or replacement agreement and whether by the same or any other agent,
lender or group of lenders.

       "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force
        -------------------                                                   
at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in
                                                      --------  -------         
the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust
Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

       "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph
        -------                                                                
of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to
the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean
such successor Trustee.

       "Unrestricted Securities" means one or more Securities in the form set
        -----------------------                                              
forth in Exhibit A-2, including, without limitation, the Exchange Securities,
         -----------                                                         
that do not and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

       "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means each Subsidiary of the Company designated
        -----------------------                                                 
as such pursuant to and in compliance with Section 10.18.

       "U.S. Government Obligation" has the meaning specified in Section 12.4.
        --------------------------                                            

       "Vice President," when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee,
        --------------                                                        
means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or
words added before or after the title "vice president."

       "Voting Stock" means any class or classes of Capital Stock pursuant to
        ------------                                                         
which the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary
circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers
or trustees of any Person (irrespective of whether or not, at the time, stock of
any other class or classes shall have, or might have, voting power by reason of
the happening of any contingency).

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
       "Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of
        ----------------------------------                                    
the Company of which 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock is owned by the
Company or another Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.  For
purposes of this definition, any directors' qualifying shares or investments by
foreign nationals mandated by applicable law shall be disregarded in determining
the ownership of a Subsidiary.

SECTION I.2  Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
             ------------------------------------   

       Upon any application or request by the Company or a Guarantor to the
Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company or
the Guarantor shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may
be required under the Trust Indenture Act.  Each such certificate or opinion
shall be given in the form of an Officer's Certificate, if to be given by an
officer of the Company or a Guarantor, or an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given
by counsel, and shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act
and any other requirement set forth in this Indenture.

       Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition
or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include

       (i) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion
     has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating
     thereto;

       (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
     investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
     certificate or opinion are based;

       (iii)  a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has
     made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to
     express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
     has been complied with; and

       (iv) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual,
     such condition or covenant has been complied with.

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
SECTION I.3  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
             --------------------------------------   

       In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or
covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one
or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify
or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

       Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company or a Guarantor
may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or
opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the
exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or
representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or
opinion is based are erroneous.  Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may
be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or
opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company or a
Guarantor stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is
in the possession of the Company or such Guarantor, unless such counsel knows,
or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or
opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

       Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.

SECTION I.4  Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
             -----------------------------   

       Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given or taken by
Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of
substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly
appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such
action shall become effective when such 

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby
expressly required, to the Company or a Guarantor, as applicable. Such
instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced
thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing
such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of
a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this
Indenture and (subject to Section 6.1) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and
the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.

       The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument
or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a
certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take
acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument
or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof.  Where such execution is
by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such
certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his
authority.  The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or
writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved
in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

       The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.

       Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the
same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of
transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of
anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, the Company or a
Guarantor in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made
upon such Security.

       The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of
determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities entitled to give or take any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders
of Securities, provided that the Company may not set a record date for, and the
               -------- ----                                                   
provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with re-

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
spect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction
referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant to this
paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities on such record date, and no
other Holders, shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not
such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action
                                                    -------- ---- 
shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Record
Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding
Securities on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the
Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date
has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date
previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled
and of no effect), nor shall anything in this paragraph be construed to render
ineffective any action taken pursuant to or in accordance with any other
provision of this Indenture by Holders of the requisite principal amount of
Outstanding Securities on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any
record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense,
shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the
applicable Record Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to
each Holder of Securities in the manner set forth in Section 1.6.

       The Trustee may but need not set any day as a record date for the purpose
of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities entitled to join in the
giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of
acceleration referred to in Section 5.2, (iii) any request to institute
proceedings referred to in Section 5.7(ii) or (iv) any direction referred to in
Section 5.12.  If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders
of Outstanding Securities on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be
entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or
not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such
                                                        -------- ----        
action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable
Record Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of
Outstanding Securities on such record date.  Nothing in this paragraph shall be
construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any action
(whereupon the record date 

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
previously set shall automatically and without any action by any Person be
cancelled and of no effect), nor shall anything in this paragraph be construed
to render ineffective any action taken pursuant to or in accordance with any
other provision of this Indenture by Holders of the requisite principal amount
of Outstanding Securities on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any
record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company's
expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the matter(s) to be submitted
for potential action by Holders and the applicable Record Expiration Date to be
given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of Securities in the manner
set forth in Section 1.6.

       With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party
hereto that sets such record date may designate any day as the "Record
Expiration Date" and from time to time may change the Record Expiration Date to
any earlier or later day, provided that no such change shall be effective unless
                          -------- ----                                         
notice of the proposed new Record Expiration Date is given to the other party
hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Securities in the manner set forth in
Section 1.6, on or before the existing Record Expiration Date.  If a Record
Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant
to this Section, the party hereto that set such record date shall be deemed to
have initially designated the 180th day after such record date as the Record
Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Record
Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
no Record Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day after the applicable
record date.

       Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any
action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to
all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly
appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with
regard to all or any part of such principal amount.

SECTION I.5  Notices to Trustee,
             the Company or a Guarantor.
             --------------------------      

       Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
Act of Holders or other docu-

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
ment provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished
to, or filed with,

       (i) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company or a Guarantor shall be
     sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed
     in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to or with the Trustee
     at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Trustee
     Administration,

       (ii) the Company or a Guarantor by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be
     sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly
     provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the
     Company or such Guarantor addressed to it at the address of the Company's
     principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument, or at
     any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the
     Company.

SECTION I.6  Notice to Holders; Waiver.
             -------------------------   

       Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such
notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided)
if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected
by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later
than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any),
prescribed for the giving of such notice.  In any case where notice to Holders
is given by mail, neither the failure to mail or receive such notice, nor any
defect in any such notice, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency
or validity of such notice.  Where this Indenture provides for notice in any
manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive
such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the
equivalent of such notice.  Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the
Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of
any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

       In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason
of any other cause it shall be 

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be
made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification
for every purpose hereunder.

SECTION I.7  Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
             ---------------------------------   

       If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision
of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under the Trust Indenture Act to be
part of and govern this Indenture, such provision of the Trust Indenture Act
shall control.  If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any
provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, such
provision shall be deemed to be so modified or excluded, as the case may be.

SECTION I.8  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
             ----------------------------------------   

       The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION I.9  Successors and Assigns.
             ----------------------   

       Without limiting Articles VIII and XIII hereof, all covenants and
agreements in this Indenture by each of the Company or the Guarantors shall bind
their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION I.10   Separability Clause.
               -------------------   

       In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION I.11   Benefits of Indenture.
               ---------------------   

       Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall
give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder
and the Holders of Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim under this Indenture.

SECTION I.12   Governing Law.
               -------------   

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
       This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the
conflicts of laws principles thereof.

SECTION I.13   Legal Holidays.
               --------------  

       In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Purchase
Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day, then
(notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities)
payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made on such
date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force
and effect (including with respect to the accrual of interest) as if made on the
Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Purchase Date, or at the Stated
Maturity.


                                  ARTICLE II

                                Security Forms

SECTION II.1   Forms Generally.
               ---------------   

       The Securities and the Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be
in substantially the forms set forth or referenced in Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-
                                                      -----------     ---------
2 annexed hereto, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and
- -                                                                               
other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have
such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or
endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any
securities exchange or the Depositary or as may, consistently herewith, be
determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their
execution thereof.


                                  ARTICLE III

                                The Securities

SECTION III.1  Title and Terms.
               ---------------   

       The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated
and delivered under this 

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
Indenture is limited to $250,000,000 principal amount of Initial Securities and
up to $250,000,000 principal amount of Securities exchanged therefor in
accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, except for Securities
authenticated and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange
for, or in lieu of, other Securities pursuant to Section 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 9.6 or
11.8 or in connection with an Offer pursuant to Sections 10.13 or 10.14.

       The Securities shall be known and designated as the "9% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2009" of the Company.  Their Stated Maturity for payment
of principal shall be April 1, 2009.  Interest on the Securities shall accrue at
the rate of 9.00% per annum and shall be payable semi-annually on each April 1
and October 1, commencing October 1, 1999, to the Holders of record of
Securities at the close of business on March 15 and September 15, respectively,
immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.  Interest on the Securities
will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no
interest has been paid, from the Issue Date of such Securities.  Interest will
be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

       The principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities
shall be payable at the office or agency of the Trustee in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York or such other office maintained by the Trustee
for such purpose and at any other office or agency maintained by the Company for
such purpose; provided, however, that, at the option of the Company, payment of
              --------  -------                                                
interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled
thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register.

       The Company may be required to make a Change of Control Offer as provided
in Section 10.13, or an Asset Sale Offer as provided in Section 10.14.

       The Securities shall be redeemable as provided in Article XI and the
Securities.

       The Securities shall be subject to Defeasance and/or Covenant Defeasance
as provided in Article XII.

SECTION III.2  Denominations.
               -------------   

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
       The Securities shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons
and only in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and any integral multiple
thereof.

SECTION III.3  Execution, Authentication,
               Delivery and Dating.
               --------------------------

       The Initial Securities and the Trustee's certificate of authentication
shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto.  The Exchange
                                      -----------                      
Securities and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto.
                             -----------        

       The terms and provisions contained in the Securities annexed hereto as
                                                                             
Exhibits A-1 and A-2 shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of
- ------------     ---                                                           
this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by
their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms
and provisions and to be bound thereby.

       Securities offered and sold in reliance on Rule 144A and Securities
offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the
form of one or more Global Securities, substantially in the form set forth in
Exhibit A-1, deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, duly
- -----------                                                                   
executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided
and shall bear the legend set forth in Exhibit B.  The aggregate principal
                                       ---------                          
amount of the Global Securities may from time to time be increased or decreased
by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as custodian for the
Depositary, as hereinafter provided.

       All Securities shall remain in the form of a Global Security, except as
provided herein.

       The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman
of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President or one of its Vice
Presidents, or its Chief Financial Officer, attested by its Secretary or one of
its Assistant Secretaries.  The signature of any of these officers on the
Securities may be manual or facsimile.

       Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who
were at any time the proper 

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such
individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the
authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at
the date of such Securities.

       At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of
this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities executed by the Company to
the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the
authentication and delivery of such Securities; and the Trustee in accordance
with such Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities as in
this Indenture provided and not otherwise.

       Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

       No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein
executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any
Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security
has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

SECTION III.4  Temporary Securities.
               --------------------  

       Pending the preparation of definitive Securities, the Company may
execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed
or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the
tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with
such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as
the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their
execution of such Securities.

       If temporary Securities are issued, the Company will cause definitive
Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay.  After the preparation of
definitive Securities, the temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for
definitive Securities upon surrender of the temporary Securities at any office
or agency of the 

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
Company designated pursuant to Section 10.2, without charge to the Holder. Upon
surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities, the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange
therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of authorized
denominations and of a like tenor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities
shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as
definitive Securities.

SECTION III.5  Registration, Registration of
               Transfer and Exchange.
               -----------------------------

       The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other
office or agency designated pursuant to Section 10.2 being herein sometimes
collectively referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject to such
reasonable regulations as the Company may prescribe, the Company shall provide
for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee
is hereby appointed the initial "Security Registrar" for the purpose of
registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided.

       Subject to Sections 3.13 and 3.14 of this Indenture, upon surrender for
registration of transfer of any Security at an office or agency of the Company
designated pursuant to Section 10.2 for such purpose, the Company shall execute,
and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated
transferee or transferees, one more or more new Securities of any authorized
denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor.

       At the option of the Holder, Securities may be exchanged for other
Securities of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal
amount and tenor, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such
office or agency.  Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the
Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the
Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

       All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities shall be the valid 

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same
benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such
registration of transfer or exchange.

       Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or
for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly
endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the
Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

       No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than
exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, 9.6 or 11.8 or in accordance with any Change
of Control Offer pursuant to Section 10.13 or any Asset Sale Offer pursuant to
Section 10.14, and in any such case not involving any transfer.

       The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of
or exchange any Security during a period beginning at the opening of business 15
days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities
selected for redemption under Section 11.5 and ending at the close of business
on the day of such mailing, (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any
Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed
portion of any Security being redeemed in part or (iii) to register the transfer
of any Securities other than Securities having a principal amount of $1,000 or
integral multiples thereof.

SECTION III.6  Mutilated, Destroyed,
               Lost and Stolen Securities.
               --------------------------   

       If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange
therefor a new Security of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number
not contemporaneously outstanding.

       If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence
to their satisfaction of the 

                                       50
<PAGE>
 
destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity
as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of each of them
harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such
Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute,
and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any
such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of like tenor and
principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

       In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become
or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may,
instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

       Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may
require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including
the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

       Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any
destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional
contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or
stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be
entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with
any and all other Securities duly issued hereunder.

       The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

SECTION III.7  Payment of Interest; Rights Preserved.
               -------------------------------------   

       Interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly
provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose
name that Security (or one or more predecessor securities) is registered at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest payment.

       Any interest on any Security which is payable, but is not punctually paid
or duly provided for, on any 

                                       51
<PAGE>
 
Interest Payment Date (herein called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease
to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of
having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company,
at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:

       (1)  The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to
     the Persons in whose names the Securities (or their respective predecessor
     Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record
     Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in
     the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of
     the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security and
     the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall
     deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount
     proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make
     arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date
     of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for
     the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this
     clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for
     the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days
     and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not
     less than 15 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the
     proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such
     Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company,
     shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and
     the Special Record Date therefor to be given to each Holder in the manner
     specified in Section 1.6, not less than 10 days prior to such Special
     Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and
     the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted
     Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities (or
     their respective predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of
     business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable
     pursuant to the following clause (2).

                                       52
<PAGE>
 
       (2)  The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other
     lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities
     exchange on which the Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may
     be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the
     Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of
     payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

       Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security
delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange
for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued
and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

SECTION III.8  Persons Deemed Owners.
               ---------------------   

       Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security
for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and
(subject to Section 3.7) interest on such Security and for all other purposes
whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company,
the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by
notice to the contrary.

SECTION III.9  Cancellation.
               ------------   

       All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of
transfer or exchange or tendered and accepted pursuant to any Change of Control
Offer pursuant to Section 10.13 or any Asset Sale Offer pursuant to Section
10.14 shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered
to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by it.  The Company may at any
time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously
authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any
manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled
by the Trustee.  No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange
for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly
permitted by this Indenture.  All cancelled 

                                       53
<PAGE>
 
Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in its
customary manner.

SECTION III.10 Computation of Interest.
               -----------------------   

       Interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

SECTION III.11 CUSIP and CINS Numbers.
               ----------------------   

       The Company in issuing the Securities may use "CUSIP" and "CINS" numbers
(if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP or CINS
numbers in notices of redemption or repurchase as a convenience to Holders;
                                                                           
provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the
- -------- ----                                                                   
correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained
in any notice of a redemption or repurchase and that reliance may be placed only
on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such
redemption or repurchase shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of
such numbers.  The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any change in
the CUSIP or CINS numbers.

SECTION III.12 Deposits of Monies.
               ------------------   

       Except to the extent payment of interest is made by the Company's check
pursuant to Section 3.1, prior to 11:00 a.m. New York City time on each Interest
Payment Date, Redemption Date, Stated Maturity, and Purchase Date, the Company
shall deposit with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money
sufficient to make cash payments, if any, due on such Interest Payment Date,
Redemption Date, Stated Maturity and Purchase Date, as the case may be, in a
timely manner which permits the Paying Agent to remit payment to the Holders on
such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Stated Maturity, and Purchase Date,
as the case may be.

SECTION III.13 Book-Entry Provisions
               for Global Securities.
               ---------------------   

       (a)  The Global Securities initially shall (i) be registered in the name
     of the Depositary or the nominee of such Depositary, (ii) be delivered to
     the Trustee as custodian for such Depositary and 

                                       54
<PAGE>
 
     (iii) bear legends as set forth in Exhibit B hereto.
                                        ---------        

       Members of, or participants in, the Depositary ("Agent Members") shall
     have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security
     held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, or
     under any Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the
     Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the
     absolute owner of the Global Securities for all purposes whatsoever.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company,
     the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect
     to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the
     Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the
     operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a
     Holder of any Security.

       (b)  Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Security may be
     transferred in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the
     Depositary and the provisions of Section 3.14. Transfer of Global
     Securities shall be limited to transfers in whole, but not in part, to the
     Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees.  Interests of
     beneficial owners in the Global Securities may not be transferred or
     exchanged for physical securities, except that physical securities shall be
     transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial
     interests in Global Securities if (i) the Depositary notifies the Company
     that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for any Global
     Security, or that it will cease to be a "Clearing Agency" under the
     Exchange Act, and in either case a successor Depositary is not appointed by
     the Company within 90 days of such notice or (ii) an Event of Default has
     occurred and is continuing and the Security Registrar has received a
     written request from the Depositary to issue physical securities.

       (c)  The Holder of any Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise
     authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold
     interests through Agent Members, to take any action 

                                       55
<PAGE>
 
     which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities.

SECTION III.14 Special Transfer Provisions.
               ---------------------------   

       (a)  Transfers to Non-U.S. Persons.  The following additional provisions
            -----------------------------                                      
     shall apply with respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of
     and the transfer of the beneficial interest in an Initial Security to any
     Non-U.S. Person:

       (i)  the Security Registrar shall register the transfer of any Initial
       Security, whether or not such Security bears the Private Placement
       Legend, and a transfer of the beneficial interest in an Initial Security
       may be made if (x) the requested transfer is after the second anniversary
       of the Issue Date; provided, however, that neither the Company nor any
                          --------  -------                                  
       Affiliate of the Company has held any beneficial interest in such
       Security, or portion thereof, at any time on or prior to the second
       anniversary of the Issue Date and such transfer can otherwise be lawfully
       made under the Securities Act without registering such Initial Security
       thereunder or (y) the proposed transferor has delivered to the Security
       Registrar a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto;
                                                            ---------        
       and

       (ii)  if the proposed transferor is an Agent Member seeking to transfer
       an interest in a 144A Global Security, upon receipt by the Security
       Registrar of (x) written instructions given in accordance with the
       Depositary's and the Security Registrar's procedures and (y) the
       appropriate certificate, if any, required by paragraph (i) above, the
       Security Registrar shall register the transfer and reflect on its books
       and records the date and (A) a decrease in the principal amount of the
       144A Global Security from which such interests are to be transferred in
       an amount equal to the principal amount of the Securities to be
       transferred and (B) an increase in the principal amount of the Regulation
       S Global Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of the
       Global Security to be transferred.

                                       56
<PAGE>
 
       (b)  Transfers to QIBs.  The following provisions shall apply with
            -----------------                                            
     respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of, and the transfer
     of the beneficial interest in, an Initial Security to a QIB (excluding Non-
     U.S. Persons):

       (i)  the Security Registrar shall register the transfer of any Initial
       Security, whether or not such Security bears the Private Placement
       Legend, and the transfer of the beneficial interest in an Initial
       Security may be made if (x) the requested transfer is after the second
       anniversary of the Issue Date; provided, however, that neither the
                                      --------  -------                  
       Company nor any Affiliate of the Company has held any beneficial interest
       in such Security, or portion thereof, at any time on or prior to the
       second anniversary of the Issue Date and such transfer can otherwise be
       lawfully made under the Securities Act without registering such Initial
       Security thereunder or (y) such transfer is being made by a proposed
       transferor who has checked the box provided for on the form of Security
       stating, or has otherwise advised the Company and the Security Registrar
       in writing, that the sale has been made in compliance with the provisions
       of Rule 144A to a transferee who has signed the certification provided
       for on the form of Security stating, or has otherwise advised the Company
       and the Security Registrar in writing, that it is purchasing the Security
       for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole
       investment discretion and that it and any such account is a QIB within
       the meaning of Rule 144A, and is aware that the sale to it is being made
       in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such
       information regarding the Company as it has requested pursuant to Rule
       144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is
       aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations
       in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A;
       and

       (ii)  if the proposed transferor is an Agent Member seeking to transfer
       an interest in a Regulation S Global Security, upon receipt by the
       Security Registrar of written instructions given in accordance with the
       Depositary's and the Secu-

                                       57
<PAGE>
 
       rity Registrar's procedures, the Security Registrar shall register the
       transfer and reflect on its books and records the date and (A) a decrease
       in the principal amount of the Regulation S Global Security from which
       interests are to be transferred in an amount equal to the principal
       amount of the Securities to be transferred and (B) an increase in the
       principal amount of the 144A Global Security in an amount equal to the
       principal amount of the Global Security to be transferred.

       Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 3.14, until the 41st
       day after the Issue Date (the "Distribution Compliance Period"), an owner
       of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Security may not
       transfer such interest to a transferee that is a U.S. Person or for the
       account or benefit of a U.S. Person within the meaning of Rule 902(o) of
       the Securities Act.  Subject to the other provisions of this Section
       3.14(b), during the Distribution Compliance Period, all beneficial
       interests in the Regulation S Global Security shall be transferred only
       through Cedel or Euroclear, either directly if the transferor and
       transferee are participants in such systems, or indirectly through
       organizations that are participants therein.

       (c)  Private Placement Legend.  Upon the registration of transfer,
            ------------------------                                     
     exchange or replacement of Securities not bearing the Private Placement
     Legend, the Security Registrar shall deliver Securities that do not bear
     the Private Placement Legend.  Upon the registration of transfer, exchange
     or replacement of Securities bearing the Private Placement Legend, the
     Security Registrar shall deliver only Securities that bear the Private
     Placement Legend unless (i) the circumstances contemplated by paragraph
     (a)(i)(x) or (b)(i)(x) of this Section 3.14 exists, (ii) there is delivered
     to the Security Registrar an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to
     the Company and the Trustee to the effect that neither such legend nor the
     related restrictions on transfer are required in order to maintain
     compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act or (iii) such Security
     has 

                                       58
<PAGE>
 
     been sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
     Securities Act.

       (d)  Other Transfers.  If a Holder proposes to transfer a Security
            ---------------                                              
     constituting a Restricted Security pursuant to any exemption from the
     registration requirements of the Securities Act other than as provided for
     by Section 3.14(a), (b) and (c), the Security Registrar shall only register
     such transfer or exchange if such transferor delivers an opinion of counsel
     satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar that such transfer
     is in compliance with the Securities Act and the terms of this Indenture.

       (e)  General.  By its acceptance of any Security bearing the Private
            -------                                                        
     Placement Legend and by its ownership of a beneficial interest therein,
     each Holder of such a Security and each owner of a beneficial interest
     therein acknowledges the restrictions on transfer of such Security and of
     beneficial interests therein set forth in this Indenture and in the Private
     Placement Legend and agrees that it will transfer such Security and
     beneficial interests therein only as provided in this Indenture.

       The Security Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and
other written communications received pursuant to Section 3.13 or this Section
3.14.  The Company shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such
letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the
giving of reasonable prior written notice to the Security Registrar.


                                  ARTICLE IV

                          Satisfaction and Discharge

SECTION IV.1   Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
               ---------------------------------------   

       This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any
surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities herein
expressly provided for), and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the
Company, shall execute proper 

                                       59
<PAGE>
 
instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when

       (1)  either

          (A) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than
       (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have
       been replaced or repaid as provided in Section 3.6 and (ii) Securities
       for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or
       segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the
       Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.3) have
       been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

          (B) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for
       cancellation (other than Securities which have been destroyed, lost or
       stolen and which have been replaced or repaid as provided in Section
       3.6),

          (i)   have become due and payable, or

          (ii)  will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one
          year, or

          (iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under
          arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of
          redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the
          Company,

       and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has irrevocably
       deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in
       trust for the purpose an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the
       entire Indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the
       Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and
       interest on the Securities to the date of such deposit (in the case of
       Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity
       or Redemption Date, as the case may be, together with irrevocable
       instructions from the Company directing the Trustee to 

                                       60
<PAGE>
 
       apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the
       case may be;

       (2)  the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable
     hereunder by the Company or the Guarantors; and

       (3)  the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate
     and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent
     herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this
     Indenture have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to
this Article IV, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section
6.7, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under Section
6.14 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to
subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee
under Section 4.2 and the last paragraph of Section 10.3 shall survive.

SECTION IV.2   Application of Trust Money.
               --------------------------   

       Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all
money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 shall be held in trust
and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this
Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent
(including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may
determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if
any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the
Trustee.


                                   ARTICLE V

                                   Remedies

SECTION V.1    Events of Default.
               -----------------   

       "Event of Default," wherever used herein, means any one of the following
events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be
voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any
judgment, decree or order of any court 

                                       61
<PAGE>
 
or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

       (1)  default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, when
     due and payable, on any of the Securities (at Stated Maturity, upon
     optional redemption, required purchase or otherwise); or

       (2)  default in the payment of an installment of interest on any of the
     Securities, when due and payable, for 30 days; or

       (3)  default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement
     of the Company under this Indenture (other than a default in the
     performance or breach of a covenant or agreement which is specifically
     dealt with in clauses (1), (2) or (4)) and such default or breach shall
     continue for a period of 30 days after written notice has been given, by
     certified mail, (x) to the Company by the Trustee or (y) to the Company and
     the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of
     the Outstanding Securities; or

       (4) (a) there shall be a default in the performance or breach of the
     provisions of Section 8.1 with respect to the Company; (b) the Company
     shall have failed to make or consummate an Asset Sale Offer in accordance
     with the provisions of Section 10.14; or (c) the Company shall have failed
     to make or consummate a Change of Control Offer in accordance with the
     provisions of Section 10.13; or

       (5)  default or defaults under one or more agreements, instruments,
     mortgages, bonds, debentures or other evidences of Indebtedness under which
     the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company then has
     outstanding Indebtedness in excess of $15,000,000, individually or in the
     aggregate, and either (a) such Indebtedness is already due and payable in
     full or (b) such default or defaults have resulted in the acceleration of
     the maturity of such Indebtedness; or

       (6)  one or more judgments, orders or decrees of any court or regulatory
     or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction for the payment of money
     in excess of $15,000,000, either individually or in the aggregate, shall be
     entered against the Company 

                                       62
<PAGE>
 
     or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any of their respective
     properties and shall not be discharged and there shall have been a period
     of 60 days after the date on which any period for appeal has expired and
     during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, order or decree, shall
     not be in effect; or

       (7)  the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the
     premises (A) for relief in respect of the Company or any Significant
     Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under the Federal
     Bankruptcy Code or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy,
     insolvency, reorganization or similar law or (B) adjudging the Company or
     any Significant Subsidiary bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking
     reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of
     the Company or any Significant Subsidiary under the Federal Bankruptcy Code
     or any other similar federal, state or foreign law, or appointing a
     custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other
     similar official) of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or of any
     substantial part of any of their properties, or ordering the winding up or
     liquidation of any of their affairs, and the continuance of any such decree
     or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

       (8)  the institution by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of a
     voluntary case or proceeding under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any other
     similar federal, state or foreign law or any other case or proceedings to
     be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by the Company or
     any Significant Subsidiary to the entry of a decree or order for relief in
     respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in any involuntary
     case or proceeding under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any other similar
     federal, state or foreign law or to the institution of bankruptcy or
     insolvency proceedings against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary,
     or the filing by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of a petition or
     answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under the Federal
     Bankruptcy Code or any other similar federal, state or foreign law, or the
     consent by it to 

                                       63
<PAGE>
 
     the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of or taking
     possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or
     sequestrator (or other similar official) of any of the Company or any
     Significant Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its property, or the
     making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the
     admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as
     they become due or the taking of corporate action by the Company or any
     Significant Subsidiary in furtherance of any such action; or

       (9)  any of the Guarantees ceases to be in full force and effect or any
     of the Guarantees is declared to be null and void and unenforceable or any
     of the Guarantees is found to be invalid or any of the Guarantors denies
     its liability under its Guaranty (other than by reason of release of a
     Guarantor in accordance with the terms of this Indenture).

SECTION V.2    Acceleration of Maturity;
               Rescission and Annulment.
               ------------------------   

          If an Event of Default (other than those covered by clause (7) or (8)
of Section 5.1 with respect to the Company) shall occur and be continuing, the
Trustee, by notice to the Company and the representatives of the holders of
Designated Senior Indebtedness, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding, by notice to the Trustee,
the Company and the representatives of the holders of Designated Senior
Indebtedness, may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Outstanding Securities due and payable
immediately, upon which declaration, all amounts payable in respect of the
Securities shall be due and payable as of the date which is five business days
after the giving of such notice to representatives of the holders of Designated
Senior Indebtedness.  If an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of
Section 5.1 with respect to the Company or a Significant Subsidiary occurs and
is continuing, then the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, on all the Outstanding Securities shall ipso facto become and
be immediately due and payable without any 

                                       64
<PAGE>
 
declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of Securities.

          After a declaration of acceleration under the Indenture, but before a
judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the
Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may
rescind such declaration if

          (1)  the Company or any Guarantor has paid or deposited with the
     Trustee a sum sufficient to pay

               (A) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee under this Indenture
          and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances
          of the Trustee, its agents and counsel,

               (B) all overdue interest on all Securities,

               (C) the principal of and premium, if any, on any Securities which
          have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and
          interest thereon at the rate borne by the Securities, and

               (D) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful,
          interest upon overdue interest and overdue principal at the rate set
          forth in the Securities which has become due otherwise than by such
          declaration of acceleration;

          (2) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a
     court of competent jurisdiction; and

          (3) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of principal of,
     premium, if any, and interest on the Securities that have become due solely
     by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.

          No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any
right consequent thereto.

                                       65
<PAGE>
 
SECTION V.3    Collection of Indebtedness
               and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
               ------------------------------------   

          The Company and each Guarantor covenants that if

          (i)   default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security
     when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a
     period of 30 days, or

          (ii)  default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium,
     if any, on) any Security on the due date for payment thereof, including,
     with respect to any Security required to have been purchased pursuant to a
     Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer made by the Company, at the
     Purchase Date thereof,

the Company or such Guarantor will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for
the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and
payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest,
and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable,
interest on any overdue principal (and premium, if any) and on any overdue
interest, at the rate provided by the Securities, and, in addition thereto, such
further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of
collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and
advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

          In addition to the rights and powers set forth in Section 317(a) of
the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall be entitled to file such other papers
or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the
Trustee and of the Holders of the Securities allowed in any judicial proceeding
relative to the Company, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities,
its creditors, or its property, and to collect and receive any moneys or other
property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same
after the deduction of its charges and expenses; and any receiver, assignee or
trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the
Holders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee
shall consent to the making of 

                                       66
<PAGE>
 
such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it
for compensation and expenses, including counsel fees incurred by it up to the
date of such distribution.

          If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in
its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the
Holders by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most
effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific
enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the
exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

SECTION V.4    Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
               --------------------------------   

          In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company, a
Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Securities), its property or its
creditors, the Trustee shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such
proceeding or otherwise, to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust
Indenture Act in order to have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in
any such proceeding.  In particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect
and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such
claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee,
trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial
proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the
Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such
payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for
the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under
Section 6.7.

          No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the
Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder
any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the
Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to
vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided,
                                                                   -------- 
however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election
- -------                                                                       
of a trustee in bankrupt-

                                       67
<PAGE>
 
cy or similar official and be a member of a creditors' or other similar
committee.

SECTION V.5    Trustee May Enforce Claims
               Without Possession of Securities.
               --------------------------------   

          All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities
may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of
the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and
any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name
as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after
provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses,
distributions and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the
ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such
judgment has been recovered.

SECTION V.6    Application of Money Collected.
               ------------------------------   

          Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be
applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and,
in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium,
if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation
thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if
fully paid:

          FIRST:  To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under 
     Section 6.7;

          SECOND:  To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for
     principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities in
     respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected,
     ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the
     amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if
     any) and interest, respectively;

          THIRD:  To the payment of any and all other amounts due under the
     Indenture, the Securities or the Guarantees; and

          FOURTH:  To the Company (or such other Person as a court of competent
     jurisdiction may direct).

                                       68
<PAGE>
 
SECTION V.7    Limitation on Suits.
               -------------------   

          Subject to Section 5.8, no Holder of any Security shall have any right
to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this
Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other
remedy hereunder, unless

          (i)   such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee
     of a continuing Event of Default;

          (ii)  the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
     Outstanding Securities shall have made written request to the Trustee to
     institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name
     as Trustee hereunder;

          (iii) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity
     reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and
     liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

          (iv)  the Trustee for 45 days after its receipt of such notice,
     request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding;
     and

          (v)   no direction inconsistent with such written request has been
     given to the Trustee during such 45-day period by the Holders of a majority
     in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities;

it being understood and intended that no one or more Holders shall have any
right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of
this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders,
or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders
or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein
provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all the Holders.

SECTION V.8    Unconditional Right of Holders to
               Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.
               ---------------------------------------   

                                       69
<PAGE>
 
          Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of
any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to
receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to
Section 3.7) interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities
expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption
Date or in the case of a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer made by
the Company and required to be accepted as to such Security, on the relevant
Purchase Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment,
and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION V.9    Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
               ----------------------------------   

          If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce
any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been
discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to
the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any
determination in such proceeding, the Company, each Guarantor, the Trustee and
the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former
positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and
the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted,
subject to the determination in such proceeding.

SECTION V.10   Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
               ------------------------------   

          Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph
of Section 3.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the
Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or
remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be
cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or
now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or
employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the
concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION V.11   Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
               ----------------------------   

                                       70
<PAGE>
 
          No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security
to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair
any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or
an acquiescence therein.  Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law
to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as
often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case
may be.

SECTION V.12   Control by Holders.
               ------------------   

          The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising
any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, provided that
                                             -------- ----

          (i) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or
     with this Indenture, and

          (ii) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the
     Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

SECTION V.13   Waiver of Past Defaults.
               -----------------------   

          The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities waive
any past default hereunder and its consequences, except a default

          (i) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
     interest on any Security (including any Security which is required to have
     been purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer
     which has been made by the Company), or

          (ii) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article
     IX cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each
     Outstanding Security affected.

          Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event
of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every
purpose of 

                                       71
<PAGE>
 
this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION V.14   Undertaking for Costs.
               ---------------------   

          In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to
file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit (including reasonable counsel
fees and expenses), and may assess costs against any such party litigant, in the
manner and to the extent provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided, that
                                                              --------  ----
neither this Section nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize
any court to require such an undertaking or to make such an assessment in any
suit instituted by the Company or a Guarantor, in any suit instituted by the
Trustee, in any suit instituted by any Holder or group of Holders, holding in
the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities,
or in any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of
the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security on or after
the Stated Maturity expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption,
on or after the Redemption Date or, in the case of a Change of Control Offer or
an Asset Sale Offer, made by the Company and required to be accepted as to such
Security, on the applicable Purchase Date, as the case may be).

SECTION V.15   Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.
               --------------------------------   

          The Company and each Guarantor covenants (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any
manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or
extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may
affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and
each Guarantor (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly
waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not
hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the
Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though
no such law had been enacted.

                                       72
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE VI

                                  The Trustee

SECTION VI.1   Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
               -----------------------------------   

          (a)  Except during the continuance of an Event of Default,

          (i)  the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such
     duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied
     covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the
     Trustee; and

          (ii)  in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
     conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of
     the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to
     the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in
     the case of any such certificates or opinions which by the provisions
     hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the
     Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or
     not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture but need not verify
     the contents thereof.

          (b)  In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
     Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this
     Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as
     a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the
     conduct of such Person's own affairs.

          (c)  No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the
     Trustee from liability for its own negligent misconduct, except that no
     provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its
     own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of
     any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or
     powers under this Indenture, unless the Trustee has received security and
     indemnity 

                                       73
<PAGE>
 
     satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. The Trustee
     shall not be liable for any error of judgment unless it is proved that the
     Trustee was negligent in the performance of its duties hereunder.

          (d)  Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of
     this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or
     affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of
     this Section 6.1.

SECTION VI.2   Notice of Defaults.
               ------------------   

          Within 90 days after the occurrence of any Default, the Trustee shall
transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the
Security Register, notice of such Default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless
such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in
                                              --------  -------                 
the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or
interest on any Security, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such
notice if and so long as a trust committee of Responsible Officers of the
Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the
interest of the Holders.

SECTION VI.3   Certain Rights of Trustee.
               -------------------------   

          Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1:

          (a) the Trustee may conclusively rely as to the truth of the
     statements and correctness of the opinions expressed therein and shall be
     fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution,
     Officer's Certificate, certificate of auditors or any other certificate,
     statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
     consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or
     other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been
     signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

          (b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be
     sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any
     resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company may 

                                       74
<PAGE>
 
     be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution of the Company;

          (c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall
     deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking,
     suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other
     evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad
     faith on its part, rely upon an Officer's Certificate;

          (d) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the
     advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete
     authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or
     omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

          (e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
     rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction
     of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall
     have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory
     to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be
     incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

          (f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
     facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
     instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
     bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
     document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry
     or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the
     Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it
     shall be entitled (subject to reasonable confidentiality arrangements as
     may be proposed by the Company or any Guarantor) to make reasonable
     examination (upon prior notice and during regular business hours) of the
     books, records and premises of the Company or a Guarantor, personally or by
     agent or attorney;

          (g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
     perform any duties hereunder 

                                       75
<PAGE>
 
     either directly or by or through agents or attorneys or custodians or
     nominees and the Trustee shall not be responsible for the supervision of,
     or any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney
     appointed with due care by it hereunder;

          (h) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or
     omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be
     authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it
     by this Indenture;

          (i) in the event that the Trustee is also acting as Authenticating
     Agent, Paying Agent or Security Registrar hereunder, the rights and
     protections afforded to the Trustee pursuant to this Article VI shall also
     be afforded to such Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent and Security
     Registrar; and

          (j) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or
     Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual
     knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact
     such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of
     the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

SECTION VI.4   Not Responsible for Recitals
               or Issuance of Securities.
               ----------------------------

          The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the
Trustee's certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of
the Company, and the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent assumes no
responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to
the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities.  The Trustee
shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities
or the proceeds thereof.

SECTION VI.5   May Hold Securities.
               -------------------   

          The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security
Registrar or any other agent of the Company or any Guarantor, in its individual
or 

                                       76
<PAGE>
 
any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and,
subject to Sections 6.8 and 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Company or a
Guarantor with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee,
Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.

SECTION VI.6   Money Held in Trust.
               -------------------   

          Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law.  The Trustee shall be
under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as
otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

SECTION VI.7   Compensation and Reimbursement.
               ------------------------------   

          The Company agrees

          (1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as the
     Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing for all
     services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited
     by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an
     express trust);

          (2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to promptly
     reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses,
     disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance
     with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation
     and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any
     such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its
     negligence or bad faith; and

          (3) to indemnify the Trustee, its directors, officers, agents and
     employees for, and to hold them harmless against, any and all loss, damage,
     claim, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its
     part, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or
     determined by the revenue or income of the Trustee), arising out of or in
     connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including
     the 

                                       77
<PAGE>
 
     costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether
     asserted by the Company, a Holder or any other Person) or liability in
     connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties
     hereunder.

          The Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities as to all
property and funds held by it hereunder for any amount owing to it pursuant to
this Section 6.7, except with respect to funds held in trust for the benefit of
the Holders of particular Securities.

          When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection
with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(7) or Section 5.1(8), the
expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the
compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or
other similar law.

          The provisions of this Section shall survive any termination of this
Indenture.

SECTION VI.8   Conflicting Interests.
               ---------------------   

          If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the
meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such
interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to
the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

SECTION VI.9   Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
               ---------------------------------------   

          There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a
Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and
has, or is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a bank holding company that has, a
combined capital 

                                       78
<PAGE>
 
and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and a Corporate Trust Office in the Borough
of Manhattan, The City of New York. If such Person publishes reports of
condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of a Federal
or State supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this
Section and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined
capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital
and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If
at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with
the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

SECTION VI.10  Resignation and Removal;
               Appointment of Successor.
               ------------------------   

          (a)  No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a
     successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the
     acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the
     applicable requirements of Section 6.11.

          (b)  The Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice
     thereof to the Company.  If an instrument of acceptance by a successor
     Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11
     shall not have been delivered to the Company and the resigning Trustee
     within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the
     resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of
     competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

          (c)  The Trustee may be removed at any time by Act of the Holders of a
     majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, delivered to
     the Trustee and to the Company.  If an instrument of acceptance by a
     successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section
     6.11 shall not have been delivered to the Company and the Trustee being
     removed within 30 days after the giving of such notice of removal, the
     Trustee being removed may petition, at the expense of the Company, any
     court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

          (d)   If at any time:

          (i)   the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 6.8 after written
     request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide
     Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

                                       79
<PAGE>
 
          (ii)  the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.9 and
     shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company, any
     Guarantor or by any such Holder, or

          (iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be
     adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its
     property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or
     control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
     rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, (A) the Company or any Guarantor, in each case by a
Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee, or (B) subject to Section 5.14, any
Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months
may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court
of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of
a successor Trustee.

          (e)  If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of
     acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause,
     the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor
     Trustee.  If, within one year after such resignation, removal or
     incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee shall
     be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
     Outstanding Securities delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee,
     the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of
     such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section
     6.11, become the successor Trustee and supersede the successor Trustee
     appointed by the Company.  If no successor Trustee shall have been so
     appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in
     accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11, any Holder who
     has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on
     behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of
     competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

                                       80
<PAGE>
 
          (f)  The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each
     removal of the Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all
     Holders in the manner provided in Section 1.6.  Each notice shall include
     the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust
     Office.

          (g)  The resignation or removal of the Trustee pursuant to this
     Section 6.10 shall not affect the obligation of the Company to indemnify
     the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.7(3) in connection with the exercise or
     performance by the Trustee prior to its resignation or removal of any of
     its powers or duties hereunder.

          (h) No Trustee under this Indenture shall be liable for any action or
     omission of any successor Trustee.

SECTION VI.11  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
               --------------------------------------   

          Every successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge
and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting
such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring
Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further
act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts
and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Company or the
successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges,
execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the
rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign,
transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by
such retiring Trustee hereunder.  Upon request of any such successor Trustee,
the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly
vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and
trusts.

          No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time
of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under
this Article.

SECTION VI.12  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation

                                       81
<PAGE>
 
               or Succession to Business.
               ---------------------------------

          Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or
with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business
of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such
                                                                 --------     
corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article,
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
any of the parties hereto.  In case any Securities shall have been
authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor
by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt
such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same
effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

SECTION VI.13  Preferential Collection of Claims
               Against the Company or a Guarantor.
               ---------------------------------- 

          If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company
or a Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be
subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of
claims against the Company or such Guarantor (or any such other obligor).

SECTION VI.14  Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
               -----------------------------------   

          The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents which shall
be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities issued
upon original issue and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial
redemption or partial purchase or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so
authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be
valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee
hereunder.  Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication
and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of
authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and
delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate
of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.
Each Authenticating Agent 

                                       82
<PAGE>
 
shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation
organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any
State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as
Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than
$50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state
authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least
annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or
examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital
and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined
capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so
published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in
accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall
resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

          Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of
the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent,
shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be
                                              --------                          
otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any
paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

          An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written
notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company.  The Trustee may at any time
terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof
to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company.  Upon receiving such a notice
of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating
Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such
appointment in the manner provided in Section 1.6, to all Holders as their names
and addresses appear in the Security Register.  Any successor Authenticating
Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall 

                                       83
<PAGE>
 
become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor
hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent.
No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the
provisions of this Section.

          The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to
time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.

          If an appointment is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities may
have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee's certificate of
authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following
form:

          This is one of the Securities described in the within-mentioned
Indenture.


Dated:
                      The Bank of New York,

                                    As Trustee


                         By:______________________________________
                                As Authenticating Agent


                         By:______________________________________
                                Authorized Signatory


                                  ARTICLE VII

               Holders' Lists and Reports by Trustee and Company

SECTION VII.1  Company to Furnish Trustee
               Names and Addresses of Holders.
               ------------------------------   

          The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee a
list of the names and addresses of the Holders in such form as the Trustee may
reasonably request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company
of any such request, as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such
list is furnished; excluding from any such list names and ad-
                   ---------                                                   

                                       84
<PAGE>
 
dresses received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar.

SECTION VII.2  Preservation of Information;
               Communications to Holders.
               ----------------------------

          (a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent
list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.1 and the names and
addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security
Registrar, if so acting.

          (b) The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with
respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the
corresponding rights and duties of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the
Trust Indenture Act.

          (c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same,
agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company, any Guarantor
nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by
reason of any disclosure of information as to the names and addresses of Holders
made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION VII.3  Reports by Trustee.
               ------------------   

          (a) Within 60 days after July 15 of each year commencing July 15,
1999, the Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee
and its actions under this Indenture to the extent required pursuant to the
Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.

          (b) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission
to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which the
Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company.  The Company
will promptly notify the Trustee when the Securities are listed on any stock
exchange and of any delisting thereof.

SECTION VII.4  Reports by Company.
               ------------------    

                                       85
<PAGE>
 
          The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and
transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such
summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the
times and in the manner provided pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act; provided
                                                                      --------
that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the
- ----                                                                         
Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed
with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with
the Commission.

          Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is
for informational purposes only and the Trustee's receipt of such shall not
constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or
determinable from information contained therein, including the Company's
compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is
entitled to rely exclusively on Officer's Certificates).


                                 ARTICLE VIII

             Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease

SECTION VIII.1 Company May Consolidate,
               Etc. Only on Certain Terms.
               --------------------------   

          (A) The Company will not, in any transaction or series of
transactions, merge or consolidate with or into, or sell, assign, convey,
transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its
properties and assets as an entirety to, any Person or Persons, and (B) the
Company will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to enter into any
such transaction or series of transactions if such transaction or series of
transactions, in the aggregate, would result in a sale, assignment, conveyance,
transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
properties and assets of the Company or the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any other Person or Persons, unless, in each
of cases (A) and (B), at the time and after giving effect thereto:

     (1)  either:

          (x) if the transaction or transactions is a merger or consolidation,
          the Company, or such 

                                       86
<PAGE>
 
          Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be the surviving
          Person of such merger or consolidation, or

          (y) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company,
          or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is merged or to
          which the properties and assets of the Company or such Restricted
          Subsidiary, as the case may be, substantially as an entirety, are
          transferred (any such surviving Person or transferee Person being the
          "Surviving Entity") shall be a corporation organized and existing
          under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or
          the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume by a supplemental
          indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory
          to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company or such Restricted
          Subsidiary, as the case may be, under the Securities, this Indenture
          and the Registration Rights Agreement and this Indenture, the
          Securities, the Guarantees and the Registration Rights Agreement shall
          remain in full force and effect;

     (2)  immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of
     transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without limitation, any
     Indebtedness incurred or anticipated to be incurred in connection with or
     in respect of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or
     Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

     (3)  except in the case of any merger of the Company with any wholly-owned
     Subsidiary of the Company or any merger of a wholly owned Restricted
     Subsidiary of the Company with and into a Guarantor or merger of Guarantors
     (and in each case, with no other Persons), the Company or the Surviving
     Entity, as the case may be, after giving effect to such transaction or
     series of transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without limitation,
     any Indebtedness incurred or anticipated to be incurred in connection with
     or in respect of such transaction or series of transactions), could incur
     $1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other than Permitted 

                                       87
<PAGE>
 
     Indebtedness) under Section 10.8 (assuming a market rate of interest with
     respect to such additional Indebtedness).

          In connection with any consolidation, merger, transfer, lease,
assignment or other disposition contemplated by the foregoing provisions of this
Section 8.1, the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the
Trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, an
Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such
consolidation, merger, transfer, lease, assignment, or other disposition and the
supplemental indenture in respect thereof (required under clause (1)(y) of this
Section 8.1) comply with the requirements of this Indenture.  Each such
Officer's Certificate shall set forth the manner of determination of the ability
to incur Indebtedness in accordance with clause (3) of this Section 8.1.

