ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL LP
S-4/A, 1998-12-22
EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASING, NEC
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<PAGE>

   
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 22, 1998     

                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-64993
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                  -----------
                                
                             AMENDMENT NO. 2     
                                      TO
                                   FORM S-4
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                                  -----------

                          ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

       PENNSYLVANIA                  7353                   25-1739175
     (STATE OR OTHER    (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL     (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
     JURISDICTION OF     CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)  IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
     INCORPORATION OR
      ORGANIZATION)




                             1165 CAMP HOLLOW ROAD
                       WEST MIFFLIN, PENNSYLVANIA 15122
                           TELEPHONE: (412) 469-3700
   (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                 OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

                                  -----------

                                RAY G. ANTHONY
                             1165 CAMP HOLLOW ROAD
                       WEST MIFFLIN, PENNSYLVANIA 15122
                           TELEPHONE: (412) 469-3700
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                                   COPY TO:
                                 LANCE C. BALK
                               KIRKLAND & ELLIS
                             153 EAST 53RD STREET
                         NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022-4675
                           TELEPHONE: (212) 446-4800

                                  -----------

  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

  If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance
with General Instruction G, check the following box. [_]

                                  -----------

  THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

(continued from previous page)

                       ANTHONY CRANE CAPITAL CORPORATION
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

          DELAWARE                        7353                  25-1817804
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION   (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL  (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
     OF INCORPORATION OR       CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)   IDENTIFICATION
        ORGANIZATION)                                            NUMBER)





                      ANTHONY CRANE SALES & LEASING, L.P.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

        PENNSYLVANIA                      7353                   25-1790394
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION   (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL   (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
     OF INCORPORATION OR        CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)    IDENTIFICATION
        ORGANIZATION)                                              NUMBER)





                       ANTHONY CRANE INTERNATIONAL, L.P.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

        PENNSYLVANIA                       7353                  25-1790393
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION    (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL  (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
     OF INCORPORATION OR        CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)    IDENTIFICATION
        ORGANIZATION)                                              NUMBER)





              ANTHONY INTERNATIONAL EQUIPMENT SERVICES CORPORATION
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

          DELAWARE                         7