SECTION VIII.2 Successor Substituted.
               ---------------------   

          Except as otherwise provided by Section 13.5, upon any consolidation
or merger, or any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition
of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company in
accordance with Section 8.1, the successor Person formed by such consolidation
or into which the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is
merged or the successor Person to which such sale, assignment, conveyance,
transfer, lease or disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for,
and may exercise every right and power of the Company under the Securities, this
Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement, as applicable, with the same
effect as if such successor had been named as the Company in the Securities,
this Indenture and/or in the Registration  Rights Agreement, as the case may be
and, except in the case of a lease, the Company, or such Restricted Subsidiary,
as the case may be, shall be released and discharged from its obligations
thereunder.

          For all purposes of this Indenture and the Securities (including the
provisions of this Article VIII and Sections 10.8, 10.9 and 10.12), Subsidiaries
of any Surviving Entity shall, upon consummation of such transaction or series
of related transactions, become Restricted Subsidiaries unless and until
designated 

                                       88
<PAGE>
 
Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to and in accordance with Section 10.18 and
all Indebtedness, and all Liens on property or assets, of the Company, and the
Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in existence immediately prior to
such transaction or series of related transactions will be deemed to have been
incurred upon consummation of such transaction or series of related
transactions.


                                  ARTICLE IX

                 Amendments; Waivers; Supplemental Indentures

SECTION IX.1   Amendments, Waivers and Supplemental
               Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
               -------------------------------------   

          Without the consent of any Holders, the Company and each Guarantor,
when authorized by Board Resolutions, and the Trustee, at any time and from time
to time, may together amend, waive or supplement this Indenture, for any of the
following purposes:

          (i) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company or a
     Guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the
     Company or such Guarantor herein and in the Securities or such Guarantor's
     Guaranty and to evidence the assumption of obligations under this Indenture
     and a Guaranty pursuant to Section 10.17; or

          (ii) to add to the covenants of the Company or a Guarantor for the
     benefit of the Holders, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred
     upon the Company or a Guarantor; or

          (iii) to secure the Securities pursuant to the requirements of Section
     10.12 or otherwise; or

          (iv) to comply with any requirements of the Commission in order to
     effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust
     Indenture Act; or

          (v) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision
     herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision
     herein, or 

                                       89
<PAGE>
 
     to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising
     under this Indenture which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of
     this Indenture,

provided that (a) such amendment, waiver or supplement does not adversely affect
- -------- ----                                                                   
the rights of any Holder of Securities and (b) the Company shall have delivered
to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that such action pursuant to
clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) above is permitted by this Indenture.  The
Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such amendment or supplemental
indenture that adversely affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this
Indenture or otherwise.

SECTION IX.2   Modifications, Amendments and Supplemental 
               Indentures with Consent of Holders.
               ----------------------------------

          With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, by Act of said Holders delivered
to the Company and the Trustee, the Company and the Guarantors, when authorized
by Board Resolutions, and the Trustee may together modify, amend or supplement
this Indenture for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any
manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in
any manner the rights of the Holders under this Indenture; provided, however,
                                                           --------  ------- 
that no such modification, amendment or supplemental indenture shall, without
the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby,

          (i)   reduce the principal amount of, extend the Stated Maturity of or
     alter the redemption provisions of, the Securities,

          (ii)  change the currency in which any Securities or any premium or
     the interest thereon is payable,

          (iii) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding
     Securities that must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver or
     consent to take any action under this Indenture or the Securities or any
     Guaranty,

                                       90
<PAGE>
 
          (iv)  impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
     payment on or with respect to the Securities or any Guaranty,

          (v)   waive a default in payment with respect to the Securities or any
     Guaranty,

          (vi)  amend, change or modify the obligation of the Company to make
     and consummate a Change of Control Offer in the event of a Change of
     Control or make and consummate an Asset Sale Offer with respect to any
     Asset Sale or modify any of the provisions or definitions with respect
     thereto,

          (vii) reduce or change the rate or time for payment of interest on the
     Securities, or

          (viii) modify or change any provision of this Indenture affecting the
     ranking of the Securities or any Guaranty in a manner adverse to the
     Holders of the Securities.

          It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to
approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or supplemental indenture,
but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

          The Trustee shall join with the Company and each Guarantor in the
execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or
supplemental indenture affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities
under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its
discretion but shall not be obligated to enter into such amendment or
supplemental indenture.

          In addition, no modification, amendment or supplement to the
provisions of Article XIV which is adverse to the interests of the lenders under
the Credit Facility or the Term Loan shall be made without the consent of the
representatives of such lenders.

SECTION IX.3   Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
               ------------------------------------   

          In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of
the 

                                       91
<PAGE>
 
trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive,
and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an
Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is
authorized or permitted by this Indenture.  The Trustee may, but shall not be
obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the
Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise;
provided that the Trustee shall enter into and execute all other supplemental
- -------- ----                                                                
indentures which satisfy all applicable conditions under this Article IX.

SECTION IX.4   Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
               ---------------------------------   

          Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article,
this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder
of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder
shall be bound thereby.

SECTION IX.5   Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
               -----------------------------------   

          Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall
conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

SECTION IX.6   Reference in Securities
               to Supplemental Indentures.
               --------------------------   

          Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by
the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for in such supplemental indenture,  provided that any failure by the
                                              -------- ----                   
Trustee to make such notation shall not affect the validity of the matter
provided for in such supplemental indenture or any Security or Guaranty
hereunder.  If the Company shall so determine, new Securities or Guarantees so
modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee, the Guarantors and the
Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the
Company or Guarantor and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange
for Outstanding Securities.

                                       92
<PAGE>
 
SECTION IX.7   Waiver of Certain Covenants.
               ---------------------------   

          The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any
covenant or condition set forth in Section 8.1, provided pursuant to Section
9.1(ii) and set forth in Sections 10.4 to 10.12 and 10.15 to 10.18, inclusive,
if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities shall, by Act of such Holders,
either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with
such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such
covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such
waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of
the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full
force and effect; provided, however, with respect to an Offer as to which an
                  --------  -------                                         
Offer to Purchase has been mailed, no such waiver may be made or shall be
effective against any Holder tendering Securities pursuant to such Offer, and
the Company may not omit to comply with the terms of such Offer as to such
Holder.

SECTION IX.8   No Liability for Certain Persons.
               --------------------------------   

     No director, officer, employee, or stockholder of Holdings or the Company,
nor any director, officer or employee of any Guarantor, as such, shall have any
liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the
Securities, the Guarantees or this Indenture based on or by reason of such
obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and
releases all such liability. The foregoing waiver and release is an integral
part of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities and the Guarantees.


                                   ARTICLE X

                                   Covenants

SECTION X.1    Payment of Principal,
               Premium and Interest.
               -------------------- 

          The Company shall duly and punctually pay the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest on the 

                                       93
<PAGE>
 
Securities in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture.

SECTION X.2    Maintenance of Office or Agency.
               -------------------------------   

          The Company shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, an office or agency where Securities may be presented or surrendered
for payment, where Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or
exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company or any Guarantor
in respect of the Securities, the Guarantees and this Indenture may be served.
The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and
any change in the location, of such office or agency.  If at any time the
Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail
to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders,
notices and demands may be made or served at a Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all
such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.  In the event any such
notice or demands are so made or served on the Trustee, the Trustee shall
promptly forward copies thereof to the Company.

          The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies (in or outside the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York) where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all such
purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however,
                                                              --------  ------- 
that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company
of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, for such purposes.  The Company shall give prompt written
notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in
the location of any such other office or agency.

SECTION X.3    Money for Security Payments
               to be Held in Trust.
               -------------------  

          If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent, it will,
on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest
on any of the Securities, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the
Persons entitled thereto a sum suffi-

                                       94
<PAGE>
 
cient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due
until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein
provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to
act.

          Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents, the Company
will, prior to 11:00 a.m. New York City time on each due date of the principal
of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities, deposit with a Paying
Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so
becoming due, such sum to be held as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and
(unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the
Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

          The Company shall cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to
execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent
shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that
such Paying Agent will: (i) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture
Act applicable to it as Paying Agent and (ii) during the continuance of any
default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities) in the making
of any payment in respect of the Securities, upon the written request of the
Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying
Agent as such.

          The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or
by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in
trust by such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same
trusts as those upon which such sums were held by such Paying Agent; and, upon
such payment by any Paying Agent (other than the Company) to the Trustee, such
Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such
money.

          Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held
by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if
any) or interest on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after
such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable
shall be paid to the 

                                       95
<PAGE>
 
Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged
from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an
unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and
all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust
money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon
cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being
       --------  -------                          
required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to
be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily
published on each Business Day and of general circulation in The City of New
York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified
therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication,
any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the
Company.

SECTION X.4    Existence; Activities.
               ---------------------   

          Subject to Article VIII, the Company shall do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence,
rights (charter and statutory) and material franchises; provided, however, that
                                                        --------  -------      
the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the
Board of Directors of the Company in good faith shall determine that the
preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of
the Company and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material
respect to the Holders.

SECTION X.5    Maintenance of Properties.
               -------------------------   

          The Company shall cause all material properties used in the conduct of
its business or the business of any Restricted Subsidiary to be maintained and
kept in good condition, repair and working order (regular wear and tear
excepted), all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the
business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously
conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall
                        --------  -------                                    
prevent the Company from disposing of any asset (subject to compliance with
Section 10.14) or from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any of such
material properties if such discontinuance is, as determined by the Company in
good 

                                       96
<PAGE>
 
faith, desirable in the conduct of its business or the business of any
Restricted Subsidiary and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the
Holders.

SECTION X.6    Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.
               ---------------------------------   

          The Company shall pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged,
before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and
governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (2) all lawful material claims for labor,
materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon
property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided,
                                                               -------- 
however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to
- -------                                                                        
be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount,
applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate 
proceedings.

SECTION X.7    Maintenance of Insurance.
               ------------------------   

          The Company shall, and shall cause its Restricted Subsidiaries to,
keep at all times all of their material properties which are of an insurable
nature insured against loss or damage with insurers believed by the Company to
be responsible to the extent that property of similar character is usually so
insured by corporations similarly situated and owning like properties in
accordance with good business practice.  The Company shall, and shall cause its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, use the proceeds from any such insurance policy to
repair, replace or otherwise restore all material properties to which such
proceeds relate, provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to
                 --------  -------                                           
repair, replace or otherwise restore any such material property if the Company
in good faith determines that such inaction is desirable in the conduct of the
business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and not disadvantageous in
any material respect to the Holders.

SECTION X.8    Limitation on Indebtedness.
               --------------------------   

          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee
or in 

                                       97
<PAGE>
 
any manner become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise
(in each case, to "incur"), for the payment of any Indebtedness (including any
Acquired Indebtedness) other than Permitted Indebtedness; provided, however,
                                                          --------  ------- 
that (i) the Company and any Guarantor will be permitted to incur Indebtedness
(including Acquired Indebtedness), and (ii) a Restricted Subsidiary will be
permitted to incur Acquired Indebtedness, if in each case, after giving pro
forma effect to (1) the incurrence of such Indebtedness and (if applicable) the
application of the net proceeds therefrom, including to refinance other
Indebtedness, as if such Indebtedness were incurred at the beginning of the four
full fiscal quarters immediately preceding such incurrence, taken as one period;
(2) the incurrence, repayment or retirement of any other Indebtedness by the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter
period as if such Indebtedness was incurred, repaid or retired at the beginning
of such four-quarter period (except that, in making such computation, the amount
of Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility shall be computed based upon
the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during such four-quarter period);
and (3) any Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition occurring since the first day of
such four-quarter period (including to the date of calculation) as if such
acquisition or disposition occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter
period, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company is at least
2:1.

SECTION X.9    Limitation on Restricted Payments.
               ---------------------------------   

          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

          (a)  declare or pay any dividend or make any other distribution or
     payment on or in respect of Capital Stock of the Company or any of its
     Restricted Subsidiaries or make any payment to the direct or indirect
     holders (in their capacities as such) of Capital Stock of the Company or
     any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than dividends or distributions
     payable solely in Capital Stock of the Company (other than Redeemable
     Capital Stock) or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase Capital
     Stock of the Company (other than Redeemable 

                                       98
<PAGE>
 
     Capital Stock)) (other than the declaration or payment of dividends or
     other distributions to the extent declared or paid to the Company or any
     Restricted Subsidiary);

          (b)  purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for
     value any Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Restricted
     Subsidiaries or any options, warrants, or other rights to purchase any such
     Capital Stock (other than any securities owned by the Company or a
     Restricted Subsidiary);

          (c)  make any principal payment on, or purchase, defease, repurchase,
     redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to any scheduled
     maturity, scheduled repayment, scheduled sinking fund payment or other
     Stated Maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness (other than any such
     Subordinated Indebtedness owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary);
     or

          (d)  make any Investment (other than any Permitted Investment) in any
     Person,

     (such payments or Investments described in the preceding clauses (a), (b),
     (c) and (d) are collectively referred to as "Restricted Payments"), unless,
     after giving effect to the proposed Restricted Payment (the amount of any
     such Restricted Payment, if other than cash, shall be the Fair Market Value
     of the asset(s) proposed to be transferred by the Company or such
     Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to such Restricted
     Payment), (A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
     continuing, (B) immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment,
     the Company would be able to incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other
     than Permitted Indebtedness) (assuming a market rate of interest with
     respect to such additional Indebtedness) and (C) the aggregate amount of
     all Restricted Payments declared or made from and after the Issue Date
     would not exceed the sum of:

          (1)  50% of the aggregate Consolidated Net Income of the Company
     accrued on a cumulative basis during the period beginning on May 22, 1998
     and 

                                       99
<PAGE>
 
     ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Company immediately
     preceding the date of such proposed Restricted Payment (or, if such
     aggregate cumulative Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period
     shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit);

          (2)  the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company as
     capital contributions to the Company after May 22, 1998 and which
     constitute shareholders' equity of the Company in accordance with GAAP;

          (3)  the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company from the
     issuance or sale of Capital Stock (excluding Redeemable Capital Stock) of
     the Company to any Person (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) after
     May 22, 1998;

          (4)  the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company from any
     Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company) upon the exercise of any
     options, warrants or rights to purchase shares of Capital Stock (other than
     Redeemable Capital Stock) of the Company after May 22, 1998;

          (5)  the aggregate net cash proceeds received after May 22, 1998 by
     the Company from any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company) for
     debt securities that have been converted or exchanged into or for Capital
     Stock of the Company (other than Redeemable Capital Stock) (to the extent
     such debt securities were originally sold for cash) plus the aggregate
     amount of cash received by the Company (other than from a Subsidiary of the
     Company) in connection with such conversion or exchange;

          (6)  in the case of the disposition or repayment of any Investment
     constituting a Restricted Payment after May 22, 1998, an amount equal to
     the lesser of the return of capital with respect to such Investment and the
     initial amount of such Investment, in either case, less the cost of the
     disposition of such Investment; and

          (7)  so long as the Designation (as defined in Section 10.18) thereof
     was treated as a Restricted Payment made after May 22, 1998, with respect
     to any Unrestricted Subsidiary that has been 

                                      100
<PAGE>
 
     redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date in accordance
     with Section 10.18 below, the Fair Market Value of the Company's interest
     in such Subsidiary, provided that such amount shall not in any case exceed
                         -------- ----
     the Designation Amount (as defined in Section 10.18) with respect to such
     Restricted Subsidiary upon its Designation,

     minus:

     the Designation Amount (measured as of the date of Designation) with
     respect to any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which has been
     designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after May 22, 1998 in accordance
     with Section 10.18 below.

     For purposes of the preceding clause (C)(4), the value of the aggregate net
proceeds received by the Company upon the issuance of Capital Stock upon the
exercise of options, warrants or rights will be the net cash proceeds received
upon the issuance of such options, warrants or rights plus the incremental
amount received by the Company upon the exercise thereof.

     None of the foregoing provisions shall prohibit, so long, in the case of
clauses (ii), (iii), (v), (vi) and (vii) below, as there is no Default or Event
of Default continuing, (i) the payment of any dividend or distribution within 60
days after the date of its declaration, if at the date of declaration such
payment would be permitted by the first paragraph of this covenant; (ii) the
redemption, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement of any shares of any
class of Capital Stock of the Company in exchange for, or out of the net cash
proceeds of, a substantially concurrent issue and sale of other shares of
Capital Stock of the Company (other than Redeemable Capital Stock) to any Person
(other than to a Subsidiary of the Company); provided, however, that such net
                                             --------  -------               
cash proceeds are excluded from clause (C) of the first paragraph of this
covenant; (iii) any redemption, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement of
Subordinated Indebtedness by exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of, a
substantially concurrent issue and sale of (1) Capital Stock (other than
Redeemable Capital Stock) of the Company to any Person (other than to a
Subsidiary of the Company); provided, however, that any such net cash proceeds
                            --------  -------                                 
are excluded from clause (C) 

                                      101
<PAGE>
 
of the first paragraph of this covenant; or (2) Indebtedness of the Company so
long as such Indebtedness is Subordinated Indebtedness which (w) has no
scheduled principal payment prior to the 91st day after the Maturity Date, (x)
has an Average Life to Stated Maturity greater than the remaining Average Life
to Stated Maturity of the Securities and (y) is subordinated to the Securities
in the same manner and to the same extent as the Subordinated Indebtedness so
purchased, exchanged, redeemed, acquired or retired; (iv) Investments
constituting Restricted Payments made as a result of the receipt of non-cash
consideration from any Asset Sale or other sale of assets or property made
pursuant to and in compliance with this Indenture; (v) payments to purchase
Capital Stock of the Company or Holdings from officers of the Company, pursuant
to agreements in effect as of the Issue Date, in an amount not to exceed
$15,000,000 in the aggregate; (vi) payments (other than those covered by clause
(v)) to purchase Capital Stock of the Company or Holdings from management or
employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or their authorized
representatives, upon the death, disability or termination of employment of such
employees, in aggregate amounts under this clause (vi) not to exceed $1,000,000
in any fiscal year of the Company,(vii) payments to Holdings in an amount
sufficient to permit it to make scheduled payments of interest on its 62%
Convertible Subordinated Debentures due August 1, 2028, issued to United Rentals
Trust I, (viii) payments to Holdings in an amount sufficient to enable Holdings
to pay (1) its taxes, legal, accounting, payroll, benefits and corporate
overhead expenses (including Commission, stock exchange and transfer agency fees
and expenses), and expenses of United Rentals Trust I payable by Holdings
pursuant to the terms of the trust agreement governing such trust, (2) trade,
lease, payroll, benefits and other obligations in respect of goods to be
delivered to, services (including management and consulting services) performed
for and properties used by, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, (3) the
purchase price for Investments in other Persons, provided that promptly
following such Investment either (x) such other Person either becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary or is merged or consolidated with, or transfers or conveys
all or substantially all of its assets to, the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary, or (y) such Investment would otherwise be permitted under this
Indenture if made by the 

                                      102
<PAGE>
 
Company and such Investment is contributed or transferred by Holdings to the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and (4) reasonable and customary incidental
expenses (other than the expenses described in the preceding clause (1)) not to
exceed $500,000 in any fiscal year of the Company and (ix) the payment of any
dividend or distribution by a Restricted Subsidiary to the holders of its
Capital Stock on a pro rata basis. Any payments made pursuant to clauses (i),
                   --------            
(v), (vi) or (vii) of this paragraph shall be taken into account in calculating
the amount of Restricted Payments made from and after May 22, 1998.

SECTION X.10   Limitation on Preferred Stock
               of Restricted Subsidiaries.
               --------------------------  

          The Company shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any
Preferred Stock other than Preferred Stock issued to the Company or a wholly-
owned Restricted Subsidiary.  The Company shall not sell, transfer or otherwise
dispose of Preferred Stock issued by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or
permit a Restricted Subsidiary to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of
Preferred Stock issued by a wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiary, other than to
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing
in this covenant shall prohibit Preferred Stock (other than Redeemable Capital
Stock) issued by a Person prior to the time (A) such Person becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company, (B) such Person merges with or into a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company or (C) a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company merges
with or into such Person; provided, that such Preferred Stock was not issued or
                          --------  ----                                       
incurred by such Person in anticipation of a transaction contemplated by
subclause (A), (B), or (C) above.

SECTION X.11   Limitation on Transactions
               with Affiliates.
               --------------------------

          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into any transaction or series of
related transactions (including, without limitation, the sale, transfer,
disposition, purchase, exchange or lease of assets, property or services) with,
or for the benefit of, any of its Affiliates (other than Restricted
Subsidiaries), except (a) on terms that are no less favor-

                                      103
<PAGE>
 
able to the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those which
could have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time from Persons
who are not Affiliates of the Company, (b) with respect to a transaction or
series of related transactions involving aggregate payments or value equal to or
greater than $2,000,000 the Company shall have delivered an Officer's
Certificate to the Trustee certifying that such transaction or transactions
comply with the preceding clause (a), and (c) with respect to a transaction or
series of related transactions involving aggregate payments or value equal to or
greater than $5,000,000, such transaction or transactions shall have been
approved by a majority of the Disinterested Members of the Board of Directors of
the Company.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the restrictions set forth in this
covenant shall not apply to (i) transactions with or among the Company and the
Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, (ii) customary directors' fees,
indemnification and similar arrangements, consulting fees, employee salaries,
bonuses or employment agreements, compensation or employee benefit arrangements
and incentive arrangements with any officer, director or employee of the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary entered into in the ordinary course of business,
(iii) any dividends made in compliance with Section 10.9, (iv) loans and
advances to officers, directors and employees of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary for travel, entertainment, moving and other relocation expenses, in
each case made in the ordinary course of business, (v) the incurrence of
intercompany Indebtedness which constitutes Permitted Indebtedness, (vi)
transactions pursuant to agreements in effect on the Issue Date, (vii) the
purchase of equipment for its Fair Market Value from Terex Corporation or its
Affiliates in the ordinary course of business of each of Terex Corporation and
the Company and (viii) transactions described in, or permitted by, clauses (vii)
and (viii) of the final paragraph of Section 10.9.

SECTION X.12   Limitation on Liens.
               -------------------   

          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Liens of any kind
against or upon any of its property or assets, or any proceeds therefrom, unless
the Securities are equally and ratably 

                                      104
<PAGE>
 
secured (except that Liens securing Subordinated Indebtedness shall be expressly
subordinate to Liens securing the Securities to the same extent such
Subordinated Indebtedness is subordinate to the Securities), except for (a)
Liens securing Senior Indebtedness or Guarantor Senior Indebtedness; (b) Liens
securing the Securities; (c) Liens in favor of the Company on assets of any
Subsidiary of the Company; (d) Liens securing Indebtedness which is incurred to
refinance Indebtedness which has been secured by a Lien permitted under the
Indenture and which has been incurred in accordance with the provisions of this
Indenture; provided, however, that such Liens do not extend to or cover any
           --------  -------           
property or assets of the Company or any its Restricted Subsidiaries not
securing the Indebtedness so refinanced; and (e) Permitted Liens.

SECTION X.13   Change of Control.
               -----------------   

          On or before the 30th day after the date of the occurrence of a Change
of Control (the "Change of Control Date"), the Company shall make an Offer to
Purchase (a "Change of Control Offer") on a Business Day not more than 60 nor
less than 30 days following the occurrence of the Change of Control, (the
"Change of Control Purchase Date") all of the then Outstanding Securities
tendered at a purchase price (the "Change of Control Purchase Price") equal to
101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any,
thereon to the Change of Control Purchase Date.  The Company shall be required
to purchase all Securities tendered into the Change of Control Offer and not
withdrawn.

          On the Change of Control Purchase Date, the Company shall (i) accept
for payment Securities or portions thereof (not less than $1,000 principal
amount and integral multiples thereof) tendered pursuant to the Change of
Control Offer, (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent money, in immediately
available funds, sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Securities or
portions thereof so tendered and accepted and (iii) deliver to the Trustee the
Securities so accepted together with an Officer's Certificate setting forth the
Securities or portions thereof tendered to and accepted for payment by the
Company.  The Paying Agent shall promptly mail or deliver to the Holders of
Securities so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase price, and the
Trust-

                                      105
<PAGE>
 
ee shall promptly authenticate and make available for delivery to such Holders a
new Security of like tenor equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion
of the Security surrendered. Any Securities not so accepted shall be promptly
mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company shall
publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer not later than the
third Business Day following the Change of Control Purchase Date.

          The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer
upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in
the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements
applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all
Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control
Offer.

          The Company shall comply with Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and
any other securities laws and regulations thereunder, to the extent such laws or
regulations are applicable, in the event that a Change of Control occurs and the
Company is required to purchase Securities as described above.

SECTION X.14   Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales.
               --------------------------------------   

          The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, make any Asset Sale unless (a) the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset
Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares or assets sold or
otherwise disposed of and (b) at least 75% of such consideration consists of
cash or Cash Equivalents or Replacement Assets; provided, however, that (i) the
                                                --------  -------              
amount of any liabilities (as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary) of the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary that are assumed by the transferee of such assets and (ii) any
securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted within 30 days
into cash or Cash Equivalents (to the extent of the cash or Cash Equivalents
received) shall be deemed to be cash for the purposes of this provision;
                                                                        
provided further, that the 75% limitation referred to in clause (b) will not
- -------- -------                                                            
apply to any Asset Sale in which the 

                                      106
<PAGE>
 
cash or Cash Equivalent portion of the consideration received therefrom,
determined in accordance with the foregoing provision, is equal to or greater
than what the after-tax proceeds would have been had such Asset Sale complied
with the aforementioned 75% limitation. To the extent that the Net Cash Proceeds
of any Asset Sale are not required to be applied to repay, and permanently
reduce the commitments under, Senior Indebtedness of the Company, or are not so
applied, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, may
apply the Net Cash Proceeds from such Asset Sale, within 360 days of such Asset
Sale, to an investment in properties and assets that replace the properties and
assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale or in properties and assets that
are used or useful in the business of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries conducted at such time or in businesses reasonably related thereto
or in Capital Stock of a Person, the principal portion of whose assets consist
of such property or assets ("Replacement Assets"). Any Net Cash Proceeds from
any Asset Sale that are neither used to repay, and permanently reduce the
commitments under, Senior Indebtedness of the Company, nor invested in
Replacement Assets within such 360-day period constitute "Excess Proceeds"
subject to disposition as provided below.

     When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds equals or exceeds $10,000,000,
the Company shall make an offer to purchase (an "Asset Sale Offer"), from all
holders of the Securities, an aggregate principal amount of Securities equal to
such Excess Proceeds, at a price in cash equal to 100% of the outstanding
principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to
the Purchase Date (the "Asset Sale Offer Price").  To the extent that the
aggregate principal amount of Securities tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale
Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Company may use such deficiency for
general corporate purposes.  The Securities shall be purchased by the Company,
at the option of the Holder thereof, in whole or in part in integral multiples
of $1,000, on a date that is not earlier than 30 days and not later than 60 days
from the date the notice is given to Holders, or such later date as may be
necessary for the Company to comply with the requirements under the Exchange
Act.  If Securities purchasable at an aggregate Purchase Price in excess of the
Purchase Amount are tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer
to Purchase, the Company shall purchase 

                                      107
<PAGE>
 
Securities on a pro rata basis, based on the Purchase Price therefor, or such
                --------                
other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (subject in each
case to applicable rules of the Depositary and any securities exchange upon
which the Securities may then be listed), with such adjustments as may be deemed
appropriate so that only Securities in denominations of $1,000 principal face
amount or integral multiples thereof shall be purchased. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the Company is required to commence an Asset Sale Offer at any
time when securities of the Company ranking pari passu in right of payment with
the Securities are outstanding and the terms of such securities provide that a
similar offer must be made with respect to such other securities, then the Asset
Sale Offer for the Securities shall be made concurrently with such other offers
and securities of each issue will be accepted on a pro rata basis in proportion
to the aggregate principal amount of securities of each issue which the holders
thereof elect to have purchased. Any Asset Sale Offer will be made only to the
extent permitted under, and subject to prior compliance with, the terms of
agreements governing Senior Indebtedness. Upon completion of such Asset Sale
Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset to zero.

          On the Asset Sale Offer Purchase Date, the Company shall (i) accept
for payment (subject to pro ration as described in the Offer to Purchase)
Securities or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, (ii)
deposit with the Paying Agent money, in immediately available funds, sufficient
to pay the purchase price of all Securities or portions thereof so tendered and
accepted and (iii) deliver to the Trustee the Securities so accepted together
with an Officer's Certificate setting forth the Securities or portions thereof
tendered to and accepted for payment by the Company.  The Paying Agent shall
promptly mail or deliver to the Holders of Securities so accepted payment in an
amount equal to the purchase price, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate
and make available for delivery to such Holders a new Security of like tenor
equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Security
surrendered.  Any Securities not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or
delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof.  The Company shall publicly
announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer not later 

                                      108
<PAGE>
 
than the third business Day following the Asset Sale Offer Purchase Date.

          Whenever the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds received by the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries exceeds $10,000,000, such Excess
Proceeds shall, prior to the purchase of Securities, be set aside by the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in a separate account pending
(i) deposit with the Paying Agent of the amount required to purchase the
Securities tendered in an Asset Sale Offer or (ii) delivery by the Company of
the Asset Sale Offer Price to the Holders of the Securities validly tendered and
not withdrawn pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer.  Such Excess Proceeds may be
invested in Cash Equivalents, as directed by the Company, having a maturity date
which is not later than the earliest possible date for purchase of Securities
pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.  The Company will be entitled to any interest
or dividends accrued, earned or paid on such Cash Equivalents.

          The Company shall comply with Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and
any other securities laws and regulations thereunder, to the extent such laws
and regulations are applicable, in the event that an Asset Sale occurs and the
Company is required to purchase Securities as described above.

SECTION X.15   Limitation on Dividends and
               Other Payment Restrictions
               Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.
               ---------------------------------   

          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to
exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the
ability of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to (a) pay dividends, in
cash or otherwise, or make any other distributions on or in respect of its
Capital Stock or any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its
profits, (b) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any other Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company, (c) make loans or advances to the Company or any
other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, (d) transfer any of its properties
or assets to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or
(e) guarantee any Indebtedness of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company, except 

                                      109
<PAGE>
 
for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i)
applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order, (ii) customary non-
assignment provisions of any contract or any lease governing a leasehold
interest of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, (iii)
customary restrictions on transfers of property subject to a Lien permitted
under this Indenture, (iv) the Credit Facility and the Term Loan, as in effect
on the Issue Date, (v) any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in existence at the time
of such acquisition (but not created in contemplation thereof), which
encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or
assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the
Person, so acquired, (vi) an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition
of Capital Stock or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary or an agreement entered
into for the sale of specified assets (in either case, so long as such
encumbrance or restriction, by its terms, terminates on the earlier of the
termination of such agreement or the consummation of such agreement and so long
as such restriction applies only to the Capital Stock or assets to be sold),
(vii) any agreement in effect on the Issue Date, (viii) this Indenture and the
Guarantees, (ix) the indentures governing the 93% Notes, the 92% Notes and the
8.80% Notes and (x) any agreement that amends, extends, refinances, renews or
replaces any agreement described in the foregoing clauses, provided that 
                                                           -------- ----
the terms and conditions of any such agreement are not materially less
favorable to the Holders of the Securities with respect to such dividend and
payment restrictions than those under or pursuant to the agreement amended,
extended, refinanced, renewed or replaced.

SECTION X.16   Limitation on Issuance of
               Subordinated Indebtedness.
               ------------------------- 
 
          The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness
(including Acquired Indebtedness) that is subordinate in right of payment to any
Indebtedness of the Company and senior in right of payment to the Securities.

SECTION X.17   Additional Subsidiary Guarantees.
               --------------------------------   

                                      110
<PAGE>
 
          If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires, creates
or designates another United States Restricted Subsidiary, then such newly
acquired, created or designated Restricted Subsidiary shall, within 30 days
after the date of its acquisition, creation or designation, whichever is later,
(i) execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in form
reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall
unconditionally guarantee all of the Company's obligations under the Securities
and this Indenture on the terms set forth in this Indenture and (ii) deliver to
the Trustee an opinion of counsel that such supplemental indenture has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by such Subsidiary and constitutes a legal,
valid, binding and enforceable obligation of such Subsidiary, subject to normal
exceptions, provided that if such Subsidiary (a) is not incorporated or
            -------- ----                                              
organized in the State of New York or the State of Delaware and (b) is not a
significant Subsidiary (as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the
Securities Act, provided, however, that this determination shall be made by
                --------  -------                                          
reference to the most recent pro forma consolidated financial statements of the
Company filed under the Exchange Act, as permitted by Rule 3-05(b)(3) of
Regulation S-X), of the Company, such opinion of counsel may assume due
authorization, execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture.
Thereafter, such Subsidiary shall be a Guarantor for all purposes of this
Indenture.

SECTION X.18   Limitations on Designation
               of Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
               ----------------------------   

          (a)  The Company may designate after the Issue Date any Restricted
     Subsidiary as an "Unrestricted Subsidiary" under this Indenture (a
     "Designation") only if:

          (i)  no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of
          or after giving effect to such Designation;

          (ii)  the Company would be permitted to make an Investment (other than
          a Permitted Investment, except a Permitted Investment covered by
          clause (x) of the definition thereof) at the time of Designation
          (assuming the effectiveness of such Designation) pursuant to the 

                                      111
<PAGE>
 
          first paragraph of Section 10.9 in an amount (the "Designation
          Amount") equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company's interest in
          such Subsidiary on such date calculated in accordance with GAAP; and

          (iii)  the Company would be permitted under this Indenture to incur
          $1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness)
          pursuant to Section 10.8 at the time of such Designation (assuming the
          effectiveness of such Designation).

          In the event of any such Designation, the Company shall be deemed to
have made an Investment constituting a Restricted Payment pursuant to Section
10.9 for all purposes of this Indenture in the Designation Amount.

          The Company shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, at any time (x) provide credit support for or subject any of its
property or assets (other than the Capital Stock of any Unrestricted Subsidiary)
to the satisfaction of, any Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary
(including any undertaking, agreement or instrument evidencing such
Indebtedness), (y) be directly or indirectly liable for any Indebtedness of any
Unrestricted Subsidiary or (z) be directly or indirectly liable for any
Indebtedness which provides that the holder thereof may (upon notice, lapse of
time or both) declare a default thereon or cause the payment thereof to be
accelerated or payable prior to its final scheduled maturity upon the occurrence
of a default with respect to any Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary
(including any right to take enforcement action against such Unrestricted
Subsidiary), except any non-recourse guarantee given solely to support the
pledge by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Capital Stock of an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.  All Subsidiaries of Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall
automatically be deemed to be Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

          (b)  The Company may revoke any Designation of a Subsidiary as an
     Unrestricted Subsidiary (a "Revocation") if:

                                      112
<PAGE>
 
          (i)  no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of
          and after giving effect to such Revocation, and

          (ii)  all Liens and Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary
          outstanding immediately following such Revocation would, if incurred
          at such time by a Restricted Subsidiary, have been permitted to be
          incurred for all purposes of this Indenture.

          (c)  In the event the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary makes any
     Investment in any Person which was not previously a Subsidiary and such
     Person thereby becomes a Subsidiary, such Person shall automatically be an
     Unrestricted Subsidiary and the Company may designate such Subsidiary as a
     Restricted Subsidiary only if it meets the foregoing requirements of
     clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (b).

          (d)  All Designations and Revocations must be evidenced by Board
     Resolutions of the Company delivered to the Trustee certifying compliance
     with the foregoing provisions.

SECTION X.19   Provision of Financial Information.
               ----------------------------------   

          For so long as the Securities are outstanding, whether or not the
Company is subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or any
successor provision thereto, the Company shall file with the Commission (if
permitted by Commission practice and applicable law and regulations) the annual
reports, quarterly reports and other documents which the Company would have been
required to file with the Commission pursuant to such Section 13(a) or 15(d) or
any successor provision thereto if the Company were so subject, such documents
to be filed with the Commission on or prior to the respective dates (the
"Required Filing Dates") by which the Company would have been required so to
file such documents if the Company were so subject.  If, notwithstanding the
preceding sentence, filing such documents by the Company with the Commission is
not permitted by Commission practice or applicable law or regulations, the
Company will transmit (or cause to be transmitted) by mail to the Trustee and
all holders of the Securities, as their names and addresses appear in the
Securities Register, 

                                      113
<PAGE>
 
copies of such documents within 15 days after the Required Filing Date. In
addition, for so long as any Securities remain outstanding, the Company will
furnish to the Holders of Securities and to securities analysts and prospective
investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant
to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act, and, to any beneficial holder of
Securities, if not obtainable from the Commission, information of the type that
would be filed with the Commission pursuant to the foregoing provisions upon the
request of any such Holder.

SECTION X.20   Statement by Officers as to
               Default; Compliance Certificates.
               --------------------------------   

          (a)  The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, prior to March 31 in
each year commencing March 31, 1999, an Officer's Certificate, stating whether
or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in
the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of
this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice
provided hereunder), and if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such
defaults and the nature and status thereof of which he may have knowledge.

          (b)  The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible and
in any event within five days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence
of a Default or an Event of Default, an Officer's Certificate setting forth the
details of such Default or Event of Default, and the action which the Company
proposes to take with respect thereto.


                                  ARTICLE XI

                           Redemption of Securities

SECTION XI.1   Right of Redemption.
               -------------------   

          The Securities may be redeemed at the election of the Company, in the
amounts, at the times, at the Redemption Prices (together with any applicable
accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date), and subject to the
conditions specified in the form of Security and hereinafter set forth.

                                      114
<PAGE>
 
SECTION XI.2   Applicability of Article.
               ------------------------   

          Redemption of Securities at the election of the Company, as permitted
by this Indenture and the provisions of the Securities, shall be made in
accordance with such provisions and this Article.

SECTION XI.3   Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
               -------------------------------------   

          The election of the Company to redeem any Securities pursuant to
Section 11.1 shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution.  In the event of any
redemption at the election of the Company pursuant to Section 11.1, the Company
shall notify the Trustee, in case of a redemption of less than all the
Securities, at least 60 days, and in the case of a redemption of all the
Securities, at least 40 days, prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company
(in each case, unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee)of
such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed.

SECTION XI.4   Selection by Trustee of
               Securities to Be Redeemed.
               -------------------------   

          In the event that less than all of the Securities are to be redeemed
at any time, selection of such Securities for redemption will be made by the
Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities
exchange, if any, on which the Securities are listed or, if the Securities are
not then listed on a national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot
                                                        --------              
or by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (subject to the
rules of the Depositary); provided, however, that Securities shall only be
                          --------  -------                               
redeemable in amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000.

          The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and each Security
Registrar in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case
of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof
to be redeemed.

          For all purposes of this Indenture and of the Securities, unless the
context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of
Securities 

                                      115
<PAGE>
 
shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in
part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been
or is to be redeemed.

SECTION XI.5   Notice of Redemption.
               --------------------  

          Notice of redemption shall be given by first class mail, postage
prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption
Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at his address appearing in
the Security Register.

          All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed
(including, if used, CUSIP or CINS numbers) and shall state:

          (i)  the Redemption Date,

          (ii)  the Redemption Price,

          (iii) if less than all the Outstanding Securities are to be redeemed,
     the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal
     amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed,

          (iv) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due
     and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and that interest
     thereon will cease to accrue on and after such Redemption Date,

          (v) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered
     for payment of the Redemption Price, and

          (vi) if the redemption is being made pursuant to the provisions of the
     Securities regarding a Public Equity Offering, a brief description of the
     transaction or transactions giving rise to such redemption, the nature and
     amount of Qualified Equity Interests sold in such transaction or
     transactions, the aggregate purchase price thereof and the net cash
     proceeds therefrom available for such redemption, the date or dates on
     which such transaction or transactions were completed and the per-

                                      116
<PAGE>
 
     centage of the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities being
     redeemed.

          Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of
the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the
Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company and shall be irrevocable.

SECTION XI.6   Deposit of Redemption Price.
               ---------------------------   

          Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the
Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying
Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of
money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption
Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) any applicable accrued interest on, all
the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.

SECTION XI.7   Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
               -------------------------------------   

          Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so
to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the
Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and any applicable
accrued interest) such Securities shall not bear interest.  Upon surrender of
any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security
shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with any
applicable accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date; provided,
                                                               -------- 
however, that installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to
- -------                                                                       
the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one
or more predecessor securities, registered as such at the close of business on
the relevant record dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section
3.7.

          If any Security called for redemption in accordance with the election
of the Company made pursuant to Section 11.1 shall not be so paid upon surrender
thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid,
bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate provided by the Security.

                                      117
<PAGE>
 
SECTION XI.8   Securities Redeemed in Part.
               ---------------------------   

          Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered
at an office or agency of the Company designated for that purpose pursuant to
Section 10.2 (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement
by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and
the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized
in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate
and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new
Security or Securities, of any authorized denomination as requested by such
Holder, in aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity equal to and in
exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal amount at Stated Maturity
of the Security so surrendered.


                                  ARTICLE XII

                      Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

SECTION XII.1  Company's Option to Effect
               Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
               ---------------------------------   

          The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 12.2
or Section 12.3 applied to the Outstanding Securities (as a whole and not in
part) upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article.  Any
such election shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution.

SECTION XII.2  Defeasance and Discharge.
               ------------------------   

          Upon the Company's exercise of its option to have this Section applied
to the Outstanding Securities (as a whole and not in part), the Company shall be
deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such
Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set
forth in Section 12.4 are satisfied (hereinafter called "Defeasance").  For this
purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and
discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by such Securities and to have
satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture
insofar as such Secu-

                                      118
<PAGE>
 
rities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall
execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), subject to the following
which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (1) the
rights of Holders of Outstanding Securities to receive, solely from the trust
fund described in Section 12.4 and as more fully set forth in such Section,
payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such
Securities when payments are due, (2) the Company's obligations with respect to
such Securities under Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 10.2 and 10.3, (3) the rights,
powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (4) this
Article. Subject to compliance with this Article, the Company may exercise its
option to have this Section applied to the Outstanding Securities (as a whole
and not in part) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option to have
Section 12.3 applied to such Securities.

SECTION XII.3  Covenant Defeasance.
               -------------------   

          Upon the Company's exercise of its option to have this Section applied
to the Outstanding Securities (as a whole and not in part), (i) the Company
shall be released from its obligations under Section 8.1(3), Sections 10.5
through 10.19, inclusive, and any covenant provided pursuant to Section 9.1(ii)
and the Guarantors shall be released from their obligations under Article XIII
and the Guarantees (ii) the occurrence of any event specified in Sections 5.1(3)
and 5.1(4) (with respect to Section 8.1(3) and any of Sections 10.5 through
10.19, inclusive, and any such covenants provided pursuant to Section 9.1(ii)),
shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with
respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the
conditions set forth in Section 12.4 are satisfied (hereinafter called "Covenant
Defeasance").  For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with
respect to such Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have
no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any
such specified Section (to the extent so specified in the case of Section 5.1(3)
or 5.1(4)), whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere
herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in any such Section to
any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this
Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

                                      119
<PAGE>
 
SECTION XII.4  Conditions to Defeasance
               or Covenant Defeasance.
               ------------------------

          The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section
12.2 or Section 12.3 to the Outstanding Securities:

          (1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be
     deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the
     requirements contemplated by Section 6.9 and agrees to comply with the
     provisions of this Article applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for
     the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as
     security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders of such
     Securities, (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations
     which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect
     thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day
     before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) a
     combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a
     nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a
     written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and
     discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other
     qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of, premium, if
     any, and any installment of interest on such Securities on the respective
     Stated Maturities or Redemption Date thereof, in accordance with the terms
     of this Indenture and such Securities.  As used herein, "U.S. Government

                                      120
<PAGE>
 
     Obligation" means (x) any security which is (i) a direct obligation of the
     United States of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit
     of the United States of America is pledged or (ii) an obligation of a
     Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or
     instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is
     unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the
     United States of America, which, in either case (i) or (ii), is not
     callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any
     depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a) (2) of the
     Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation
     which is specified in clause (x) above and held by such bank for the
     account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any
     specific payment of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government
     Obligation which is so specified and held, provided that (except as
                                                -------- ----           
     required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction
     from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any
     amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government
     Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by
     such depositary receipt.

          (2) In the event of an election to have Section 12.2 apply to the
     Outstanding Securities, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
     Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there
     has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since
     the date of this instrument, there has been a change in the applicable
     federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based
     thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Securities
     will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result
     of the deposit, Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to
     such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same
     amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if
     such deposit, Defeasance and discharge were not to occur.

          (3) In the event of an election to have Section 12.3 apply to the
     Outstanding Securities, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
     Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will
     not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of
     the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such
     Securities and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in
     the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit
     and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur.

          (4) No Default or Event of Default with respect to the Outstanding
     Securities shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such
     depos-

                                      121
<PAGE>
 
     it (excluding a Default or Event of Default due to a breach of Section
     10.8 or 10.12 which arises due to the borrowing of funds applied to such
     deposit).

          (5) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the Trustee
     to have a conflicting interest with respect to any securities of the
     Company or any Guarantor.

          (6) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a
     breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material
     agreement or instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party
     or by which it is bound (excluding a Default or Event of Default due to a
     breach of Section 10.8 or 10.12 which arises due to the borrowing of funds
     applied to such deposit).

          (7) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
     Counsel (which opinion may be subject to customary assumptions and
     exceptions) to the effect that after the 91st day following the deposit,
     the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable
     bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors'
     rights generally.

          (8) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's
     Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the
     intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities over the other creditors
     of the Company or any Guarantor with the intent of defeating, hindering,
     delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or any Guarantor or others.

          (9) No event or condition shall exist that would prevent the Company
     from making payments of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on
     the Securities on the date of such deposit or at any time ending on the
     91st day after the date of such deposit.

          (10) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's
     Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
     precedent under this Indenture to either Defeasance or Cove-

                                      122
<PAGE>
 
     nant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

SECTION XII.5  Deposited Money and U.S. Government
               Obligations to Be Held in Trust;
               Miscellaneous Provisions.
               -----------------------------------

          Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all
money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited
with the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this
Section and Section 12.6, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to
collectively as the "Trustee") pursuant to Section 12.4 in respect of the
Outstanding Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in
accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the
payment, either directly or through any such Paying Agent (including the Company
acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of
such Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of
principal and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be
segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

          The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee
or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations
deposited pursuant to Section 12.4 or the principal and interest received in
respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for
the account of the Holders of Outstanding Securities.

          Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee
shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any
money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 12.4
which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public
accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the
Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be
deposited to effect the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be,
with respect to the Outstanding Securities.

SECTION XII.6  Reinstatement.
               -------------   

                                      123
<PAGE>
 
          If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in
accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any
order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining,
or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this
Indenture, such Securities and the Guarantees from which the Company and the
Guarantors have been discharged or released pursuant to Section 12.2 or 12.3
shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to
this Article with respect to such Securities, until such time as the Trustee or
Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section
12.5 with respect to such Securities in accordance with this Article; provided,
                                                                      -------- 
however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of or any premium or
- -------                                                                         
interest on any such Security following such reinstatement of its obligations,
the Company shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such
Securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust.


                                 ARTICLE XIII

                                   Guaranty

SECTION XIII.1 Guaranty.
               --------   

          Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees on a
senior subordinated basis, jointly and severally, to each Holder and to the
Trustee and its successors and assigns (a) the full and prompt payment (within
applicable grace periods) of principal of and interest on the Securities when
due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, and all
other monetary obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the
Securities and (b) the full and prompt performance within applicable grace
periods of all other obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the
Securities (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the
"Guaranty Obligations").  Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranty
Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or
further assent from such Guarantor, and that such Guarantor will remain bound
under this Article XIII notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranty
Obligation.

                                      124
<PAGE>
 
          To the extent that any Guarantor shall be required to pay any amounts
on account of the Securities pursuant to a Guaranty in excess of an amount
calculated as the product of (i) the aggregate amount payable by the Guarantors
on account of the Securities pursuant to the Guarantees times (ii) the
proportion (expressed as a fraction) that such Guarantor's net assets
(determined in accordance with GAAP) at the date enforcement of the Guarantees
is sought bears to the aggregate net assets (determined in accordance with GAAP)
of all Guarantors at such date, then such Guarantor shall be reimbursed by the
other Guarantors for the amount of such excess, pro rata, based upon the
                                                --------                
respective net assets (determined in accordance with GAAP) of such other
Guarantors at the date enforcement of the Guarantees is sought.  This paragraph
is intended only to define the relative rights of Guarantors as among
themselves, and nothing set forth in this paragraph is intended to or shall
impair the joint and several obligations of the Guarantors under their
respective Guarantees.

          The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-
paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the
rights of the Holders under any Guaranty.

          Each Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and
protest to the Company of any of the Guaranty Obligations and also waives notice
of protest for nonpayment.  Each Guarantor waives notice of any default under
the Securities or the Guaranty Obligations.  The obligations of each Guarantor
hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee
to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the
Company or any other Person under this Indenture, the Securities or any other
agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any thereof; (c) any
rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions
of this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement; (d) the release of any
security held by any Holder or the Trustee for the Guaranty Obligations or any
of them; (e) the failure of any Holder or Trustee to exercise any right or
remedy against any other guarantor of the Guaranty Obligations; or (f) any
change in the ownership of any Guarantor (subject to Section 13.5).

                                      125
<PAGE>
 
          Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guaranty herein constitutes a
guaranty of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guaranty of
collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder
or the Trustee to any security held for payment of the Guaranty Obligations.

          To the fullest extent permitted by law, the obligations of each
Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation,
impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver,
release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any
defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by
reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranty
Obligations or otherwise.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to
the fullest extent permitted by law, the obligations of each Guarantor herein
shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any
Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy
under this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement, by any waiver or
modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, wilful or
otherwise, in the performance of the Guaranty Obligations, or by any other act
or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in
any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Guarantor or would otherwise
operate as a discharge of each Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

          Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guaranty herein shall continue
to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or
any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Guaranty Obligation is
rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder or the Trustee upon the
bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.

          In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other
right which any Holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against each
Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay the principal
of or interest on any Guaranty Obligation when and as the same shall become due,
whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise (within
appli-

                                      126
<PAGE>
 
cable grace periods), or to perform or comply with any other Guaranty
Obligation (within applicable grace periods), each Guarantor hereby promises to
and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or
cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the
sum of (i) the unpaid principal amount of such Guaranty Obligations, (ii)
accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranty Obligations (but only to the extent
not prohibited by law) and (iii) all other monetary Guaranty Obligations of the
Company to the Holders and the Trustee.

          Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of
subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any Guaranty Obligations
guarantied hereby until payment in full of all Guaranty Obligations.  Each
Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and
the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the Guaranty
Obligations guarantied hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article V for
the purposes of its Guaranty herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or
other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranty
Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of
acceleration of such Guaranty Obligations as provided in Article V, such
Guaranty Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due
and payable by each Guarantor for the purposes of this Section.

          Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee or
any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section.

SECTION XIII.2 Limitation on Liability.
               -----------------------   

          Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary
notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the obligations guaranteed
hereunder by each Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be
hereby guaranteed without rendering this Indenture, as it relates to such
Guarantor, voidable under applicable federal or state law relating to fraudulent
conveyance or fraudulent transfer.

SECTION XIII.3 Execution and Delivery of Guarantees.
               ------------------------------------   

          The Guarantees to be endorsed on the Securities shall be in the form
set forth in Exhibit D.  Each 
             ---------                                                      

                                      127
<PAGE>
 
of the Guarantors hereby agrees to execute its Guaranty in such form, to be
endorsed on each Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.

          Each Guaranty shall be executed on behalf of each respective Guarantor
by any one of such Guarantor's Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the
Board, President, Chief Financial Officer, or Vice Presidents.  The signature of
any or all of these officers on the Guaranty may be manual or facsimile.

          A Guaranty bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals
who were at any time the proper officers of a Guarantor shall bind such
Guarantor, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to
hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of the Security on
which such Guaranty is endorsed or did not hold such offices at the date of such
Guaranty.

          Each Guaranty shall be registered, transferred, exchanged and
cancelled, and shall be held in definitive or global form, in the same manner
and together with, the Security to which it relates, in accordance with Article
III.

          The delivery of any Security by the Trustee, after the authentication
thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guaranty endorsed
thereon on behalf of the Guarantors.  Each of the Guarantors hereby jointly and
severally agrees that its Guaranty set forth in Section 13.1 shall remain in
full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse a Guaranty on any
Security.

SECTION XIII.4 Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc.,
               on Certain Terms.
               ---------------------------------

          Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or any
Guaranty shall prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into
the Company or a Guarantor or the merger of a wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company with and into a Guarantor or shall prevent any sale or conveyance
of the assets of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety or
the Capital Stock of a Guarantor to the Company or a Guarantor.

                                      128
<PAGE>
 
SECTION XIII.5 Release of Guarantors.
               ---------------------   

          Upon the consummation of any transaction (whether involving a sale or
other disposition of securities, a merger, or otherwise, including any Asset
Sale) whereby any Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company and which
transaction is otherwise in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture,
such Guarantor shall automatically be released from all obligations under its
Guaranty endorsed on the Securities and under this Article XIII without need for
any further act or the execution or delivery of any document; and upon delivery
by the Company to the Trustee of an Officer's Certificate to the effect that
such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance was made in accordance with the
provisions hereof, the Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably required
in order to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under
its Guaranty endorsed on the Securities and under this Article XIII.

SECTION XIII.6 Successors and Assigns.
               ----------------------   

          This Article XIII shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its
successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and
assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or
assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges
conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Securities shall
automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all
subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.

SECTION XIII.7 No Waiver, etc.
               ---------------

          Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the
Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article XIII
shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise
thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege.
The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the Holders herein
expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights,
remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article XIII at law, in
equity, by statute or otherwise.

                                      129
<PAGE>
 
SECTION XIII.8 Modification, etc.
               ------------------

          No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article,
nor the consent to any departure by a Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be
effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and
then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and
for the purpose for which given.  No notice to or demand on a Guarantor in any
case shall entitle such Guarantor or any other guarantor to any other or further
notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.

SECTION XIII.9 Subordination of Guarantees.
               --------------------------- 

          The obligations of each Guarantor pursuant to its Guaranty and this
Article XIII shall be (a) junior and subordinated in right of payment to the
prior payment in full in cash of all Guarantor Senior Indebtedness of such
Guarantor and (b) senior in right of payment to all existing and future
Guarantor Subordinated Indebtedness of such Guarantor, in each case on the same
basis as the Securities and the obligations of the Company hereunder are junior
and subordinated to all Senior Indebtedness and senior in right of payment to
all Subordinated Indebtedness.  For the purposes of this Section 13.9, Article
XIV shall apply to the obligations of each Guarantor under its Guaranty, this
Article XIII and the other provisions of this Indenture as if references therein
to the Company, the Securities, Senior Indebtedness, Subordinated Indebtedness
and Designated Senior Indebtedness were references to such Guarantor, such
Guarantor's Guaranty, Guarantor Senior Indebtedness, Guarantor Subordinated
Indebtedness and Designated Guarantor Senior Indebtedness, respectively.


                                  ARTICLE XIV

                                 Subordination

SECTION XIV.1  Securities Subordinate to
               Senior Indebtedness and Senior
               to Subordinated Indebtedness.
               ------------------------------

          The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of a Security, by
his acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees that, to the extent and in
the 

                                      130
<PAGE>
 
manner hereinafter set forth in this Article XIV, the Indebtedness evidenced
by the Securities is hereby expressly made subordinate in right of payment to
the prior payment in full in cash of all Senior Indebtedness and senior in right
of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company.

SECTION XIV.2  Payment Over of Proceeds
               Upon Dissolution, Etc.
               ----------------------    

          In the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or
any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or
proceeding in connection therewith, relating to the Company or its assets, or
any liquidation, dissolution or other winding-up of the Company, whether
voluntary or involuntary, or any assignment for the benefit of creditors or
other marshalling of assets or liabilities of the Company, all Senior
Indebtedness (including, in the case of Designated Senior Indebtedness, any
interest accruing subsequent to the filing of a petition for
bankruptcy(regardless of whether such interest is an allowed claim in the
bankruptcy proceeding)) must be paid in full in cash before any payment(other
than payments in the form of Qualified Equity Interests or other securities the
payment of which is subordinated, at least to the same extent as the Securities,
to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness which may at the time be outstanding
and other than payments from a trust created pursuant to Article XII) is made on
account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities.

SECTION XIV.3  No Payment When Designated
               Senior Indebtedness in Default.
               ------------------------------ 

          During the continuance of any default in the payment of principal, or
premium, if any, or interest on any Senior Indebtedness, when the same becomes
due, and after receipt by the Trustee and the Company from representatives of
holders of such Senior Indebtedness of written notice of such default, no direct
or indirect payment (other than payments from trusts previously created pursuant
to Article XII) by or on behalf of the Company of any kind or character (other
than Qualified Equity Interests or other securities the payment of which is
subordinated, at least to the same extent as the Securities, to the payment of
all Senior Indebtedness which may at the time be outstanding) may be made 

                                      131
<PAGE>
 
on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or the
purchase, redemption or other acquisition of, the Securities unless and until
such default has been cured or waived or has ceased to exist or such Senior
Indebtedness shall have been discharged or paid in full in cash, after which the
Company shall resume making any and all required payments in respect of the
Securities, including any missed payments.

          In addition, during the continuance of any other default with respect
to any Designated Senior Indebtedness that permits, or would permit with the
passage of time or the giving of notice or both, the maturity thereof to be
accelerated (a "Non-payment Default") and upon the earlier to occur of (a)
receipt by the Trustee and the Company from the representatives of holders of
such Designated Senior Indebtedness of a written notice of such Non-payment
Default or (b) if such Non-payment Default results from the acceleration of the
maturity of the Securities, the date of such acceleration, no payment (other
than payments from trusts previously created pursuant to Article XII) of any
kind or character (excluding Qualified Equity Interests or subordinated
securities) may be made by the Company on account of the principal of, premium,
if any, or interest on, or the purchase, redemption, or other acquisition of,
the Securities for the period specified below (the "Payment Blockage Period").

          The Payment Blockage Period shall commence upon the receipt of notice
of a Non-payment Default by the Trustee and the Company from the representatives
of holders of Designated Senior Indebtedness or the date of the acceleration
referred to in clause (b) of the preceding paragraph, as the case may be, and
shall end on the earliest to occur of the following events: (i) 179 days have
elapsed since the receipt of such notice or the date of the acceleration
referred to in clause (b) of the preceding paragraph (provided the maturity of
                                                      --------                
such Designated Senior Indebtedness shall not theretofore have been
accelerated), (ii) such default is cured or waived or ceases to exist or such
Designated Senior Indebtedness is discharged or paid in full in cash, or (iii)
such Payment Blockage Period shall have been terminated by written notice to the
Company or the Trustee from the representatives of holders of Designated Senior
Indebtedness initiating such Payment Blockage Period, after which the Company
shall promptly resume making any 

                                      132
<PAGE>
 
and all required payments in respect of the Securities, including any missed
payments. Only one Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Securities may be
commenced within any 360 consecutive day period. No Non-payment Default with
respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness that existed or was continuing on the
date of the commencement of any Payment Blockage Period shall be, or can be,
made the basis for the commencement of a second Payment Blockage Period, whether
or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such default has been
cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days. In no event
shall a Payment Blockage Period extend beyond 179 days from the date of the
receipt by the Trustee of the notice or the date of the acceleration initiating
such Payment Blockage Period and there must be a 180 consecutive day period in
any 360 day period during which no Payment Blockage Period is in effect.

SECTION XIV.4  Subrogation to Rights of
               Holders of Senior Indebtedness.
               ------------------------------ 

          Subject to the payment in full in cash of all Senior Indebtedness, the
Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the extent of the payments or
distributions made to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness pursuant to the
provisions of this Article XIV to the rights of the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness to receive payments and distributions of cash, property and
securities applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full.  For
purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the
Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of
the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of
this Article XIV, and no payments over pursuant to the provisions of this
Article XIV to the holders of Senior Indebtedness by Holders of the Securities
or the Trustee, shall, as among the Company, its creditors other than holders of
Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment
or distribution by the Company to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness.

SECTION XIV.5  Provisions Solely to Define
               Relative Rights.
               ---------------------------

                                      133
<PAGE>
 
          The provisions of this Article XIV are and are intended solely for the
purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities on the
one hand and the holders of Senior Indebtedness on the other hand.  Nothing
contained in this Article XIV or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the
Securities is intended to or shall (a) impair, as among the Company, its
creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of the
Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional,
to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of, premium, if any and
interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in
accordance with their terms; (b) affect the relative rights against the Company
of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than the
holders of Senior Indebtedness; or (c) prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any
Securities from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law
upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this
Article XIV of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive cash, property and
securities otherwise payable or deliverable to the Trustee or such Holder.

SECTION XIV.6  Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.
               -----------------------------------   

          Each Holder of a Security by its acceptance thereof authorizes and
directs the Trustee on its behalf to take such action as may be necessary or
appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article XIV and
appoints the Trustee its attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

SECTION XIV.7  No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.
               ------------------------------------- 

          No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to
enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be
prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company
or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any
non-compliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this
Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof any such holder may have or be
otherwise charged with.

          Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph,
the holders of Senior Indebted-

                                      134
<PAGE>
 
ness may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to
the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities, without incurring responsibility
to the Holders of the Securities and without impairing or releasing the
subordination provided in this Article XIV or the obligations hereunder of the
Holders of the Securities to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, do any one or
more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment or
extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, Senior Indebtedness, or
otherwise amend or supplement in any manner Senior Indebtedness or any
instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Senior Indebtedness
is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property
pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any
Person liable in any manner for the collection of Senior Indebtedness; and (iv)
exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any other
Person.

SECTION XIV.8  Notice to Trustee.
               ----------------- 

          The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any
fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment to or
by the Trustee in respect of the Securities.  Notwithstanding the provisions of
this Article XIV or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not
be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the
making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities, unless
and until the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the
Company or a holder of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and,
prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the
provisions of Section 6.1, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no
such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received
                  --------  -------                                             
at its Corporate Trust Office the notice provided for in this Section at least
three Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any money
may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment
in cash of the principal of, premium, if any or interest on any Security), then,
anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall
have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the
purpose for which such money was received and shall not be affected by any

                                      135
<PAGE>
 
notice to the contrary which may be received by it within three Business Days
prior to such date.

SECTION XIV.9  Reliance on Judicial Order or
               Certificate of Liquidating Agent.
               -------------------------------  

          Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to
in this Article XIV, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, and
the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree
entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency,
bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up
or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in
bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee for the benefit
of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution,
delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities, for the purpose of
ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or
distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other Indebtedness of the
Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or
distri-buted thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article
XIV.

SECTION XIV.10 Trustee Not Fiduciary for
               Holders of Senior Indebtedness.
               ------------------------------ 

          The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness and shall not be liable to any such holders if it
shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of Securities
or to the Company or to any other Person cash, property or securities to which
any holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article
XIV or otherwise, except in the case of gross negligence or wilful misconduct on
the part of the Trustee.

          With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee
undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants or obligations as
are specifically set forth in this Article and no implied covenants or
obligations with respect to holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into
this Indenture against the Trustee.

                                      136
<PAGE>
 
SECTION XIV.11 Rights of Trustee as Holder of
               Senior Indebtedness; Preserva-
               tion of Trustee's Rights. 
               -------------------------       

          The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the
rights set forth in this Article XIV with respect to any Senior Indebtedness
which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of
Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of
any of its rights as such holder.

          Nothing in this Article XIV shall apply to claims of, or payments to,
the Trustee or its agent or counsel under or pursuant to Section 6.7.

SECTION XIV.12 Article Applicable to Paying Agents.
               -----------------------------------   

          In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have
been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term "Trustee"
as used in this Article XIV shall in such case (unless the context otherwise
requires) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within
its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were
named in this Article XIV in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided,
                                                                     -------- 
however, that Section 14.11 shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of
- -------                                                                       
the Company if it or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.

                             ====================

     This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

                                      137
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.



                    UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.


                    By:_________________________________________
                      Name:  Michael J. Nolan
                      Title: Chief Financial Officer


                    THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                         AS TRUSTEE

                    By:_________________________________________
                      Name:
                      Title:


                    GUARANTORS:

                    A&A TOOL RENTALS & SALES, INC.
                    ACG, INC.
                    ADCO EQUIPMENT, INC.
                    ARROW EQUIPMENT COMPANY
                    BAKERSFIELD COMPACTION EQUIPMENT
                    BLAST ABRASIVES AND EQUIPMENT CORP.
                    BNR EQUIPMENT, INC.
                    CHURCHMAN EQUIPMENT CO.
                    CORAN ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
                    DEALERS SERVICE COMPANY
                    EMPIRE EQUIPMENT RENTAL AND READY MIX, INC.
                    FORTE, INC.
                    GRAND VALLEY EQUIPMENT CO.
                    HIGH REACH CO., INC.
                    INDEPENDENT SCISSOR LIFTS, INC.
                    JBK, INC.
                    KUBOTA OF GRAND RAPIDS, INC.
                    LIFT, INC.
                    MADISON EQUIPMENT SALES AND RENTAL, INC.
                    MARK EQUIPMENT, INC.
                    MERCER EQUIPMENT COMPANY
                    MISCO RENTS, INC.
                    MISSION VALLEY RENTALS, INC.
                    PALMER EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC.
<PAGE>
 
                    PAUL E. CARLSON, INC.
                    POWERS RENTALS & SALES, INC.
                    RENTALS TOOLS & EQUIPMENT CO.            
                      INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                    RENTALS UNLIMITED, INCORPORATED
                    ROSEDALE EQUIPMENT RENTAL, INC.
                    SPACE MAKER SYSTEMS OF VA., INC.
                    THOESEN EQUIPMENT INC.
                    TOOL CENTER OF TEXAS, INC.
                    TOOL SHED OF GREENFIELD, INC.
                    TOOL SHED OF INDIANAPOLIS, INC.
                    TRENCH SAFETY EQUIPMENT CORP.
                    UNITED EQUIPMENT RENTAL OF HOUSTON, INC.
                    UNITED RENTALS, INC.
                    UNITED RENTALS AERIAL EQUIPMENT, INC.
                    UNITED RENTALS OF COLORADO, INC.
                    UNITED RENTALS OF KENTUCKY, INC.
                    UNITED RENTALS OF NEVADA, INC.
                    UNITED RENTALS OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.
                    UNITED RENTALS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, INC.
                    UNITED RENTALS OF UTAH, INC.
                    UNITED RENTALS NORTHWEST, INC.
                    U.S. RENTALS, INC.
                       CALIFORNIA EQUIPMENT RENTAL CO.
                    WESTSIDE RENTALS, INC
                    W-W RENTALS, INC.
                    WYNNE SYSTEMS, INC.



                         By:_____________________________________
                           Name:  Michael J. Nolan
                           Title: Vice President and
                                     Secretary

Attest:
<PAGE>
 
                                                                      Schedule A
                                                                      ----------

 
                              UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.

Except as otherwise indicated, 100% of the voting stock of each of the
Subsidiaries listed below is owned by its parent.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Name of Subsidiary                                                      State of
                                                                     Incorporation
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>
A&A Tool Rentals & Sales, Inc.                                  California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACG, Inc.                                                       Indiana
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adco Equipment, Inc.                                            California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrow Equipment Corporation                                     Illinois
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bakersfield Compaction Equipment                                California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blast Abrasives and Equipment Corp.                             Indiana
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BNR Equipment, Inc.                                             New York
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Churchman Equipment Co.                                         Indiana
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coran Enterprises, Incorporated (d/b/a A-1Rents)                California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dealers Service Company                                         New Jersey
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Empire Equipment Rental & Ready Mix, Inc.                       California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forte, Inc.                                                     Washington
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Valley Equipment Co.                                      Michigan
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Reach Co., Inc.                                            Pennsylvania
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Independent Scissor Lifts, Inc.                                 California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JBK, Inc.                                                       Ohio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kubota of Grand Rapids, Inc.                                    Michigan
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lift, Inc.                                                      Maryland
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Madison Equipment Sales and Rental, Inc.                        Alabama
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Equipment, Inc.                                            Alabama
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mercer Equipment Company                                        North Carolina
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Misco Rents, Inc.                                               Indiana
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mission Valley Rentals, Inc.                                    California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Palmer Equipment Company, Inc.                                  Michigan
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul E. Carlson, Inc.                                           Minnesota
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Powers Rentals & Sales, Inc.                                    California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rentals Tools & Equipment Co. International, Inc.               Maryland
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rentals Unlimited, Incorporated                                 Rhode Island
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rosedale Equipment Rental, Inc.                                 California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Space Maker Systems of Va., Inc.                                Virginia
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thoesen Equipment Inc.                                          Illinois
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tool Center of Texas, Inc.                                      Texas
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tool Shed of Greenfield, Inc.                                   Indiana
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Name of Subsidiary                                                      State of
                                                                     Incorporation
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>
 
Tool Shed of Indianapolis, Inc.                                 Indiana
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trench Safety Equipment Corp.                                   Arizona
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Equipment Rental of Houston, Inc. (formerly J&J          Texas
 Rentals Services Inc.)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals, Inc.                                            Washington
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals Aerial Equipment, Inc. (formerly United          Delaware
 Rentals of New Jersey, Inc.)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals of Colorado, Inc.                                Colorado
          (formerly Santa Fe Supply & Rental, Inc.)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals of Kentucky, Inc.                                Kentucky
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals of Nevada, Inc. (formerly Nevada High Reach,     Nevada
 Inc.)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals of New England, Inc.                             New York
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals of Southern California, Inc. (d/b/a Able         California
 Equipment) (formerly Rental Equipment, Inc.)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals of Utah, Inc.                                    Utah
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals Northwest, Inc. (formerly High Reach, Inc.)      Oregon
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Rentals, Inc.                                              Delaware
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     California Equipment Rental Co.                            California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Westside Rental, Inc.                                           Tennessee
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
W-W Rentals, Inc.                                               Tennessee
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wynne Systems, Inc.                                             California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                                                            EXHIBIT A-1
                                                            -----------


                              [FORM OF SECURITY]

THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT") AND MAY NOT BE REOFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (A)(1) TO A PERSON WHO SUCH PURCHASER REASONABLY
BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ACQUIRING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR THE ACCOUNT OF A
QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION COMPLYING WITH RULE 144A, (2) IN
AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION COMPLYING WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, (3) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (4) PURSUANT TO
AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND (B) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE
SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS.  THE
COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE, THE TRANSFER AGENT AND THE REGISTRAR SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT
PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THAT A
CERTIFICATION OR TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS
SECURITY BE COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE.

                      United Rentals(North America), Inc.

                9% Senior Subordinated Note due 2009, Series A


No. __________                                               $____  ____
                                                            CUSIP NO.

          United Rentals (North America),Inc., a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the "Company,"
which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to _______________ or
registered assigns, the principal sum of ____________ Dollars on April 1, 2009
and to pay interest thereon from March 23, 1999 or from the most recent Interest
Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually
in arrears on April 1 and October 1 in each year, commencing October 1, 1999 at
the rate of 9.00% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided
for, provided that any principal and premium, and any such installment of
     -------- ----                                                       
interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of 9.00% per annum
(to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable),
from the dates such amounts are due until they are 



                                     A-1-1
<PAGE>
 
paid or duly provided for. The interest so payable and punctually paid or duly
provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture,
be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest, which shall be the March 15 and September 15 (whether or not
a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith
cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be
paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for
the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice
whereof shall be given to Holders of securities not less than 10 days prior to
such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not
inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the
Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such
exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

          Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this
Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that
purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that, at the
                                                --------  -------              
option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the
Security Register.

          Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security
set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

          Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.



                                     A-1-2
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed and attested.


Attest:                         United Rentals (North America), Inc.


_____________________           By:______________________________
Title:                              Title:



                    Trustee's Certificate of Authentication
                    ---------------------------------------


          This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture.

                         The Bank of New York,
                              as Trustee


Dated:              By:______________________________
                              Authorized Signatory
<PAGE>
 
                                Form of Reverse of Security
                                ---------------------------

          This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities of the
Company designated as 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009, Series A (herein
called the "Initial Securities"), limited in aggregate principal amount at
Stated Maturity to $250,000,000 issued and to be issued under an Indenture,
dated as of March 23, 1999 (herein called the "Indenture," which term shall have
the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), among the Company, the
guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (herein called the
"Trustee," which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), and
reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective
rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company,
the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the
Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.  The Securities
include the Initial Securities and the Exchange Securities referred to below,
issued in exchange for the Initial Securities pursuant to the Registration
Rights Agreement.  The Initial Securities and the Exchange Securities are
treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture.

          The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and
those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
(15 U.S.C. '' 7aaa - 77bbbb (the "TIA"), as in effect on the date of the
Indenture.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Securities are
subject to all such terms, and Holders of Securities are referred to the
Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms.

          This Security is redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or
in part, at any time on or after April 1, 2004, at the Redemption Prices
(expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the Redemption Date, if redeemed during the
12-month period beginning April 1 of the years indicated below:

                                      Redemption
      Year                              Price
      ----                            ----------

       2004.......................... 104.500%
       2005.......................... 103.000%
       2006.......................... 101.500%
       2007 and thereafter........... 100.000%

          In addition, at any time, or from time to time, on or prior to April
1, 2002, the Company may, at its option, use the net cash proceeds of one or
more Public Equity Offerings to redeem up to an aggregate of 35% of the
principal amount of the 



                                     A-1-4
<PAGE>
 
Securities originally issued, at a redemption price equal to 109.000% of the
principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to
the Redemption Date; provided that at least 65% of the originally issued
                     -------- ----                
principal amount of Securities remains outstanding immediately after the
occurrence of such redemption. In order to effect the foregoing redemption with
the proceeds of any Public Equity Offering, the Company shall send a redemption
notice to the Trustee not later than 90 days after the consummation of any such
Public Equity Offering.

          The Securities are not subject to any sinking fund.

          The Indenture provides that the Company is obligated (a) upon the
occurrence of a Change in Control to make an offer to purchase all outstanding
Securities at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof,
plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase and
(b) to make an offer to purchase Securities with a portion of the net cash
proceeds of certain sales or other dispositions of assets (not applied as
specified in the Indenture within the periods set forth therein) at a purchase
price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the date of purchase.

          In the event of redemption or purchase of this Security in part only
pursuant to a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer, a new Security or
Securities for the unredeemed or unpurchased portion hereof will be issued in
the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

          The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the
entire indebtedness of this Security or of certain restrictive covenants and
Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance
with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

          If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, there may be
declared due and payable the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, on all of the outstanding Securities, in the manner and
with the effect provided in the Indenture.

          The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities under the Indenture at
any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time
Outstanding.  The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of
specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the
time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities, to waive
compliance 



                                     A-1-5
<PAGE>
 
by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past
defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver
by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder
and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the
registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof,
whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

          As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the
Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding
with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or
for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given
the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the
Securities, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
Securities at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the
Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee
and offered the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and the
Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of Securities at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such
request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding for 45 days
after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity.  The foregoing
shall not apply to certain suits described in the Indenture, including any suit
instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of
principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective
due dates expressed herein (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the
Redemption Date or, in the case of any purchase of this Security required to be
made pursuant to a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer, on or after
the relevant Purchase Date).

          No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or
currency, herein prescribed.

          As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security
Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the
office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in
form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by,
the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one
or more new Securities, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate


                                     A-1-6
<PAGE>
 
principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

          This Security is issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.  As provided in the
Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities are
exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of like tenor
of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering
the same.

          No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

          Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner
hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither
the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.

          Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement by and among the Company
and the Initial Purchasers, the Company will be obligated to consummate an
exchange offer pursuant to which the Holder of this Security shall have the
right to exchange this Security for 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009,
Series B, of the Company (herein called the "Exchange Securities"), which have
been registered under the Securities Act, in like principal amount and having
identical terms as the Initial Securities (other than as set forth in this
paragraph).  The Holders of Initial Securities shall be entitled to receive
certain additional interest payments in the event such exchange offer is not
consummated and upon certain other conditions, all pursuant to and in accordance
with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement. Such additional interest
will constitute liquidated damages and will be the exclusive monetary remedy
available to the Holder of this Security in respect of a Registration Default
(as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), but without prejudice to any
non-monetary remedies otherwise available to such Holder, whether pursuant to
the Registration Rights Agreement or otherwise.

          Interest on this Security shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

          The obligations of the Company under the Indenture and this Security
are expressly subordinated to all Senior Indebtedness and senior in right of
payment to all Subordinated Indebtedness, in each case to the extent set forth
in Article 

                                     A-1-7
<PAGE>
 
XIV of the Indenture, and reference is hereby made to such Indenture
for the precise terms of such subordination.

          As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the obligations of the Company under the Indenture and this
Security are Guaranteed pursuant to Guarantees endorsed hereon as provided in
the Indenture.  Each Holder, by holding this Security, agrees to all of the
terms and provisions of said Guarantees.  The Indenture provides that each
Guarantor shall be released from its Guaranty upon compliance with certain
conditions.

          All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

          The Indenture and this Security shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the
conflicts of laws principles thereof.


                                     A-1-8
<PAGE>
 
                                ASSIGNMENT FORM


If you, the Holder, want to assign this Security, fill in the form below and
have your signature guaranteed:

I (or we) assign and transfer this Security to

________________________________________________________________________________
(Insert assignee's social security or tax ID number)

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code) and irrevocably appoint

________________________________________________________________________________
agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company.  The agent may
substitute another to act for such agent.

          In connection with any transfer of this Security occurring prior to
the date which is the earlier of (i) the date of the declaration by the
Commission of the effectiveness of a registration settlement under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), covering resales of
                                         --------------                       
this Security (which effectiveness shall not have been suspended or terminated
at the date of the transfer) and (ii) the date two years (or such shorter period
of time as permitted by Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or any successor
provision thereunder) after the later of the original issuance date appearing on
the face of this Security (or any predecessor thereto) or the last date on which
the Company or any affiliate of the Company was the owner of this Security (or
any predecessor thereto), the undersigned confirms that it has not utilized any
general solicitation or general advertising in connection with the transfer and
that:

                                  [Check One]
                                  --------- 

[   ]  (a)  this Security is being transferred in compliance with the exemption
               from registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule 144A
               thereunder.

[   ]  (b)  this Security is being transferred other than in accordance with (a)
               above and documents, and a transferor certificate substantially
               in the form of Exhibit C to the Indenture in the case of a
                              ---------                                  

                                     A-1-9
<PAGE>
 
               transfer pursuant to Regulation S, are being furnished which
               comply with the conditions of transfer set forth in this Security
               and the Indenture.

If none of the foregoing boxes is checked and, in the case of (b) above, if the
appropriate document is not attached or otherwise furnished to the Trustee, the
Trustee or Security Registrar shall not be obliged to register this Security in
the name of any Person other than the Holder hereof unless and until the
conditions to any such transfer of registration set forth herein and in Section
3.14 of the Indenture shall have been satisfied.


________________________________________________________________________________

Date: ________ Your Signature:__________________________________________________
                              (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other
                              side of this Security)

                              By:_______________________________________________
                                 NOTICE: To be executed
                                 by an executive officer

Signature Guarantee: _____________________________

             TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (a) ABOVE IS CHECKED

          The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this
Security for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises
sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a "qualified
institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act
and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and
acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the
undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A (including the information
specified in Rule 144A(d)(4)) or has determined not to request such information
and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned's
foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration
provided by Rule 144A.


Dated:___________        ___________________________________________________
                         NOTICE:  To be executed by an executive officer




                                    A-1-10
<PAGE>
 
                      OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE


          If you want to elect to have this Security purchased in its entirety
by the Company pursuant to Section 10.13 or 10.14 of the Indenture, check the
applicable box:

     Section 10.13  [ ]

     Section 10.14  [ ]

          If you want to elect to have only a part of the principal amount of
this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 10.13 or 10.14 of the
Indenture, state the portion of such amount:  $_____________


Dated:              Your Signature:_____________________________________________
                         (Sign exactly as name appears on the other side of this
                         Security)



Signature Guarantee:
                    ____________________________________________________________
                    (Signature must be guaranteed by a financial institution
                    that is a member of the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion
                    Program ("STAMP"), the Stock Exchange Medallion Program
                    ("SEMP"), the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion
                    Signature Program ("MSP") or such other signature guarantee
                    program as may be determined by the Security Registrar in
                    addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, SEMP or MSP, all
                    in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
                    amended.)

                                    A-1-11
<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT A-2
                                                                     -----------


                      United Rentals(North America), Inc.

                9% Senior Subordinated Note due 2009, Series B


No. __________                                            $
                                                            CUSIP NO.

          United Rentals (North America), Inc., a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the "Company,"
which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to _____________ or
registered assigns, the principal sum of _____________ Dollars on April 1, 2009
and to pay interest thereon from March 23, 1999 or from the most recent Interest
Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually
in arrears on April 1 and October 1 in each year, commencing October 1, 1999 at
the rate of 9.00% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided
for, provided that any principal and premium, and any such installment of
     -------- ----                                                       
interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of 9.00% per annum
(to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable),
from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or duly provided for.
The interest so payable and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any
Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person
in whose name this Security (or one or more predecessor Securities) is
registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such
interest, which shall be the March 15 and September 15 (whether or not a
Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith
cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be
paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for
the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice
whereof shall be given to Holders of securities not less than 10 days prior to
such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not
inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the
Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such
exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

          Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this
Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that
purpose in the Borough of 

                                     A-2-1
<PAGE>
 
Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States
of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and
private debts; provided, however, that, at the option of the Company, payment of
               --------  -------
interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled
thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register.

          Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security
set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

          Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.

                                     A-2-2
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed and attested.


Attest:             United Rentals (North America), Inc.


_____________________    By:  ______________________
Title:                        Title:


                    Trustee's Certificate of Authentication
                    ---------------------------------------


          This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture.


                              The Bank of New York,
                              as Trustee


Dated:                        By: _________________________
                                    Authorized Signatory



                                     A-1-3
<PAGE>
 
                          Form of Reverse of Security
                          ---------------------------

          This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities of the
Company designated as 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009, Series B (herein
called the "Exchange Securities"), limited in aggregate principal amount at
Stated Maturity to $250,000,000 issued and to be issued under an Indenture,
dated as of March 23, 1999 (herein called the "Indenture," which term shall have
the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), among the Company, the
guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (herein called the
"Trustee," which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), and
reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective
rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company,
the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the
Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.  The Securities
include the Initial Securities and the Exchange Securities, issued in exchange
for the Initial Securities pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.  The
Initial Securities and the Exchange Securities are treated as a single class of
securities under the Indenture.

          The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and
those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
(15 U.S.C. ''  7aaa - 77bbbb (the "TIA")), as in effect on the date of the
Indenture.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Securities are
subject to all such terms, and Holders of Securities are referred to the
Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms.

          This Security is redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or
in part, at any time on or after April 1, 2004, at the Redemption Prices
(expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the Redemption Date, if redeemed during the
12-month period beginning April 1 of the years indicated below:

      Year                              Price
      ----                           ----------

       2004  ........................ 104.500%
       2005  ........................ 103.000%
       2006  ........................ 101.500%
       2007 and thereafter........... 100.000%

          In addition, at any time, or from time to time, on or prior to April
1, 2002, the Company may, at its option, use the net cash proceeds of one or
more Public Equity Offerings to redeem up to an aggregate of 35% of the
principal amount of the Securities originally issued, at a redemption price
equal to 

                                     A-2-4
<PAGE>
 
109.00% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, thereon to the Redemption Date; provided that at least 65% of
                                                  -------- ----                
the originally issued principal amount of Securities remains outstanding
immediately after the occurrence of such redemption.  In order to effect the
foregoing redemption with the proceeds of any Public Equity Offering, the
Company shall send the redemption notice not later than 90 days after the
consummation of any such Public Equity Offering.

          The Securities are not subject to any sinking fund.

          The Indenture provides that the Company is obligated (a) upon the
occurrence of a Change in Control to make an offer to purchase all outstanding
Securities at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof,
plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase and
(b) to make an offer to purchase Securities with a portion of the net cash
proceeds of certain sales or other dispositions of assets (not applied as
specified in the Indenture within the periods set forth therein) at a purchase
price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the date of purchase.

          In the event of redemption or purchase of this Security in part only
pursuant to a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer, a new Security or
Securities for the unredeemed or unpurchased portion hereof will be issued in
the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

          The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the
entire indebtedness of this Security or of  certain restrictive covenants and
Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance
with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

          If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, there may be
declared due and payable the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, on all of the outstanding Securities, in the manner and
with the effect provided in the Indenture.

          The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities under the Indenture at
any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time
Outstanding.  The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of
specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the
time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities, to waive
compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and 

                                     A-2-5
<PAGE>
 
certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such
consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding
upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any
Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor
or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made
upon this Security.

          As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the
Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding
with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or
for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given
the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the
Securities, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
Securities at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the
Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee
and offered the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and the
Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of Securities at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such
request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding for 15 days
after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity.  The foregoing
shall not apply to certain suits described in the Indenture, including any suit
instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of
principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective
due dates expressed herein (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the
Redemption Date or, in the case of any purchase of this Security required to be
made pursuant to a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer, on or after
the relevant Purchase Date).

          No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or
currency, herein prescribed.

          The obligations of the Company under the Indenture and this Security
are expressly subordinated to all Senior Indebtedness, in each case to the
extent set forth in Article XIV of the Indenture, and reference is hereby made
to such Indenture for the precise terms of such subordination.

          As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security
Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the
office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York, 

                                     A-2-6
<PAGE>
 
duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in
form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by,
the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one
or more new Securities, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate
principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

          This Security is issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.  As provided in the
Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities are
exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of like tenor
of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering
the same.

          No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

          Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner
hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither
the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.

          Interest on this Security shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

          As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the obligations of the Company under the Indenture and this
Security are Guaranteed pursuant to Guarantees endorsed hereon as provided in
the Indenture.  Each Holder, by holding this Security, agrees to all of the
terms and provisions of said Guarantees.  The Indenture provides that each
Guarantor shall be released from its Guaranty upon compliance with certain
conditions.

          All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

          The Indenture and this Security shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the
conflicts of laws principles thereof.

                                     A-2-7
<PAGE>
 
                                ASSIGNMENT FORM


If you, the Holder, want to assign this Security, fill in the form below and
have your signature guaranteed:

I (or we) assign and transfer this Security to

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Insert assignee's social security or tax ID number)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code) and irrevocably appoint


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company.  The agent may
substitute another to act for such agent.

Date: ________ Your Signature:__________________________________________________
                              (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other
                              side of this Security)


                              By:_______________________________________________
                                 NOTICE: To be executed
                                 by an executive officer



Signature Guarantee:_____________________________

                                     A-2-8
<PAGE>
 
                      OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

          If you want to elect to have this Security purchased in its entirety
by the Company pursuant to Section 10.13 or 10.14 of the Indenture, check the
applicable box:

     Section 10.13  [ ]

     Section 10.14  [ ]

          If you want to elect to have only a part of the principal amount of
this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 10.13 or 10.14 of the
Indenture, state the portion of such amount:  $_____________

Dated:              Your Signature:____________________________________________
                    (Sign exactly as name appears on the other side of this
                    Security)


Signature Guarantee:  ________________________________           
                                        (Signature must
                    be guaranteed by a financial institution that is a member of
                    the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP"),
                    the Stock Exchange Medallion Program ("SEMP"), the New York
                    Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program ("MSP") or
                    such other signature guarantee program as may be determined
                    by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution
                    for, STAMP, SEMP or MSP, all in accordance with the
                    Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)


                                     A-2-9
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT B
                                                                       ---------


                   FORM OF LEGEND FOR BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES


          Any Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a
legend (which would be in addition to any other legends required in the case of
a Restricted Security) in substantially the following form:

          THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A
NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY OR A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.  THIS SECURITY IS NOT
EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE
DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE
INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS
SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY THE Depositary TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN
THE INDENTURE.

          UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO THE COMPANY
OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY
CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME
AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE
TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER
HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

                                      B-1
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT C
                                                                       ---------


                      Form of Certificate To Be Delivered
                         in Connection with Transfers
                           Pursuant to Regulation S
                      -----------------------------------


The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street
New York, New York
Attention: Corporate Trust Trustee Administration

     Re:  United Rentals (North America), Inc.
          (the  "Company") - 9% Senior Subordinated
          Notes due 2009 (the "Securities")
          ------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          In connection with our proposed sale of ___________  aggregate
principal amount of the Securities, we confirm that such sale has been effected
pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and, accordingly, we represent that:
                       --------------                                        

          (1)  the offer of the Securities was not made to a Person in the
     United States;

          (2)  either (a) at the time the buy offer was originated, the
     transferee was outside the United States or we and any Person acting on our
     behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United
     States, or (b) the transaction was executed in, on or through the
     facilities of a designated offshore securities market described in Rule
     902(a) of Regulation S and neither we nor any Person acting on our behalf
     knows that the transaction has been pre-arranged with a buyer in the United
     States;

          (3)  no directed selling efforts have been made in the United States
     in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of
     Regulation S, as applicable;

          (4)  the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the
     registration requirements of the Securities Act;

          (5)  we have advised the transferee of the transfer restrictions
     applicable to the Securities;

          (6)  if the circumstances set forth in rule 904(c) under the
     Securities Act are applicable, we have complied with the additional
     conditions therein, including (if 

                                      C-1
<PAGE>
 
     applicable) sending a confirmation or other notice stating that the
     Securities may be offered and sold during the distribution compliance
     period specified in Rule 903(c)(2) or (3), as applicable, only in
     accordance with the provisions of Regulation S; pursuant to registration of
     the Securities under the Securities Act; or pursuant to another available
     exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act; and

          (7)  if the sale is made during a distribution compliance period and
     the provisions of Rule 903(c)(3) are applicable thereto, we confirm that
     such sale has been made in accordance with such provisions.

          You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested
party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with
respect to the matters covered hereby.  Terms used in this certificate have the
meanings set forth in Regulation S.

                         Very truly yours,

                         [Name of Transferor]


                         By: ______________________
                              Authorized Signature


                                      C-2
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT D
                                                                       ---------


              [FORM OF NOTATION ON SECURITY RELATING TO GUARANTY]

                                   GUARANTY


          ______________, a __________ corporation (the "Guarantor," which term
includes any successor under the Indenture (the "Indenture") referred to in the
Security upon which this notation is endorsed), hereby unconditionally and
irrevocably guarantees on a senior subordinated basis, jointly and severally
with each other Guarantor of the Securities, to each Holder and to the Trustee
and its successors and assigns (a) the full and prompt payment (within
applicable grace periods) of principal of and interest on the Securities when
due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, and all
other monetary obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Securities
and (b) the full and prompt performance within applicable grace periods of all
other obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Securities, subject
to certain limitations set forth in the Indenture, (all the foregoing being
hereinafter collectively called the "Guaranty Obligations").  The Guarantor
further agrees that the Guaranty Obligations may be extended or renewed, in
whole or in part, without notice or further assent from such Guarantor, and that
such Guarantor will remain bound under Article XIII of the Indenture
notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranty Obligation.
Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the
Indenture unless otherwise indicated.

          Subject to the terms of the Indenture, this Guaranty shall be binding
upon the Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit
of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event
of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights
and privileges herein conferred upon that party shall automatically extend to
and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and
conditions hereof.

          This Guaranty shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until
the certificate of authentication on the Security upon which this Guaranty is
noted shall have been executed by the Trustee under the Indenture by the
signature of one of its authorized signatories.

          The obligations of the Guarantor to the Holders of Securities and to
the Trustee pursuant to this Guaranty and the Indenture are expressly
subordinated to all Guarantor Senior Indebtedness and senior in right of payment
to all Guarantor 

                                      D-1
<PAGE>
 
Subordinated Indebtedness, in each case to the extent set forth in Section 13.9
and Article XIV of the Indenture, and reference is hereby made to such Indenture
for the precise terms of such subordination.

          Notwithstanding any other provision of the Indenture or this Guaranty,
under the Indenture and this Guaranty the maximum aggregate amount of the
obligations guaranteed by the Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that
can be guaranteed without rendering the Indenture or this Guaranty, as it
relates to such Guarantor, voidable under applicable federal or state law
relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer.  This Guaranty shall
be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to
conflict of laws provisions thereof.



                              [Name of Guarantor]


     By: ________________________
     Name:
     Title:

                                      D-2
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.

                                as the Company

                                      and

                         THE SUBSIDIARIES NAMED HEREIN

                                 as Guarantors

                                      to

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                                  as Trustee

                               ----------------

                                   Indenture

                          Dated as of March 23, 1999

                                ---------------

                                 $250,000,000

                9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009, Series A

                                 $250,000,000

                9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009, Series B

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                           CROSS REFERENCE TABLE/1/


 
Trust Indenture Act                                                 Indenture
      Section                                                       Section
- -------------------                                                 --------

 
310(a)(1).......................................................    6.9

310(a)(2).......................................................    6.9
 
310(a)(3).......................................................    N.A/2/
 
310(a)(4).......................................................    N.A.
 
310(a)(5).......................................................    N.A.
 
310(b)..........................................................    6.8;
                                                                    6.10
 
310(c)..........................................................    N.A.
 
311(a)..........................................................    6.13

311(b)..........................................................    6.13

311(c)..........................................................    N.A.
 
312(a)..........................................................    7.1;
                                                                    7.2
                                                                    
312(b)..........................................................    7.2
                                                                    
312(c)..........................................................    7.2
                                                                    
313(a)..........................................................    7.3
                                                                    
313(b)..........................................................    7.3
                                                                    
313(c)..........................................................    1.6
                                                                    
313(d)..........................................................    7.3
                                                                    
314(a)..........................................................    7.4
                                                                    
314(b)..........................................................    N.A.

- ----------------------

1.    Note:  This Cross Reference Table shall not, for any
purpose, be deemed part of this Indenture.

2.   Not Applicable.
<PAGE>
 
Trust Indenture Act                                             Indenture
      Section                                                    Section
      -------                                                    -------

 
314(c)(1).......................................................    1.2
 
314(c)(2).......................................................    1.2
 
314(c)(3).......................................................    N.A.

314(d)..........................................................    N.A.

314(e)..........................................................    1.2
 
314(f)..........................................................    N.A.

315(a)..........................................................    6.1
 
315(b)..........................................................    6.2
 
315(c)..........................................................    6.1
 
315(d)..........................................................    6.1

315(e)..........................................................    5.14
 
316(a)(1)(A)....................................................    5.12
 
316(a)(1)(B)....................................................    5.13
 
316(a)(2).......................................................    N.A.
 
316(a)(last sentence)...........................................    1.1/3/
 
316(b)..........................................................    5.7;
                                                                    5.8
                                                                    
316(c)..........................................................    1.4
                                                                    
317(a)(1).......................................................    5.3
                                                                    
317(a)(2).......................................................    5.4
                                                                    
317(b)..........................................................   10.3
 
317(a)..........................................................    1.7

- -----------------
3.   Definition of "Outstanding."
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                  Page
                                                                  ----

        ARTICLE I Definitions and Other Provisions of General 
                                  Application



SECTION 1.1    Definitions.......................................  2
     8.80% Notes.................................................  3
     9 1/2% Notes................................................  3
     9 1/4% Notes................................................  3
     Acquired Indebtedness.......................................  3
     Act.........................................................  3
     Affiliate...................................................  3
     Asset Acquisition...........................................  3
     Asset Sale..................................................  4
     Asset Sale Offer............................................  4
     Asset Sale Offer Price......................................  4
     Asset Sale Purchase Date....................................  4
     Authenticating Agent........................................  4
     Average Life to Stated Maturity.............................  5
     Board of Directors..........................................  5
     Board Resolution............................................  5
     Business Day................................................  5
     Capital Stock...............................................  5
     Capitalized Lease Obligation................................  5
     Cash Equivalents............................................  6
     Cedel.......................................................  6
     Change of Control...........................................  6
     Change of Control Offer.....................................  8
     Change of Control Purchase Date.............................  8
     Change of Control Purchase Price............................  8
     Code........................................................  8
     Commission..................................................  8
     Common Stock................................................  8
     Company.....................................................  8
     Company Request.............................................  8
     Company Order...............................................  8
     Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges..........  8
     Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio....................  9
     Consolidated Fixed Charges.................................. 10

- ---------------------
  Note:  This table of contents shall not, for any prupose, be deemed to be a 
part of the Indenture.

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
     Consolidated Income Tax Expense.............................. 10
     Consolidated Interest Expense................................ 10
     Consolidated Net Income...................................... 11
     Consolidated Non-cash Charges................................ 11
     Consolidated Rental Payments................................. 12
     control...................................................... 12
     Corporate Trust Office....................................... 12
     corporation.................................................. 13
     Covenant Defeasance.......................................... 13
     Default...................................................... 13
     Defeasance................................................... 13
     Depositary................................................... 13
     Designated Guarantor Senior Indebtedness..................... 13
     Designated Senior Indebtedness............................... 13
     Disinterested Member of the Board of Directors
        of the Company............................................ 14
     Distribution Compliance Period............................... 14
     Euroclear.................................................... 14
     Event of Default............................................. 14
     Excess Proceeds.............................................. 14
     Exchange Act................................................. 14
     Exchange Securities.......................................... 14
     Expiration Date.............................................. 14
     Fair Market Value............................................ 14
     Federal Bankruptcy Code...................................... 15
     GAAP......................................................... 15
     Global Securities............................................ 15
     guarantee.................................................... 15 
     Guarantor Senior Indebtedness................................ 15
     Guarantor Subordinated Indebtedness.......................... 16
     Guaranty..................................................... 16
     Guaranty Obligations......................................... 17
     Holder....................................................... 17
     Holdings..................................................... 17
     Indebtedness................................................. 17
     Indenture.................................................... 18
     Initial Purchasers........................................... 18
     Initial Securities........................................... 18
     Interest Payment Date........................................ 19
     Interest Rate Protection Agreement........................... 19
     Interest Rate Protection Obligations......................... 19
     Investment................................................... 19

- -----------------------
Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part 
of the Indenture.

                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
     Issue Date................................................... 19
     Lien......................................................... 19       
     Maturity Date................................................ 19       
     Moody's...................................................... 19 
     Net Cash Proceeds............................................ 19          
     Non-U.S. Person.............................................. 20
     Notice of Default...........................................  20
     Offer.......................................................  20
     Offer to Purchase...........................................  20
     Offering Circular...........................................  23
     Officer's Certificate.......................................  23
     144A Global Security........................................  24
     Opinion of Counsel..........................................  24
     Outstanding.................................................  24
     Paying Agent................................................  25
     Permitted Holder............................................  25
     Permitted Indebtedness......................................  25
     Permitted Investments.......................................  29
     Permitted Liens.............................................  29
     Person......................................................  32
     Preferred Stock.............................................  32
     Private Placement Legend....................................  32
     Public Equity Offering......................................  32
     Purchase Amount.............................................  32
     Purchase Date...............................................  32
     Qualified Equity Interest...................................  33
     Qualified Institutional Buyer...............................  33
     QIB.........................................................  33
     Record Expiration Date......................................  33
     Redeemable Capital Stock....................................  33
     Redemption Date.............................................  33
     Redemption Price............................................  33
     Registrable Securities......................................  33
     Registration Rights Agreement...............................  33
     Regular Record Date.........................................  33
     Regulation S................................................  34
     Regulation S Global Security................................  34
     Replacement Assets..........................................  34
     Required Filing Dates.......................................  34
     Responsible Officer.........................................  34
     Restricted Payments.........................................  34
     Restricted Security.........................................  34 

- ----------------------
  Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a 
part of the Indenture.

                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
     Restricted Subsidiary.......................................  34
     Revocation..................................................  34
     Rule 144A...................................................  34
     S&P.........................................................  35
     Securities..................................................  35
     Securities Act..............................................  35
     Security Register...........................................  35
     Security Registrar..........................................  35
     Senior Indebtedness.........................................  35
     Significant Subsidiary......................................  36
     Special Record Date.........................................  36
     Stated Maturity.............................................  36
     Subordinated Indebtedness...................................  36
     Subsidiary..................................................  36
     Tangible Assets.............................................  37
     Term Loan...................................................  37
     Trust Indenture Act.........................................  37
     Trustee.....................................................  38
     Unrestricted Securities.....................................  38
     Unrestricted Subsidiary.....................................  38
     U.S. Government Obligation..................................  38
     Vice President..............................................  38
     Voting Stock................................................  38
     Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary..........................  38
                                                          
SECTION 1.2   Compliance Certificates and Opinions...............  39
SECTION 1.3   Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.............  39
SECTION 1.4   Acts of Holders; Record Dates......................  40
SECTION 1.5   Notices to Trustee, the Company or a
                 Guarantor.......................................  43
SECTION 1.6   Notice to Holders; Waiver..........................  44
SECTION 1.7   Conflict with Trust Indenture Act..................  45
SECTION 1.8   Effect of Headings and Table of Contents ..........  45
SECTION 1.9   Successors and Assigns.............................  45
SECTION 1.10  Separability Clause................................  45
SECTION 1.11  Benefits of Indenture..............................  45
SECTION 1.12  Governing Law......................................  45
SECTION 1.13  Legal Holidays.....................................  46

- ---------------------
 Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part
of the Indenture.

                                      iv
<PAGE>
 
                           ARTICLE IISecurity Forms

SECTION 2.1    Forms Generally..................................... 46


                           ARTICLE IIIThe Securities
 

SECTION 3.1      Title and Terms................................... 46
SECTION 3.2      Denominations..................................... 48
SECTION 3.3      Execution, Authentication, Delivery          
                 and Dating........................................ 48
SECTION 3.4      Temporary Securities.............................. 49
SECTION 3.5      Registration, Registration of Transfer
                 and Exchange...................................... 50
SECTION 3.6      Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen        
                 Securities........................................ 51
SECTION 3.7      Payment of Interest; Rights Preserved............. 52
SECTION 3.8      Persons Deemed Owners............................. 54
SECTION 3.9      Cancellation...................................... 54
SECTION 3.10     Computation of Interest........................... 55
SECTION 3.11     CUSIP and CINS Numbers............................ 55
SECTION 3.12     Deposits of Monies................................ 55
SECTION 3.13     Book-Entry Provisions for Global
                 Securities........................................ 56
SECTION 3.14     Special Transfer Provisions....................... 57

                     ARTICLE IVSatisfaction and Discharge

SECTION 4.1    Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture............. 61
SECTION 4.2    Application of Trust Money.......................... 62

                               ARTICLE VRemedies

SECTION 5.1    Events of Default................................... 63
SECTION 5.2    Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission
                and Annulment...................................... 65


- -----------------------
 Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part
of the Indenture.

                                       v
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 5.3     Collection of Indebtedness and Suits
                   for Enforcement by Trustee...................... 67
SECTION 5.4     Trustee May File Proofs of Claim................... 68
SECTION 5.5     Trustee May Enforce Claims Without
                 Possession of Securities.......................... 69
SECTION 5.6     Application of Money Collected..................... 69
SECTION 5.7     Limitation on Suits................................ 70
SECTION 5.8     Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive
                 Principal, Premium and Interest................... 71
SECTION 5.9     Restoration of Rights and Remedies................. 71
SECTION 5.10    Rights and Remedies Cumulative..................... 72
SECTION 5.11    Delay or Omission Not Waiver....................... 72
SECTION 5.12    Control by Holders................................. 72
SECTION 5.13    Waiver of Past Defaults............................ 73
SECTION 5.14    Undertaking for Costs.............................. 73
SECTION 5.15    Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws................... 74

                             ARTICLE VIThe Trustee
 
SECTION 6.1    Certain Duties and Responsibilities................. 74
SECTION 6.2    Notice of Defaults.................................. 75
SECTION 6.3    Certain Rights of Trustee........................... 76
SECTION 6.4    Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance
                 of Securities..................................... 78
SECTION 6.5    May Hold Securities................................. 78
SECTION 6.6    Money Held in Trust................................. 78
SECTION 6.7    Compensation and Reimbursement...................... 79
SECTION 6.8    Conflicting Interests............................... 80
SECTION 6.9    Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility............. 80
SECTION 6.10   Resignation and Removal; Appointment
                 of Successor...................................... 80
SECTION 6.11   Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.............. 83
SECTION 6.12   Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or
                 Succession to Business............................ 83
SECTION 6.13   Preferential Collection of Claims Against
                 the Company....................................... 84
SECTION 6.14   Appointment of Authenticating Agent................. 84

- ---------------------
 Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part
of the Indenture.

                                      vi
<PAGE>
 
         ARTICLE VIIHolders' Lists and Reports by Trustee and Company
 
SECTION 7.1      Company to Furnish Trustee Names and
                  Addresses of Holders................................. 86
SECTION 7.2      Preservation of Information;
                 Communications to Holders............................. 86
SECTION 7.3      Reports by Trustee.................................... 87
SECTION 7.4      Reports by Company.................................... 87


       ARTICLE VIIIConsolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease

SECTION 8.1    Company May Consolidate, Etc. Only on
                Certain Terms.......................................... 88
SECTION 8.2    Successor Substituted................................... 90

            ARTICLE IXAmendments; Waivers; Supplemental Indentures
 
SECTION 9.1    Amendments, Waivers and Supplemental Inden-
                 tures Without Consent of Holders...................... 91
SECTION 9.2    Modifications, Amendments and Supplemental
                 Indentures with Consent of Holders.................... 92
SECTION 9.3    Execution of Supplemental Indentures.................... 93
SECTION 9.4    Effect of Supplemental Indentures....................... 94
SECTION 9.5    Conformity with Trust Indenture Act..................... 94
SECTION 9.6    Reference in Securities to Supplemental
                 Indentures............................................ 94
SECTION 9.7    Waiver of Certain Covenants............................. 94
SECTION 9.8    No Liability for Certain Persons........................ 95

                              ARTICLE XCovenants
 
SECTION 10.1   Payment of Principal, Premium
                 and Interest.......................................... 95
SECTION 10.2   Maintenance of Office or Agency......................... 96
SECTION 10.3   Money for Security Payments to be Held
                 in Trust.............................................. 96
SECTION 10.4   Existence; Activities................................... 98


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                                      vii
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 10.5     Maintenance of Properties............................ 98
SECTION 10.6     Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.................... 99
SECTION 10.7     Maintenance of Insurance............................. 99
SECTION 10.8     Limitation on Indebtedness........................... 99
SECTION 10.9     Limitation on Restricted Payments....................100
SECTION 10.10    Limitation on Preferred Stock of
                 Restricted Subsidiaries..............................105
SECTION 10.11             Limitation on Transactions with
                 Affiliates...........................................105
SECTION 10.12    Limitation on Liens..................................107
SECTION 10.13    Change of Control....................................107
SECTION 10.14    Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales...............108
SECTION 10.15    Limitation on Dividends and Other
                 Payment Restrictions Affecting
                    Restricted Subsidiaries...........................111
SECTION 10.16             Limitation on Issuance of Subordinated
                 Indebtedness.........................................113
SECTION 10.17             Additional Subsidiary Guarantees............113
SECTION 10.18             Limitations on Designation of
                 Unrestricted Subsidiaries............................114
SECTION 10.19             Provision of Financial Information..........116
SECTION 10.20             Statement by Officers as to Default;
                 Compliance Certificates..............................116

                      ARTICLE XIRedemption of Securities

SECTION 11.1     Right of Redemption..................................117
SECTION 11.2     Applicability of Article.............................117
SECTION 11.3     Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee................117
SECTION 11.4     Selection by Trustee of Securities to
                 Be Redeemed..........................................118
SECTION 11.5     Notice of Redemption.................................118
SECTION 11.6     Deposit of Redemption Price..........................119
SECTION 11.7     Securities Payable on Redemption Date................120
SECTION 11.8     Securities Redeemed in Part..........................120

- ------------------------
 Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part
of the Indenture.


                                     viii
<PAGE>
 
                 ARTICLE XIIDefeasance and Covenant Defeasance

SECTION 12.1     Company's Option to Effect Defeasance
                 or Covenant Defeasance............................... 121
SECTION 12.2     Defeasance and Discharge............................. 121
SECTION 12.3     Covenant Defeasance.................................. 122
SECTION 12.4     Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant
                 Defeasance........................................... 122
SECTION 12.5     Deposited Money and U.S. Government
                 Obligations to Be Held in Trust;
                    Miscellaneous Provisions.......................... 125
SECTION 12.6     Reinstatement........................................ 126

                              ARTICLE XIIIGuaranty
 
SECTION 13.1     Guaranty............................................. 127
SECTION 13.2     Limitation on Liability.............................. 130
SECTION 13.3     Execution and Delivery of Guarantees................. 130
SECTION 13.4     Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc., on
                 Certain Terms........................................ 131
SECTION 13.5     Release of Guarantors................................ 131
SECTION 13.6     Successors and Assigns............................... 132
SECTION 13.7     No Waiver, etc....................................... 132
SECTION 13.8     Modification, etc.................................... 132
SECTION 13.9     Subordination of Guarantees.......................... 133

                           ARTICLE XIVSubordination
 
SECTION 14.1     Securities Subordinate to Senior
                 Indebtedness and Senior to
                    Subordinated Indebtedness......................... 133
SECTION 14.2    Payment Over of Proceeds Upon
                 Dissolution, Etc..................................... 134
SECTION 14.3    No Payment When Designated Senior
                 Indebtedness in Default.............................. 134
SECTION 14.4    Subrogation to Rights of Holders of
                 Senior Indebtedness.................................. 136

- ------------------------
  Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a 
part of the Indenture.

                                      ix
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 14.5     Provisions Solely to Define

                 Relative Rights.........................................136
SECTION 14.6     Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.....................137
SECTION 14.7     No Waiver of Subordination Provisions...................137
SECTION 14.8     Notice to Trustee.......................................138
SECTION 14.9     Reliance on Judicial Order or
                 Certificate of Liquidating Agent........................139
SECTION 14.10    Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of
                 Senior Indebtedness.....................................139
SECTION 14.11    Rights of Trustee as Holder of
                 Senior Indebtedness; Preservation of
                    Trustee's Rights.....................................140
SECTION 14.12    Article Applicable to Paying Agents.....................140
 
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<PAGE>
 
 
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
Schedule A              The Guranators
Exhibit A-1             Form of Series A Security
Exhibit A-2             Form of Series B Security
Exhibit B               Global Securiites Legend
Exhibit C               Transfer Letter
Exhibit D               Form of Notation on Security Relating
                        to Guraranty



- ----------------------------

 Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part
of the Indenture.

                                      xix






<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4(r)


                      NOTES REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


          THIS NOTES REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and
                                                         ---------              
entered into as of March 23, 1999, by and among UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA),
INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the subsidiaries named in the
                                   -------                                 
Schedule hereto (the "Guarantors") and GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO., DONALDSON, LUFKIN &
                      ----------                                                
JENRETTE SECURITIES CORPORATION and NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY SECURITIES LLC
(collectively, the "Initial Purchasers").
                    ------------------   

          This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement dated March
16, 1999 between the Company and the Initial Purchasers (the "Purchase
                                                              --------
Agreement"), with respect to the issue and sale by the Company and the purchase
by the Initial Purchasers of $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the
Company's 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009, Series A in respect of which
the Guarantors have provided guarantees (together with such guarantees, the
                                                                           
"Notes").  In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase
- ------                                                                         
Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide to the Initial Purchasers and its
direct and indirect transferees and assigns the registration rights set forth in
this Agreement.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to
the closing under the Purchase Agreement.

          In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as
follows:

          1.  Definitions  .  As used in this Agreement, the following
              -----------                                             
capitalized defined terms shall have the following meanings:

          "1933 Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time
           --------                                                             
     to time, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

          "1934 Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
           --------                                                            
     from time to time, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated
     thereunder.

          "Broker Prospectus Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
           ------------------------                                             
     3(f)(C).

          "Broker Shelf Registration Statement" shall have the meaning set forth
           -----------------------------------                                  
     in Section 3(f)(E).

          "Depositary" shall mean The Depository Trust Company, or any other
           ----------                                                       
     depositary appointed by the Company; provided, however, that any such
     depositary must have an address in the Borough of Manhattan, in the City of
     New York.

          "Exchange Notes" shall mean   9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009,
           --------------                                                     
     Series B of the Company, including the guarantees thereof, containing terms
     identical to the 
<PAGE>
 
     respective Notes (except that (i) interest on the Exchange Notes shall
     accrue from the last date on which interest was paid on the Notes or, if no
     such interest has been paid, from March 23, 1999, (ii) the transfer
     restrictions thereon shall be eliminated and (iii) certain provisions
     relating to payment of additional interest shall be eliminated) to be
     issued under the Indenture and offered to Holders in exchange for Transfer
     Restricted Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

          "Exchange Offer" shall mean the exchange offer by the Company of
           --------------                                                 
     Exchange Notes for Transfer Restricted Notes pursuant to Section 2(a) and
     the other provisions of this Agreement.

          "Exchange Offer Registration" shall mean a registration under the 1933
           ---------------------------                                          
     Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

          "Exchange Offer Registration Statement" shall mean an exchange offer
           -------------------------------------                              
     registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another
     appropriate form), and all amendments and supplements to such registration
     statement, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all
     exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.

          "Exchange Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
           ---------------                                                   

          "Holders" shall mean the Initial Purchasers, for so long as they own
           -------                                                            
     any Transfer Restricted Notes, and theirs successors, assigns and direct
     and indirect transferees who become registered owners of Transfer
     Restricted Notes under the Indenture.

          "Holders' Counsel" shall mean an external United States counsel and
           ----------------                                                  
     external local counsel designated by the underwriters (or if an offering is
     not underwritten, by the Majority Holders) to represent them in connection
     with a Shelf Registration Statement or Broker Shelf Registration Statement.

          "Indenture" shall mean the Indenture relating to the Notes dated as of
           ---------                                                            
     March 23, 1999, among the Company, the subsidiaries of the Company listed
     therein and, The Bank of New York, as trustee (the "Trustee"), and as the
                                                         -------              
     same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

          "Initial Purchasers" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
           ------------------                                                  
     of this Agreement.

          "Majority Holders" shall mean the Holders of a majority of the
           ----------------                                             
     aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Notes outstanding;
     provided that (a) whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a
     specified percentage of Transfer Restricted Notes is required hereunder,
     Transfer Restricted Notes held by the Company or any of its 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) shall
     be disregarded in determining whether such consent or approval was given by
     the Holders of such required percentage or amount and (b) whenever the
     consent or approval of the Majority Holders is required in relation to the
     filing of a Broker Shelf Registration Statement, Holders (other than
     Participating Broker Dealers holding Notes registered thereunder) shall be
     disregarded in determining whether such consent or approval was given by
     Holders of such required percentage or amount.

          "Original Issue Date" shall mean the date of original issuance of the
           -------------------                                                 
     Notes.

          "Participating Broker-Dealer" shall have the meaning set forth in
           ---------------------------                                     
     Section 3(f).

          "Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, limited liability
           ------                                                           
     company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company,
     trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political
     subdivision thereof.

          "Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration
           ----------                                                      
     Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as
     amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a
     prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any
     portion of the Transfer Restricted Notes covered by a Shelf Registration
     Statement or a Broker Shelf Registration Statement, and by all other
     amendments and supplements to a prospectus, including post-effective
     amendments, and in each case including all material incorporated by
     reference therein.

          "Purchase Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
           ------------------                                                  
     of this Agreement.

          "Registration Default" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
           --------------------                                             
     2(e).

          "Registration Expenses" shall mean any and all expenses incident to
           ---------------------                                             
     performance of or compliance by the Company with this Agreement, including
     without limitation:  (i) all SEC, stock exchange or National Association of
     Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") registration and filing fees, (ii) all
     fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state or
     other securities or blue sky laws and compliance with the rules of the NASD
     (including, without limitation, in the case of an underwritten offering the
     reasonable fees and disbursements of Holders' Counsel in connection with
     state or other securities or blue sky qualification of any of the Exchange
     Notes or Transfer Restricted Notes), (iii) all expenses (including without
     limitation all word processing, duplicating and printing expenses,
     messenger and delivery expenses) of any Persons in preparing, printing and
     distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendments or
     supplements thereto, any underwriting agreements, securities sales
     agreements, certificates representing the Exchange Notes and other
     documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this
     Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) all 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing, if any, of any
     of the Transfer Restricted Notes on any securities exchange or exchanges,
     (vi) all fees and disbursements relating to the qualification of the
     Indenture under applicable securities laws, (vii) the reasonable fees and
     disbursements of counsel for the Company and of the independent public
     accountants of the Company and of any other experts retained by the
     Company, including the expenses of any special audits or "cold comfort"
     letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance, (viii)
     premiums and other costs of policies of insurance maintained by the Company
     against liabilities arising out of the public offering of the Transfer
     Restricted Notes being registered, (ix) the fees and expenses of a
     "qualified independent underwriter" as defined by Conduct Rule 2720 of the
     NASD, if required by the NASD rules, in connection with the offering of the
     Exchange Notes or Transfer Restricted Notes in an underwritten offering,
     (x) the reasonable fees and expenses of the Trustee, including its counsel,
     and any escrow agent or custodian. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
     holders of the Exchange Notes or Transfer Restricted Notes being registered
     shall pay all agency or brokerage fees and commissions and underwriting
     discounts and commissions attributable to the sale of such Exchange Notes
     or Transfer Restricted Notes and the fees and disbursements of any counsel
     or other advisors or experts retained by such holders (severally or
     jointly) (excluding advisors or other experts retained by the Company, as
     aforesaid); provided, however, that in the case of a Shelf Registration
     Statement under Section 2(b) hereof or a Broker Shelf Registration
     Statement under Section 3(f) hereof, the Majority Holders may, in each
     case, if they so elect, select Holders' Counsel to represent them (which
     may be counsel to the Initial Purchasers), in which event Registration
     Expenses shall include the reasonable fees and disbursements of such
     counsel up to a maximum of $80,000 (including fees paid pursuant to clause
     (ii) above).

          "Registration Statement" shall mean any registration statement of the
           ----------------------                                              
     Company which covers any of the Exchange Notes or Transfer Restricted Notes
     pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, and all amendments and
     supplements to any such Registration Statement, including post-effective
     amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all
     exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.

          "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
           ---                                                    

          "Shelf Registration" shall mean a registration effected pursuant to
           ------------------                                                
     Section 2(b) hereof.

          "Shelf Registration Statement" shall mean a "shelf" registration
           ----------------------------                                   
     statement of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 2(b) of this
     Agreement which covers all of the Transfer Restricted Notes on an
     appropriate form under Rule 415 under the 1933 Act, or any similar rule
     that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such
     registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and
     all material incorporated by reference therein.

          "Transfer Restricted Notes" shall mean each Note until (i) the date on
           -------------------------                                            
     which such Note has been exchanged by a person (other than a Participating
     Broker-Dealer) for an Exchange Note in the Exchange Offer, (ii) following
     the exchange by a Participating Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer of a
     Note for an Exchange Note, the date on which such Exchange Note is sold to
     a purchaser who receives from such Participating Broker-Dealer on or prior
     to the date of such sale a copy of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange
     Offer Registration Statement,(iii) the date on which such Note has been
     effectively registered under the 1933 Act and disposed of in accordance
     with the Shelf Registration Statement or the Broker Shelf Registration
     Statement, (iv) the date on which such Note is eligible for distribution to
     the public pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the 1933 Act (or any similar
     provision then in force, but not Rule 144A under the 1933 Act), (v) the
     date on which such Note shall have been otherwise transferred by the Holder
     thereof and a new Note not bearing a legend restricting further transfer
     shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent disposition of such
     Note shall not require registration or qualification under the 1933 Act or
     any similar state law then in force or (vi) such Note ceases to be
     outstanding.

          "Trustee" shall mean the Trustee under the Indenture.
           -------                                             

          2.  Registration Under the 1933 Act  .  (a)  Exchange Offer
              -------------------------------          --------------
Registration.  To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable
- ------------                                                                   
interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the Company shall (A) file an Exchange
Offer Registration Statement with the SEC within  90 days after the Original
Issue Date covering the offer by the Company to the Holders to exchange Exchange
Notes for all of their Transfer Restricted Notes, (B) use its best efforts to
cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective under
the 1933 Act within 150 days after the Original Issue Date, (C) commence the
Exchange Offer promptly after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is
declared effective by the SEC and keep the Exchange Offer open for acceptance
for the Exchange Period, (D) use its best efforts to issue, promptly after the
end of the Exchange Period, Exchange  Notes in exchange for all Transfer
Restricted Notes that have been properly tendered  for exchange during the
Exchange Period and (E) use its best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of
the Exchange Offer  Registration Statement during the Exchange Period and
thereafter until such time as the Company has issued Exchange Notes in exchange
for all Transfer Restricted Notes that have been properly tendered for exchange
during the Exchange Period.  Upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly commence the Exchange Offer,
it being the objective of such Exchange Offer to enable each Holder (other than
Participating Broker-Dealers) eligible and electing to exchange Transfer
Restricted Notes for Exchange Notes (assuming that such Holder is not an
affiliate of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the 1933 Act,
acquires the Exchange Notes in the ordinary course of such Holder's business and
has no arrangements or understandings with any person to participate in the

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing the Exchange Notes) to trade such
Exchange Notes from and after their receipt without any limitations or
restrictions under the 1933 Act and without material restrictions under the
securities laws of a substantial proportion of the several states of the United
States.  For the purposes of this Agreement, the Exchange Offer will be deemed
consummated if the Company makes the Exchange Offer, the Exchange Offer remains
open for a period (the "Exchange Period") of at least 20 business days after the
date notice thereof is mailed to the Holders (or such longer period as may be
required by law), and the Company issues Exchange Notes in respect of all Notes
that are properly tendered during the Exchange Period.

          In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company shall:

          (i)   mail to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the
     Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter
     of transmittal and related documents;

          (ii)  keep the Exchange Offer open for the Exchange Period;

          (iii) use the services of the Depositary for the Exchange Offer with
     respect to Notes evidenced by global certificates;

          (iv)  permit Holders to withdraw tendered Transfer Restricted Notes at
     any time prior to the close of business, New York City time, on the last
     business day on which the Exchange Offer shall remain open, by sending to
     the institution specified in the notice, a telegram, telex, facsimile
     transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal
     amount of Transfer Restricted Notes delivered for exchange, and a statement
     that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Notes exchanged;
     and

          (v)   otherwise comply with all applicable laws relating to the
     Exchange Offer.

          Promptly after the close of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall use
its best efforts to:

          (i)   accept for exchange Transfer Restricted Notes duly tendered and
     not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the
     terms of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the letter of
     transmittal which is an exhibit thereto;

          (ii)  deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for
     cancellation all Transfer Restricted Notes so accepted for exchange by the
     Company; and

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
          (iii) cause the Trustee promptly to authenticate and deliver Exchange
     Notes to each Holder of Transfer Restricted Notes equal in principal amount
     to the principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Notes of such Holder so
     accepted for exchange.

          The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than
(i) that the Exchange Offer, or the making of any exchange by a Holder, does not
violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC
and (ii) the tendering of Transfer Restricted Notes in accordance with the
Exchange Offer.  Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Notes who wishes to exchange
such Transfer Restricted Notes for Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer shall
have represented that (i) it is not an affiliate (as defined in Rule 405 under
the 1933 Act) of the Company, (ii) any Exchange Notes to be received by it were
acquired in the ordinary course of its business and, (iii) it has no arrangement
with any person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the
1933 Act) of the Exchange Notes (except that a Participating Broker Dealer shall
not be required to make the representation provided by this clause (iii)).  In
addition each such Holder shall be required to make such other representations
as may be reasonably necessary under applicable SEC rules, regulations or
interpretations to render the use of Form S-4 or another appropriate form under
the 1933 Act available.  To the extent permitted by law and ascertainable by the
Company, the Company shall inform the Initial Purchasers of the names and
addresses of the Holders to whom the Exchange Offer is made, and the Initial
Purchasers shall have the right to contact such Holders and otherwise facilitate
the tender of Transfer Restricted Notes in the Exchange Offer.  Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, it is understood and agreed that no
Holder may exchange in the Exchange Offer any Transfer Restricted Notes, to the
extent such Holder is not permitted to do so by applicable law or SEC policy.

          (b)  Shelf Registration  .  If (i) the Company is not permitted to
               ------------------                                           
file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or to consummate the Exchange
Offer because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or SEC
policy; (ii) for any other reason, the Exchange Offer is not consummated (as
defined in Section 2(a)) within 180 days after the Original Issue Date; (iii)
any Holder of Notes notifies the Company prior to the 20th day following
consummation of the Exchange Offer that (a) due to a change in law or SEC policy
such Holder is not entitled to participate in the Exchange Offer, (b) due to a
change in law or SEC policy such Holder may not resell the Exchange Notes
acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a
prospectus and the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder or (c)
such Holder is a broker-dealer and owns Notes acquired directly from the Company
or an affiliate of the Company; or (iv) the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes are not eligible to participate in the Exchange
Offer and to receive Exchange Notes that they may resell to the public without
restriction under the 1933 Act and without restriction under applicable blue sky
or state securities laws, the Company shall, at its cost:

          (A) use its best efforts to file with the SEC, on or prior to the 90th
     day following the occurrence of any event specified in clauses (i) through
     (iv) above, a Shelf 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     Registration Statement relating to the offer and sale of the Transfer
     Restricted Notes by the Holders from time to time in accordance with the
     methods of distribution elected by the Majority Holders of such Transfer
     Restricted Notes and set forth in such Shelf Registration Statement, and
     use its best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be
     declared effective under the Securities Act within 150 days after such
     filing obligation arises, provided that if the obligation to file the Shelf
     Registration Statement arises because the Exchange Offer has not been
     consummated within 180 days after the Original Issue Date, then the Company
     will use its best efforts to file the Shelf Registration Statement on or
     prior to the 30th day after such filing obligation arises, provided further
     that, with respect to Exchange Notes received by a broker-dealer in
     exchange for any securities that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a
     result of market making or other trading activities, the Company may, if
     permitted by current interpretations by the SEC's staff, file a post-
     effective amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement containing
     the information required by Regulation S-K Items 507 and/or 508, as
     applicable, in satisfaction of its obligations under this paragraph (A)
     solely with respect to broker-dealers who acquired their Notes as a result
     of market making or other trading activities, and any such Exchange Offer
     Registration Statement, as so amended, shall be referred to herein as, and
     governed by the provisions herein applicable to, a Shelf Registration
     Statement. In the event that the Company is required to file a Shelf
     Registration Statement, upon notice from any Holder not eligible to
     participate in the Exchange Offer pursuant to clause (iii) above or
     pursuant to clause (iv) above, the Company shall file and use its best
     efforts to have declared effective by the SEC both an Exchange Offer
     Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) with respect to all
     Transfer Restricted Notes that are eligible to participate in the Exchange
     Offer and a Shelf Registration Statement (which may be a combined
     Registration Statement with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) with
     respect to offers and sales of Transfer Restricted Notes held by such
     Holder after completion of the Exchange Offer;

          (B) use its best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement
     continuously effective in order to permit the Prospectus forming part
     thereof to be usable by Holders for a period of two years after its
     effective date (or until one year after the effective date of the Shelf
     Registration Statement if such Shelf Registration Statement is filed
     pursuant to clause (iv) above) or such shorter period which will terminate
     when all of the Transfer Restricted Notes covered by the Shelf Registration
     Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement; and

          (C) notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, use its best efforts
     to ensure that (i) any Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment
     thereto and any Prospectus forming a part thereof and any supplement
     thereto complies in all material respects with the 1933 Act and the rules
     and regulations thereunder, (ii) any Shelf Registration Statement and any
     amendment thereto does not, when it becomes effective, contain an untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
     be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
     misleading, and (iii) any 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     Prospectus forming part of any Shelf Registration Statement, and any
     supplement to such Prospectus (as amended or supplemented from time to
     time), does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
     state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
     light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

          The Company further agrees, if necessary, to supplement or amend the
Shelf Registration Statement if reasonably requested by the Majority Holders
with respect to information relating to the Holders and otherwise as required by
Section 3(b) below, to use its best efforts to cause any such amendment to
become effective and such Shelf Registration to become usable as soon as
reasonably practicable thereafter and to furnish to the Holders of Transfer
Restricted Notes copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after its
being used or filed with the SEC.

          (c)  Expenses.  Subject to Section 4(c) hereof, the Company shall
               --------                                                      
pay all Registration Expenses in connection with the registration pursuant to
Section 2(a) and 2(b) and any registration of a Broker Shelf Registration
Statement pursuant to Section 3(f)(E).  In the case of any Shelf Registration
Statement or Broker Shelf Registration Statement, the Majority Holders may, in
each case, if they so elect, select Holders' Counsel to represent them (which
may be counsel to the Initial Purchasers), in which event Registration Expenses
shall include the reasonable fees and disbursements of such counsel up to a
maximum of $80,000.  Each Holder shall pay all expenses of its counsel other
than as set forth in the preceding sentence, underwriting discounts and
commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of
such Holder's Transfer Restricted Notes pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement or Broker Shelf Registration Statement.

          (d)  Effective Registration Statement.  (i)  The Company will be
               --------------------------------                             
deemed not to have used its best efforts to cause a Registration Statement to
become, or to remain, effective during the requisite periods set forth herein if
the Company takes any action that could reasonably be expected to result in any
such Registration Statement not being declared effective or in the Holders of
Transfer Restricted Notes covered thereby not being able to exchange or offer
and sell such Transfer Restricted Notes during that period unless (A) such
action is required by applicable law or (B) such action is taken by the Company
in good faith and for valid business reasons (but not including avoidance of the
Company's obligations hereunder), including a material corporate transaction, so
long as the Company promptly complies with the requirements of Section 3(k)
hereof, if applicable.

          (ii) An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a)
hereof, a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b) or a Broker
Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 3(f)(E) hereof will not be
deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the
SEC; provided, however, that if, after it has been declared effective, the
offering of Transfer Restricted Notes pursuant to a Registration Statement is
interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of
the SEC or any 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
other governmental agency or court, such Registration Statement will be deemed
not to have been effective during the period of such interference, until the
offering of Transfer Restricted Notes pursuant to such Registration Statement
may legally resume.

          (iii)   Subject to and without limiting the Company's obligations to
pay additional interest as provided in Section 2(e) and subject to Section 2(d)
hereof,  the Company may suspend the availability of a Shelf Registration
Statement or Broker Shelf Registration Statement or, only during the Broker
Prospectus Period, an Exchange Offer Registration Statement, and the use of the
related Prospectus, as provided in Section 3(e)(v) and the penultimate paragraph
of Section 3 hereof, if any event shall occur as a result of which it shall be
necessary, in the good faith determination of the Company, to amend the Shelf
Registration Statement or Broker Shelf Registration Statement or Exchange Offer
Registration Statement or amend or supplement any prospectus or prospectus
supplement thereunder in order that each such document not include any untrue
statement of fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they
were made.  If the Company shall so suspend the availability of a Shelf
Registration Statement or Broker Shelf Registration Statement or Exchange Offer
Registration Statement as aforesaid or if the Company shall give any notice to
suspend the disposition of Transfer Restricted Notes pursuant to a Shelf
Registration Statement or Broker Shelf Registration Statement or the disposition
of Exchange Notes by Participating Broker-Dealers pursuant to the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement as a result of the happening of any event or the
discovery of any facts, each of the kind described in Section 3(e)(v) hereof,
the Company shall be deemed to have used its best efforts to keep such
Registration Statement effective during such period of suspension; provided that
the Company shall use its best efforts to file and have declared effective (if
an amendment) as soon as practicable an amendment or supplement to such
Registration Statement and shall extend the period during which such
Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement
by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the
giving of such notice to and including the date when the Holders shall have
received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus necessary to resume
such dispositions.  The Company may delay the filing of any such amendment or
supplement pursuant to this paragraph if the Company in good faith has a valid
business reason for such delay; provided, however, that any delay pursuant to
this sentence shall not exceed 60 days in any period of 365 days.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, pursuant to this paragraph, a Shelf
Registration Statement or Broker Shelf Registration Statement or Exchange Offer
Registration Statement is suspended or otherwise not usable in connection with
resales of Notes covered thereby (or, in the case of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, resales of Exchange Notes by Participating Broker-
Dealers) for a period exceeding 60 days in the aggregate, whether or not
consecutive, a Registration Default shall be deemed to have occurred under
paragraph (iv) or (v), as the case may be, of the definition thereof  in Section
2(e) hereof (whether or not any other Registration Default has occurred), and in
all such events, the Company will be required to pay additional interest as
provided in Section 2(e) hereof.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
          (e)  Accrual and Payment of Additional Interest.  For purposes of
               ------------------------------------------                  
this Section 2(e), the "Specified Notes" means the Notes (not including the
Exchange Notes); provided, however, that the Specified Notes mean the Exchange
                 --------  -------                                            
Notes with respect to (a) any Registration Default that arises pursuant to
clause (i) or (ii) of the definition of such term and relates solely to the
Broker Shelf Registration Statement and (b) any Registration Default that arises
solely pursuant to clauses (v) or (vi) of the definition of such term. In the
event that a Registration Default exists, then the Company shall pay additional
interest on the Specified Notes (in addition to the interest otherwise due on
the Notes) in cash on each Interest Payment Date (as defined in the Indenture)
in an amount equal to one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) per annum of the
principal amount of the Specified Notes, with respect to the first 90-day period
(or portion thereof) following such Registration Default.  The amount of such
additional interest will increase by an additional one-quarter of one percent
(0.25%) to a maximum of one percent (1.0%) per annum for each subsequent 90-day
period (or portion thereof) until each such Registration Default has been cured.
A "Registration Default" will exist (subject to the following sentence) if (i)
the Company fails to file any of the registration statements required by this
Agreement on or prior to the date specified for such filing, (ii) any of such
registration statements is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the
date specified for such effectiveness, (iii) the Exchange Offer is required to
be consummated under this Agreement and is not consummated within 180 days after
the Original Issue Date, (iv) the Shelf Registration Statement is declared
effective but thereafter, during the period for which the Company is required to
maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, it ceases to be
effective or usable in connection with the resale of the Notes covered by such
registration statement for a period of 60 days, whether or not consecutive, (v)
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective but thereafter,
during the Broker Prospectus Period, it ceases to be effective (or the Company
restricts the use of the prospectus included therein) for a period of 60 days,
whether or not consecutive, or (vi) the Broker Shelf Registration Statement is
declared effective but thereafter, during the period for which the Company is
required to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, it ceases
to be effective or usable in connection with the resale of the Exchange Notes
covered by such registration statement for a period of 60 days, whether or not
consecutive.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) any Registration Default
specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding sentence that relates to
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Exchange Offer shall be deemed
cured at such time as the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by
the SEC and (b) any Registration Default specified in clause (v) of the
preceding sentence shall be deemed cured at such time as the Broker Shelf
Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC.  Following the cure of
all Registration Defaults the accrual of additional interest on the Specified
Notes will cease and the interest rate will revert to the original rate;
provided, however, that if, after any such additional interest ceases to accrue,
a different event specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) or (vi) of the
definition of Registration Default above occurs, such additional interest shall
begin to accrue again pursuant to the foregoing provisions.

          The Company shall notify the Trustee within five business days after
the occurrence of each event specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) or
(vi) of the definition of 

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
Registration Default above. The Company shall pay the additional interest due on
the Specified Notes by depositing with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of
the Holders thereof, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on or before the
applicable semi-annual Interest Payment Date for the Specified Notes,
immediately available funds in sums sufficient to pay the additional interest
then due. The additional interest amount due shall be payable on each Interest
Payment Date to the record Holder of Specified Notes entitled to receive the
interest payment to be made on such date as set forth in the Indenture.
Additional interest pursuant to this Section 2(e) constitutes liquidated damages
with respect to Registration Defaults and shall be the exclusive monetary remedy
available to the Holders and/or the Initial Purchasers with respect to any
Registration Default.

          (f)  Specific Enforcement.  Without limiting the remedies available
               --------------------                                            
to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, the Company acknowledges that any
failure by it to comply with its obligations under Sections 2(a), 2(b) or 3(f)
hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or
the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be
possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event
of any such failure, any Initial Purchaser or any Holder may obtain such relief
as may be required to specifically enforce the Company's obligations under
Sections 2(a), 2(b) or 3(f).

          3.  Registration Procedures.   In connection with the obligations of
              -----------------------                                           
the Company with respect to the Registration Statements pursuant to Sections
2(a) and 2(b) hereof, the Company shall:

          (a) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement, within the
     time period specified in Section 2, on the appropriate form under the 1933
     Act, which form (i) shall be selected by the Company, (ii) shall, in the
     case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the sale of the Transfer
     Restricted Notes by the selling Holders thereof and (iii) shall comply as
     to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable
     form and include or incorporate by reference all financial statements
     required by the SEC to be filed therewith and use its best efforts to cause
     such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective in
     accordance with Section 2 hereof;

          (b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
     amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary under
     applicable law to keep such Registration Statement effective for the
     applicable period; cause each Prospectus to be supplemented by any required
     prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule
     424 under the 1933 Act; and in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement
     or Broker Shelf Registration Statement comply with the provisions of the
     1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by each
     Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the
     intended method or methods of distribution by the selling Holders thereof;

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
          (c) in the case of a Shelf Registration, (i) notify each Holder of
     Transfer Restricted Notes, at least five business days prior to filing,
     that a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to the Transfer Restricted
     Notes is being filed and advising such Holders that the distribution of
     Transfer Restricted Notes will be made in accordance with the method
     elected by the Majority Holders; provided that this clause (i) shall not
     apply with respect to regular filings of any document or report under the
     Exchange Act, at any time following the effectiveness of the applicable
     Registration Statement hereunder, where such filing is made as part of the
     Company's periodic disclosure obligations under Sections 13 and 15 of the
     Exchange Act; and (ii) furnish to each Holder of Transfer Restricted Notes,
     to counsel for the Initial Purchasers, to counsel for the Holders and to
     each underwriter of an underwritten offering of Transfer Restricted Notes,
     if any, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, including each
     preliminary Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto and such
     other documents as such Holder or underwriter may reasonably request,
     including financial statements and schedules and, if the Holder so
     requests, all exhibits (including those incorporated by reference) in order
     to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Transfer
     Restricted Notes; and (iii) subject to the penultimate paragraph of this
     Section 3, hereby consent to the use of the Prospectus, including each
     preliminary Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto by each of
     the selling Holders of Transfer Restricted Notes in connection with the
     offering and sale of the Transfer Restricted Notes covered by the
     Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;

          (d) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the
     Transfer Restricted Notes under all applicable state securities or "blue
     sky" laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder of Transfer Restricted Notes
     covered by a Registration Statement and each underwriter of an underwritten
     offering of Transfer Restricted Notes shall reasonably request by the time
     the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, to cooperate
     with the Holders in connection with any filings required to be made with
     the NASD and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably
     necessary or advisable to enable such Holder to consummate the disposition
     in each such jurisdiction of such Transfer Restricted Notes owned by such
     Holder; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to (i)
     qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any
     jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for
     this Section 3(d) or (ii) take any action which would subject it to general
     service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not then
     so subject;

          (e) in the case of a Shelf Registration, notify each Holder of
     Transfer Restricted Notes and counsel for such Holders promptly and, if
     requested by such Holder or counsel, confirm such advice in writing
     promptly (i) when a Registration Statement has become effective and when
     any post-effective amendments and supplements thereto become effective,
     provided that this clause (i) shall not apply with respect to regular
     filings of any document or report under the Exchange Act, at any time
     following the effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement
     hereunder, where such filing is 

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
     made as part of the Company's periodic disclosure obligations under
     Sections 13 and 15 of the Exchange Act; (ii) of any request by the SEC or
     any state securities authority for post-effective amendments and
     supplements to a Registration Statement and Prospectus or for additional
     information after the Registration Statement has become effective, (iii) of
     the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order
     suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation
     of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) of the receipt by the Company of
     any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the
     Transfer Restricted Notes for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or
     threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the happening of any
     event or the discovery of any facts during the period a Shelf Registration
     Statement is effective (including as contemplated in Section 2(d)(iii)
     hereof) which makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or
     the related Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which requires the
     making of any changes in such Registration Statement or Prospectus in order
     to make the statements therein not misleading and (vi) of any determination
     by the Company that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement
     would be appropriate;

          (f) (A)  in the case of the Exchange Offer, (i) include in the
     Exchange Offer Registration Statement a "Plan of Distribution" section
     covering the use of the Prospectus included in the Exchange Offer
     Registration Statement by broker-dealers who have exchanged their Transfer
     Restricted Notes for Exchange Notes for the resale of such Exchange Notes,
     (ii) furnish to each broker-dealer who desires to participate in the
     Exchange Offer, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus included
     in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, including any preliminary
     Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, as such broker-dealer
     may reasonably request, (iii) include in the Exchange Offer Registration
     Statement a statement that any broker-dealer who holds Transfer Restricted
     Notes acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities
     or other trading activities (a "Participating Broker-Dealer"), and who
                                     ---------------------------           
     receives Exchange Notes for Transfer Restricted Notes pursuant to the
     Exchange Offer, may be a statutory underwriter and must deliver a
     prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with any
     resale of such Exchange Notes, (iv) subject to Section 2(d)(iii) and the
     penultimate paragraph of Section 3, hereby consent to the use of the
     Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any
     amendment or supplement thereto, by any broker-dealer in connection with
     the sale or transfer of the Exchange Notes covered by the Prospectus or any
     amendment or supplement thereto, and (v) include in the transmittal letter
     or similar documentation to be executed by an exchange offeree in order to
     participate in the Exchange Offer the following provision:

          "If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents
          that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a
          distribution of Exchange Notes.  If the undersigned is a broker-dealer
          that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for
          Transfer 

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
          Restricted Notes, it represents that the Transfer Restricted Notes to
          be exchanged for Exchange Notes were acquired by it as a result of
          market-making activities or other trading activities and acknowledges
          that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933
          Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes pursuant to
          the Exchange Offer; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a
          prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an
          "underwriter" within the meaning of the 1933 Act;"

          (B) to the extent any Participating Broker-Dealer participates in the
     Exchange Offer, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause to be
     delivered at the request of an entity representing the Participating
     Broker-Dealers (which entity shall be an Initial Purchaser, unless they
     elect not to act as such representative) a "cold comfort" letter with
     respect to the Prospectus in the form existing on the last date for which
     exchanges are accepted pursuant to the Exchange Offer and with respect to
     each subsequent amendment or supplement, if any, effected during the period
     specified in clause (C) below; and

          (C) to the extent any Participating Broker-Dealer participates in the
     Exchange Offer, the Company shall use its best efforts to maintain the
     effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and to make
     available a prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act to any
     Participating Broker-Dealer for use in connection with any resale of any
     Exchange Notes acquired in the Exchange Offer (subject to the penultimate
     paragraph of Section 3).  The obligation of the Company to maintain the
     effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and make such
     prospectus available will commence on the day that the Exchange Offer is
     consummated and continue in effect for a 30-day period (the "Broker
     Prospectus Period"); provided, however, that, if for any day during such
     period the Company restricts the use of such Exchange Offer Registration
     Statement or prospectus, the Broker Prospectus Period shall be extended on
     a day-for-day basis;

          (D) the Company shall not be required to amend or supplement the
     Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement as would
     otherwise be contemplated by Section 3(b) hereof, or take any other action
     as a result of this Section 3(f), for any period following expiration of
     the Broker Prospectus Period (as such period may be extended hereunder) and
     Participating Broker-Dealers shall not be authorized by the Company to, and
     shall not, deliver such Prospectus after such period in connection with
     resales contemplated by this Section 3; and

          (E) If at the end of the Broker Prospectus Period any Participating
     Broker-Dealer that received Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer
     continues to hold any such Exchange Notes, the Company will, if any such
     Participating Broker-Dealer so requests within 60 days after the end of the
     Broker Prospectus Period, file with the SEC a shelf registration statement
     (a "Broker Shelf Registration Statement") to cover the resale of such
     Exchange Notes by Participating Broker-Dealers; provided, however, that (i)
     the 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
     Company may in lieu of filing such registration statement extend the
     Broker Prospectus Period by 60 days and (ii) the Company will not be
     required to file such registration statement until such time as the Company
     becomes eligible to use a Form S-3 for such registration statement.  If the
     Company is obligated to file a Broker  Shelf Registration Statement, the
     Company will (i) file the Broker Shelf Registration Statement within 30
     days of the date the request for such registration statement is first made
     in accordance with this clause (E) and (ii) use its best efforts to have
     the Broker Shelf Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC on or
     prior to the 90th day following the date the request for such registration
     statement is first made in accordance with this clause (E).  The Company
     will be required to use its best efforts to keep the Broker Shelf
     Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended for
     a 60-day period; provided, however, that, if on any day during such period
     such registration statement is not usable in connection with the resale of
     the Exchange Notes covered thereby, such period shall be extended on a day-
     for-day basis.  In connection with the Broker Shelf Registration Statement,
     the Company shall, in addition to its other obligations hereunder, comply
     with the obligations contained in Section 2(b)(C), the ultimate paragraph
     of Section 2(b), Sections 2(c) and (d) and Sections 3, 4 and 5 hereof with
     respect to the Broker Shelf Registration Statement as if references to
     Shelf Registration, Shelf Registration Statement and Holders (or Majority
     Holders) therein were also a reference to the Broker Shelf Registration
     Statement, the registration pursuant to this clause (E) and the
     Participating Broker-Dealers (or a majority thereof), respectively.

          (g) (A) in the case of an Exchange Offer, furnish counsel for the
     Initial Purchasers and (B) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish
     Holders' Counsel with  copies of any request by the SEC or any state
     securities authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration
     Statement and Prospectus or for additional information;

          (h) make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal of any order
     suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement at the earliest
     possible moment and provide immediate notice to each Holder of the
     withdrawal of any such order;

          (i) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of
     Transfer Restricted Notes, without charge, at least one conformed copy of
     each Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto
     (without documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto,
     unless requested);

          (j) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the selling
     Holders of Transfer Restricted Notes to facilitate the timely preparation
     and delivery of certificates representing Transfer Restricted Notes to be
     sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and cause such Transfer
     Restricted Notes to be in such denominations (consistent with the
     provisions of the Indenture) in a form eligible for deposit with the
     Depositary and registered in such names as the selling Holders or the
     underwriters, if any, may 

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
     reasonably request in writing at least one business day prior to the
     closing of any sale of Transfer Restricted Notes;

          (k) in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon the occurrence of any
     event or the discovery of any facts, each as contemplated by Section
     3(e)(v) hereof, use their best efforts to prepare a supplement or post-
     effective amendment to a Registration Statement or the related Prospectus
     or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other
     required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the
     Transfer Restricted Notes, such Prospectus will not contain at the time of
     such delivery any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
     material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
     circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  The Company
     agrees to notify each Holder to suspend use of the Prospectus as promptly
     as practicable after the occurrence of such an event, and each Holder
     hereby agrees to suspend use of the Prospectus until the Company has
     amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such misstatement or
     omission.  At such time as such public disclosure is otherwise made or the
     Company determines that such disclosure is not necessary, in each case to
     correct any misstatement of a material fact or to include any omitted
     material fact, the Company agrees promptly to notify each Holder of such
     determination and to furnish each Holder such numbers of copies of the
     Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, as such Holder may reasonably
     request;

          (l) obtain CUSIP numbers for all Exchange Notes, or Transfer
     Restricted Notes, as the case may be, not later than the effective date of
     a Registration Statement, and provide the Trustee with printed certificates
     for the Exchange Notes in a form eligible for deposit with the Depositary;

          (m) (i) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture
     Act of 1939, as amended (the "TIA"), in connection with the registration of
                                   ---                                          
     the Exchange Notes, or Transfer Restricted Notes, as the case may be, (ii)
     cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the
     Indenture as may be required for the Indenture to be so qualified in
     accordance with the terms of the TIA and (iii) execute, and use its best
     efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required
     to effect such changes, and all other forms and documents required to be
     filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely
     manner;

          (n) subject to Section 4(c), in the case of a Shelf Registration, take
     the following actions and take all other customary and appropriate actions
     (including those reasonably requested by the holders of a majority in
     principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Notes being sold) in order to
     expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Notes
     and in such connection:

               (i) If requested by Holders' Counsel, make such representations
          and warranties to the Holders of such Transfer Restricted Notes in
          form, substance 

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
          and scope as are customarily made in connection with shelf
          registrations of the type contemplated by this Agreement (such
          representations and warranties to be agreed upon by the Holders'
          Counsel and the Company, such agreement not to be unreasonably
          withheld); provided, however, that in the case of an underwritten
          offering the Company shall make such representations and warranties to
          the Holders of such Transfer Restricted Notes and the underwriters in
          form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers in
          connection with primary underwritten offerings of debt securities
          comparable to the Notes (such representations and warranties to be
          agreed upon by the Holders' Counsel, the underwriters and the Company,
          such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld);

               (ii) If requested by Holders' Counsel, obtain (at all times such
          opinions are customarily obtained) opinions of counsel to the Company
          and updates thereof addressed to each selling Holder covering the
          matters in form, substance and scope customarily covered in opinions
          delivered in connection with shelf registrations of the type
          contemplated by this Agreement (such opinions to be agreed upon by
          Holders' Counsel and the Company, such agreement not to be
          unreasonably withheld); provided, however, that in the case of an
          underwritten offering such opinions shall also be addressed to the
          underwriters and also cover the matters customarily covered in
          opinions delivered by issuers in connection with primary underwritten
          offerings of debt securities comparable to the Notes (such additional
          opinions to be agreed upon by the underwriters and the Company, such
          agreement not to be unreasonably withheld);

               (iii)  If requested by Holders' Counsel, obtain (at all times
          such letters are customarily obtained) "cold comfort" letters and
          updates thereof from the independent certified public accountants to
          the Company and to any other entity for which financial statements or
          other financial information or schedules are included in the
          Registration Statement, each addressed to the selling Holders of
          Transfer Restricted Notes, such letters to be in customary form and
          covering matters of the type customarily covered in "cold comfort"
          letters delivered to selling security holders in connection with shelf
          registrations of the type contemplated by this Agreement (such letters
          to be agreed upon by Holders' Counsel and such accountants, such
          agreement not to be unreasonably withheld); provided, however, that in
          the case of an underwritten offering such letters shall also be
          addressed to the underwriters and cover the matters customarily
          covered in "comfort letters" delivered by issuers in connection with
          primary underwritten offerings of debt securities comparable to the
          Notes (such letters to be agreed upon by the underwriters and such
          accountants, such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld);

               (iv) if requested by the Majority Holders, enter into a
          securities sales agreement with the Holders and an agent of the
          Holders providing for, among 

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
          other things, the appointment of such agent for the selling Holders
          for the purpose of soliciting purchases of Transfer Restricted Notes,
          which agreement shall be in form, substance and scope customary for
          similar offerings;

               (v)   if an underwriting agreement is entered into in the case of
          an underwritten offering, cause the same to set forth indemnification
          provisions and procedures substantially equivalent to the
          indemnification provisions and procedures set forth in Section 5
          hereof with respect to the underwriters and all other parties to be
          indemnified pursuant to Section 5 hereof;

               (vi)  deliver such documents and certificates as may be
          reasonably requested and as are customarily delivered in similar
          offerings; and

               (vii) in the case of an underwritten offering, enter into
          customary agreements required in connection therewith (including a
          customary underwriting agreement).

     The above shall be done at (i) the effectiveness of such Registration
     Statement (and, if appropriate, each post-effective amendment thereto) and
     (ii) each closing under any underwriting or similar agreement as and to the
     extent required thereunder.  In the case of any underwritten offering, the
     Company shall provide written notice to the Holders of all Transfer
     Restricted Notes of such underwritten offering at least 30 days prior to
     the filing of a prospectus supplement for such underwritten offering.  Such
     notice shall (x) offer each such Holder the right to participate in such
     underwritten offering, (y) specify a date, which shall be no earlier than
     10 days following the date of such notice, by which such Holder must inform
     the Company of its intent to participate in such underwritten offering and
     (z) include the instructions such Holder must follow in order to
     participate in such underwritten offering;

          (o) For a reasonable period prior to the filing of a Shelf
     Registration Statement and prior to the execution of any underwriting or
     similar agreement make available for inspection by Holders' Counsel and any
     underwriters participating in an underwritten offering pursuant to a Shelf
     Registration Statement and not more than one accounting firm retained by
     the Majority Holders or underwriters, all financial and other records,
     pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company reasonably
     requested by any such Persons, and cause the respective officers,
     directors, employees, and any other agents of the Company to supply all
     information reasonably requested by any such Persons, in connection with a
     Registration Statement; provided that any such records, documents,
     properties and such information that is designated in writing by the
     Company, in good faith, as confidential at the time of delivery of such
     records, documents, properties or information shall be kept confidential by
     any such Persons and shall be used only in connection with such
     Registration Statement, unless disclosure thereof is made in connection
     with a court proceeding or required by law, or such 

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
     information has become available (not in violation of this agreement) to
     the public generally or through a third party without an accompanying
     obligation of confidentiality, and the Company shall be entitled to request
     that such Persons sign a confidentiality agreement to the foregoing effect;

          (p) (i)  in the case of an Exchange Offer, a reasonable time prior to
     the filing of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, any Prospectus
     forming a part thereof, any amendment to an Exchange Offer Registration
     Statement or amendment or supplement to a Prospectus, provide copies of
     such document to the Initial Purchasers, and make such changes in any such
     document prior to the filing thereof as the Initial Purchasers or their
     counsel may reasonably request and is agreed to by the Company (such
     agreement not to be unreasonably withheld); (ii) in the case of a Shelf
     Registration, a reasonable time prior to filing any Shelf Registration
     Statement, any Prospectus forming a part thereof, any amendment to such
     Shelf Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to such Prospectus,
     other than amendments comprising regular filings of any document or report
     under the Exchange Act, at any time following the effectiveness of the
     applicable Registration Statement hereunder, where such filing is made as
     part of the Company's periodic disclosure obligations under Sections 13 and
     15 of the Exchange Act, provide copies of such document to Holders'
     Counsel, to the Initial Purchasers, and to the underwriter or underwriters
     of an underwritten offering of Transfer Restricted Notes, if any, and make
     such changes in any such document prior to the filing thereof as counsel to
     the Initial Purchasers, Holders' Counsel or any underwriter may request and
     is agreed to by the Company (such agreement not to be unreasonably
     withheld); and (iii) cause the representatives of the Company to be
     available for discussion of such document as shall be reasonably requested
     by Holders' Counsel, the Initial Purchasers on behalf of such Holders or
     any underwriter, and shall not at any time make any filing of any such
     document of which Holders' Counsel, the Initial Purchasers or any
     underwriter shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy or
     to which such Holders, the Initial Purchasers on behalf of such Holders,
     their counsel or any underwriter shall reasonably object within a
     reasonable time period;

          (q) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use its best efforts to cause
     all Transfer Restricted Notes to be listed on any securities exchange on
     which similar debt securities issued by the Company are then listed if
     requested by the Majority Holders or by the underwriter or underwriters of
     an underwritten offering of Transfer Restricted Notes, if any;

          (r) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable rules
     and regulations of the SEC and make available to its security holders, as
     soon as reasonably practicable (but not until the end of the first full
     fiscal quarter following effectiveness), an earnings statement covering at
     least 12 months which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the
     1933 Act and Rule 158 thereunder; and

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
          (s) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with the
     NASD and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any
     underwriter and its counsel.

          In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may (as a
condition to such Holder's participation in the Shelf Registration) require each
Holder of Transfer Restricted Notes to furnish to the Company such information
regarding such Holder (and if such Holder is not the beneficial owner, the
beneficial owner) and the proposed distribution by such Holder (and if such
Holder is not the beneficial owner, the beneficial owner) of such Transfer
Restricted Notes as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in
writing.

          In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement or the filing of a
Broker Shelf Registration Statement or, during the Broker Prospectus Period
only, in the case of an Exchange Offer Registration Statement, each Holder
agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any
event or the discovery of any facts, each of the kind described in Section
3(e)(ii)-(vii) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of
Transfer Restricted Notes pursuant to such Registration Statement until such
Holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus
contemplated by Section 3(k) hereof, and, if so directed by the Company, such
Holder will deliver to the Company (at the Company's expense) all copies in its
possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder's possession,
of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Notes current at the time of
receipt of such notice.  Each Holder agrees to keep confidential the cause of
any such notice of suspension or other information provided to them by the
Company with respect thereto or any other event which would materially adversely
affect the Company.

          If any such Registration Statement refers to any Holder by name or
otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Company, then such Holder shall
have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in form and
                           -                                                
substance satisfactory to such Holder, to the effect that the holding by such
Holder of such securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by such
Holder of the investment quality of the Company's securities covered thereby and
that such holding does not imply that such Holder will assist in meeting any
future financial requirements of the Company, or (ii) in the event that such
                                                  --                        
reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not required by the Securities
Act or any similar federal statute then in force, the deletion of the reference
to such Holder.

          4.  Underwritten Registrations.  (a)  If any of the Transfer
              --------------------------                                
Restricted Notes covered by any Shelf Registration are to be sold in an
underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment bankers and manager
or managers that will manage the offering will be selected by the Majority
Holders of such Transfer Restricted Notes included in such offering, provided
such banker or manager is acceptable to the Company, acting reasonably.

          (b)  No Holder of Transfer Restricted Notes may participate in any
underwritten registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such
Holder's Transfer Restricted Notes on the basis provided in any underwriting
arrangements approved by the Persons entitled 

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all
questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and
other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

          (c)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i)
the Company shall not be required to cooperate with an underwritten offering
unless a request for an underwritten offering is made by holders of 33-1/3% of
Transfer Restricted Notes outstanding, (ii) the Company shall not be obligated
to cooperate with more than one underwritten offering pursuant to this
Agreement, (iii) upon receipt of a request to prepare and file an amendment or
supplement to a Registration Statement and Prospectus in connection with an
underwritten offering, the Company may delay the filing of any such amendment or
supplement for up to 120 days if the Company in good faith has a valid business
reason for such delay provided that nothing in this clause (iii) limits the
Company's obligations under Section 2(d)(iii), and (iv) the Company shall not be
required to pay more than an aggregate of $200,000 of Registration Expenses, in
addition to internal expenses of the Company (including, without limitation,
salaries of officers and employees performing legal and accounting duties) in
connection with any such underwritten offering.

          5.  Indemnification and Contribution.  (a)  Each of the Company and
              --------------------------------                                 
the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Initial Purchasers, each Holder, including Participating Broker-Dealers, each
underwriter who participates in an offering of Transfer Restricted Notes, their
respective affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, employees,
agents and each Person, if any, who controls any of such parties within the
meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:

          (i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
     whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged
     untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement
     (or any amendment thereto) pursuant to which Exchange Notes or Transfer
     Restricted Notes were registered under the 1933 Act, including all
     documents incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or alleged
     omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or
     necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of
     any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
     contained in any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the
     omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in
     order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
     under which they were made, not misleading;

          (ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
     whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in
     settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any
     governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim
     whatsoever, in each case, based upon any such untrue statement or omission,
     or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that 

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
     (subject to Section 5(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the
     written consent of the Company; and

          (iii)  against any and all expenses whatsoever, as incurred (including
     the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel chosen by any
     indemnified party), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or
     defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any
     court or governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim
     whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such
     alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense
     is not paid under subparagraph (i) or (ii) of this Section 5(a);

provided, however, that this indemnity agreement does not apply to any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent (i) arising out of an untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the
Initial Purchasers, any Holder, including Participating Broker-Dealers, or any
underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment
thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or (B)
resulting from the use of the Prospectus during a period when the use of the
Prospectus has been suspended in accordance with Section 2(d)(iii), Section
3(e)(v) and the penultimate paragraph of Section 3 hereof, provided, in each
case, that Holders received prior notice of such suspension.

          (b) In the case of a Shelf Registration or Broker Shelf Registration
Statement, each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, the Initial Purchasers, each underwriter who participates
in an offering of Transfer Restricted Notes and the other selling Holders and
each of their respective directors and officers (including each officer of the
Company who signed the Registration Statement) and each Person, if any, who
controls the Company, the Initial Purchasers, any underwriter or any other
selling Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of
the 1934 Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
described in the indemnity contained in Section 5(a) hereof, as incurred, but
only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue
statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment
thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such
Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment
thereto), or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); provided,
however, that no such Holder shall be liable for any claims hereunder in excess
of the amount of net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Transfer
Restricted Notes pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement.

          (c) In case any action shall be commenced involving any Person in
respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or (b)
above, such Person (the "indemnified party") shall give notice as promptly as
                         -----------------                                   
reasonably practicable to each Person against whom such indemnity may be sought
(the "indemnifying party"), but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall
      ------------------                                                        
not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to 

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event
shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on
account of this indemnity agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant
to Section 5(a) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall (subject to the
following sentence) be selected by Goldman, Sachs & Co., and, in the case of
parties indemnified pursuant to Section 5(b) above, counsel to the indemnified
parties shall be selected by the Company. In case any such action is brought
against any indemnified party, and it notifies the indemnifying party of the
commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate
therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying
party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof with counsel
satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, that if the defendants in any
such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and
the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be one or
more legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are
different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the
indemnifying party shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action
on behalf of such indemnified party or parties and such indemnified party or
parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to defend such action on
behalf of such indemnified party or parties. In no event shall the indemnifying
parties be liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to
any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties
in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in
the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or
circumstances; after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified
party of its election so to assume the defense thereof and approval by such
indemnified party of counsel appointed to defend such action, the indemnifying
party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 5 for any
legal or other expenses, other than reasonable costs of investigation,
subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense
thereof, unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel
in accordance with the provisos to the preceding sentence (it being understood,
however, that in connection with such action the indemnifying party shall not be
liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to local
counsel) in any one action or separate but substantially similar actions in the
same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances,
designated by Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the case of paragraph (a) of this Section
5, representing the indemnified parties under such paragraph (a) who are parties
to such action or actions) or (ii) the indemnifying party does not promptly
retain counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party or (iii) the indemnifying
party has authorized the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the
expense of the indemnifying party. The indemnifying party will not be liable for
the costs and expenses of any settlement of such action effected by such
indemnified party without the consent of the indemnifying party.

          No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the
indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any
judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding, by
any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim
whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought
under this Section 5 (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or
potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i)
includes an unconditional 

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such
litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a
statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or
on behalf of any indemnified party.

          (d) If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an
indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of
counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any
settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 5(a)(ii) hereof effected
without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45
days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii)
such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such
settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and
(iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party
in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

          (e) If the indemnification provided for in any of the indemnity
provisions set forth in this Section 5 is for any reason unavailable to or
insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses,
liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses,
liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as
incurred, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of
such indemnifying party or parties on the one hand, and such indemnified party
or parties on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions
which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well
as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative fault of such
indemnifying party or parties on the one hand, and such indemnified party or
parties on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by such indemnifying party or parties or such indemnified party or
parties and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.  The Company, the
Guarantors, the Initial Purchasers and the Holders of the Transfer Restricted
Notes agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to
this Section 5 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were
treated as one entity, for such purpose) or by another method of allocation
which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in
Section 5.  The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and
expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section
5 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any
litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  No Person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  For purposes of this Section 5,
each Person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser or Holder within the
meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have
the same rights to contribution as such Initial Purchaser or Holder, and each
director of the Company, each officer of the Company 

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
who signed the Registration Statement, and each Person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the
1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5(e), no Holder shall be required
to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds
received by such Holder from the sale of Transfer Restricted Notes exceeds the
amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by
reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission.

          6.  Miscellaneous.  (a)  Rule 144 and Rule 144A.  For so long as the
              -------------        ----------------------                     
Company is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
1934 Act, the Company covenants that it will file the reports required to be
filed by it under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the 1934 Act and the rules and
regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder, and that if it ceases to be so
required to file such reports, it will upon the request of any Holder of
Transfer Restricted Notes (i) make publicly available such information as is
necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, (ii) deliver
such information to a prospective purchaser as is necessary to permit sales
pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act and take such further action as any
Holder of Transfer Restricted Notes may reasonably request, and (iii) take such
further action that is reasonable in the circumstances, in each case, to the
extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell its Transfer
Restricted Notes without registration under the 1933 Act within the limitation
of the exemptions provided by (x) Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, as such Rule may
be amended from time to time, (y) Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, as such Rule may
be amended from time to time, or (z) any similar rules or regulations hereafter
adopted by the SEC.  Upon the written request of any Holder of Transfer
Restricted Notes, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as
to whether it has complied with such requirements.

          (b)  No Inconsistent Agreements.  The Company has not entered into
               --------------------------                                     
nor will it on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement
which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Transfer
Restricted Notes in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions
hereof.  The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict
with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the
Company's other issued and outstanding securities under any such agreements.

          (c)  Amendments and Waivers.  The provisions of this Agreement,
               ----------------------                                      
including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof
may not be given unless the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders
of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Transfer
Restricted Notes affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or
departure; provided, however, that no amendment, modification, supplement or
waiver or consent to any departure from the provisions of Section 5 hereof shall
be effective as against any Holder of Transfer Restricted Notes unless consented
to in writing by such Holder.

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
          (d)  Notices.  All notices and other communications provided for or
               -------                                                         
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-
class mail, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery (i) if to
a Holder (other than an Initial Purchaser), at the most current address set
forth on the records of the Registrar under the Indenture, (ii) if to an Initial
Purchaser, at the most current address given by such Initial Purchaser to the
Company by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 6(d), which address initially is the address set forth in the Purchase
Agreement; and (iii) if to the Company, initially at the address set forth in
the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is
given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(d).

          All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given:  at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business
days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt
is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next business day if timely delivered
to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.


          (e)  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall inure to the
               ----------------------                                      
benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each
of the parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an
express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided that nothing herein shall be
deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Transfer
Restricted Notes in violation of the terms hereof or of the Purchase Agreement
or the Indenture.  If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Transfer
Restricted Notes, in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such
Transfer Restricted Notes shall be held subject to all of the terms of this
Agreement, and by taking and holding such Transfer Restricted Notes, such Person
shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of
the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions on resale
set forth in this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement, and such
Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.

          (f)  Third Party Beneficiary.  The Holders shall be third party
               -----------------------                                     
beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Company on the one
hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to
enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement
necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of Holders hereunder.

          (g)  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
               ------------                                                    
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

          (h)  Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience
               --------                                                       
of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
          (i)  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
               -------------                                            
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

          (j)  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement embodies the entire agreement
               ----------------                                                 
and understanding between the Company and each other party hereto relating to
the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings
relating to such subject matter.

          (k)  Severability.  In the event that any one or more of the
               ------------                                             
provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is
held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining
provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.


                            [signature page follows]

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.



                              UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.

                              By___________________________________
                                 Name:  Michael J. Nolan
                                 Title:  Chief Financial Officer


                              GUARANTORS:

A&A TOOL RENTALS & SALES, INC.
                              ACG, INC.
                              ADCO EQUIPMENT, INC.
                              ARROW EQUIPMENT COMPANY
        BAKERSFIELD COMPACTION EQUIPMENT
                              BLAST ABRASIVES AND EQUIPMENT CORP.
                              BNR EQUIPMENT, INC.
                              CHURCHMAN EQUIPMENT CO.
                              CORAN ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
                              DEALERS SERVICE COMPANY              
        EMPIRE EQUIPMENT RENTAL & READY MIX,INC.
                              FORTE, INC.
                              GRAND VALLEY EQUIPMENT CO.
                              HIGH REACH CO., INC.
                              INDEPENDENT SCISSOR LIFTS, INC.
                              JBK, INC.
                              KUBOTA OF GRAND RAPIDS, INC.
                              MADISON EQUIPMENT SALES AND RENTAL, INC.
                              MARK EQUIPMENT, INC.
                              MERCER EQUIPMENT COMPANY
                              MISCO RENTS, INC.
                              MISSION VALLEY RENTALS, INC.
                              PALMER EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC.
                              PAUL E. CARLSON, INC.
                              POWERS RENTALS & SALES, INC.
                              RENTALS TOOLS & EQUIPMENT CO.
        INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                              RENTALS UNLIMITED, INCORPORATED
                              ROSEDALE EQUIPMENT RENTAL, INC.
        SPACE MAKER SYSTEMS OF VA., INC.
                              THOESEN EQUIPMENT INC.
                              TOOL CENTER OF TEXAS, INC.
                              TOOL SHED OF GREENFIELD, INC.
                              TOOL SHED OF INDIANAPOLIS, INC.
<PAGE>
 
                              TRENCH SAFETY EQUIPMENT CORP.
                              UNITED EQUIPMENT RENTAL OF HOUSTON, INC.
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
                              UNITED RENTALS AERIAL EQUIPMENT, INC.
                              UNITED RENTALS OF COLORADO, INC.
                              UNITED RENTALS OF KENTUCKY, INC.
                              UNITED RENTALS OF NEVADA, INC.
                              UNITED RENTALS OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.
                              UNITED RENTALS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, INC.
                              UNITED RENTALS OF UTAH, INC.
                              UNITED RENTALS NORTHWEST, INC.
                              U.S. RENTALS, INC.
                                 CALIFORNIA EQUIPMENT RENTAL CO.
                              WESTSIDE RENTALS, INC.
                              W-W RENTALS, INC.
                              WYNNE SYSTEMS, INC.


By:_______________________________________________________
                                   Name:  Michael J. Nolan
                                   Title: Vice President and
                                          Secretary
<PAGE>
 
Confirmed and accepted as of
the date first above written:

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
  SECURITIES CORPORATION
NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY SECURITIES LLC


By:  GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.



By:______________________________
        Authorized Signatory
<PAGE>
 
                     UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.

Except as otherwise indicated, 100% of the voting stock of each of the
Subsidiaries listed below is owned by its parent.

 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of Subsidiary                                                      State of
                                                                     Incorporation
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>
A&A Tool Rentals & Sales, Inc.                                  California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACG, Inc.                                                       Indiana
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adco Equipment, Inc.                                            California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrow Equipment Corporation                                     Illinois
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bakersfield Compaction Equipment                                California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blast Abrasives and Equipment Corp.                             Indiana
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BNR Equipment, Inc.                                             New York
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Churchman Equipment Co.                                         Indiana
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coran Enterprises, Incorporated (d/b/a A-1Rents)                California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dealers Service Company                                         New Jersey
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Empire Equipment Rental & Ready Mix, Inc.                       California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forte, Inc.                                                     Washington
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Valley Equipment Co.                                      Michigan
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Reach Co., Inc.                                            Pennsylvania
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Independent Scissor Lifts, Inc.                                 California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JBK, Inc.                                                       Ohio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kubota of Grand Rapids, Inc.                                    Michigan
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Madison Equipment Sales and Rental, Inc.                        Alabama
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Equipment, Inc.                                            Alabama
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mercer Equipment Company                                        North Carolina
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Misco Rents, Inc.                                               Indiana
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mission Valley Rentals, Inc.                                    California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Palmer Equipment Company, Inc.                                  Michigan
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul E. Carlson, Inc.                                           Minnesota
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Powers Rentals & Sales, Inc.                                    California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rentals Tools & Equipment Co. International, Inc.               Maryland
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rentals Unlimited, Incorporated                                 Rhode Island
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rosedale Equipment Rental, Inc.                                 California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Space Maker Systems of Va., Inc.                                Virginia
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thoesen Equipment Inc.                                          Illinois
========================================================================================
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of Subsidiary                                                      State of
                                                                     Incorporation
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>
Tool Center of Texas, Inc.                                      Texas
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tool Shed of Greenfield, Inc.                                   Indiana
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tool Shed of Indianapolis, Inc.                                 Indiana
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trench Safety Equipment Corp.                                   Arizona
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Equipment Rental of Houston, Inc. (formerly J&J          Texas
 Rentals Services Inc.)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals, Inc.                                            Washington
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals Aerial Equipment, Inc. (formerly United          Delaware
 Rentals of New Jersey, Inc.)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals of Colorado, Inc.                                Colorado
          (formerly Santa Fe Supply & Rental, Inc.)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals of Kentucky, Inc.                                Kentucky
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals of Nevada, Inc. (formerly Nevada High Reach,     Nevada
 Inc.)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals of New England, Inc.                             New York
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals of Southern California, Inc. (d/b/a Able         California
 Equipment) (formerly Rental Equipment, Inc.)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals of Utah, Inc.                                    Utah
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals Northwest, Inc. (formerly High Reach, Inc.)      Oregon
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Rentals, Inc.                                              Delaware
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     California Equipment Rental Co.                            California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Westside Rentals, Inc.                                          Tennessee
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
W-W Rentals, Inc.                                               Tennessee
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wynne Systems, Inc.                                             California
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                      NOTES REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                           Dated as of March 23, 1999


                                     among


                      United Rentals (North America), Inc.
                                    Company

                                      and

                 The Subsidiaries Named in the Schedule hereto

                                   Guarantors

                                      and


                             Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
              Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
                                      and
                     NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC


                               Initial Purchasers
<PAGE>
 
                                 Table of Contents
                                 -----------------

                                                             Page
                                                             ----
1.   Definitions................................................  1
          1933 Act..............................................  1
          1934 Act..............................................  1
          Broker Prospectus Period..............................  1
          Broker Shelf Registration Statement...................  1
          Depositary............................................  1
          Exchange Notes........................................  1
          Exchange Offer........................................  2
          Exchange Offer Registration...........................  2
          Exchange Offer Registration Statement.................  2
          Exchange Period.......................................  2
          Holders...............................................  2
          Holders' Counsel......................................  2
          Indenture.............................................  2
          Initial Purchasers....................................  2
          Majority Holders......................................  2
          Original Issue Date...................................  3
          Participating Broker-Dealer...........................  3
          Person................................................  3
          Prospectus............................................  3
          Purchase Agreement....................................  3
          Registration Default..................................  3
          Registration Expenses.................................  3
          Registration Statement................................  4
          SEC...................................................  4
          Shelf Registration....................................  4
          Shelf Registration Statement..........................  4
          Transfer Restricted Notes.............................  5
          Trustee...............................................  5

2.   Registration Under the 1933 Act............................  5
               (a)    Exchange Offer Registration...............  5
               (b)    Shelf Registration........................  7
               (c)    Expenses..................................  9
               (d)    Effective Registration Statement..........  9
               (e)    Accrual and Payment of Additional Interest 11
               (f)    Specific Enforcement...................... 12

3.   Registration Procedures.................................... 12
<PAGE>
 
4.   Underwritten Registrations................................. 21

5.   Indemnification and Contribution........................... 22

6.   Miscellaneous.............................................. 26
               (a)    Rule 144 and Rule 144A.................... 26
               (b)    No Inconsistent Agreements................ 26
               (c)    Amendments and Waivers.................... 26
               (d)    Notices................................... 27
               (e)    Successors and Assigns.................... 27
               (f)    Third Party Beneficiary................... 27
               (g)    Counterparts.............................. 27
               (h)    Headings.................................. 28
               (i)    GOVERNING LAW............................. 28
               (j)    Entire Agreement.......................... 28
               (k)    Severability.............................. 28
 

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10(y)

                             UNITED RENTALS, INC.



                SERIES A PERPETUAL CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK,
                                $.01 Par Value





                      PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT








December 21, 1998
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------
                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----

1.  Authorization of Stock................................................  2

2.  Sale and Purchase of Stock............................................  2

3.  Closing; Payment of Purchase Price....................................  3

4.  Conditions to Closing.................................................  3
    4.1  Representations and Warranties...................................  4
    4.2  Performance; No Default..........................................  4
    4.3  Compliance Certificates..........................................  4
    4.4  Opinion of Counsel...............................................  4
    4.5  Certificate of Designation.......................................  4
    4.6  Registration Rights Agreement....................................  4
    4.7  [omitted]........................................................  4
    4.8  [omitted]........................................................  4
    4.9  No Actions Pending...............................................  5
    4.10 Compliance with Securities Laws..................................  5
    4.11 Proceedings and Documents........................................  5
    4.12 Reservation of Common Stock......................................  5
    4.13 Payment of Fees and Expenses.....................................  5
    4.14 HSR Act..........................................................  5

5.  Representations and Warranties........................................  5
    5.1  Organization, Standing, etc......................................  6
    5.2  Subsidiaries.....................................................  6
    5.3  Qualification....................................................  6
    5.4  Business; Financial Statements...................................  6
    5.5  Changes, etc.....................................................  7
    5.6  Capital Stock and Related Matters................................  7
    5.7  Tax Returns and Payments.........................................  8
    5.8  Indebtedness of the Company......................................  8
    5.9  Title to Properties, Liens.......................................  9
    5.10 Litigation, etc..................................................  9
    5.11 Compliance with Other Instruments, etc...........................  9
    5.12 Governmental Consents, etc....................................... 10



                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
    5.13 Offering of Securities........................................... 11
    5.14 Certain Fees..................................................... 11
    5.15 Investment Company Act........................................... 11
    5.16 Disclosure....................................................... 11
    5.17 Enforceability................................................... 12
    5.18 [omitted]........................................................ 12
    5.19 Integration...................................................... 12
    5.20 Manipulation..................................................... 12
    5.21 Acquired Companies............................................... 12
    5.22 Intellectual Property............................................ 12
    5.23 Government Licenses.............................................. 13
    5.24 Environmental Laws............................................... 13
    5.25 Insurance........................................................ 14
    5.26 Internal Controls................................................ 14
    5.27 ERISA............................................................ 14
    5.28 Year 2000 Compliance............................................. 15

6.  Investment Representations............................................ 15
    6.1  Acquisition for Own Account...................................... 15
    6.2  Ability to Protect Own Interests................................. 15
    6.3  Accredited Investor.............................................. 16
    6.4  Access to Information............................................ 16
    6.5  No Brokers....................................................... 16
    6.6  Compliance with Laws............................................. 16

7.  Affirmative Covenants................................................. 16
    7.1  Exchange Act and Securities Act Filings.......................... 16
    7.2  Certificates; Other Information.................................. 17
    7.3  [omitted]........................................................ 17
    7.4  [omitted]........................................................ 17
    7.5  Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions........... 17
    7.6  Notices.......................................................... 17
    7.7  Reservation of Common Stock...................................... 18
    7.8  Availability of Information...................................... 18
    7.9  Public Announcements............................................. 18

8.  Registration, Transfer and Substitution of Certificates for Stock..... 18
    8.1  Stock Register; Ownership of Stock............................... 18
    8.2  Replacement of Certificates...................................... 19



                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
    8.3  Restrictive Legends.............................................. 19
    8.4  Notice of Proposed Transfer; Opinions of Counsel................. 20
    8.5  Termination of Restrictions...................................... 21

9.  Definitions........................................................... 21
    9.1  Certain Defined Terms............................................ 21
    9.2  Accounting Terms................................................. 25
    9.3  Other Provisions Regarding Definitions........................... 25

10. Expenses, etc......................................................... 25

11. Survival of Representations and Warranties and
    Indemnification; Certain Limitations.................................. 26

12. Amendments and Waivers................................................ 26

13. Notices, etc.......................................................... 26

14. Indemnification....................................................... 27

15. Termination........................................................... 28

16. Miscellaneous......................................................... 28


Exhibit A    Form of Restated Certificate of Incorporation
- ---------                                                             

Exhibit B    Form of Opinion of Counsel for the Company
- ---------                                                         

Exhibit C    Form of Opinion of Counsel for the Company
- ---------                                                         

Exhibit D    Form of Registration Rights Agreement
- ---------                                                         

Exhibit E    Subsidiaries of the Company, exceptions to representations 
- ---------    and warranties 

Exhibit F    Indebtedness of the Company and the Subsidiaries
- ---------                                                            


                                      iv
<PAGE>
 
                             United Rentals, Inc.
                          Four Greenwich Office Park,
                              Greenwich, CT 06830

                                                               December 21, 1998

Apollo Investment Fund IV, L.P.
Apollo Overseas Partners IV, L.P.
c/o Apollo Management IV, L.P.
1301 Avenue of the Americas, 38th Floor
New York, NY 10019

Dear Sirs:

          United Rentals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), agrees
with Apollo Investment Fund IV, L.P. and Apollo Overseas Partners IV, L.P.
(together, the "Purchasers") as follows:

          1.   Authorization of Stock. The Company will authorize the issue
               ----------------------
and sale of 300,000 shares (the "Shares", such term to include any such shares
issued in substitution therefor pursuant to section 8) of its Series A Perpetual
Convertible Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, to be designated as its "Series A
Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock" (the "Stock"). The relative rights,
preferences and limitations of the Stock, including, without limitation, the
right to convert Shares into shares of the Company's common stock, par value
$.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), will be as set forth in the form of the
Certificate of Designation of the Stock of the Company attached as Exhibit A
hereto (the "Certificate of Designation"). Certain capitalized terms used in
this Agreement are defined in Section 9; references to a "Schedule" or an
"Exhibit" are, unless otherwise specified, to a Schedule or an Exhibit attached
to this Agreement and references to a "section" are, unless otherwise specified,
to one of the sections of this Agreement.

          2.   Sale and Purchase of Stock. The Company will issue and sell
               --------------------------
to the Purchasers and, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
the

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
Purchasers will purchase from the Company, at the Closing provided for in
section 3, the Shares at a purchase price of $ 1,000 per share.

          3.   Closing, Payment of Purchase Price. The sale of the Shares to
               ----------------------------------
be purchased by the Purchasers shall take place at the offices of Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, 919 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022, at 10: 00
a.m., New York City time, at a closing (the "Closing") on the first Business Day
after the conditions to closing set forth in Section 4 (other than those to be
satisfied at the Closing, which shall be satisfied or waived at the Closing)
have been satisfied or waived by the party entitled to waive such condition or
on such other Business Day thereafter or prior to such date as may be agreed
upon by the Company and the Purchasers, provided that in no event shall the
Closing occur earlier than the 11th Business Day following the date of this
Agreement.

          The names in which the Company will register the shares of the Stock
to be purchased at the Closing are as set forth in Exhibit 1. At the Closing,
the Company will deliver to the Purchasers the Shares to be purchased by the
Purchasers in the form of a single certificate (or such greater number of
certificates representing such Shares as the Purchasers may request) dated the
date of the Closing and registered in the names aforesaid, and the Purchasers
jointly and severally shall deliver to the Company or its order immediately
available funds in the amount of the purchase price for such Shares. If at the
Closing the Company shall fail to tender to the Purchasers the Shares to be
purchased by the Purchasers, as provided above in this Section 3, or any of the
conditions specified in Section 4 shall not have been fulfilled to the
Purchasers' reasonable satisfaction, the Purchasers shall, at their election, be
relieved of all further obligations under this Agreement, without thereby
waiving any other rights the Purchasers may have by reason of such failure or
such nonfulfillment. If at the Closing, Purchasers shall fail to tender to the
Company the purchase price for the Shares, as provided above in this Section 3,
other than on account of any of the conditions specified in section 4 not having
been fulfilled to the Purchasers' satisfaction or on account of the breach by
the Company of any of its obligations under this Agreement, the Company shall,
at its election, be relieved of all further obligations under this Agreement,
without thereby waiving any other rights the Company may have by reason of such
failure.

          4.   Conditions to Closing. The Purchasers' obligation to purchase
               ---------------------
and pay for the Shares to be sold to the Purchasers at the Closing is subject to
the fulfillment to their reasonable satisfaction, prior to or concurrently with
the Closing, of the following conditions:

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          4.1    Representations and Warranties. The representations and
                 -------------------------------
          warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement shall be in all
material respects correct when made and at the time of the Closing, except as
affected by the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          4.2    Performance, No Default. The Company shall have performed
                 -----------------------
          and complied in all material respects with all agreements and
conditions contained in this Agreement required to be performed or complied with
by it prior to or at the Closing.

          4.3    Compliance Certificates. The Company shall have delivered
                 -----------------------
          to the Purchasers an Officers' Certificate, dated the date of the
Closing, certifying that the conditions specified in sections 4.1 and 4.2 have
been fulfilled.

          4.4    Opinion of Counsel. The Purchasers shall have received the
                 ------------------
          favorable opinions, dated the date of the Closing and reasonably
satisfactory in substance and form to the Purchasers from Ehrenreich, Eilenberg
Krause & Zivian LLP and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, counsel for the Company,
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibits B and C and covering such other
matters incident to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as the
Purchasers or their counsel may reasonably request.

          4.5    Certificate of Designation. The Certificate of Designation 
                 ---------------------------
shall have been duly filed under the laws of the State of Delaware, and the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended by the
Certificate of Designation, shall be in full force and effect, and shall not
have been otherwise amended or modified.

          4.6    Registration Rights Agreement. The Purchasers shall have
                 -----------------------------
received a fully executed counter-part of the Registration Rights Agreement
substantially in the form set out in Exhibit D (the "Registration Rights
Agreement"), such agreement shall be in full force and effect and no term or
condition thereof shall have been amended, modified or waived.

          4.7    [omitted]

          4.8    [omitted]

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          4.9    No Actions Pending. There shall be no suit, action, 
                 ------------------
investigation, inquiry or other proceeding by any Governmental Authority or any
other Person or any other legal or administrative proceeding pending or to the
knowledge of the Company threatened which questions the validity or legality of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or seeks damages in connection
therewith.

          4.10  Compliance with Securities Laws. The offering and sale by the 
                -------------------------------                              
Company, at or prior to the Closing, of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement
shall have been made in compliance with all applicable requirements of federal
and state securities laws and the Purchasers shall have received evidence
thereof in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchasers.

          4.11  Proceedings and Documents. All corporate and other proceedings
                -------------------------                               
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all
documents and instruments incident to such transactions shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Purchasers and their counsel, and the Purchasers and their
counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other
copies of such documents as the Purchasers or their counsel may reasonably
request.

          4.12  Reservation of Common Stock. The shares of Common Stock
                ---------------------------                                 
initially issuable upon conversion of the Stock shall have been duly authorized
and reserved for issuance upon conversion of the Stock.

          4.13  Payment of Fees and Expenses. The Company shall have paid the 
                ----------------------------                      
Purchasers on or before the Closing (a) a fee equal to 1% of the purchase price
of the Stock and (b) the costs and expenses provided for in Section 10 hereof,
provided that the Purchasers shall have provided to the Company a statement of
its estimated costs and expenses at least one Business Day prior to the Closing.

          4.14  HSR Act. Any waiting period (and any extension thereof) under
                -------
the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, applicable
to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall have expired or
been terminated.

          5.    Representations and Warranties. Except as disclosed in
                ------------------------------
Exhibit E, the Company represents and warrants that:

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
          5.1   Organization, Standing, etc. The Company is a corporation
                ---------------------------
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own and
operate its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as
proposed to be conducted, to enter into and perform all of its obligations
under this Agreement and each of the Collateral Agreements to which it is a
party, to issue and sell the Shares to be issued and sold at the Closing and to
carry out the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

          5.2   Subsidiaries. Exhibit E correctly lists as to each Subsidiary
                ------------
of the Company on the date of this Agreement (a) its name, (b) the jurisdiction
of its incorporation and (c) the percentage of its issued and outstanding shares
owned by the Company or by another Subsidiary of the Company (specifying such
other Subsidiary), as the case may be. Each Subsidiary of the Company is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has all requisite corporate power
and authority to own and operate its properties and to carry on its business as
now conducted and as proposed to be conducted. All the outstanding shares of
capital stock of each Subsidiary of the Company are validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable, and all such shares indicated in Exhibit E as owned by the
Company or by a Subsidiary of the Company are so owned beneficially and of
record by the Company or by such Subsidiary, as the case may be, free and clear
of any Lien except as indicated in Exhibit E.

          5.3   Qualification. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is
                -------------
duly qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation authorized to do
business in each jurisdiction (other than the jurisdiction of its incorporation)
in which the nature of its activities or the character of the properties it owns
or leases makes such qualification necessary and in which the failure so to
qualify would have a Material Adverse Effect. A "Material Adverse Effect 'shall
mean any effect that is materially adverse to the properties, business, results
of operations or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken
as a whole.

          5.4   Business; Financial Statements. The Company has delivered to 
                ------------------------------
the Purchasers complete and correct copies of the audited supplemental
consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of December
31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, and the related audited supplemental
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows of
the Company and its Subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
1995. Such audited

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
financial statements are hereinafter referred to as the "Financial Statements."
The Financial Statements are accompanied by the report of Ernst & Young LLP 1997
and 1996 and by the report of Price Waterhouse Coopers for 1995, which state
that the Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise
specified therein) and present fairly the financial position of the corporations
to which they relate as of the respective dates specified and the results of
their operations and changes in financial position for the respective periods
specified, and that the audit by such accountants of the Financial Statements
has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. The
Company has also delivered to the Purchasers complete and correct copies of the
unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of
September 30, 1998, and the related unaudited consolidated statement of
operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows of the Company and its
Subsidiaries for the three month period ended on such date. Such unaudited
financial statements are hereinafter referred to as the "Unaudited Statements."
The Unaudited Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise specified therein)
and present fairly the financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as
of the respective dates specified, and the results of their operations and
changes in cash flows for the respective periods specified. As of the date of
this Agreement, the Purchasers are not aware that this representation is
incorrect in any material respect.

          5.5   Changes, etc. Since September 30, 1998, neither the Company 
                -------------
nor any of the Subsidiaries has sustained any loss or interference with its
business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered
by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order
or decree which would be material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a
whole, otherwise than as reserved for as disclosed in the Company's financials
statements; and there has not been any change in the capital stock of the
Company or increase in the long-term debt (other than accretion or scheduled
repayments thereof) of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or any
material adverse change which has had a Material Adverse Effect, in each case
otherwise than as set forth on Exhibit E.

          5.6   Capital Stock and Related Matters. At the time of the Closing
                ---------------------------------
and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the
authorized capital stock of the Company will consist of (a) 500,000,000 shares
of Common Stock, of which approximately 68,500,000 shares will be outstanding,
(b) 300,000 shares of Series A Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, of which

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
300,000 shares will be outstanding, and (c) 4,700,000 shares of preferred stock,
undesignated as to terms, none of which are outstanding. The Company is
obligated to issue Common Stock on conversion of debentures held by United
Rentals Trust 1, a business trust organized under Delaware law. The Common Stock
and the Stock are hereinafter collectively referred to as "Capital Stock". All
of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock are, and at the Closing will be,
validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable. Except as set
forth above and on Exhibit E, the Company has no outstanding stock or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Capital Stock, or any
outstanding rights (either preemptive or other) to subscribe for or to purchase,
or any outstanding options for the purchase of, or any agreements providing for
the issuance (contingent or otherwise) of, or any outstanding calls,
commitments or claims of any character relating to, any Capital Stock or any
stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for any Capital Stock of
the Company. Except as set forth on Exhibit E, the Company is not subject to any
obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or
retire any shares of its Capital Stock or any convertible securities, rights or
options of the type described in the preceding sentence. Neither the Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, or has knowledge of, any agreement
(except as set forth on Exhibit E) restricting the transfer of any shares of the
Company's Capital Stock which would affect the transferability of the Common
Stock issuable upon conversion of the Stock.

          5.7   Tax Returns and Payments. The Company and each of the
                ------------------------
Subsidiaries have filed all necessary federal, state, local and foreign income,
payroll, franchise and other tax returns (after giving effect to extensions) and
have paid all taxes shown as due thereon (except where the failure to so file or
pay would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect), and
there is no tax deficiency that has been, or to the knowledge of the Company is
likely to be, asserted against the Company, any of the Subsidiaries or any of
their properties or assets that would result in a Material Adverse Effect,
except for taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and with respect to which the Company has established adequate
reserves in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting
principles.

          5.8   Indebtedness of the Company. Exhibit F correctly describes
                ---------------------------
all secured and unsecured Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries
(other than intercompany items) outstanding, or for which the Company or one of
its Subsidiaries has commitments, which is individually in excess of $5,000,000
("Significant Indebtedness") (excluding operating leases), on the date of this
Agree-

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
ment. The secured and unsecured Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries
(other than intercompany items, and other than Significant Indebtedness)
outstanding, or for which the Company or one of its Subsidiaries has
commitments does not in the aggregate exceed $1,600,000,000 on the date of this
agreement. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default with
respect to any Indebtedness or any instrument or agreement relating thereto,
except for such defaults as would not, either in any case or in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect.

          5.9   Title to Properties; Liens. The Company and each of the
                --------------------------
Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real property (other than
property which is leased) material to the conduct of the business of the Company
and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and good and marketable title to all
personal property (other than property which is leased) material to the conduct
of the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in each
case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are
described on Exhibit E or such as do not in the aggregate have a Material
Adverse Effect; and any real property and buildings held under lease by the
Company and the Subsidiaries, material to the conduct of the business of the
Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are held by them under valid,
subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are described on
Exhibit E and except for such other exceptions as do not have a Material Adverse
Effect.

          5.10  Litigation, etc. There is no action, proceeding or investigation
                ---------------
pending or (to the knowledge of the Company) threatened (or any basis therefor
known to the Company) which questions the validity of this Agreement, the Shares
or any action taken or to be taken pursuant to this Agreement, the Shares or the
Collateral Agreements. Other than as set forth on Exhibit E, there are no legal
or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or the
Subsidiaries is the subject, which if determined adversely to the Company or any
of the Subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material
Adverse Effect; and, to the Company's knowledge, no such proceedings which
would in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect are threatened or
contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others.

          5.11  Compliance with Other Instruments, etc. Neither the Company
                --------------------------------------
nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any term of its certificate
or articles of incorporation or by-laws, and neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries is in violation of any term of any agreement or instrument to which
it is a party or by

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
which it is bound or any term of any applicable law, ordinance, rule or
regulation of any Governmental Authority or any term of any applicable order,
judgment or decree of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority, the
consequences of which violation could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect. The compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of this
Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, the execution, delivery and
performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Registration Rights
Agreement, the issuance by the Company of the Common Stock upon the conversion
of the Shares, and the compliance with the terms of the Certificate of
Designation will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of
the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement (provided the consent of the Company's
lending banks must be obtained before the Company makes an offer to purchase
under Section 5 of the Certificate of Designation) or other agreement or
instrument to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by
which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the
property or assets of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is subject, or
constitute a Repayment Event thereunder, nor will such actions result in any
violation of the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the
Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any statute or any order, rule or
regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction
over the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their properties except
in each case as would not, individually or in the aggregate have a Material
Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Exhibit E, the execution, delivery and
performance by the Company of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby will not subject the Company to or accelerate any obligation to make
payments to any Person.

          5.12  Governmental Consents, etc. Except as required under the
                --------------------------
HSR Act, no consent, approval or authorization of, or declaration or filing
with, any Governmental Authority on the part of the Company is required for the
valid execution and delivery of this Agreement, the valid offer, issue, sale and
delivery of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement or the valid issue and
delivery of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Stock. Except
for (a) the requirements of the HSR Act and applicable state securities or blue
sky laws, and (b) consents, approvals, filings or notices that will be given or
made at or prior to the time of the Closing, neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries is required to obtain any consent, approval or authorization of, or
to make any declaration or filing with, any Governmental Authority as a
condition to the valid execution, delivery or performance of any of the
Collateral Agreements or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
thereby.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
          5.13  Offering of Securities. Neither the Company nor any Person
                ----------------------
acting on its behalf has offered the Stock or any similar securities of the
Company to, or solicited any offers to buy any thereof from, or otherwise
approached or negotiated with respect thereto with, any Person or Persons other
than the Purchasers in such manner as would subject the offering, issuance or
sale of any of the Stock to the provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act.
Neither the Company nor any Person acting on behalf of the Company has taken or
will take any action which would subject the offering, issuance or sale of any
of the Stock to the provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act.

          5.14  Certain Fees. Except for the fee payable by the Company to
                ------------
Goldman Sachs & Co., the amount of which will be disclosed to the Purchasers in
writing prior to the Closing, no broker's or finder's fees or commissions will
be payable by the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Collateral Agreements, and the Company hereby indemnifies the
Purchasers against and agrees that it will hold the Purchasers harmless from any
claim, demand or liability for broker's or finder's fees alleged to have been
incurred at the instance of the Company or any Person acting on behalf of or at
the request of the Company or any agent of the Company in connection with any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Collateral Agreements,
and from any expenses, including reasonable legal fees, arising in connection
with any such claim, demand or liability.

          5.15  Investment Company Act. The Company is not an "investment 
                ----------------------
company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment company" within the meaning
of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

          5.16  Disclosure. None of this Agreement, the Financial Statements,
                ----------
the Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 1997, any document
filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1994 (the "Exchange Act") since the Annual Report on
Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 1997, the Unaudited Statements, or the
Company's Offering Circular dated December 8, 1998 in respect of its 9-1/4%
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009, contains (in each case, as of its date, and,
in the case of the Offering Circular, also as of the date of this Agreement) any
untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary
in order to make the statements contained herein or therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
          5.17  Enforceability. This Agreement and the Registration Rights
                --------------
Agreement have been duly authorized and when validly executed and delivered by
the Company (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by
the other parties thereto) will constitute the valid and binding obligations of
the Company, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as
the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including,
without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting enforcement of
creditors' rights generally, or by general principles of equity (regardless of
whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

          5.18  [omitted]

          5.19  Integration. Neither the Company nor any affiliate (as such
                -----------
term is defined in Rule 501 (b) under the Securities Act) has, directly or
through any agent, sold, offered for sale, solicited offers to buy or
otherwise negotiated in respect of, any security (as defined in the Securities
Act) which is or will be integrated with the sale of the Shares, in a manner
that would require the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act.

          5.20  Manipulation. Prior to the date hereof, neither the Company
                ------------                                             
nor any of its affiliates has taken any action which is designed to or which has
constituted or which might have been expected to cause or result in
stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company in
connection with the sale of the Shares.

          5.21  Acquired Companies. To the best knowledge of the Company, the 
                ------------------                                     
representations and warranties made by each of the Acquired Companies (as
defined in Section 9) and the selling stockholders in the respective agreements
pursuant to which the Company or another Subsidiary acquired the Acquired
Companies did not as of the respective dates thereof contain any inaccuracies
that would, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

          5.22  Intellectual Property. The Company and the Subsidiaries own
                ---------------------
possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights,
licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other
unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems
or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or other intellectual
property

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
(collectively, "Intellectual Property") necessary to carry on the business now
operated by them, and neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has
received any notice or is otherwise aware of any infringement of or conflict
with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of
any facts or circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid
or inadequate to protect the interest of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries
therein, and which infringement or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable
decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, singly or in the
aggregate, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

          5.23  Government Licenses. The Company and the Subsidiaries possess 
                -------------------                                
such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations
(collectively, "Governmental Licenses") issued by the appropriate federal,
state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the
business now operated by them, except where the failure to so possess such
Government Licenses would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect; the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with the
terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure
so to comply would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect; all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect,
except when the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such
Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not have, singly or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Company nor any of
the Subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the
revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which, singly or in
the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding,
would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

          5.24  Environmental Laws. Except as described on Exhibit E or
                ------------------                                         
except as would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse
Effect: (a) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is in violation of
any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance,
code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative
interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent,
decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the
environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water,
groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without
limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release
of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous
substances, petroleum or petroleum products (collectively, "Hazardous
Materials") or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment,
storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively,
"Environmental

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
Laws"), (b) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is lacking any
permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable
Environmental Laws or are in violation of the requirements of such Environmental
Laws, (c) there are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company,
threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands,
demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation,
investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the
Company or any of the Subsidiaries and (d) to the knowledge of the Company there
are no events or circumstances that might reasonably be expected to form the
basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding
by any private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting the
Company or any of the Subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or any
Environmental Laws.

          5.25  Insurance. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received 
                ---------
notice from any insurer providing insurance coverage for the Company and the
Subsidiaries or agent of such insurer that capital improvements or other
expenditures will have to be made in order to continue present insurance
coverage, except such as could not reasonably be expected, singularly or in the
aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          5.26  Internal Controls. The Company and the Subsidiaries maintain 
                -----------------                                     
a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable
assurances that (a) transactions are executed in accordance with management's
general or specific authorization; (b) transactions are recorded as necessary
(i) to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles and (ii) to maintain accountability for assets;
(c) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general
or specific authorization; and (d) the recorded accountability for assets is
compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is
taken with respect to any material differences. Any exceptions to this
representation would not render the representation in Section 5.4 incorrect in
any material respect or have a Material Adverse Effect.

          5.27  ERISA. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has
                -----
violated any provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended ("ERISA"), or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,
except for such violations which, singly or in the aggregate, would not have a
Material Adverse Effect. If any plan subject to ERISA is adopted, the execution
and delivery of this Agreement and the sale of the Securities will not involve
any non-exempt prohibited

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
transaction within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

          5.28  Year 2000 Compliance. With such exceptions as would not
                --------------------
have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company has been advised by its vendors (and
has no reason to believe that such advice is not correct) that as of the date of
this Agreement, all Date Data and Date-Sensitive Systems used by the Company and
its Subsidiaries are Year 2000 Compliant. "Date-Sensitive System" means any
software, microcode or hardware system or component, including any electronic
or electronically controlled system or component, that uses or processes any
Date Data and that is installed, in development or on order by the Company or
any of its subsidiaries for their internal use or for the use of third parties,
or which the Company or any of its subsidiaries sell, lease, license, assign
or otherwise provide to any third party. "Year 2000 Compliant" means (i) with
respect to Date Data, that such data is in proper format and accurate for all
dates, including for those before, on and after December 31, 1999 and (ii) with
respect to Date-Sensitive Systems, that each such system accurately processes
all Date Data, including for dates before, on and after December 31, 1999,
without loss of any functionality or performance, including but not limited to
calculating, comparing, sequencing, storing and displaying such Date Data
(including all leap year considerations), when used as a stand-alone system or
in combination with other software or hardware.

          6.    Investment Representations. The Purchasers understand that
                --------------------------
neither the Shares nor any Common Stock issuable upon conversion, if any, of the
Shares has been registered under the Securities Act and that the certificates
for the Shares and such Common Stock will bear a legend to that effect. The
Purchasers also understand that the Shares are being, offered and sold pursuant
to an exemption from registration contained in the Securities Act, based in part
upon their representations contained in this Agreement. The Purchasers hereby
represent and warrant as follows:

          6.1   Acquisition for Own Account. The Purchasers are acquiring
                ---------------------------
the Shares for their own account for investment and not with a view toward
distribution in a manner which would violate the Securities Act.

          6.2   Ability to Protect Own Interests. The Purchasers represent
                --------------------------------
that by reason of their business or financial experience, or the business and
financial experience of their management, the Purchasers have the capacity to
protect their own interests in connection with the transaction contemplated in
this Agreement.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
The Purchasers are not a corporation formed for the specific purpose of
consummating this transaction.

          6.3   Accredited Investor. The Purchasers represent that they are an
                -------------------                                         
"accredited investor" as that term is defined in Regulation D promulgated under
the Securities Act.

          6.4   Access to Information. The Purchasers have been given access 
                ---------------------                              
to all Company documents, records, and other information, have received physical
delivery of all those which the Purchasers have requested, and have had adequate
opportunity to ask questions of, and receive answers from, the Company's
officers, employees, agents, accountants, and representatives concerning the 
Company's business, operations, financial condition, assets, liabilities, and
all other matters relevant to its investment in the Shares.

          6.5   No Brokers. Purchasers represent and warrant to the Company 
                ----------
that no broker's or finder's fees or commissions will be payable by the
Purchasers with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
the Collateral Agreements, and the Purchasers hereby jointly and severally
indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any claim, demand or liability for
broker's or finder's fees alleged to have been incurred at the instance of the
Purchasers, their affiliates or agents or any Person acting on behalf of or at
the request of the Purchasers, their affiliates or agents.

          6.6   Compliance with Laws. Purchasers and their transferees will
                --------------------                                           
comply with all filing and other reporting obligations under all Requirements of
Law which shall be applicable to Purchasers with respect to the Shares and to
the Common Stock issuable or issued on conversion of the Shares.

          7.    Affirmative Covenants. The Company covenants that from
                ---------------------                                          
and after the date of this Agreement through the Closing and thereafter so long
as the Purchasers own at least 25,000 Shares or 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock
which have been acquired upon conversion of any Shares:

          7.1   Exchange Act and Securities Act Filings. The Company will
                ---------------------------------------
deliver to the Purchasers, within three Business Days of their filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, all documents filed by it with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act, including exhibits thereto.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
          7.2   Certificates, Other Information. The Company will deliver to
                -------------------------------
the Purchasers: (a) promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of all final reports
submitted to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by independent certified
public accountants in connection with each annual, interim or (but only if the
holders of the Shares are then entitled under the Certificate of Designation to
elect as a class at least one member of the Company's Board of Directors)
special audit of the books of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries made by
such accountants, including, without limitation, any final comment letter
submitted by such accountants to management in connection with their annual
audit; and (b) promptly upon their becoming available, copies of all financial
statements, reports, notices and proxy statements sent or made available
generally by the Company to all of its security holders in their capacity as
such or by any Subsidiary of the Company to its security holders.

          7.3   [omitted]

          7.4   [omitted]

          7.5   Inspection of Property, Books and Records, Discussions. The
                ------------------------------------------------------
Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to keep proper books of
record and account in which entries in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements
of Law shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its
business and activities

          7.6   Notices. The Company will, within 48 hours of occurrence, give
                -------
notice to the Purchasers: (a) of any (i) default or event of default under any
instrument or other agreement of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which
default or event of default would have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii)
litigation, investigation or proceeding which may exist at any time between the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries and any Governmental Authority, which in any
such case, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect; and (b) of any litigation or proceeding affecting the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) in which the amount claimed is $2,000,000
or more and not covered by insurance or covered by reserves on the Company's
balance sheet, or (ii) in which injunctive or similar relief is sought which if
obtained could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          Each notice pursuant to this section 7.6 shall be accompanied by a
statement of the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the
Company

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what
action the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.

          7.7   Reservation of Common Stock. The Company will at all times 
                ---------------------------
reserve and keep available, solely for issuance and delivery upon conversion of
the Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock from time to time issuable upon
conversion of all shares of the Stock at the time outstanding. All shares of
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Stock shall be duly authorized and,
when issued upon such conversion, shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-
assessable.

          7.8   Availability of Information. The Company will comply with the 
                ---------------------------
reporting requirements of Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act and will
comply with all other public information reporting requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (including Rule 144 promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act) from time to time
in effect and relating to the availability of an exemption from the Securities
Act for the sale of any Restricted Securities. The Company will also reasonably
cooperate with each holder of any Restricted Securities in supplying such
information as may be necessary for such holder to complete and file any
information reporting forms presently or hereafter required by the Securities
and Exchange Commission as a condition to the availability of an exemption from
the Securities Act for the sale of any Restricted Securities.

          7.9   Public Announcements. Attached hereto is the text of the press
                --------------------
releases which the parties shall issue publicly to announce the execution of
this Agreement.

          8.    Registration, Transfer and Substitution of Certificates for
                ------------------------------------------------------------
          Stock.
          ------

          8.1   Stock Register, Ownership of Stock. (a) The Company will keep 
                -----------------------------------                    
at its principal office a register in which the Company will provide for the
registration of the stock and the registration of transfers or conversion of the
Stock. The Company may treat the Person in whose name any of the Shares or
shares issued upon conversion of any of the Stock are registered on such
register as the owner thereof and the Company shall not be affected by any
notice to the contrary. All references in this Agreement to a "holder" of any
Shares or shares issued upon conversion of any of the Stock shall mean the
Person in whose name such Shares or

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
shares issued upon conversion of any of the Stock are at the time registered on
such register.

                (b) Upon the surrender of any certificate for Stock, properly
endorsed, for registration of transfer or for conversion at the office of the
Company maintained pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section 8.1, the Company
at its expense will (subject to compliance with section 8.2 hereof, if
applicable) execute and deliver to or upon the order of the holder thereof (i) a
new certificate or certificates for the same aggregate number of shares of
Stock less the number of shares of Stock being converted, if any, in the name of
such holder or as such holder (upon payment by such holder of any applicable
transfer taxes) may direct, and (ii) a certificate or certificates for the
number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of the shares of
Stock so surrendered.

          8.2   Replacement of Certificates. Upon receipt of evidence 
                ---------------------------
reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or
mutilation of any certificate representing shares of Stock or Common Stock
issued upon the conversion of shares of Stock and, in the case of any such loss,
theft or destruction of any certificate representing shares of Stock or Common
Stock issued upon the conversion of shares of Stock held by a Person other than
the Purchasers, upon delivery of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the
Company in form and amount or, in the case of any such mutilation, upon
surrender of such certificate representing shares of Stock or Common Stock
issued upon the conversion of shares of Stock for cancellation at the office of
the Company maintained pursuant to subdivision (a) of section 8.1 hereof, the
Company at its expense will execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new
certificate representing shares of Stock or Common Stock of like tenor.

          8.3   Restrictive Legends. Except as otherwise permitted by this
                -------------------
section 8, each certificate for Stock (including each certificate for Stock
issued upon the transfer of any certificate for Stock) shall be stamped or
otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

                "The shares represented by this Certificate and any shares of
          Common Stock issuable upon conversion of any such shares have not been
          registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be transferred
          in the absence of such registration or an exemption there from under
          such Act. Such shares and any such shares of Common Stock may be
          transferred only in compliance with the conditions

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
          specified in the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated December __,
          1998 between United Rentals, Inc. (the "Company") and the purchasers
          identified therein. A complete and correct copy of such Agreement is
          available for inspection at the principal office of the Company and
          will be furnished without charge to the holder of such shares upon
          written request."

Except as otherwise permitted by this section 8, each certificate for Common
Stock issued upon the conversion of any of the Stock, and each certificate
issued upon the transfer of any such Common Stock, shall be stamped or otherwise
imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

               "The shares represented by this certificate have not been
          registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be transferred
          in the absence of such registration or an exemption therefrom under
          such Act. Such shares may be transferred only in compliance with the
          conditions specified in the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated
          December , 1998 between United Rentals, Inc. (the "Company") and the
          purchasers identified therein. A complete and correct copy of such
          Agreement is available for inspection at the principal office of the
          Company and will be furnished without charge to the holder of such
          shares upon written request."

          8.4   Notice of Proposed Transfer; Opinions of Counsel. Prior to
                ------------------------------------------------
any transfer of any Restricted Securities which are not registered under an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act, the holder thereof
will give written notice to the Company of such holder's intention to effect
such transfer and to comply in all other respects with this section 8.4. Each
such notice shall describe the manner and circumstances of the proposed transfer
and shall be accompanied by an opinion of counsel for such holder, which counsel
and opinion shall each be reason ably satisfactory to the Company, that the
proposed transfer may be effected without registration of such shares of
Restricted Securities under the Securities Act. Such holder shall thereupon be
entitled to transfer such shares in accordance with the terms of the notice
delivered by such holder to the Company. Each certificate representing such
shares issued upon or in connection with such transfer shall bear the
restrictive legends required by section 8.3, unless the related restrictions on
transfer shall have ceased and terminated as to such shares pursuant to section
8.5 hereof

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
          8.5   Termination of Restrictions. The restrictions imposed by this
                ---------------------------
section 8 upon the transferability of Restricted Securities shall cease and
terminate as to any particular Restricted Securities when such restrictions are
no longer required in order to insure compliance with the Securities Act.
Whenever such restrictions shall cease and terminate as to any Restricted
Securities, the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive from the Company,
without expense (other than applicable transfer taxes, if any), new certificates
for such securities of like tenor not bearing the applicable legends required by
section 8.3 hereof.

          9.    Definitions.
                -----------

          9.1   Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement the
                ---------------------
following terms have the following respective meanings:

          Acquired Companies: The companies United Rentals, Inc. has acquired
since its formation in September 1997.

          Affiliate: With reference to any Person, a spouse of such Person, any
relative (by blood, adoption or marriage) of such Person within the second
degree, any director, officer or employee of such Person, any other Person of
which such Person is a member, director, officer or employee, and any other
Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with such Person.

          Business Day: Any day except a Saturday, a Sunday, or any day on
which banking institutions in New York, New York are required or authorized by
law or other governmental action to be closed.

          Capital Stock: As defined in section 5.6 of this Agreement.

          Certificate of Designation: As defined in section I of this Agreement.

          Closing: As defined in section 3 of this Agreement.

          Closing Date: The date of the Closing.

          Code: The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time.

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
          Collateral Agreements: The Registration Rights Agreement and the
Certificate of Designation.

          Common Stock: As defined in section I of this Agreement.

          Company: As defined in the introduction to this Agreement.

          Exchange Act: At any time, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as
then in effect or any similar federal statute then in effect, and any reference
to a particular section of such Act shall be deemed to include a reference to
the comparable section, if any, in any such similar federal statute.

          Financial Statements: As defined in section 5.4 of this Agreement.

          GAAP: Generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the
Opinions of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants and in statements by the Financial Accounting
Standards Board or in such other statement by such other entity as may be
approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession; and the
requisite that such principles be applied on a consistent basis shall mean that
the accounting principles observed in a current period are comparable in all
material respects to those applied in a preceding period.

          Governmental Authority: Any nation or government, any state or
other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive,
legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining
to government.

          Indebtedness: With respect to any Person, at a particular time (a) all
indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase
price of property, (b) the face amount of all letters of credit issued for the
account of such Person and, without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder,
(c) all liabilities secured by any Lien on any property owned by such Person, to
the extent attributable to such Person's interest in such property, even though
such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment thereof, and (d)
lease obligations of such Person which, in accordance with GAAP, should be
capitalized; but excluding trade and other accounts payable in the ordinary
course of business in accordance with customary trade terms and which are not
overdue for a period of more than 60 days or, if overdue for more than 60 days,
as to which a dispute exists and adequate reserves in conformity with GAAP have
been established on the books of such

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
Person. The term "Indebtedness" shall not include amounts which have not been
drawn under credit facilities, notwithstanding that such amounts when drawn will
automatically be secured by an existing Lien.

          Lien: Any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, security
interest, lien, charge or encumbrance, or preference, priority or other security
agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever
(including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement, any financing lease having substantially the same economic effects as
any of the foregoing, and the filing of, or agreement to give, any financing
statement under the Uniform Commercial Code or comparable law of any
jurisdiction). For the purposes of this Agreement, the Company or one of its
Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be the owner of any property which it has placed
in trust for the benefit of the holders of Indebtedness of the Company or its
Subsidiaries which Indebtedness is deemed to be extinguished under GAAP but for
which the Company or its Subsidiaries remain legally liable, and such trust
shall be deemed to be a Lien.

          Majority in Interest: At any time, the holders of a majority, by
number of shares, of the outstanding Shares and the outstanding shares of Common
Stock issued upon conversion of any Shares, such majority to be determined by
reference to the number of shares of Common Stock into which all outstanding
Shares are at the time convertible. 

          Officers' Certificate: As to the Company, a certificate executed on
behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, and any one of its Vice
Chairman, Chief Acquisition Officer, or Chief Financial Officer. 

          Person: An individual, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation,
a limited liability company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a
government or any department or agency thereof.

          Registration Rights Agreement: As defined in section 4.6 of this
Agreement.

          Repayment Event: Any event or condition which gives the holder of any
note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such
holder's behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of
all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries.

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
          Requirement of Law: As to any Person, the Certificate of 
Incorporation and by-Laws or other organizational or governing documents of such
Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation, or determination of an
arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable
to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or
any of its property is subject.

          Restricted Securities: All of the following: (a) any certificates for
Stock bearing the applicable legend or legends referred to in section 8.3
hereof, (b) any shares of Common Stock which have been issued upon the
conversion of any of the Stock and which are evidenced by a certificate or
certificates bearing the applicable legend or legends referred to in such
section and (c) unless the context otherwise requires, any shares of Common
Stock which are at the time issuable upon the conversion of Stock and which,
when so issued, will be evidenced by a certificate or certificates bearing the
applicable legend or legends referred to in such section.

          Securities Act: At any time, the Securities Act of 1933 as then in
effect or any similar federal statute then in effect, and any reference to a
particular section of such Act shall be deemed to include a reference to the
comparable section, if any, in any such similar federal statute.

          Securities and Exchange Commission: The U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission, or any other federal agency at the time administering the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act, whichever is the relevant statute for the
particular purpose.

          Shares: As defined in section 1 of this Agreement.

          Stock: As defined in section 1 of this Agreement.

          Subsidiaries: With respect to any Person, any corporation with respect
to which more than 50% of the outstanding shares of stock of each class having
ordinary voting power (other than stock having such power only by reason of the
happening of a contingency) is at the time owned by such Person or by one or
more Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries
of such Person.

          Any of the above-defined terms may, unless the context otherwise
requires, be used in the singular or plural depending on the reference.

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
          9.2   Accounting Terms. As used in this Agreement, and in any
                ----------------
certificate, report or other document made or delivered pursuant to this
Agreement, accounting terms not defined in section 9.1 and accounting terms
partly defined in said section 9.1 to the extent not defined, shall have the
respective meanings given to them under GAAP.

          9.3   Other Provisions Regarding Definitions: (1) Unless otherwise
                --------------------------------------
defined therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined
meanings when used in any certificate, report or other document made or
delivered pursuant to this Agreement.

                    (2)  The words "hereof, "herein", and "hereunder" and words
of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as
a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.

          10.   Expenses, etc. Whether or not the transactions contemplated
                --------
by this Agreement shall be consummated, the Company will pay all of its expenses
in connection with such transactions and in connection with any amendments or
waivers (whether or not the same become effective) under or in respect of this
Agreement or the Shares purchased by the Purchasers hereunder, including,
without limitation: (a) the cost and expenses of reproducing this Agreement and
the Shares purchased by the Purchasers, of furnishing all opinions of counsel
for the Company (including any opinions requested by the Purchasers' special
counsel as to any legal matter arising hereunder) and all certificates on behalf
of the Company, and of the Company's performance of and compliance with all
agreements and conditions contained herein to be performed or complied with by
it; and (b) the cost (other than any applicable stock transfer taxes) of
delivering to their principal office, insured to their satisfaction, the Shares
sold to the Purchasers hereunder and any Shares delivered to the Purchasers upon
any substitution of Shares pursuant to section 8 and of the Purchasers
delivering any Shares, insured to their satisfaction, upon any such
substitution. In addition, if the transactions contemplated hereby have been
consummated, the Company shall pay 50% of the reasonably itemized out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by the Purchasers in connection with such transactions
(including the fees and disbursements of their counsel), provided that the
Company's liability under this sentence shall not exceed $500,000. Reference is
made to Section 5 of this Agreement for certain agreements among the parties
regarding the fees, if any, of brokers and finders.

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
          11.   Survival of Representations and Warranties and 
                ----------------------------------------------
Indemnification, Certain Limitations. The Company's indemnification obligations
- ------------------------------------
and all representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall survive
the execution and delivery of this Agreement, any investigation at any time
made by the Purchasers or on their behalf, and the purchase of the Shares by the
Purchasers under this Agreement and any conversion of any of the Stock or any
disposition of any shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of any of the
Stock; provided that all such representations and warranties (and the
indemnities in respect thereof with respect to claims not made prior to such
date) shall expire on the later of March 31, 1999 and 30 days after the date
the Company's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1998,
including a signed audit report of the Company's independent accountants, are
publicly filed with the Commission or delivered to Purchasers. No written
(except as explicitly stated therein) or oral statements made by or on behalf of
the Company, other than in this Agreement, the Collateral Agreements and the
exhibits hereto and thereto, shall constitute representations or warranties
within the meaning of this Agreement. In no event shall Purchasers be entitled
to the remedy of rescission.

          12.    Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may
                 -----------------------
be amended or modified and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be
waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or
prospectively) only with the written consent of the Company and (a) in the case
of any such action prior to the Closing, the Purchasers; and (b) in the case of
any other such action, a Majority in Interest.

          13.   Notices, etc. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement,
                ------------
notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be delivered, or mailed by first-class mail, postage pre-paid, addressed,
(a) if to the Purchasers, at the address set forth at the beginning of this
Agreement, or at such other address as the Purchasers shall have furnished to
the Company in writing, or (b) if to any other holder of any Shares or shares of
Common Stock into which any of the Shares have been converted, at such address
as such other holder shall have furnished to the Company in writing, or, until
any such other holder so furnishes to the Company an address, then to and at the
address of the last holder of such Shares or shares of Common Stock into which
such Shares have been converted who has furnished an address to the Company, or
(c) if to the Company at the address of the Company set forth at the beginning
of this Agreement, to the attention of its President, or at such other address,
or to the attention of such other officer, as the Company shall have furnished
to the Purchasers and each such other holder in writing.

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
          14.   Indemnification. (a) The Company shall indemnify, defend and 
                ---------------
hold harmless the Purchasers, their affiliates, partners, officers, employees
and agents (each, an "Indemnified Person") from and against any and all losses,
liabilities, damages, judgments, settlements and expenses (including interest
and penalties recovered by a third party with respect thereto and reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses and reasonable accountants' fees and expenses
incurred in the investigation or defense of any of the same or in asserting,
preserving or enforcing any of rights hereunder), that arise out of:

                    (i) any breach by the Company of any of its representations,
warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement or in the Registration
Rights Agreement; or

                    (ii) any litigation, investigation or proceeding instituted
by any Governmental Agency or any other Person with respect to this Agreement or
the collateral Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby and
requiring the Purchasers participation or involvement, excluding, however, any
such litigation, investigation or proceeding which arises solely from the acts
or omissions of Purchasers or their affiliates.

                (b) The Purchasers shall give the Company prompt notice of any
third-party claim that may give rise to any indemnification obligation under
this Section 14 and the Company shall (except as set forth below) have the right
to assume and control the defense (at its expense) and settlement of any such
claim through the Company's own counsel or through other counsel reasonably
acceptable to the Purchasers. The Purchasers may retain additional counsel at
their own expense. If, under applicable standards of professional conduct, a
conflict with respect to any significant issue between the Purchasers and the
Company exists in respect of such third-party claim, the Company shall not
assume the defense of such claim and shall also pay the reasonable fees and
expenses of one counsel selected by Purchasers in respect of such claim.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the Purchasers' consent, the Company will
not settle any action or proceeding which does not provide the Purchasers a
full, unconditional release from all liability with respect to such claim by
each claimant or plaintiff in a form acceptable to the Purchasers' counsel, nor
will the Company consent to any injunctive or other non-monetary relief
affecting any Indemnified Person.

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
          15.   Termination. This Agreement may be terminated (a) by the mutual 
                -----------
written consent of the Purchasers and the Company at any time or (b) by the
Purchasers or the Company if the Closing shall not have been consummated on or
before January 31, 1999; provided, however, that the right to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to (b) of this Section 15 shall not be available to any
party whose failure to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement
results in the failure to consummate the transactions by such time.

          16.   Miscellaneous. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure 
                -------------
to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective successors and assigns
and affiliates of the parties hereto, whether so expressed or not, and, in
particular, shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by any holder or
holders at the time of the Shares or shares of Common Stock into which any of
the Shares have been converted; except as aforesaid, this Agreement shall not
inure to the benefit of any third party. This Agreement embodies the entire
agreement and understanding between the Purchasers and the Company and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject
matter hereof. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with
and governed by the law of the State of New York without regard to the
principles regarding conflicts of laws. The headings in this Agreement are for
purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning
hereof. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one
instrument.

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
          If the Purchasers are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign
the form of agreement on the accompanying counterparts of this letter and return
one of the same to the Company, whereupon this letter shall become a binding
agreement between the Purchasers and the Company.


                                Very truly yours,

                                UNITED RENTALS, INC.

                                By: /s/ 
                                    ----------------------------
                                    Title: CEO

The foregoing Agreement is hereby
agreed to as of the date thereof.

APOLLO INVESTMENT FUND IV, L.P.

By:    Apollo Advisors, IV, L.P.,
       its general partner

       By:  Apollo Capital Management IV, Inc.,
            its general partner

            By:
               ----------------------------
               Title:

APOLLO OVERSEAS PARTNERS IV, L.P.

BY:    Apollo Advisors, IV, L.P.,
       its general partner

       By:  Apollo Capital Management IV,
            Inc., its general partner

            By:
               ----------------------------
               Title:
<PAGE>
 
                If the Purchasers are in agreement with the foregoing, please
sign the form of agreement on the accompanying counterparts of this letter and
return one of the same to the Company, whereupon this letter shall become a
binding agreement between the Purchasers and the Company.


                                Very truly yours,

                                UNITED RENTALS, INC.

                                By: 
                                    ----------------------------
                                    Title: 

The foregoing Agreement is hereby
agreed to as of the date thereof.

APOLLO INVESTMENT FUND IV, L.P.

By:    Apollo Advisors, IV, L.P.,
       its general partner

       By:  Apollo Capital Management IV, Inc.,
            its general partner

            By: /s/ 
               ----------------------------
               Title: Vice President

APOLLO OVERSEAS PARTNERS IV, L.P.

BY:    Apollo Advisors, IV, L.P.,
       its general partner

       By:  Apollo Capital Management IV,
            Inc., its general partner

            By: /s/ 
               ----------------------------
               Title: Vice President
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT 1



                                                  Shares of Series A
                                                  Perpetual Convertible
                                                  Preferred Stock
Purchaser                                         to be Purchased
- ---------                                         ---------------
                                       
Apollo Investment Fund IV, L.P..................  284,726
                                                
Apollo Overseas Partners IV, L.P................   15,274
                                                  -------
                                       
  TOTAL                                           300,000
                                                  =======

<PAGE>
 
                     UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.

                                 $300,000,000
             9 1/4%   Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009, Series A


                              Purchase Agreement
                              -------------------

                                                                December 8, 1998

Goldman, Sachs & Co.
85 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004

Ladies and Gentlemen:

    United Rentals (North America), Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein. to
issue and sell to Goldman, Sachs & Co. (the "Purchaser") an aggregate of
$300,000,000 principal amount of the 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009,
Series A specified above (the "Securities"). The Securities are to be issued
pursuant to an indenture (the "Indenture") to be dated as of the Time of
Delivery (as defined below), between the Company, the United States subsidiaries
of the Company (the "Guarantors") and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as
trustee (the "Trustee"). Pursuant to the Indenture and certain guarantees (the
"Guarantees"), the Guarantors have agreed to guaranty the Company's payment and
other obligations under the Indenture and the Securities.

    The Company understands that the Purchaser proposes to make an offering of
the Securities on the terms and in the manner set forth herein and agrees that
the Purchaser may resell, subject to the conditions set forth herein, all or a
portion of the Securities to purchasers at any time after the execution and
delivery of this Agreement. The Securities are to be offered and sold through
the Purchaser without being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"), in reliance upon exemptions therefrom. Pursuant to the
terms of the Securities and the Indenture, investors that acquire Securities may
only resell or otherwise transfer such Securities if such Securities are
hereafter registered under the Act or if an exemption from the registration
requirements of the Act is available (including the exemption afforded
by Rule 144A ("Rule 144A") of the rules and regulations promulgated under the
Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")).

    Holders (including subsequent transferees) of the Securities will have the
registration rights set forth in the Notes Registration Rights Agreement (the
"Notes Registration Rights Agreement") to be dated as of the Time of Delivery
among the Company, the Guarantors and the Purchaser and so long as such
Securities constitute "Transfer Restricted Notes" (as defined in such
agreement). Pursuant to the Notes Registration Rights Agreement, the Company
will agree to file with the Commission, under the circumstances set forth
therein, (i) a registration statement under the Act (the "Exchange Offer
Registration Statement") relating to the Company's 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2009 Series B (the "Exchange Securities"), to be offered in exchange
for the Securities (such offer to exchange being referred to as the

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
"Exchange Offer") and (ii) under certain circumstances, a shelf registration
statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act (the "Shelf Registration
Statement" and, together with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the
"Notes Registration Statements") relating to the resale by certain holders of
the Securities and to use its best efforts to cause such Notes Registration
Statements to be declared and remain effective and usable for the periods
specified in the Notes Registration Rights Agreement and to consummate the
Exchange Offer.

    The Company is preparing and will deliver to the Purchaser copies of a final
offering circular dated December 8, 1998 (the "Final Offering Circular") for use
by the Purchaser in connection with its solicitation of purchases of, or
offering of, the Securities. "Offering Circular" means, with respect to any date
or time referred to in this Agreement, the Final Offering Circular, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, including exhibits thereto and documents
incorporated therein by reference, if any, which has been prepared and delivered
by the Company to the Purchaser in connection with the Purchaser's solicitation
of purchases of, or offering of, the Securities.

    All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and
other information which is "contained," "included" or "stated" in the Offering
Circular (or other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and
include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which
are incorporated by reference in the Offering Circular, if any; and all
references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Offering
Circular shall be deemed to mean and include the filing of any document under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") which is
incorporated by reference in the Offering Circular.

        1. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the
Purchaser that:

        (a) The Company has not, directly or indirectly, solicited any offer to
buy or offered to sell, and will not, directly or indirectly, solicit any offer
to buy or offer to sell, in the United States or to any United States citizen or
resident, any security which is or would be integrated with the sale of the
Securities in a manner that would require the Securities to be registered under
the Act.

        (b) The Offering Circular as of its date and at the Time of Delivery
will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the 11uht of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that
this representation, warranty and agreement shall not apply to statements in or
omissions from the Offering Circular made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished to the Company In writing by the Purchaser expressly
for use in the Offering Circular.

        (c) The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
in the Offering Circular, if any, at the time they were or hereafter are filed
with the Commission complied and will comply in all material respects with the
requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
(the "Exchange Act Regulations"), and, when read together with the other
information in the Offering Circular, at the date of the Offering Circular
and at the Time of Delivery, will not include

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

     (d) The accountants who certified the financial statements and supporting
schedules included in the Offering Circular are independent certified public
accountants with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning
of Regulation S-X under the Act.

     (e) Each of the historical financial statements to be included in the
Offering Circular, together with related schedules and notes, present fairly (on
a consolidated basis where so indicated) the financial condition of the entity
or entities to which such financial statement purports to relate (the "Reported
Entity") at the date(s) indicated and the statement of operations (or income or
earnings as indicated in the applicable financial statement) and cash flows and
(in the case of a Reported Entity for which a statement of stockholders' equity
is included) stockholders' equity (and partners' capital if so indicated in the
applicable financial statement) of the Reported Entity for the period(s)
specified; said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent
basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise indicated in such
financial statements). Any supporting schedules to be included in the Offering
Circular present fairly in accordance with GAAP the information required to
be stated therein. The selected historical financial information and the summary
historical financial information to be included in the Offering Circular present
fairly the information shown therein and, in the case of historical financial
data or information of the Company, have been compiled on a basis consistent
with that of the audited financial statements included in the Offering Circular.
The pro forma financial statements and the related notes thereto to be included
in the Offering Circular present fairly the information shown therein, have been
prepared in accordance with the Commission's rules and guidelines with respect
to pro forma financial statements and have been properly compiled on the bases
described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof
are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect
to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein.

     (f) The Company has not taken or caused to be taken and will not take or
cause to be taken, either directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause
or result in, or which action constitutes or which might reasonably be expected
to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the market price of any
security in contravention of any applicable law, including but not limited to
those actions prohibited by Section 9(a) of the Exchange Act, the Exchange Act
Regulations and Regulation M promulgated by the Commission.

     (g) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries (as defined below)
has sustained since the date of the latest financial statements to be included
or incorporated by reference in the Offering Circular any loss or interference
with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not
covered by 'insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or crovemmental
action, order or decree which would be material to the Company and the
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, otherwise than as reserved for as disclosed in
the Company's financial statements or financial statements of certain
Subsidiaries to be 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
included in the Offering Circular and since the respective dates as of which
information is given in the Offering Circular, except as otherwise stated
therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change in the condition,
financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business
prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise (a
"Material Adverse Effect"), whether or not arising in the ordinary course of
business, (B) there has not been any change in the capital stock of the Company
or increase in the long-term debt (other than accretion or scheduled repayments
thereof) of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (C) there have
been no transactions entered into by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries,
other than those in the ordinary course of business, which are material with
respect to the Company and the Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, and
(D) there has been no dividend or distribution (except as would permitted under
the covenants captioned "Description of the Notes - Limitation on Restricted
Payments" to be contained in the Offering Circular) of any kind declared, paid
or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock.

     (h) The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has
corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to
conduct its business as described in the Offering Circular and to enter into and
perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Company is duly qualified
as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each
other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of
the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where
the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a
Material Adverse Effect.

     (i) Each subsidiary of the Company (each, a "Subsidiary") has been duly
organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has corporate power and authority
to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as
described in the Offering Circular and is duly qualified as a foreign
corporation to transact business and is in good in each jurisdiction in which
such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of
property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or
to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; except as
otherwise disclosed in the Offering Circular, all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of each such Subsidiary has been duly authorized and
validly issued, is fully paid and non-assessable and is owned by the Company,
directly or through Subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest,
mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity (except for any security
interest or pledge contemplated by the Credit Agreement dated September 29, 1998
among the Company, United Rentals, United Rentals of Canada, Inc. and Bank of
America National Trust and Savings Association ("B of A"), as U.S. Agent, Bank
of America Canada, as Canadian Agent, and various financial institutions (the
"Credit Agreement") and the Term Loan Agreement dated July 10, 1998 between the
Company, certain financial institutions and B of A, as agent, as amended by the
First Amendment to the Term Loan Agreement, dated September 29, 1998 (the "Term
Loan Agreement")); none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of any
Subsidiary was issued in violation of the preemptive or similar rights of any
security holder of such Subsidiary. The only Subsidiaries of the Company (other
than inactive Subsidiaries) are the Subsidiaries listed in a certificate of
officers of the Company to be delivered to the Purchaser prior to the Time of
Delivery and each Subsidiary of the Company which constitutes a "significant
subsidiary" (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
S-X under the Act); provided, however, that such determination shall be
made by reference to the Company's pro forma financial statements as permitted
by Rule 3-05(b)(3) of Regulation S-X (each, a "Significant Subsidiary"), is
marked with a * in such certificate.

     (j)     The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 3,000
shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"). As of
the date hereof, there were 1,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding. The shares
of issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized
and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; none of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company was issued in violation of
the preemptive or other similar rights of any security holder of the Company.
All of the outstanding capital stock of the Company is owned by United Rentals,
Inc., a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the
State of Delaware ("United Rentals"), free and clear of any security interest,
mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity (except for any security
interest or pledge contemplated by the Credit Agreement or the Term Loan
Agreement).

     (k)   This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
the Company.

     (l) The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and each
Guarantor, and, at the Time of Delivery, will have been duly executed and
delivered by the Company and each such Guarantor and will constitute a valid and
binding agreement of the Company and each such Guarantor, enforceable against
the Company and each such Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except as the
enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without
limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting enforcement of
creditors' rights generally, or by general principles of equity (regardless of
whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). 

     (m) The Securities have been duly authorized and, at the Time of Delivery,
will have been duly executed by the Company and, when authenticated in the
manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered against payment of the
purchase price therefor will constitute valid and binding obligations of the
Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except
as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including,
without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting enforcement of
creditors' rights generally, or by general principles of equity (regardless of
whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and will
be in the form contemplated by, and, subject to the foregoing limitations,
entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture. At the Time of Delivery, the
Securities will conform in all material respects to the description thereof
contained in the Offering Circular.

     (n) Each Guaranty has been duly authorized by the applicable Guarantor
under the laws of its state of incorporation, and, at the Time of Delivery, each
Guaranty relating to Securities being issued as of Time of Delivery that
appears on or is attached to such Securities, will have been duly executed by
such Guarantor and, when issued in the manner provided for in the Indenture and
delivered in accordance with this Agreement, will constitute a valid and binding
obligation of such Guarantor, enforceable against such

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be
limited by bankruptcy insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws
relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium or other similar
laws relating to or affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally, or by
general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in
a proceeding in equity or at law), and will be in the form contemplated by, and,
subject to the foregoing limitations, entitled to the benefits of, the
Indenture. At the Time of Delivery, the Guarantees will conform in all material
respects to the description thereof contained in the Offering Circular.

     (o) The Exchange Securities have been duty authorized by the Company. When
the Exchange Securities are issued, executed and authenticated in the manner
provided for by the terms of the Exchange Offer and the Indenture, the Exchange
Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as the
enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without
limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting enforcement of
creditors' rights generally, or by general principles of equity (regardless of
whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and will
be in the form contemplated by, and, subject to the foregoing limitations,
entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture.

     (p) The Notes Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized by the
Company and each Guarantor, and, at the Time of Delivery, will have been duly
executed and delivered by the Company and each Guarantor, and will constitute
valid and binding obligations of the Company and each Guarantor, enforceable
against the Company and each such Guarantor in accordance with its terms except
as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including,
without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting enforcement of
creditors' rights generally, or by general principles of equity (regardless of
whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). At the
Time of Delivery, the Notes Registration Rights Agreement will conform in all
material respects to the description thereof contained in the Offering Circular.

     (q) The Securities, the Guarantees and the Indenture will conform in all
material respects to the respective statements relating thereto contained in the
Offering Circular. 

     (r) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of its
charter or by-laws or in default in the performance or observance of any
obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract,
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease
or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
is a party or by which any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property
or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject (collectively,
"Agreements and Instruments") except for such defaults that would not result in
a Material Adverse Effect; and the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement, the Indenture, the Securities, the Guarantees, the Notes Registration
Rights Agreement, and any other agreement or instrument entered into or issued
or to be entered into or issued by the Company in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or in the Offering Circular and the
consummation of the

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
transactions contemplated herein and in the Offering Circular and compliance by
the Company with its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action and do not and will not, whether with or without the
giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a
breach of, or default or a Repayment Event (as defined below) under, or result
in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any
property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to, the
Agreements and Instruments except for such conflicts, breaches or defaults or
liens, charges or encumbrances that, singly or in the aggregate, would not
result in a Material Adverse Effect, nor will such action result in any
violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries or any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment,
order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court,
domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their assets or properties. As used herein, a "Repayment
Event" means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note,
debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such
holder's behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of
all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

     (s) No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent, and the
Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the
employees of any of its or any of its Subsidiaries' principal suppliers,
manufacturers, customers or contractors, which, in either case, may reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

      (t) There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before
or by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now
pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting
the Company or any Subsidiary thereof which is required to be disclosed in the
Offering Circular (other than as will be disclosed therein), or which might
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which might
reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the consummation of
this Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder.
The aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the
Company or any Subsidiary thereof is a party or of which any of their respective
property or assets is the subject which are not described in the Offering
Circular, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business,
could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

      (u) To the knowledge of the Company, the representations and warranties
made by each of the Acquired Companies (as defined in the Offering Circular) and
the selling stockholders in the respective agreements pursuant to which the
Company acquired the Acquired Companies did not as of the respective dates
thereof contain any inaccuracies that might, singly or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     (v) There are no contracts or documents which are required to be described
in the Offering Circular which will not be so described.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     (w) The Company and its Subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on
reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions,
copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or
unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures),
trademarks, servicemarks, trade names or other intellectual property
(collectively, "Intellectual Property") necessary to carry on the business now
operated by them, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received any notice or is otherwise aware of any infringement of or conflict
with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of
any facts or circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid
or inadequate to protect the interest of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
therein, and which infringement or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable
decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, singly or in the
aggregate, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

     (x) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order,
registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or
agency is necessary or required for the performance by the Company of its
obligations hereunder or by the Company or any Guarantor in connection with the
offering, issuance or sale of the Securities and Guarantees hereunder or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except (i) for
filings and qualifications contemplated by the Notes Registration Rights
Agreement, (ii) such as may be required under foreign or state securities or
blue sky laws and (iii) such as may be required after the Time of Delivery
pursuant to the Company's periodic reporting requirements on its Annual Report
on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K
to be filed with the Commission under Sections 13 and 15(d), respectively, of
the Exchange Act.

     (y) The Company and its Subsidiaries possess such permits, licenses,
approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, "Governmental
Licenses") issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory
agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them,
except where the failure to so possess such Government Licenses would not,
singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its
Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such
Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply would not, singly
or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; all of the Governmental
Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except when the invalidity of
such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in
full force and effect would not have, singly or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect; and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification
of any such Governmental Licenses which, singly or in the aggregate, if the
subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in a
Material Adverse Effect.

     (z)  The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all
real property to be described in the Offering Circular as owned by the Company
and its Subsidiaries and good title to all other properties described in the
Offering Circular as owned by them, in each case, free and clear of all
mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions or
encumbrances of any kind except such as (a) are pursuant to the Credit Agreement
and the Terrn Loan Agreement as described in the Offering Circular or (b) do
not, singly or in the aggregate, materially interfere with the use made and
proposed to be made
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
of such property by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and all of the
leases and subleases material to the business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and under which the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries holds properties described in the Offering Circular, are in
full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any notice
of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to
the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary under any of the leases or subleases
mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or such
Subsidiary to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under
any such lease or sublease, which claim, if upheld, would result in a Material
Adverse Effect.

     (aa) Neither the Company nor any Guarantor is, or upon the issuance and
sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and the application of the net
proceeds therefrom as described in the Offering Circular will be, an "investment
company" or an entity "controlled" by an "investment company" as such terms are
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").

     (bb) Except as described in the Offering, Circular or except as would not,
singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect: (A) neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state, local
or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of
common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including
any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or relating to pollution
or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation,
ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or
wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the
release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes,
toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products
(collectively, "Hazardous Materials") or to the manufacture, processing,
distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of
Hazardous Materials (collectively, "Environmental Laws"), (B) neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is lacking any permits, authorizations and
approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws or are in violation
of the requirements of such Environmental Laws, (C) there are no pending or, to
the best knowledge of the Company, threatened administrative, regulatory or
judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of
noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any
Environmental Law against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (D) to the
knowledge of the Company there are no events or circumstances that might
reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or
remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or
governmental body or agency, against or affecting the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Laws.

     (cc) Nothing has come to the attention of the Company that has caused the
Company to believe that the statistical and market-related data to be included
in the Offering Circular are not based on or derived from sources that are
reliable and accurate in all material respects.

     (dd) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have filed all necessary
federal, state, local and foreign income, payroll, franchise and other tax
returns (after giving effect to extensions) and have paid all taxes shown as due
thereon (except where the failure to so file or pay would not, singly or in the

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect), and there is no tax deficiency that
has been, or to the knowledge of the Company is likely to be, asserted against
the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or an of their properties or assets that
would result in a Material Adverse Effect, except for taxes that are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which the
Company has established adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP.

     (ee) The Securities are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A and will
not be, at the Time of Delivery, of the same class as securities listed on a
national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Exchange Act, or
quoted in a U.S. automated interdealer quotation system.

     (ff) None of the Company, its affiliates, as such term is defined in Rule
501(b) under the Act ("Affiliates"), or any person acting on its or any of
their behalf (other than the Purchaser, as to whom the Company makes no
representation) has engaged or will engage, in connection with the offering of
the Securities, in any form of general solicitation or general advertising,
within the meaning of Rule 502(c) under the Act.

     (gg) Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the
Purchaser set forth in Section 3 hereof and compliance by the Purchaser with the
provisions of Sections 3 hereof, it is not necessary in connection with the
offer, sale and delivery of the Securities to the Purchaser and to any
subsequent purchaser in the manner contemplated by this Agreement and the
Offering Circular to register the Securities under the Act or to qualify the
Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the " 1939 Act").

     (hh) Neither the Company, United Rentals nor any of its Subsidiaries is or
has ever been a Personal Holding Company within the meaning of Section 542 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. -

     (ii) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received notice from any
insurer providing insurance coverage for the Company and its Subsidiaries
or agent of such insurer that capital improvements or other expenditures will
have to be made in order to continue present insurance coverage, except such as
could not reasonably be expected, singularly or in the aggregate, to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

     (jj) The Company and its Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal
accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i)
transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation
of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is
permitted only in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with
existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with
respect to any differences.

     (kk) Other than pursuant to this Agreement, there are no contracts,
agreements or understandings between either the Company, United Rentals or its
Subsidiaries and any person that give rise to a valid

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
claim against the Company, United Rentals any of its Subsidiaries or the
Purchaser for a brokerage commission, finder's fee or other like payment
relating to the transactions contemplated hereby.

     (ll) There are no persons with registration rights or other similar rights
to have any debt securities registered pursuant to any registration statement
or otherwise registered by the Company under the Act, except persons having such
rights pursuant to the Notes Registration Rights Agreement, the Notes
Registration Rights Agreement dated August 12, 1998 between the Company, certain
of the Subsidiaries and the initial purchasers named therein and the Notes
Registration Rights Agreement dated May 22, 1998 between the Company, certain of
the Subsidiaries and the initial purchasers named therein.

     (mm) Neither the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any agent thereof
acting on the behalf of any of them, has taken, and none of them will take, any
action that might cause this Agreement or the issuance or sale of the Securities
to violate Regulation T (12 C.F.R. Part 220), Regulation U (12 C.F.R. Part 221)
or Regulation X (12 C.F-R. Part 224) of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.

     (nn) The Offering Circular, as of its date, will contain all the
information specified in, and meeting the requirements of, Rule 144A(d)(4) under
the Act.

     (oo) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has violated any
provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA"), or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, except for such
violations which, singly or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse
Effect. If any such plan is adopted, the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the sale of the Securities will not involve any non-exempt
prohibited transaction within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section
4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The representations made
in the preceding sentence are made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy
of, and compliance with, the representations and covenants to be made or deemed
to be made by the purchasers of the Securities as set forth in the Offering
Circular.

     (pp) There are, and as of the Time of Delivery, there will be no agreements
containing any limitation on dividends or any other payment restrictions of the
type referred to in clause (vii) of the covenant captioned " Description of the
Notes - Limitation on Dividends and other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Restricted Subsidiaries" to be contained in the Offering Circular.

     (qq) Except as listed on a certificate of officers of the Company to be
delivered to the Purchaser prior to the Time of Delivery, there are and as of
the Time of Delivery, there will be no agreements of the type referred to in
clause (vi) of the second paragraph of the covenant captioned "Description of
the Notes - Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates" to be contained in the
Offering Circular.

     (rr) To the best of the Company's knowledge and belief, except as listed on
a certificate of officers of the Company to be delivered to the Purchaser prior
to the Time of Delivery, there are, and as of the Time of Delivery, there will
be no agreements existing of the type referred to in clause (c) of the
definition of "Permitted Indebtedness" under "Description of Notes - Certain
Definitions" to be contained 

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
in the Offering Circular. As of the Time of Delivery, but without giving effect
to the issuance of the Securities and the application of the net proceeds
therefrom, the aggregate outstanding Indebtedness (as defined in the Offering
Circular under "Description of Notes--Certain Definitions") of the Company and
its Subsidiaries will not exceed $1.4 billion.

     (ss) All information contained in the certificates of officers of the
Company to be delivered pursuant to (1), (qq) and (rr) of this Section I which
would be required to be disclosed in the Offering Circular if the Offering
Circular was a prospectus forming part of a registration statement filed with
the Commission under the Act, has been disclosed in the Offering Circular.

     (tt) Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries delivered to the Purchaser or to counsel for the Purchaser pursuant
to this Agreement shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company
to the Purchaser as to the matters covered thereby.

     2. Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees
to issue and sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase from
the Company, at a purchase price set forth in Schedule II hereto, the principal
amount of Securities set forth opposite the name of the Purchaser in Schedule I
hereto.

     3. The Purchaser proposes to offer the Securities for sale upon the terms
and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Offering Circular and the
Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to, and agrees with the Company that:

    (a) It will offer and sell the Securities only to: (1) persons who it
reasonably believes are "qualified institutional buyers" ("QIBs") within the
meaning of Rule 144A under the Act in transactions meeting the requirements of
Rule 144A or (11) upon the terms and conditions set forth in Annex I to this
Agreement;

     (b) It Is an institution that is an accredited investor with the meaning of
Rule 501 underthe Act; and

     (c) It will not offer or sell the Securities by any form of general
solicitation or general advertising, including but not limited to the methods
described in Rule 502(c) under the Act.

     4. (a) The Securities to be purchased by the Purchaser shall be delivered
by or on behalf of the Company to Goldman, Sachs & Co., through the facilities
of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), for the account of such Purchaser,
against payment by or on behalf of such Purchaser of the purchase price therefor
by wire transfer in same day funds or certified or official bank check or
checks, payable to the order of the Company in immediately available funds. The
Company will cause the certificates representing the Securities to be made
available for checking at least twenty-four hours prior to the Time of Delivery
(as defined below) at the office of DTC or its designated custodian (the
"Designated Office"). The Securities to be purchased by the Purchaser hereunder
will be represented by

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
one or more definitive global Securities in book-entry form which will be
deposited by or on behalf of the Trustee with DTC or its designated
custodian. The time and date of such delivery and payment shall be 9:30 a.m.,
New York City time, on December 15, 1998 or such other time and date as
Goldman, Sachs & Co. and the Company may agree upon in writing. Such time and
date are herein called the "Time of Delivery."

     (b) The documents to be delivered at the Time of Delivery by or on behalf
of the parties hereto pursuant to Section 7 hereof, including the cross-receipt
for the Securities and any additional documents requested by the Purchaser
pursuant to Section 7(i) hereof, will be delivered at such time and date at the
offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, 919 Third Avenue, New York,
New York 10022 (the "Closing Location"), and the Securities will be delivered at
the Designated Office, all at the Time of Delivery. A meeting will be held at
the Closing Location prior to the Time of Delivery, at which meeting the final
drafts of the documents to be delivered pursuant to the preceding sentence will
be available for review by the parties hereto.

       5.    The Company agrees with the Purchaser:

       (a) To prepare the Offering Circular in a form reasonably approved by 
you; to make no amendment or any supplement to the Offering Circular which shall
be reasonably disapproved by you promptly after reasonable notice thereof; and
to furnish you with as many copies thereof as you shall reasonably request;

     (b) Promptly from time to time to take such action as you may reasonably
request to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the securities
laws of such jurisdictions as you may request and to comply with such laws so as
to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions
for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of the Securities,
provided that in connection therewith the Company shall not be required to
qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to service of
process in any jurisdiction;

     (c) To furnish the Purchaser with copies of the Offering Circular and each
amendment or supplement thereto in such quantities as you may from time to time
reasonably request, and if, at any time prior to earlier of (i) completion of
the distribution of the Securities, as notified to you by Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
and (ii) the expiration of nine months after the date of the Offering Circular,
any event shall have occurred as a result of which the Offering Circular as then
amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such
Offering Circular is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason
it shall be necessary or desirable during such same period to amend or
supplement the Offering Circular, to notify you and upon your request to prepare
and furnish without charge to the Purchaser and to any dealer in securities as
many copies as you may reasonably request of an amended Offering Circular or
a supplement to the Offering Circular which will correct such statement or
omission or effect such compliance;

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
      (d)  During the period beginning from the date hereof and continuing
120 days from the date of the Offering Circular, not to offer, sell contract to
sell or otherwise dispose of, except as provided hereunder, any securities of
the Company that are substantially similar to the Securities without the prior
written consent of the Purchaser;

      (e) Not to be or become, at any time prior to the expiration of two years
after the Time of Delivery, an open-end investment company, unit investment
trust, closed-end investment company or face-amount certificate company that is
or required to be registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act;

      (f) At any time when the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act, for the benefit of holders from time to time of
Securities, to furnish at its expense, upon request, to holders of Securities
and prospective purchasers of securities information (the "Additional Issuer
Information") satisfying the requirements of subsection (d)(4)(i) of Rule 144A
under the Act;

      (g) To use its best efforts to cause the Securities to be eligible for the
PORTAL trading system of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.;

      (h) During a period of five years from the date of the Offering Circular,
to furnish to you copies of all reports or other communications (financial or
other) furnished to stockholders of the Company, and to deliver to you (i) as
soon as they are available, copies of any reports and financial statements
furnished to or filed with the Commission or any securities exchange on which
the Securities or any class of securities of the Company is listed; and (ii)
such additional public information concerning the business and financial
condition of the Company as you may from time to time reasonably request (such
financial statements to be on a consolidated basis to the extent the accounts of
the Company and its subsidiaries are consolidated in reports furnished to its
stockholders generally or to the Commission);

      (i) During the period of two years after the Time of Delivery, the
Company will not, and will not permit any of its "affiliates" (as defined in
Rule 144 under the Securities Act) to, resell any of the Securities which
constitute "restricted securities" under Rule 144 that have been reacquired by
any of them;

     (j) The Company shall file, on or prior to 90 days after the date hereof,
and use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be declared or become effective
under the Act, on or prior to 150 days after the date hereof, a registration
statement providing for the registration of the Exchange Securities, all in
accordance with the terms of the Notes Registration Rights Agreement; and

     (k) To use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities
pursuant to this Agreement in the manner specified in the Offering Circular
under the caption "Use of Proceeds".

     6.    The Company covenants and agrees with the Purchaser that the Company
will pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the fees, disbursements and
expenses of the Company's counsel and

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
accountants in connection with the issue of the Securities and all other
expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of the
Offering Circular and any amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and
delivering of copies thereof to the Purchaser and dealers; (ii) the cost of
printing or producing any Agreement among Purchasers, this Agreement, the
Indenture, the Notes Registration Rights Agreement, the Blue Sky and Legal
Investment Memoranda, closing documents (including any compilations thereof)
and any other documents in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and
delivery of the Securities; (iii) all expenses in connection with the
qualification of the Securities for offering and sale under state securities
laws as provided in Section 5(b) hereof, including the fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Purchaser in connection with such qualification and in 
connection with the Blue Sky and legal investment surveys, (iv) any fees charged
by securities rating services for rating the Securities; (v) the cost of
preparing the Securities; (vi) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any
agent of the Trustee and the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee
in connection with the Indenture and the Securities; (vii) any cost incurred in
connection with the designation of the Securities for trading in PORTAL; and
(viii) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of its
obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically provided for in this
Section. It is understood, however, that, except as provided in this Section,
and Sections 8 and 11 hereof, the Purchaser will pay all of their own costs and
expenses, including the fees of their counsel, transfer taxes on resale of any
of the Securities by them, and any advertising expenses connected with any
offers they may make.

     7. The obligations of the Purchaser hereunder shall be subject, in its
discretion, to the condition that all representations and warranties and other
statements of the Company herein are, at and as of the Time of Delivery, true
and correct, the condition that the Company shall have performed all of its
obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed, and the following additional
conditions:

     (a) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel for the Purchaser,
shall have furnished to you such opinion or opinions, dated the Time of
Delivery, with respect to the matters as you may reasonably request, and such
counsel shall have received such papers and information as they may reasonably
request to enable them to pass upon such matters;

     (b) Ehrenreich Eilenberg, Krause & Zivian LLP, counsel for the Company,
shall have furnished to you their written opinion, dated the Time of Delivery,
in form and substance satisfactory to you, to the effect set forth in Annex 11
hereto,

     (c) Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, counsel for the Company, shall have
furnished to you their written opinion, dated the Time of Delivery, in form and
substance satisfactory to you, to the effect set forth in Annex III hereto;

     (d) Prior to the Time of Delivery, each accounting firm whose report is
included in the Offering Circular shall have furnished to you a letter or
letters, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof, in form and substance
satisfactory to you, to the effect set forth in Annex IV hereto;

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
     (e) (i) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries shall have
sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in
the Offering Circular any loss or interference with its business from fire,
explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from
any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, which would
be material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole otherwise than
as set forth or contemplated in the Offering Circular or reserved for as
disclosed in the Company's financial statements or financial statements of
certain Subsidiaries included in the Offering Circular, and (ii) since the
respective dates as of which information is given in the Offering Circular
there shall not have been any change in the capital stock or long-term debt
(other than accretion thereof and other than borrowings in the ordinary course
of business under the Credit Facility with respect to working capital
requirements for the ongoing operation of the Company and the Subsidiaries) of
the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole or any change, or any
development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the general
affairs, management, financial position, stockholders' equity or results of
operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, otherwise than
as set forth or contemplated in the Offering Circular, the effect of which, in
any such case described in Clause (i) or (ii), is in the judgment of Goldman,
Sachs & Co. so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable
to proceed with the offering or the delivery of the Securities on the terms and
in the manner contemplated in this Agreement and in the Offering Circular;

     (f) On or after the date hereof (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in
the rating accorded the Company's debt securities by any "nationally recognized
statistical rating organization", as that term is defined by the Commission for
purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Act, and (ii) no such organization shall
have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, with possible
negative implications, its rating of any of the Securities or any of the
Company's debt securities;

     (g) On or after the date hereof there shall not have occurred any of
the following: (i) a suspension or material limitation in trading in securities
generally on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") or on the National Association
of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System, (ii) a suspension or material
limitation in trading in United Rentals' securities on the NYSE; (iii) a general
moratorium on commercial banking activities declared by either Federal or New
York State authorities; or (iv) the outbreak or escalation of hostilities
involving the United States or the declaration by the United States of a
national emergency or war, if the effect of any such event specified in this
Clause (iv) in the judgment of Goldman, Sachs & Co. makes it impracticable or
inadvisable to proceed with the offering or the delivery of the Securities on
the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Offering Circular;

     (h)  The Securities have been designated for trading on PORTAL; and

     (i) The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to you at
the Time of Delivery certificates of officers of the Company satisfactory to you
as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein
at and as of such Time of Delivery, as to the performance by the Company of all
of its obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to such Time of
Delivery, as to the matters set forth in subsections (e) of this Section and as
to such other matters as you may reasonably request.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
     8. (a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser against
any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which the
Purchaser may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out
of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in the Offering Circular, or any amendment or supplement
thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, and will reimburse the Purchaser for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by the Purchaser in connection with investigating or
defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred, provided,
however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent
that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
made in the Offering Circular or any such amendment or supplement in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the
Purchaser expressly for use therein.

     (b) The Purchaser will indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any
losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may become subject,
under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
Offering Circular, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or
are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the
extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Offering Circular or
any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by the Purchaser expressly for use therein,
and will reimburse the Company for any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by the Company in connection with investigating or defending any such
action or claim as such expenses are incurred.

     (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under Section 8(a) or
8(b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party
shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying
party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the
commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party
shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified
party otherwise than under such subsection. In case any such action shall be
brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party
of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to
participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any
other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof,
with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with
the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party),
and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of
its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not
be liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal
expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently
incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other
than reasonable costs of investigation. No indemnifying party shall, without the

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
written consent of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise
of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or
threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution
may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or
potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or
judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all
liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a
statement as to, or an admission of, fault, culpability or a failure to act, by
or on behalf of any indemnified party. An indemnifying party shall not be
required to indemnify an indemnified party hereunder with respect to any
settlement or compromise of, or consent to entry of any judgment with respect
to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which
indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder if (i) such settlement,
compromise or consent is entered into or made or given by the indemnified party
without the consent of the indemnifying party; and (ii) the indemnifying party
has not unreasonably withheld or delayed any such consent.

     (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to
or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or
(b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions
in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result
of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received
by the indemnifying parties on the one hand and the indemnified parties on the
other from the offering of the Securities. If, however, the allocation provided
by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if
the indemnified party failed to give the notice required under Section 8(c)
above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or
payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the
indemnifying parties on the one hand and the indemnified parties on the other in
connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the
Company on the one hand and the Purchaser on the other shall be deemed to be in
the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before
deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total discounts and
commissions received by the Purchaser, in each case as set forth in the Offering
Circular. The relative fault of a party shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Company on the one hand or the Purchaser on the
other and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and
the Purchaser agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
pursuant to this subsection (d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any
other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable
considerations referred to above in this subsection (d). The amount paid or
payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this subsection
(d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred
by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such
action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), the
Purchaser shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount
by which the Securities purchased by the Purchaser exceeds the amount of any
damages which the

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
Purchaser has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alletzed omission.


     (e) The obligations of the Company under this Section 8 shall be in
addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall
extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls
any Purchaser within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the
Purchaser under this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which the
Purchaser may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and
conditions, to each officer and director of the Company and to each person, if
any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act.

     9. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and
other statements of the Company and the Purchaser, as set forth in this
Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to this
Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf
of the Purchaser or any controlling person of the Purchaser, or the Company, or
any officer or director or controlling person of the Company, and shall survive
delivery of and payment for the Securities.

     10. The Purchaser, prior to the Time of Delivery, shall have the right to
terminate this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby if the
Purchaser reasonably objects to any information contained in the Offering
Circular not previously disclosed by the Company in any document filed by the
Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15 of the
Exchange Act prior to the date of this Agreement. If the Purchaser terminates
this Agreement in accordance with this Section 10, the Purchaser shall have no
liability to the Company or any of its affiliates.

     11. If the Securities are not delivered by or on behalf of the Company as
provided herein, the Company will reimburse the Purchaser for all out-of-pocket
expenses, including fees and disbursements of counsel, reasonably incurred by
the Purchaser in making preparations for the purchase, sale and delivery of the
Securities, but the Company shall then be under no further liability to the
Purchaser except as provided in Sections 6 and 8 hereof.

     12. All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in
writing, and if to the Purchaser shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
facsimile transmission to you as the representatives in care of Goldman, Sachs &
Co., 32 Old Slip, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10004, Attention: Registration
Department; and if to the Company shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
facsimile transmission to the address of the Company set forth in the Offering
Circular, Attention: Chief Financial Officer. Any such statements, requests,
notices or agreements shall take effect upon receipt thereof

     13. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure solely to the benefit
of, the Purchaser, the Company and, to the extent provided in Sections 8 and 9
hereof, the officers and directors of the Company and each person who controls
the Company or the Purchaser, and their respective heirs, executors,
administrators, successors and assigns, and no other person shall acquire or
have any right under or by

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
virtue of this Agreement. No purchaser of any of the Securities from the
Purchaser shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of such
purchase.

        14.    Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement.

        15.    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York.

        16.    This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties
hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an
original, but all such respective counterparts shall together constitute one and
the same instrument.

<PAGE>
 
  If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to ten counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by you, this
letter and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding agreement between
the Purchaser and the Company.


                                        Very truly yours,

                                        UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.
        
                                        By:____________________________

                                        Name: Michael Nolan
                                        Title: CFO

Accepted as of the date hereof:

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

By:______________________________
           (Goldman, Sachs & Co.)

<PAGE>
 
  If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to ten counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by you, this
letter and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding agreement between
the Purchaser and the Company.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.

                                        By:______________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

Accepted as of the date hereof:

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

By:________________________________
         (Goldman, Sachs & Co.)


<PAGE>
 
                     UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.

                                 $250,000,000
                9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009, Series A
 
                              Purchase Agreement
                              ------------------

                                                            March 16, 1999

Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC
c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.
85 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     United Rentals (North America), Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
ACompany@), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, to
issue and sell to the purchasers named in Schedule I hereto  (the APurchasers@)
an aggregate of $250,000,000 principal amount of the 9% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2009, Series A specified above (the ASecurities@).  The Securities are
to be issued pursuant to an indenture (the "Indenture") to be dated as of the
Time of Delivery (as defined below), between the Company, the United States
subsidiaries of the Company (the "Guarantors") and The Bank of New York , as
trustee (the "Trustee").  Pursuant to the Indenture and certain guarantees (the
"Guarantees"), the Guarantors have agreed to guaranty the Company's payment and
other obligations under the Indenture and the Securities.

     The Company understands that the Purchasers propose to make an offering of
the Securities on the terms and in the manner set forth herein and agrees that
the Purchasers may resell, subject to the conditions set forth herein, all or a
portion of the Securities to purchasers at any time after the execution and
delivery of this Agreement.  The Securities are to be offered and sold through
the Purchasers without being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"), in reliance upon exemptions therefrom.  Pursuant to the
terms of the Securities and the Indenture, investors that acquire Securities may
only resell or otherwise transfer such Securities if such Securities are
hereafter registered under the Act or if an exemption from the registration
requirements of the Act is available (including the exemption afforded by Rule
144A ("Rule 144A") of the rules and regulations promulgated under the Act by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")).

     Holders (including subsequent transferees) of the Securities will have the
registration rights set forth in the Notes Registration Rights Agreement (the
"Notes Registration Rights Agreement") to be dated as of the Time of Delivery
among the Company, the Guarantors and the Purchasers and so long as such
<PAGE>
 
Securities constitute "Transfer Restricted Notes" (as defined in such
agreement).  Pursuant to the Notes Registration Rights Agreement, the Company
will agree to file with the Commission, under the circumstances set forth
therein, (i) a registration statement under the Act (the "Exchange Offer
Registration Statement") relating to the Company's 9% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2009 Series B (the "Exchange Securities"), to be offered in exchange for the
Securities (such offer to exchange being referred to as the "Exchange Offer")
and (ii) under certain circumstances, a shelf registration statement pursuant to
Rule 415 under the Act (the "Shelf Registration Statement" and, together with
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the "Notes Registration Statements")
relating to the resale by certain holders of the Securities and to use its best
efforts to cause such Notes Registration Statements to be declared and remain
effective and usable for the periods specified in the Notes Registration Rights
Agreement and to consummate the Exchange Offer.

     The Company is preparing and will deliver to the Purchasers copies of a
final offering circular dated March 16, 1999 (the "Final Offering Circular") for
use by the Purchasers in connection with its solicitation of purchases of, or
offering of, the Securities.  "Offering Circular" means, with respect to any
date or time referred to in this Agreement, the Final Offering Circular, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, including exhibits thereto and documents
incorporated therein by reference, if any, which has been prepared and delivered
by the Company to the Purchasers in connection with the Purchasers' solicitation
of purchases of, or offering of, the Securities.

     All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and
other information which is "contained," "included" or "stated" in the Offering
Circular (or other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and
include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which
are incorporated by reference in the Offering Circular, if any; and all
references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Offering
Circular shall be deemed to mean and include the filing of any document under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") which is
incorporated by reference in the Offering Circular.

1.  The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the
Purchasers that:

(1)  The Company has not, directly or indirectly, solicited any offer to buy or
     offered to sell, and will not, directly or indirectly, solicit any offer to
     buy or offer to sell, in the United States or to any United States citizen
     or resident, any security which is or would be integrated with the sale of
     the Securities in a manner that would require the Securities to be
     registered under the Act.

(2)  The Offering Circular as of its date and at the Time of Delivery will not
     include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
     fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
     circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that
     this representation, warranty and agreement shall not apply to statements
     in or omissions from the Offering Circular made in reliance upon and in
     conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by a
     Purchaser through Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for use in the Offering
     Circular.
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
(3)  The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the
     Offering Circular, if any,  at the time they were or hereafter are filed
     with the Commission complied and will comply in all material respects with
     the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the
     Commission (the "Exchange Act Regulations"), and, when read together with
     the other information in the Offering Circular, at the date of the Offering
     Circular and at the Time of Delivery, will not include an untrue statement
     of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
     therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
     circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(4)  The accountants who certified the financial statements and supporting
     schedules included in the Offering Circular are independent certified
     public accountants with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within
     the meaning of Regulation S-X under the Act.

(5)  Each of the historical financial statements to be included in the Offering
     Circular, together with related schedules and notes, present fairly (on a
     consolidated basis where so indicated) the financial condition of the
     entity or entities to which such financial statement purports to relate
     (the "Reported Entity") at the date(s) indicated and the statement of
     operations (or income or earnings as indicated in the applicable financial
     statement) and cash flows and (in the case of a Reported Entity for which a
     statement of stockholders' equity is included) stockholders' equity (and
     partners' capital if so indicated in the applicable financial statement) of
     the Reported Entity for the period(s) specified; said financial statements
     have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting
     principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods
     involved (except as otherwise indicated in such financial statements).  Any
     supporting schedules to be included in the Offering Circular present fairly
     in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein.  The
     selected historical financial information and the summary historical
     financial information to be included in the Offering Circular present
     fairly the information shown therein and, in the case of historical
     financial data or information of the Company, have been compiled on a basis
     consistent with that of the audited financial statements included in the
     Offering Circular.  The pro forma financial statements and the related
     notes thereto to be included in the Offering Circular present fairly the
     information shown therein, have been prepared in accordance with the
     Commission's rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial
     statements and have been properly compiled on the bases described therein,
     and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the
     adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions
     and circumstances referred to therein.

(6)  The Company has not taken or caused to be taken and will not take or cause
     to be taken, either directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or
     result in, or which action constitutes or which might reasonably be
     expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the market
     price of any security in contravention of any applicable law, including but
     not limited to those actions prohibited by Section 9(a) of the Exchange
     Act, the Exchange Act Regulations and Regulation M promulgated by the
     Commission.

(7)  Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries (as defined below) has
     sustained since the date of the latest financial statements to be included
     or incorporated by reference in the Offering 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     Circular any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion,
     flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any
     labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree which would
     be material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, otherwise
     than as reserved for as disclosed in the Company's financial statements or
     financial statements of certain Subsidiaries to be included in the Offering
     Circular; and since the respective dates as of which information is given
     in the Offering Circular, except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has
     been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise,
     or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company
     and its Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise (a "Material Adverse
     Effect"), whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, (B)
     there has not been any change in the capital stock of the Company or
     increase in the long-term debt (other than accretion or scheduled
     repayments thereof) of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole,
     (C) there have been no transactions entered into by the Company or any of
     the Subsidiaries, other than those in the ordinary course of business,
     which are material with respect to the Company and the Subsidiaries
     considered as one enterprise, and (D) there has been no dividend or
     distribution (except as would permitted under the covenants captioned
     "Description of the Notes - Limitation on Restricted Payments" to be
     contained in the Offering Circular) of any kind declared, paid or made by
     the Company on any class of its capital stock.

            (8)  The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as
     a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and
     has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties
     and to conduct its business as described in the Offering Circular and to
     enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the
     Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and
     is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification
     is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or
     the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in
     good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

            (9)  Each subsidiary of the Company (each, a "Subsidiary")  has 
     been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good
     standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has
     corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and
     to conduct its business as described in the Offering Circular and is duly
     qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good
     standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required,
     whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of
     business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing
     would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; except as otherwise
     disclosed in the Offering Circular, all of the issued and outstanding
     capital stock of each such Subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly
     issued, is fully paid and non-assessable and is owned by the Company,
     directly or through Subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest,
     mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity (except for any
     security interest or pledge contemplated by the Credit Agreement dated
     September 29, 1998 among the Company, United Rentals, United Rentals of
     Canada, Inc. and Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association ("B
     of A"), as U.S. Agent, Bank of America Canada, as Canadian Agent, and
     various financial institutions (the "Credit Agreement") and the Term Loan
     Agreement dated July 10, 1998 between the Company, certain financial
     institutions and B of A, as agent, as amended by the First Amendment to the
     Term Loan Agreement, dated September 29, 1998 (the "Term Loan Agreement"));
     and none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary was

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     issued in violation of the preemptive or similar rights of any security
     holder of such Subsidiary. The only Subsidiaries of the Company (other than
     inactive Subsidiaries) are the Subsidiaries listed in a certificate of
     officers of the Company to be delivered to the Purchasers prior to the Time
     of Delivery and each Subsidiary of the Company which constitutes a
     "significant subsidiary" (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of
     Regulation S-X under the Act); provided, however, that such determination
                                    --------  -------
     shall be made by reference to the Company's pro forma financial statements
     as permitted by Rule 3-05(b)(3) of Regulation S-X (each, a "Significant
     Subsidiary"), is marked with a "*" in such certificate.

             (10) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 3,000
     shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"). As
     of the date hereof, there were 1,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
     The shares of issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company have been
     duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable;
     none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company was issued
     in violation of the preemptive or other similar rights of any security
     holder of the Company. All of the outstanding capital stock of the Company
     is owned by United Rentals, Inc., a corporation duly organized and validly
     existing under the laws of the State of Delaware ("United Rentals"), free
     and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance,
     claim or equity (except for any security interest or pledge contemplated by
     the Credit Agreement or the Term Loan Agreement).

             (11) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
     delivered by the Company .

             (12) The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and each
     Guarantor, and, at the Time of Delivery, will have been duly executed and
     delivered by the Company and each such Guarantor and will constitute a
     valid and binding agreement of the Company and each such Guarantor,
     enforceable against the Company and each such Guarantor in accordance with
     its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,
     insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent
     transfers), reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or
     affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally, or by general
     principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a
     proceeding in equity or at law).

             (13) The Securities have been duly authorized and, at the Time of
     Delivery, will have been duly executed by the Company and, when
     authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered
     against payment of the purchase price therefor will constitute valid and
     binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
     accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be
     limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws
     relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium or other
     similar laws relating to or affecting enforcement of creditors' rights
     generally, or by general principles of equity (regardless of whether
     enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and will be
     in the form contemplated by, and, subject to the foregoing limitations,
     entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture. At the Time of Delivery, the
     Securities will conform in all material respects to the description thereof
     contained in the Offering Circular.

             (14) Each Guaranty has been duly authorized by the applicable
     Guarantor under the laws of its state of incorporation, and, at the Time of
     Delivery, each Guaranty relating to Securities being issued 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     as of Time of Delivery that appears on or is attached to such Securities,
     will have been duly executed by such Guarantor and, when issued in the
     manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered in accordance with this
     Agreement, will constitute a valid and binding obligation of such
     Guarantor, enforceable against such Guarantor in accordance with its terms,
     except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency
     (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers),
     reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting
     enforcement of creditors' rights generally, or by general principles of
     equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in
     equity or at law), and will be in the form contemplated by, and, subject to
     the foregoing limitations, entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture. At
     the Time of Delivery, the Guarantees will conform in all material respects
     to the description thereof contained in the Offering Circular.

             (15) The Exchange Securities have been duly authorized by the
     Company. When the Exchange Securities are issued, executed and
     authenticated in the manner provided for by the terms of the Exchange Offer
     and the Indenture, the Exchange Securities will constitute valid and
     binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
     accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be
     limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws
     relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium or other
     similar laws relating to or affecting enforcement of creditors' rights
     generally, or by general principles of equity (regardless of whether
     enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and will be
     in the form contemplated by, and, subject to the foregoing limitations,
     entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture.

             (16) The Notes Registration Rights Agreement has been duly
     authorized by the Company and each Guarantor, and, at the Time of Delivery,
     will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and each
     Guarantor, and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company
     and each Guarantor, enforceable against the Company and each such Guarantor
     in accordance with its terms except as the enforcement thereof may be
     limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws
     relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium or other
     similar laws relating to or affecting enforcement of creditors' rights
     generally, or by general principles of equity (regardless of whether
     enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). At the Time
     of Delivery, the Notes Registration Rights Agreement will conform in all
     material respects to the description thereof contained in the Offering
     Circular.

             (17) The Securities, the Guarantees and the Indenture will conform
     in all material respects to the respective statements relating thereto
     contained in the Offering Circular.

             (18) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in
     violation of its charter or by-laws or in default in the performance or
     observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in
     any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement,
     note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of
     its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them may be bound, or to
     which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its
     Subsidiaries is subject (collectively, "Agreements and Instruments") except
     for such defaults that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; and
     the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Indenture,
     the Securities, the Guarantees, the Notes Registration Rights Agreement,
     and any other agreement or
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
instrument entered into or issued or to be entered into or issued by the Company
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or in the
Offering Circular and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein
and in the Offering Circular and compliance by the Company with its obligations
hereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not
and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or
both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or a Repayment Event
(as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien,
charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries pursuant to, the Agreements and Instruments except for such
conflicts, breaches or defaults or liens, charges or encumbrances that, singly
or in the aggregate, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect, nor will
such action result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any applicable law, statute, rule,
regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government
instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their assets or properties. As used
herein, a "Repayment Event" means any event or condition which gives the holder
of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting
on such holder's behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or
repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.

             (19) No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of
     its Subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent,
     and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance
     by the employees of any of its or any of its Subsidiaries' principal
     suppliers, manufacturers, customers or contractors, which, in either case,
     may reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

             (20) There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation
     before or by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign,
     now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or
     affecting the Company or any Subsidiary thereof which is required to be
     disclosed in the Offering Circular (other than as will be disclosed
     therein), or which might reasonably be expected to result in a Material
     Adverse Effect, or which might reasonably be expected to materially and
     adversely affect the consummation of this Agreement or the performance by
     the Company of its obligations hereunder. The aggregate of all pending
     legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company or any Subsidiary
     thereof is a party or of which any of their respective property or assets
     is the subject which are not described in the Offering Circular, including
     ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, would not
     reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

             (21) There are no contracts or documents which are required to be
     described in the Offering Circular which will not be so described.

             (22) The Company and its Subsidiaries own or possess, or can
     acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses,
     inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other
     unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information,
     systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or other
     intellectual property (collectively, "Intellectual Property") necessary to
     carry on the business now operated by them, and neither the Company nor any
     of its Subsidiaries has received any notice or is otherwise aware of any
     infringement of or conflict with asserted 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or
circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate
to protect the interest of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries therein, and
which infringement or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable decision,
ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, singly or in the aggregate,
would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

             (23) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license,
order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental
authority or agency is necessary or required for the performance by the Company
of its obligations hereunder or by the Company or any Guarantor in connection
with the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities and Guarantees hereunder
or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except
(i) for filings and qualifications contemplated by the Notes Registration Rights
Agreement, (ii) such as may be required under foreign or state securities or
blue sky laws and (iii) such as may be required after the Time of Delivery
pursuant to the Company's periodic reporting requirements on its Annual Report
on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K to
be filed with the Commission under Sections 13 and 15(d), respectively, of the
Exchange Act.

             (24) The Company and its Subsidiaries possess such permits,
licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively,
"Governmental Licenses") issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or
foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now
operated by them, except where the failure to so possess such Government
Licenses would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;
the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions
of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply would
not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; all of the
Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except when the
invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental
Licenses to be in full force and effect would not have, singly or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation
or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which, singly or in the
aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would
result in a Material Adverse Effect.

             (25) The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable
title to all real property to be described in the Offering Circular as owned by
the Company and its Subsidiaries and good title to all other properties
described in the Offering Circular as owned by them, in each case, free and
clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions
or encumbrances of any kind except such as (a) are pursuant to the Credit
Agreement and the Term Loan Agreement as described in the Offering Circular or
(b) do not, singly or in the aggregate, materially interfere with the use made
and proposed to be made of such property by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries; and all of the leases and subleases material to the business of
the Company and its Subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and under which
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries holds properties described in the
Offering Circular, are in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary has any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been
asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary under
any of the leases or subleases mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the
rights of the 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Company or such Subsidiary to the continued possession of the leased or
subleased premises under any such lease or sublease, which claim, if upheld,
would result in a Material Adverse Effect.


             (26) Neither the Company nor any Guarantor is, or upon the issuance
and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and the application of the net
proceeds therefrom as described in the Offering Circular will be, an "investment
company" or an entity "controlled" by an "investment company" as such terms are
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").

             (27) Except as described in the Offering Circular or except as
would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect: (A)
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any federal,
state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy
or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof,
including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment,
relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including,
without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or
subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and
regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals,
pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances,
petroleum or petroleum products (collectively, "Hazardous Materials") or to the
manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal,
transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, "Environmental
Laws"), (B) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is lacking any
permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable
Environmental Laws or are in violation of the requirements of such Environmental
Laws, (C) there are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company,
threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands,
demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation,
investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (D) to the knowledge of the Company there
are no events or circumstances that might reasonably be expected to form the
basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding
by any private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or any
Environmental Laws.

             (28) Nothing has come to the attention of the Company that has
caused the Company to believe that the statistical and market-related data to be
included in the Offering Circular are not based on or derived from sources that
are reliable and accurate in all material respects.

            (29) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have filed all
necessary federal, state, local and foreign income, payroll, franchise and other
tax returns (after giving effect to extensions) and have paid all taxes shown as
due thereon (except where the failure to so file or pay would not, singly or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect), and there is no tax deficiency
that has been, or to the knowledge of the Company is likely to be, asserted
against the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their properties or
assets that would result in a Material Adverse Effect, except for taxes that are
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to
which the Company has established adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
             (30) The Securities are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A
and will not be, at the Time of Delivery, of the same class as securities listed
on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Exchange
Act, or quoted in a U.S. automated interdealer quotation system. 

             (31) None of the Company, its affiliates, as such term is defined
in Rule 501(b) under the Act ("Affiliates"), or any person acting on its or any
of their behalf (other than the Purchasers, as to whom the Company makes no
representation) has engaged or will engage, in connection with the offering of
the Securities, in any form of general solicitation or general advertising
within the meaning of Rule 502(c) under the Act.

             (32) Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of
the Purchasers set forth in Section 3 hereof and compliance by the Purchasers
with the provisions of Sections 3 hereof, it is not necessary in connection with
the offer, sale and delivery of the Securities to the Purchasers and to any
subsequent purchaser in the manner contemplated by this Agreement and the
Offering Circular to register the Securities under the Act or to qualify the
Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "1939 Act").

             (33) Neither the Company, United Rentals nor any of its
Subsidiaries is or has ever been a Personal Holding Company within the meaning
of Section 542 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

             (34) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received notice
from any insurer providing insurance coverage for the Company and its
Subsidiaries or agent of such insurer that capital improvements or other
expenditures will have to be made in order to continue present insurance
coverage, except such as would not reasonably be expected, singularly or in the
aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

             (35) The Company and its Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal
accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i)
transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation
of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is
permitted only in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with
existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with
respect to any differences.

             (36) Other than pursuant to this Agreement, there are no contracts,
agreements or understandings between either the Company, United Rentals or its
Subsidiaries and any person that give rise to a valid claim against the Company,
United Rentals, any of its Subsidiaries or the Purchasers for a brokerage
commission, finder's fee or other like payment relating to the transactions
contemplated hereby.

             (37) There are no persons with registration rights or other similar
rights to have any debt securities registered pursuant to any registration
statement or otherwise registered by the Company under the Act, except persons
having such rights pursuant to the Notes Registration Rights Agreement, the
Notes 

                                      10
<PAGE>
 
Registration Rights Agreement dated December 15, 1998 between the Company,
certain of the Subsidiaries and the initial purchaser named therein, the Notes
Registration Rights Agreement dated August 12, 1998 between the Company, certain
of the Subsidiaries and the initial purchasers named therein and the Notes
Registration Rights Agreement dated May 22, 1998 between the Company, certain of
the Subsidiaries and the initial purchasers named therein.

             (38) Neither the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any agent
thereof acting on the behalf of any of them, has taken, and none of them will
take, any action that might cause this Agreement or the issuance or sale of the
Securities to violate Regulation T (12 C.F.R. Part 220), Regulation U (12 C.F.R.
Part 221) or Regulation X (12 C.F.R. Part 224) of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System.

            (39) The Offering Circular, as of its date, will contain all the
information specified in, and meeting the requirements of, Rule 144A(d)(4) under
the Act.

            (40) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has violated
any provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended ("ERISA"), or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, except
for such violations which, singly or in the aggregate, would not have a Material
Adverse Effect. If any such plan is adopted, the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the sale of the Securities will not involve any non-exempt
prohibited transaction within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section
4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The representations made
in the preceding sentence are made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy
of, and compliance with, the representations and covenants to be made or deemed
to be made by the purchasers of the Securities as set forth in the Offering
Circular.

             (41) There are, and as of the Time of Delivery, there will be no
agreements containing any limitation on dividends or any other payment
restrictions of the type referred to in clause (vii) of the covenant captioned
"Description of the Notes B Limitation on Dividends and other Payment
Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries" to be contained in the Offering
Circular other than an obligation of the Company or its Subsidiaries to maintain
a minimum net worth contained in contracts or leases entered into in the
ordinary course of business.

             (42) Except as listed on a certificate of officers of the Company
to be delivered to the Purchasers prior to the Time of Delivery, there are and
as of the Time of Delivery, there will be no agreements of the type referred to
in clause (vi) of the second paragraph of the covenant captioned "Description of
the Notes - Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates" to be contained in the
Offering Circular.

             (43) To the best of the Company's knowledge and belief, except as
listed on a certificate of officers of the Company to be delivered to the
Purchasers prior to the Time of Delivery, there are, and as of the Time of
Delivery, there will be no agreements existing of the type referred to in clause
(c) of the definition of "Permitted Indebtedness" under "Description of Notes B
Certain Definitions" to be contained in the Offering Circular. As of the Time of
Delivery, but without giving effect to the issuance of the 

                                      11
<PAGE>
 
Securities and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, the aggregate
outstanding Indebtedness (as defined in the Offering Circular under "Description
of Notes B Certain Definitions") of the Company and its Subsidiaries will not
exceed $1.4 billion. 

             (44) All information contained in the certificates of officers of
the Company to be delivered pursuant to (i), (pp) and (qq) of this Section 1
which would be required to be disclosed in the Offering Circular if the Offering
Circular was a prospectus forming part of a registration statement filed with
the Commission under the Act, has been disclosed in the Offering Circular.

             (45) Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries delivered to the Purchasers or to counsel for the Purchasers
pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the
Company to the Purchasers as to the matters covered thereby.

             (46) With respect to the information systems of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, the Company does not believe that the Year 2000 Problem will have
a Material Adverse Effect or result in any material loss or interference with
the Company's business or operations. In addition, except as disclosed in the
Offering Circular, the Company has no reason to believe that, with respect to
the information systems of any third parties with which the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries has a material relationship, the Year 2000 Problem will have a
Material Adverse Effect or result in any material loss or interference with the
Company's business or operations. The "Year 2000 Problem" as used herein means
any significant risk that computer hardware or software used in the receipt,
transmission, processing, manipulation, storage, retrieval, retransmission or
other utilization of data or in the operation of mechanical or electrical
systems of any kind will not, in the case of dates or time periods occurring
after December 31, 1999, function at least as effectively as in the case of
dates or time periods occurring prior to January 1, 2000.

        2.  Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company
agrees to issue and sell to each of the Purchasers, and each of the Purchasers
agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the purchase
price set forth in Schedule II hereto, the principal amount of Securities set
forth opposite the name of such Purchaser in Schedule I hereto.

        3.  The several Purchasers propose to offer the Securities for sale upon
the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Offering Circular
and each Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to, and agrees with the
Company that:

            (1) It will offer and sell the Securities only to: (i) persons who
it reasonably believes are Aqualified institutional buyers" ("QIBs") within the
meaning of Rule 144A under the Act in transactions meeting the requirements of
Rule 144A or (ii) upon the terms and conditions set forth in Annex I to this
Agreement;

            (2)  It is an institution that is an accredited investor with the
meaning of Rule 501 under the Act; and

                                      12
<PAGE>
 
           (3)  It will not offer or sell the Securities by any form of general
solicitation or general advertising, including but not limited to the methods
described in Rule 502(c) under the Act.

       4.  (a)  The Securities to be purchased by each Purchaser shall be
delivered by or on behalf of the Company to Goldman, Sachs & Co., through the
facilities of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), for the account of such
Purchaser, against payment by or on behalf of such Purchaser of the purchase
price therefor by wire transfer in same day funds or certified or official bank
check or checks, payable to the order of the Company in immediately available
funds. The Company will cause the certificates representing the Securities to be
made available for checking at least twenty-four hours prior to the Time of
Delivery (as defined below) at the office of DTC or its designated custodian
(the "Designated Office"). The Securities to be purchased by each Purchaser
hereunder will be represented by one or more definitive global Securities in
book-entry form which will be deposited by or on behalf of the Trustee with DTC
or its designated custodian. The time and date of such delivery and payment
shall be 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on March 23, 1999 or such other time and
date as Goldman, Sachs & Co. and the Company may agree upon in writing. Such
time and date are herein called the "Time of Delivery."

           (1)  The documents to be delivered at the Time of Delivery by or on
behalf of the parties hereto pursuant to Section 7 hereof, including the cross-
receipt for the Securities and any additional documents requested by the
Purchasers pursuant to Section 7(i) hereof, will be delivered at such time and
date at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, 919 Third
Avenue, New York, New York 10022 (the AClosing Location@), and the Securities
will be delivered at the Designated Office, all at the Time of Delivery. A
meeting will be held at the Closing Location prior to the Time of Delivery, at
which meeting the final drafts of the documents to be delivered pursuant to the
preceding sentence will be available for review by the parties hereto.

       5.  The Company agrees with each of the Purchasers:

           (1)  To prepare the Offering Circular in a form reasonably approved
by you; to make no amendment or any supplement to the Offering Circular which
shall be reasonably disapproved by you promptly after reasonable notice thereof;
and to furnish you with as many copies thereof as you shall reasonably request;

           (2)  Promptly from time to time to take such action as you may
reasonably request to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the
securities laws of such jurisdictions as you may request and to comply with such
laws so as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such
jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of
the Securities, provided that in connection therewith the Company shall not be
required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to
service of process in any jurisdiction;
        
          (3)  To furnish the Purchasers with copies of the Offering Circular
and each amendment or supplement thereto in such quantities as you may from time
to time reasonably request, and if, at any time prior to earlier of (i)
completion of the distribution of the Securities, as notified to you by Goldman,
Sachs & Co., and (ii) the expiration of nine months after the date of the
Offering Circular, any event shall 

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
have occurred as a result of which the Offering Circular as then amended or
supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Offering
Circular is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be
necessary or desirable during such same period to amend or supplement the
Offering Circular, to notify you and upon your request to prepare and furnish
without charge to each Purchaser and to any dealer in securities as many copies
as you may reasonably request of an amended Offering Circular or a supplement to
the Offering Circular which will correct such statement or omission or effect
such compliance;

             (4)  During the period beginning from the date hereof and
continuing 120 days from the date of the Offering Circular, not to offer, sell
contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, except as provided hereunder, any
securities of the Company that are substantially similar to the Securities
without the prior written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co.;

             (5)  Not to be or become, at any time prior to the expiration of
two years after the Time of Delivery, an open-end investment company, unit
investment trust, closed-end investment company or face-amount certificate
company that is or is required to be registered under Section 8 of the
Investment Company Act;

             (6)  At any time when the Company is not subject to Section 13 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act, for the benefit of holders from time to time of
Securities, to furnish at its expense, upon request, to holders of Securities
and prospective purchasers of securities information (the AAdditional Issuer
Information@) satisfying the requirements of subsection (d)(4)(i) of Rule 144A
under the Act;

             (7)  To use its best efforts to cause the Securities to be
eligible for the PORTAL trading system of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc.;

             (8)  During a period of five years from the date of the Offering
Circular, to furnish to you copies of all reports or other communications
(financial or other) furnished to stockholders of the Company generally, and to
deliver to you (i) as soon as they are available, copies of any reports and
financial statements furnished to or filed with the Commission or any securities
exchange on which the Securities or any class of securities of the Company is
listed; and (ii) such additional public information concerning the business and
financial condition of the Company as you may from time to time reasonably
request (such financial statements to be on a consolidated basis to the extent
the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries are consolidated in reports
furnished to its stockholders generally or to the Commission);

             (9)  During the period of two years after the Time of Delivery, the
Company will not, and will not permit any of its "affiliates" (as defined in
Rule 144 under the Securities Act) to, resell any of the Securities which
constitute "restricted securities" under Rule 144 that have been reacquired by
any of them;

                                      14
<PAGE>
 
             (10) The Company shall file, on or prior to 90 days after the Time
of Delivery, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be declared or
become effective under the Act, on or prior to 150 days after the Time of
Delivery, a registration statement providing for the registration of the
Exchange Securities, all in accordance with the terms of the Notes Registration
Rights Agreement; and (1)

             (11) To use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the
     Securities pursuant to this Agreement in the manner specified in the
     Offering Circular under the caption "Use of Proceeds".

     6.  The Company covenants and agrees with the several Purchasers that the
Company will pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the fees, disbursements
and expenses of the Company's counsel and accountants in connection with the
issue of the Securities and all other expenses in connection with the
preparation, printing and filing of  the Offering Circular and any amendments
and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the
Purchasers and dealers; (ii) the cost of printing or producing any Agreement
among Purchasers, this Agreement, the Indenture, the Notes Registration Rights
Agreement, the Blue Sky and Legal Investment Memoranda, closing documents
(including any compilations thereof) and any other documents in connection with
the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the Securities; (iii) all expenses
in connection with the qualification of the Securities for offering and sale
under state securities laws as provided in Section 5(b) hereof, including the
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Purchasers in connection with such
qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky and legal investment surveys;
(iv) any fees charged by securities rating services for rating the Securities;
(v) the cost of preparing the Securities; (vi) the fees and expenses of the
Trustee and any agent of the Trustee and the fees and disbursements of counsel
for the Trustee in connection with the Indenture and the Securities; (vii) any
cost incurred in connection with the designation of the Securities for trading
in PORTAL; and (viii) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance
of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically provided for
in this Section.  It is understood, however, that, except as provided in this
Section, and Sections 8 and 12 hereof, the Purchasers will pay all of their own
costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel, transfer taxes on
resale of any of the Securities by them, and any advertising expenses connected
with any offers they may make.

     7.  The obligations of the Purchasers hereunder shall be subject, in their
discretion, to the condition that all representations and warranties and other
statements of the Company herein are, at and as of the Time of Delivery, true
and correct, the condition that the Company shall have performed all of its
obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed, and the following additional
conditions:

         (1)  Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel for the
Purchasers, shall have furnished to you such opinion or opinions, dated the Time
of Delivery, with respect to the matters as you may reasonably request, and such
counsel shall have received such papers and information as they may reasonably
request to enable them to pass upon such matters;

         (2)  Ehrenreich Eilenberg Krause & Zivian LLP, counsel for the Company,
shall have furnished to you their written opinion, dated the Time of Delivery,
in form and substance satisfactory to you, to the effect set forth in Annex II
hereto;

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
             (3)  Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, counsel for the Company, shall
have furnished to you their written opinion, dated the Time of Delivery, in form
and substance satisfactory to you, to the effect set forth in Annex III hereto;

             (4)  Prior to the Time of Delivery, each accounting firm whose
report is included in the Offering Circular shall have furnished to you a letter
or letters, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof, in form and
substance satisfactory to you, to the effect set forth in Annex IV hereto;

             (5)  (i) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries shall have
sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in
the Offering Circular any loss or interference with its business from fire,
explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from
any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, which would
be material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole otherwise than
as set forth or contemplated in the Offering Circular or reserved for as
disclosed in the Company's financial statements or financial statements of
certain Subsidiaries included in the Offering Circular, and (ii) since the
respective dates as of which information is given in the Offering Circular there
shall not have been any change in the capital stock or long-term debt (other
than accretion thereof and other than borrowings in the ordinary course of
business under the Credit Facility with respect to working capital requirements
for the ongoing operation of the Company and the Subsidiaries) of the Company
and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole or any change, or any development
involving a prospective change, in or affecting the general affairs, management,
financial position, stockholders' equity or results of operations of the Company
and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, otherwise than as set forth or
contemplated in the Offering Circular, the effect of which, in any such case
described in Clause (i) or (ii), is in the judgment of Goldman, Sachs & Co. so
material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with
the offering or the delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner
contemplated in this Agreement and in the Offering Circular;

             (6)  On or after the date hereof (i) no downgrading shall have
occurred in the rating accorded the Company's debt securities by any "nationally
recognized statistical rating organization", as that term is defined by the
Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Act, and (ii) no such
organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or
review, with possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Securities
or any of the Company's debt securities;

             (7)  On or after the date hereof there shall not have occurred any
of the following: (i) a suspension or material limitation in trading in
securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") or on the National
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System; (ii) a suspension
or material limitation in trading in United Rentals' securities on the NYSE;
(iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities declared by either
Federal or New York State authorities; or (iv) the outbreak or escalation of
hostilities involving the United States or the declaration by the United States
of a national emergency or war, if the effect of any such event specified in
this Clause (iv) in the judgment of Goldman, Sachs & Co. makes it impracticable
or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or the delivery of the Securities on
the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Offering Circular;

            (8)  The Securities have been designated for trading on PORTAL;  and

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
             (9)  The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to
you at the Time of Delivery certificates of officers of the Company satisfactory
to you as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company
herein at and as of such Time of Delivery, as to the performance by the Company
of all of its obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to such Time of
Delivery, as to the matters set forth in subsection (e) of this Section and as
to such other matters as you may reasonably request.

         8.  (a)  The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Purchaser
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which
such Purchaser may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out
of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in the Offering Circular, or any amendment or supplement
thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, and will reimburse each Purchaser for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such Purchaser in connection with investigating or
defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent
that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
made in the Offering Circular or any such amendment or supplement in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any
Purchaser through Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for use therein.

             (1) Each Purchaser will indemnify and hold harmless the Company
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in the Offering Circular, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each
case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the
Offering Circular or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Purchaser
through Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for use therein; and will reimburse the
Company for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such
expenses are incurred.

             (2)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under Section
8(a) or 8(b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified
party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in
writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to
any indemnified party otherwise than under such subsection. In case any such
action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be
entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly
with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who
shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the
indemnifying party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such
indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the
indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under such
subsection for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in
each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with
the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. No
indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party,
effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment
with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which
indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the
indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim)
unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional
release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of such action
or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to, or an admission of, fault,
culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party. An
indemnifying party shall not be required to indemnify an indemnified party
hereunder with respect to any settlement or compromise of, or consent to entry
of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in
respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder if (i)
such settlement, compromise or consent is entered into or made or given by the
indemnified party without the consent of the indemnifying party and (ii) the
indemnifying party has not unreasonably withheld or delayed any such consent.

             (3)  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is
unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
subsection (a) or (b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the indemnifying parties on the one hand and the
indemnified parties on the other from the offering of the Securities. If,
however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not
permitted by applicable law or if the indemnified party failed to give the
notice required under Section 8(c) above, then each indemnifying party shall
contribute to such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also
the relative fault of the indemnifying parties on the one hand and the
indemnified parties on the other in connection with the statements or omissions
which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Purchasers on
the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds
from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to
the total discounts and commissions received by the Purchasers, in each case as
set forth herein. The relative fault of a party shall be determined by reference
to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or the Purchasers
on the other and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information
and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company
and the Purchasers agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contributions pursuant to this subsection (d) were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Purchasers were treated as one entity for such purpose)
or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to 

                                      18
<PAGE>
 
above in this subsection (d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party
as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) referred to above in this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), no Purchaser shall be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the
Securities purchased by such Purchaser exceeds the amount of any damages which
such Purchaser has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. The Purchasers'
obligations in this subsection (d) to contribute are several in proportion to
their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

             (4)  The obligations of the Company under this Section 8 shall be
in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall
extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls
any Purchaser within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the
Purchasers under this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which the
respective Purchasers may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms
and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company and to each person,
if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act.

        9.  (a)  If any Purchaser shall default in its obligation to purchase
the Securities which it has agreed to purchase hereunder, you may in your
discretion arrange for you or another party or other parties to purchase such
Securities on the terms contained herein. If within thirty-six hours after such
default by any Purchaser you do not arrange for the purchase of such Securities,
then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of thirty-six hours
within which to procure another party or other parties satisfactory to you to
purchase such Securities on such terms. In the event that, within the respective
prescribed periods, you notify the Company that you have so arranged for the
purchase of such Securities, or the Company notifies you that it has so arranged
for the purchase of such Securities, you or the Company shall have the right to
postpone the Time of Delivery for a period of not more than seven days, in order
to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Offering
Circular, or in any other documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees to
prepare promptly any amendments to the Offering Circular which in your opinion
may thereby be made necessary. The term "Purchaser" as used in this Agreement
shall include any person substituted under this Section with like effect as if
such person had originally been a party to this Agreement with respect to such
Securities.

             (1)  If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase
of the Securities of a defaulting Purchaser or Purchasers by you and the Company
as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate principal amount of such
Securities which remains unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the
aggregate principal amount of all the Securities, then the Company shall have
the right to require each non-defaulting Purchaser to purchase the principal
amount of Securities which such Purchaser agreed to purchase hereunder and, in
addition, to require each non-defaulting Purchaser to purchase its pro rata
share (based on the principal amount of Securities which such Purchaser agreed
to purchase hereunder) of the Securities of such defaulting Purchaser or
Purchasers for which such arrangements have not been made; but nothing herein
shall relieve a defaulting Purchaser from liability for its default.

                                      19
<PAGE>
 
             (2)  If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase
of the Securities of a defaulting Purchaser or Purchasers by you and the Company
as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate principal amount of
Securities which remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate
principal amount of all the Securities, or if the Company shall not exercise the
right described in subsection (b) above to require non-defaulting Purchasers to
purchase Securities of a defaulting Purchaser or Purchasers, then this Agreement
shall thereupon terminate, without liability on the part of any non-defaulting
Purchaser or the Company, except for the expenses to be borne by the Company and
the Purchasers as provided in Section 6 hereof and the indemnity and
contribution agreements in Section 8 hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a
defaulting Purchaser from liability for its default.

        10.  The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties
and other statements of the Company and the several Purchasers, as set forth in
this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to this
Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf
of any Purchaser or any controlling person of any Purchaser, or the Company, or
any officer or director or controlling person of the Company, and shall survive
delivery of and payment for the Securities.

        11.  Goldman, Sachs & Co., on behalf of the Purchasers, prior to the
Time of Delivery, shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby if any Purchaser reasonably objects to any
information contained in the Offering Circular not previously disclosed by the
Company in (i) any document filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15 of the Exchange Act prior to the date of this
Agreement or (ii) the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-70151).
If Goldman, Sachs & Co. terminates this Agreement in accordance with this
Section 11, the Purchasers shall have no liability to the Company or any of its
affiliates.

        12.  If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 9 hereof,
the Company shall not then be under any liability to any Purchaser except as
provided in Sections 6 and 8 hereof, but, if for any other reason the Securities
are not delivered by or on behalf of the Company as provided herein, the Company
will reimburse the Purchasers through you for all out-of-pocket expenses,
including fees and disbursements of counsel, reasonably incurred by the
Purchasers in making preparations for the purchase, sale and delivery of the
Securities, but the Company shall then be under no further liability to any
Purchaser except as provided in Sections 6 and 8 hereof.

        13.  All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be
in writing, and if to the Purchasers shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex
or facsimile transmission to you in care of Goldman, Sachs & Co., 32 Old Slip,
9th Floor, New York, New York 10004, Attention: Registration Department; and if
to the Company shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile
transmission to Four Greenwich Office Park, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830,
Attention: Chief Financial Officer, with a copy to Oscar D. Folger, 521 Fifth
Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, New York 10175; provided however, that any notice
to a Purchaser pursuant tot Section 8(c) hereof shall be delivered or sent by
mail, telex, or facsimile transmission to such Purchaser at its address set
forth in its Purchasers' Questionnaire, or telex constituting such
Questionnaire, which address will be supplied to the Company by you upon
request. Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect
upon receipt thereof.

                                      20
<PAGE>
 
        14.  This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure solely to the
benefit of, the Purchasers, the Company and, to the extent provided in Sections
8 and 10 hereof, the officers and directors of the Company and each person who
controls the Company or any Purchaser, and their respective heirs, executors,
administrators, successors and assigns, and no other person shall acquire or
have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement. No purchaser of any of the
Securities from any Purchaser shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason
merely of such purchase.

        15.  Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement.

        16.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York.

        17.  This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties
hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an
original, but all such respective counterparts shall together constitute one and
the same instrument.

                                      21
<PAGE>
 
     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us ten counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by you,
this letter and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding agreement
among each of the Purchasers and the Company.


                                    Very truly yours,

                                    UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.

                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:



Accepted as of the date hereof:

Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC

By:---------------------------------
          (Goldman, Sachs & Co.)

On behalf of each of the Purchasers
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE I
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
<S>                                                                         <C> 
                                                                            Principal Amount      
Purchaser                                                                   of Securities               
- ---------                                                                   to be Purchased             
                                                                            -------------------          
                                        
 
Goldman, Sachs & Co.....................................................    $     150,000,000
 
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.....................           62,500,000 

NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC...................................           37,500,000 
                                                                                     
Total...................................................................    $     250,000,000  
- -----                                                                      ==================
</TABLE> 
 
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE II

                     UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.


          The purchase price to be paid by the Purchasers for the Securities
shall be 98.385% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities plus
accrued interest from March 23, 1999.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                                                         ANNEX I



     (1) The Securities have not been and will not be registered under the Act
and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the
account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in accordance with Regulation S under
the Act or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the
Act.  Each Purchaser represents that it has offered and sold the Securities, and
will offer and sell the Securities (i) as part of their distribution at any time
and (ii) otherwise until 40 days after the later of the commencement of the
offering and the Time of Delivery, only in accordance with Rule 903 of
Regulation S, Rule 144A or pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this Annex I under the
Act.  Accordingly, each Purchaser agrees that neither it, its affiliates nor any
persons acting on its or their behalf has engaged or will engage in any directed
selling efforts with respect to the Securities, and it and they have complied
and will comply with the offering restrictions requirement of Regulation S.
Each Purchaser agrees that, at or prior to confirmation of sale of Securities
(other than a sale pursuant to Rule 144A) or pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this
Annex I, it will have sent to each distributor, dealer or person receiving a
selling concession, fee or other remuneration that purchases Securities from it
during the distribution compliance period a confirmation or notice to
substantially the following effect:

          "The Securities covered hereby have not been registered under the U.S.
     Securities Act of 1933 (the ASecurities Act@) and may not be offered and
     sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S.
     persons (i) as part of their distribution at any time or (ii) otherwise
     until 40 days after the later of the commencement of the offering and the
     closing date, except in either case in accordance with Regulation S (or
     Rule 144A if available) under the Securities Act.  Terms used above have
     the meaning given to them by Regulation S."

Terms used in this paragraph have the meanings given to them by Regulation S.

     Each Purchaser further agrees that it has not entered and will not enter
into any contractual arrangement with respect to the distribution or delivery of
the Securities, except with its affiliates or with the prior written consent of
the Company.

     (2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Securities in registered form may be
offered, sold and delivered by the Purchasers in the United States and to U.S.
persons pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement without delivery of the written
statement required by paragraph (1) above.

     (3) Each Purchaser further represents and agrees that (i) it has not
offered or sold and prior to the date six months after the date of issue of the
Securities will not offer or sell any Securities to persons in the United
Kingdom except to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring,
holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the
purposes of their businesses or otherwise in circumstances which have not
resulted and will not 

                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
result in an offer to the public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the
Public Offers of Securities Regulations 1995, (b) it has complied, and will
comply, with all applicable provisions of the Financial Services Act of 1986 of
Great Britain with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Securities
in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom, and (c) it has only issued
or passed on and will only issue or pass on in the United Kingdom any document
received by it in connection with the issuance of the Securities to a person who
is of a kind described in Article 11(3) of the Financial Services Act 1986
(Investment Advertisements) (Exemptions) Order 1996 of Great Britain or is a
person to whom the document may otherwise lawfully be issued or passed on.

     (4) Each Purchaser agrees that it will not offer, sell or deliver any of
the Securities in any jurisdiction outside the United States except under
circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable laws thereof,
and that it will take at its own expense whatever action is required to permit
its purchase and resale of the Securities in such jurisdictions.  Each Purchaser
understands that no action has been taken to permit a public offering in any
jurisdiction outside the United States where action would be required for such
purpose.

                                      A-2
<PAGE>
 
                                                                        ANNEX II


                     FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY'S COUNSEL
                   TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 7(b)

     As to various questions of fact material to our opinion, we have relied
upon the certificates of officers and upon certificates of public officials.
With regard to the due incorporation of corporations (other than the Company and
the Significant Subsidiaries) and the good standing of corporations (other than
the Company and the Significant Subsidiaries), we have (subject to the next
sentence) relied entirely upon certificates of public officials.  With regard to
the tax good standing of certain corporations (other than the Company and the
Significant Subsidiaries), we have relied solely upon a certificate of an
officer of such corporation to the effect that the corporation has filed the
most recent annual report required by the law of such jurisdiction and that all
franchise taxes required to be paid under such law have been paid.  We have also
examined such corporate documents and records and other certificates, and have
made such investigations of law, as we have deemed necessary in order to render
the opinion hereinafter set forth.  We have assumed the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures, the
legal capacity of natural persons and the conformity to the originals of all
documents submitted to us as copies.  We have also assumed that all documents
examined by us have been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by
each of the parties thereto other than the Company or any Significant Guarantor.

     The opinions provided in Clause (viii) below, as they concern the
Significant Guarantors (other than those Significant Guarantors incorporated in
the State of New York), may be provided in reliance on the opinions of local
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Purchasers, provided that such opinions
                                                   -------------              
of local counsel are also addressed to and may also be relied upon by the
Purchasers.  We have reviewed such opinions provided by local counsel and, based
upon such review, we believe that you are justified in relying thereon.

     In providing the opinions in Clause (ix) below with respect to Guarantors
(other than Significant Guarantors), such counsel may assume due authorization,
execution and delivery of the Guarantees to be provided by such Guarantors
(other than Significant Guarantors).

     In this opinion, "Significant Guarantor" means any Significant Subsidiary.

                (1)  The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
     existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of
     Delaware.

                                      A-3
<PAGE>
 
        (2)  The Company has corporate power and authority to own, lease and
     operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the
     Offering Circular and to enter into and perform its obligations under the
     Purchase Agreement.

        (3)  The Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact
     business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such
     qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of
     property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify
     or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

        (4)  The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company
     consists of 3,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
     "Common Stock"). As of the date hereof, there were 1,000 shares of Common
     Stock outstanding. The shares of issued and outstanding capital stock of
     the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid
     and non-assessable; and none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of
     the Company was issued in violation of any preemptive or other similar
     rights of any security holder of the Company arising by statute or the
     Company's certificate of incorporation or by-laws or, to the best of our
     knowledge (after due inquiry), any other preemptive or other similar rights
     of any security holder of the Company. All of the outstanding capital stock
     of the Company is owned by United Rentals, to the best of our knowledge
     (after due inquiry) free and clear of any security interest, mortgage,
     pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity (except for any security
     interest or pledge contemplated by the Credit Agreement or the Term Loan
     Agreement).

        (5)  Each Significant Subsidiary is validly existing as a corporation in
     good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and
     is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in
     good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required,
     whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of
     business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing
     would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

        (6)  Each Significant Subsidiary has been duly incorporated and has
     corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and
     to conduct its business as described in the Offering Circular. Except as
     otherwise disclosed in the Offering Circular and other than as contemplated
     by the Credit Agreement or the Term Loan Agreement, all of the issued and
     outstanding capital stock of each Significant Subsidiary has been duly
     authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable and, to
     the best of our knowledge, is owned by the Company, directly or through
     Subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge,
     lien, encumbrance, claim or equity. None of the outstanding shares of
     capital 

                                      A-4
<PAGE>
 
     stock of any Significant Subsidiary was issued in violation of the
     preemptive or similar rights of any security holder of such Significant
     Subsidiary arising pursuant to statute or such Subsidiary's certificate of
     incorporation or by-laws or, to the best of our knowledge, any other
     preemptive or other similar rights of any security holder of such
     Significant Subsidiary.

        (7)  The Purchase Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
     delivered by the Company.

        (8)  The execution, delivery and performance of the Indenture, the Notes
     Registration Rights Agreement and the Guarantees, and the consummation of
     the transactions contemplated thereby, have been duly authorized by all
     necessary corporate action on the part of each Significant Guarantor.  Each
     Significant Guarantor has duly executed and delivered (i) the Indenture,
     (ii) the Notes Registration Rights Agreement and (iii) their respective
     Guarantees relating to the Securities being issued on the date hereof that
     appear on or are attached to such Securities.

        (9)  The Notes Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized,
     executed and delivered by the Company, and constitutes a valid and binding
     agreement of the Company and each Guarantor, enforceable against the
     Company and each Guarantor in accordance with its terms except as the
     enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including,
     without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers),
     reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting
     enforcement of creditors' rights generally, or by general principles of
     equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in
     equity or at law).

        (10) If any documents are incorporated by reference in the Offering
     Circular, such documents (other than the financial statements and
     supporting schedules therein, as to which no opinion need be rendered),
     when they were filed with the Commission, complied as to form in all
     material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules
     and regulations of the Commission thereof.

        (11) To the best of our knowledge, there is not pending or threatened
     any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, to which the
     Company or any Subsidiary is a party, or to which the property or assets of
     the Company or any Subsidiary thereof is subject, before or brought by any
     court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, which might
     reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which
     might reasonably be expected to materially and 

                                      A-5
<PAGE>
 
     adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the
     Purchase Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations
     thereunder or the transactions contemplated by the Offering Circular;

        (12) The information in the Offering Circular under
     "BusinessCEnvironmental Regulation," to the extent that it constitutes
     summaries of matters of law, has been reviewed by us and is correct in all
     material respects. Additionally, the information in the Offering Circular
     in the first sentence of the third paragraph under the caption "Exchange
     Offer; Registration Rights" is correct in all material respects. We have
     drawn your attention to the fact that (i) the interpretations of the
     Commission described in such sentence are contained solely in no-action
     letters issued by the Commission to various third parties, (ii) the Company
     has not requested a no-action letter from the Commission relating to the
     transactions contemplated by the Offering Circular and (iii) the Commission
     is not precluded from changing the interpretations set forth in such no-
     action letters or from not following such interpretations with respect to
     the transactions contemplated by the Offering Circular. The statements set
     forth in the Offering Circular under the caption "Exchange Offer;
     Registration Rights," insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of
     the terms of the Notes, the Guarantees, and the Notes Registration Rights
     Agreement, are accurate summaries in all respects of such terms.

         (13) To the best of our knowledge (after due inquiry), neither the
     Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation of its charter or by-laws.

         (14) To the best of our knowledge, neither United Rentals, the Company
     nor any Subsidiary thereof is in default in the due performance or
     observance of, or is in violation of, any material obligation, agreement,
     covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan
     agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument that is described
     or referred to in the Offering Circular or incorporated by reference
     therein which violations or defaults are required to be described in the
     Offering Circular and are not so described or would, individually or in the
     aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect or effect the validity of the
     Securities or the Guarantees.

         (15) No filing (except for filings under the Act and 1939 Act pursuant
     to the Notes Registration Rights Agreement), authorization, approval,
     consent or order of any court or governmental authority or agency (other
     than such as may be required under the applicable securities laws of the
     various jurisdictions in which the Securities will be offered or sold, as
     to which we need express no opinion) is required by the Company in
     connection with the due authorization, execution and delivery of the
     Purchase Agreement or by the Company or any Guarantor in connection with
     the 

                                      A-6
<PAGE>
 
     due authorization, execution, delivery or performance of the Indenture or
     the Notes Registration Rights Agreement or in connection with the offering,
     issuance, sale or delivery of the Securities and the Guarantees, as
     applicable, to the Purchasers or the resale thereof by the Purchasers in
     accordance with the Purchase Agreement.

         (16) Assuming (a) the accuracy of the representations and warranties of
     the Purchasers contained in Sections 3 of the Purchase Agreement and (b)
     compliance by the Purchasers with their covenants and agreements set forth
     in the Purchase Agreement, it is not necessary in connection with the
     offer, sale and delivery of the Securities to the Purchasers pursuant to
     the Purchase Agreement or the initial resales of the Securities by the
     Purchasers in the manner contemplated by and in accordance with the
     Purchase Agreement to register the Securities under the Act or to qualify
     the Indenture under the 1939 Act, it being understood that we express no
     opinion as to any subsequent resale of the Securities.

        (17) The execution, delivery and performance of the Purchase Agreement,
     the letter agreement with DTC, the Indenture, the Notes Registration Rights
     Agreement, the Securities, the Exchange Securities, the Guarantees and the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Purchase Agreement and
     in the Offering Circular and compliance by the Company and each Guarantor,
     as applicable, with its obligations under the Purchase Agreement, the
     Indenture, the Notes Registration Rights Agreement, the Securities, the
     Exchange Securities and the Guarantees, (A) after reasonable investigation,
     do not and will not (subject to the next sentence), whether with or without
     the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, conflict with or constitute
     a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as defined in Section 1(r) of
     the Purchase Agreement) under or result in the creation or imposition of
     any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company
     or any Subsidiary thereof pursuant to any contract, indenture, mortgage,
     deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or any other agreement
     or instrument, known to us, to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
     is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of
     the property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by
     which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or
     assets of the Company or any Subsidiary is subject (except for such
     conflicts, breaches or defaults, Repayment Events or liens, charges or
     encumbrances that would not have a Material Adverse Effect), (B) result in
     any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company or
     any Subsidiary, or (C) to the best of our knowledge (after due inquiry),
     result in any violation of the provisions of any applicable law, statute,
     rule or regulation of the United States of America or included in the
     Delaware General Corporate Law (except we express no opinion as to "blue
     sky" laws), judgment, order, writ or decree, known to us, of any
     government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign,

                                      A-7
<PAGE>
 
     having jurisdiction over the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their
     respective properties, assets or operations. No opinion is rendered
     pursuant to clause (A) of the preceding sentence with respect to the Credit
     Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement, the Participation Agreement, the
     Indenture governing the Company's 92% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008
     (the "92% Notes Indenture"), the Indenture governing the Company's 8.80%
     Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the "8.80% Notes Indenture") or the
     Indenture governing the 93% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009 (the "93%
     Notes Indenture") (or any agreement or instrument entered into or executed
     by the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Term
     Loan Agreement, the Participation Agreement, the 92% Notes Indenture, the
     8.80% Notes Indenture or the 93% Notes Indenture, or as contemplated
     thereby).

        (18) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary which is a Guarantor is an
     "investment company" or an entity "controlled" by an "investment company,"
     as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act.

        In addition, we have participated in conferences with officers and
representatives of the Company, counsel to the Purchasers, representatives of
the independent accountants for the Company and the Purchasers at which the
contents of the Offering Circular and related matters were discussed. Although
we have not undertaken, except as otherwise indicated in this opinion, to
investigate or verify independently, and do not assume responsibility for, the
accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Offering
Circular, except for those referred to in Clause (xii) above, on the basis of
the information that we gained in the course of the performance of such services
and our representation of the Company, we confirm to you that nothing that came
to our attention in the course of such review or representation has caused us to
believe that (i) the Offering Circular (except for financial statements and
schedules and other financial data included or incorporated by reference
therein, if any, as to which we make no statement), contained an untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or
that the Offering Circular or any amendment or supplement thereto (except for
financial statements and schedules and other financial data included or
incorporated by reference therein, if any, as to which such counsel need make no
statement), at the time the Offering Circular was issued, at the time any such
amended or supplemented Offering Circular was issued or at the Time of Delivery,
included or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits
to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or
(ii) that there are any franchise agreements, indentures, mortgages, loan
agreements, notes, leases or other contracts or instruments required to be
described or referred to in the Offering Circular that are not described or
referred to in the Offering Circular or that any descriptions of or references
to any of the foregoing are not correct in all material respects (except that we
express no view with respect to the descriptions of the Notes, the Indenture,
the Credit Agreement, the Term 

                                      A-8
<PAGE>
 
Loan Agreement, the Participation Agreement, the 92% Notes Indenture, the 8.80%
Notes Indenture or the 93% Notes Indenture contained in the Offering Circular).

     In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely, as to matters of fact
(but not as to legal conclusions), to the extent they deem proper, on
certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public officials.  Such
opinion shall not state that it is to be governed or qualified by, or that it is
otherwise subject to, any treatise, written policy or other document relating to
legal opinions, including, without limitation, the Legal Opinion Accord of the
ABA Section of Business Law (1991).  Such counsel may in addition rely, as to
all matters governed by the laws of jurisdictions other than the law of the
State of New York, the federal law of the United States and the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, upon the opinions of counsel
reasonably satisfactory to counsel to the Purchasers.

                                      A-9
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       ANNEX III


                     FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY'S COUNSEL
                   TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 7(c)

        (19) The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and has all
requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties
and to carry on its business as described in the Offering Circular and to enter
into and perform its obligations under the Purchase Agreement.

        (20) The Securities are in the form contemplated by the Indenture.  The
Securities have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the
part of the Company and, when executed by the Company, authenticated by the
Trustee, and issued and delivered in the manner provided in the Purchase
Agreement and the Indenture against payment of the consideration therefor, will
constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the
Company in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws
affecting creditors' rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to
enforceability, to general principles of equity, including principles of
commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether
enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity), and will be entitled
to the benefits of the Indenture.

        (21) The Guarantees are in the form contemplated by the Indenture.
Assuming the Guarantees have been duly authorized, executed and delivered on the
part of each Guarantor, the Guarantees will constitute a valid and binding
obligation of each such Guarantor, enforceable against each such Guarantor in
accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting
creditors' rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to
general principles of equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness,
good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a
proceeding at law or in equity), and will be entitled to the benefits of the
Indenture.

       (22) The execution, delivery and performance of the Purchase Agreement by
the Company have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the
part of the Company. The Purchase Agreement has been duly and validly executed
and delivered by the Company. 

                                     A-10
<PAGE>
 
        (23) The execution, delivery and performance of the Indenture by the
Company has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part
of the Company. The Indenture has been duly and validly executed and delivered
by the Company. Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of the
Indenture by each Guarantor and assuming the due authorization, execution and
delivery thereof by the Trustee, the Indenture constitutes the legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Company and each such Guarantor, enforceable against
the Company and each such Guarantor in accordance with its terms, subject to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies generally,
and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, including
principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless
of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity), and
except to the extent that the provision relating to the waiver of any usury,
stay or extension law may be deemed unenforceable.

        (24) The execution, delivery and performance of the Notes Registration
Rights Agreement by the Company has been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of the Company. The Notes Registration Rights
Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company.
Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the
Guarantors, and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof
by the Purchasers, the Notes Registration Statements constitutes the legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Company and each such Guarantor, enforceable
against the Company and each such Guarantor in accordance with its terms,
subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors' rights and
remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of
equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair
dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or
in equity) and except that rights to indemnification and contribution thereunder
may be limited by federal or state securities laws or public policy relating
thereto.


        (25) The Exchange Securities, when duly executed by the Company,
authenticated by the Trustee, and issued and delivered in accordance with and in
the manner provided in the Notes Registration Rights Agreement and the
Indenture, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies generally,
and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, including
principles of commercial reasonableness, 



                                     A-11
<PAGE>
 

good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a
proceeding at law or in equity), and will be entitled to the benefits of the
Indenture.

        (26) The statements contained in the Offering Circular under the
captions "Offering Circular Summary B The Offering", "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and
Capital Resources - Description of Credit Facility and Certain Indebtedness,"
"Description of the Notes" and "Exchange Offer; Registration Rights," insofar as
they purport to describe provisions of the Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees,
the Notes Registration Rights Agreement, the Credit Agreement, the Term Loan
Agreement, the 92% Notes Indenture, the 8.80% Notes Indenture, the 93% Notes
Indenture or matters of federal or New York or Delaware corporate law,
constitute a fair and accurate summary thereof in all material respects. We have
drawn your attention to the fact that (i) the interpretations of the Commission
described in the first sentence of the third paragraph under the caption
"Exchange Offer: Registration Rights" in the Offering Circular are contained
solely in no-action letters issued by the Commission to various third parties,
(ii) the Company has not requested a no-action letter from the Commission
relating to the transactions contemplated by the Offering Circular and (iii) the
Commission is not precluded from changing the interpretations set forth in such
no-action letters or from not following such interpretations with respect to the
transactions contemplated by the Offering Circular.

        (27) No consent, approval, waiver, license or authorization or other
action by or filing with any New York, Delaware corporate or federal
governmental authority is required in connection with the execution and delivery
by the Company of the Purchase Agreement or the consummation by the Company or
any Guarantor of the transactions contemplated thereby, except for filings and
other actions required under or pursuant to the Act, the Exchange Act, the 1939
Act and other federal or state securities or "blue sky" laws and the rules of
the New York Stock Exchange, as to which we express no opinion.

        (28) Assuming (a) the accuracy of the representations and warranties of
the Purchasers contained in Section 3 of the Purchase Agreement and (b)
compliance by the Purchasers with its covenants and agreements set forth in the
Purchase Agreement, it is not necessary in connection with the offer, sale and
delivery of the Securities to the Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement
or the initial resales of the Securities by the Purchasers in the manner
contemplated by and in accordance with the Purchase Agreement to register the
Securities under the Act or to qualify the Indenture under the 1939 Act, it
being understood that we express no opinion as to any subsequent resale of the
Securities. 

                                     A-12
<PAGE>
 
        (29) The Company is not an "investment company" nor an entity
"controlled" by an "investment company ," as such terms are defined in the 1940
Act.

        (30) The execution and delivery of the Purchase Agreement, the
Indenture, the Notes Registration Rights Agreement, the Securities, the Exchange
Securities and the Guarantees, the consummation of the transactions contemplated
thereby and compliance by the Company and the Guarantors with the provisions
thereof, do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or
lapse of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or a default or
Repayment Event (as defined in Section 1(r) of the Purchase Agreement) under or
result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any
property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof pursuant to the
Financing Documents (as defined below), except for such conflicts, breaches,
defaults, Repayment Events, liens, charges or encumbrances that would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. As used above, the
term "Financing Documents" means, collectively: (a) the Credit Agreement, dated
as of September 29, 1998, among the Company, United Rentals, Inc., United
Rentals of Canada, Inc., various financial institutions, Bank of America
National Trust and Savings Association ("BofA"), as U.S. agent, and Bank of
America Canada, as Canadian agent; (b) the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of July
10, 1998 and as amended as of September 29, 1998, among the Company, United
Rentals, Inc., various financial institutions, and BofA, as agent; (c) the
Participation Agreement, dated as of December 31, 1998, among U.S. Rentals,
Inc., the Company, United Rentals, Inc. and Deutsche Bank AG and certain of its
affiliates; (d) the Indenture, dated as of May 22, 1998, among the Company, its
subsidiaries party thereto, and State Street Bank and Trust Company (the
"Trustee") relating to the Company's 92% senior subordinated notes due 2008; (e)
the Indenture, dated as of August 12, 1998, among the Company, its subsidiaries
party thereto, and the Trustee relating to the Company's 8.80% senior
subordinated notes due 2008; (f) the Indenture, dated as of December 15, 1998,
among the Company, its subsidiaries party thereto, and the Trustee relating to
the Company's 93% senior subordinated notes due 2009 and (g) any agreement or
instrument which was entered into or executed by the Company or any such
Subsidiary as required under or contemplated by any Financing Document.

     We have participated in conferences with officers and other representatives
of the Company and representatives of the independent public accountants for the
Company in connection with the preparation of the Offering Circular and although
we have not independently verified and are not passing upon and assume no
responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements
contained in the Offering Circular (except to the extent specified in paragraph
8 above) no facts have come to our attention which lead us to believe that the
Offering Circular, at any time from the date thereof through the Time of
Delivery, contained any untrue statement of a material fact 

                                     A-13
<PAGE>
 
or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading (it being understood that we express no
view with respect to the financial statements and related notes and the other
financial and accounting data included in the Offering Circular).

     The opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws of the State of New
York, the corporate laws of the State of Delaware and the federal laws of the
United States, and we express no opinion as to the effect on the matters covered
by this letter of the laws of any other jurisdiction.


                                     A-14
<PAGE>
 
                                                                        ANNEX IV

     Pursuant to Section 7(d) of the Purchase Agreement, the accountants shall
furnish letters to the Purchasers to the effect that:

        (31) They are independent certified public accountants with respect to
     the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of the Securities
     Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and the applicable published
     rules and regulations thereunder;

        (32) In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements and financial
     statement schedules audited by us and included in the Offering Circular
     comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements
     of the Exchange Act and the related published rules and regulations
     thereunder, and, if applicable, we have made a review in accordance with
     standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public
     Accountants of the unaudited, consolidated interim financial statements,
     selected financial data, pro forma financial information, financial
     forecasts and/or condensed financial statements derived from audited
     financial statements of the Company for the periods specified in such
     letter, as indicated in their reports thereon, copies of which have been
     furnished to the Purchasers hereto;

        (33) We have made a review in accordance with standards established by
     the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants of the unaudited
     condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets
     and consolidated statements of cash flows included in the Offering Circular
     as indicated in their reports thereon copies of which have been separately
     furnished to the Purchasers and on the basis of specified procedures
     including inquiries of officials of the Company who have responsibility for
     financial and accounting matters regarding whether the unaudited condensed
     consolidated financial statements referred to in paragraph (vi) below
     comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
     requirements of the Act and the related published rules and regulations,
     nothing came to our attention that caused us to believe that the unaudited
     condensed consolidated financial statements do not comply as to form in all
     material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act
     and the related published rules and regulations;

        (34) The unaudited selected financial information with respect to the
     consolidated results of operations and financial position of the Company
     for the five most recent fiscal years included in the Offering Circular
     agrees with the corresponding amounts (after restatements where applicable)
     in the audited consolidated financial statements for such five fiscal
     years;

                                     A-15
<PAGE>
 
        (35) We have compared the information in the Offering Circular under
selected captions with the disclosure requirements of Regulation S-K and on the
basis of limited procedures specified in such letter nothing came to our
attention as a result of the foregoing procedures that caused them to believe
that this information does not conform in all material respects with the
disclosure requirements of Items 301, 302, 402 and 503(d), respectively, of
Regulation S-K;

        (36) On the basis of limited procedures not constituting an audit in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, consisting of a reading
of the unaudited financial statements and other information referred to below, a
reading of the latest available interim financial statements of the Company and
its subsidiaries, inspection of the minute books of the Company and its
subsidiaries since the date of the latest audited financial statements included
in the Offering Circular, inquiries of officials of the Company and its
subsidiaries responsible for financial and accounting matters and such other
inquiries and procedures as may be specified in such letter, nothing came to
their attention that caused them to believe that:

             (1)  the unaudited consolidated statements of income, consolidated
        balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows included in the
        Offering Circular are not in conformity with generally accepted
        accounting principles applied on the basis substantially consistent with
        the basis for the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income,
        consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows
        included in the Offering Circular;
                                                                            
            (2)   any other unaudited income statement data and balance sheet
        items included in the Offering Circular do not agree with the
        corresponding items in the unaudited consolidated financial statements
        from which such data and items were derived, and any such unaudited data
        and items were not determined on a basis substantially consistent with
        the basis for the corresponding amounts in the audited consolidated
        financial statements included in the Offering Circular;

            (3)  the unaudited financial statements which were not included in
        the Offering Circular but from which were derived any unaudited
        condensed financial statements referred to in Clause (A) and any
        unaudited income statement data and balance sheet items included in the
        Offering Circular and referred to in Clause (B) were not determined on a
        basis substantially consistent with the basis for the audited
        consolidated financial statements included in the Offering Circular;

                                     A-16
<PAGE>
 
            (4)  any unaudited pro forma consolidated condensed financial
     statements included in the Offering Circular do not comply as to form in
     all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements or the
     pro forma adjustments have not been properly applied to the historical
     amounts in the compilation of those statements;

            (5)  as of a specified date not more than five days prior to the
     date of such letter, there have been any changes in the consolidated
     capital stock (other than issuances of capital stock upon exercise of
     options and stock appreciation rights, upon earn-outs of performance shares
     and upon conversions of convertible securities, in each case which were
     outstanding on the date of the latest financial statements included in the
     Offering Circular or any increase in the consolidated long-term debt of the
     Company and its subsidiaries, or any decreases in consolidated net current
     assets or stockholders' equity or other items specified by the Purchasers,
     or any increases in any items specified by the Purchasers, in each case as
     compared with amounts shown in the latest balance sheet included in the
     Offering Circular except in each case for changes, increases or decreases
     which the Offering Circular discloses have occurred or may occur or which
     are described in such letter; and

          (6)  for the period from the date of the latest financial statements
     included in the Offering Circular to the specified date referred to in
     Clause (E) there were any decreases in consolidated net revenues or
     operating profit or the total or per share amounts of consolidated net
     income or other items specified by the Purchasers, or any increases in any
     items specified by the Purchasers, in each case as compared with the
     comparable period of the preceding year and with any other period of
     corresponding length specified by the Purchasers, except in each case for
     decreases or increases which the Offering Circular discloses have occurred
     or may occur or which are described in such letter; and

     (37) In addition to the examination referred to in their report(s) included
in the Offering Circular and the limited procedures, inspection of minute books,
inquiries and other procedures referred to in paragraphs (iii) and (iv) above,
they have carried out certain specified procedures, not constituting an audit in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, with respect to certain
amounts, percentages and financial information specified by the Purchasers,
which are derived from the general accounting records of the Company and its
subsidiaries, which appear in the Offering Circular, and have compared certain
of such amounts, percentages and



                                     A-17
<PAGE>
 
financial information with the accounting records of the Company and its
subsidiaries and have found them to be in agreement.

                                     A-18

<PAGE>
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 21


                             UNITED RENTALS, INC.
                                Subsidiary List


THOSE CORPORATIONS WHICH ARE INDENTED REPRESENT SUBSIDIARIES OF THE CORPORATION
UNDER WHICH THEY ARE INDENTED.  

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   State of 
                                                                   --------
                Name of Subsidiary                               Incorporation
                ------------------                               -------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

United Rentals Trust I                                          Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Rentals (North America), Inc.                            Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     A&A Tool Rentals & Sales, Inc.                             California
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     ACG, Inc.                                                  Indiana
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Adco Equipment, Inc.                                       California
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Arrow Equipment Company                                    Illinois
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Bakersfield Compaction Equipment                           California
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Blast Abrasives and Equipment Corp.                        Indiana
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     BNR Equipment, Inc.                                        New York
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Churchman Equipment Co.                                    Indiana
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Coran Enterprises, Incorporated (d/b/a A-1Rents)           California
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Dealers Service Company                                    New Jersey
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Empire Equipment Rental & Ready Mix, Inc.                  California
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Forte, Inc.                                                Washington
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Grand Valley Equipment Co.                                 Michigan
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     High Lift Equipment, Inc.                                  Wisconsin
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     High Reach Co., Inc.                                       Pennsylvania
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Independent Scissor Lifts, Inc.                            California
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     JBK, Inc.                                                  Ohio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Kubota of Grand Rapids, Inc.                               Michigan
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Loftin's Rent-All, Inc.                                    Alabama
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Madison Equipment Sales and Rental, Inc.                   Alabama
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Mark Equipment, Inc.                                       Alabama
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Mercer Equipment Company                                   North Carolina
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Misco Rents, Inc.                                          Indiana
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Mission Valley Rentals, Inc.                               California
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Palmer Equipment Company, Inc.                             Michigan
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Paul E. Carlson, Inc.                                      Minnesota
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Powers Rentals & Sales, Inc.                               California
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Rental Tools & Equipment Co. International, Inc.           Maryland
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Rentals Unlimited, Incorporated                            Rhode Island
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Rosedale Equipment Rental, Inc.                            California
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Space Maker Systems of Va., Inc.                           Virginia
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Thoesen Equipment Inc.                                     Illinois
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Tool Center of Texas, Inc.                                 Texas
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Tool Shed of Greenfield, Inc.                              Indiana
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Tool Shed of Indianapolis, Inc.                            Indiana
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Trench Safety Equipment Corp.                              Arizona
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     United Equipment Rental of Houston, Inc.                   Texas
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     United Rentals, Inc.                                       Washington
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     United Rentals Aerial Equipment, Inc.                      Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     United Rentals Northwest, Inc.                             Oregon
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     United Rentals of Canada, Inc.                             Ontario
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     United Rentals of Canada (Quebec), Inc.                    Quebec
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     United Rentals of Colorado, Inc.                           Colorado
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     United Rentals of Kentucky, Inc.                           Kentucky
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     United Rentals of Nevada, Inc.                             Nevada
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     United Rentals of New England, Inc.                        New York
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     United Rentals of Southern California, Inc.                California
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     United Rentals of Utah, Inc.                               Utah
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     United Rentals of Western Canada, Inc.                     Canada
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     U.S. Rentals, Inc.                                         Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       California Equipment Rental Co.                          California
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Provisto, S. de R.L. de C.V.                             Mexico
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       U.S. Rentals, S. de R.L. de C.V.                         Mexico
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Westside Rentals, Inc.                                     Tennessee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     W-W Rentals, Inc.                                          Tennessee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Wynne Systems, Inc.                                        California
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
 
                                                                      Exhibit 23

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements of
United Rentals, Inc. (Form S-3 No.'s 333-41419-99, 333-70151, 333-70255 and 333-
64463), the Registration Statement of United Rentals, Inc. (Form S-8 No. 333-
70345) pertaining to the 1997 Stock Option Plan, 1998 Stock Option Plan, and
1998 Supplemental Stock Option Plan, and the Registration Statement of United
Rentals, Inc. (Form S-8 No. 333-74091) pertaining to the options outstanding in
connection with the 1997 Performance Award Plan of U.S. Rentals assumed pursuant
to the merger with U.S. Rentals, of our report dated February 17, 1999, except
for Note 17, as to which the date is February 26, 1999 with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of United Rentals, Inc. included in its Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1998, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
of United Rentals (North America), Inc. (Form S-4 No. 333-74275) of our report
dated February 17, 1999 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
United Rentals (North America), Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K)
for the year ended December 31, 1998, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


                                                        /s/ Ernst & Young LLP



MetroPark, New Jersey
March 25, 1999

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001067701
<NAME> United Rentals, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          20,410
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  274,483
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<INVENTORY>                                     70,994
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<PP&E>                                       1,737,389
<DEPRECIATION>                                 408,872
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,634,663
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                      1,314,574
                          300,000
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           684
<OTHER-SE>                                     725,546
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,634,663
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<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,220,282
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<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  796,834
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<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 78,297
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<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             34,798
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<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,461
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.18
        

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<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001047166
<NAME> United Rentals (North America), Inc.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          20,410
<SECURITIES>                                         0
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<DEPRECIATION>                                 407,902
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,603,470
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
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                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (5,097)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                22,530
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              64,157
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 86,906
<INCOME-TAX>                                    46,971
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             39,935
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 21,337
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,598
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>


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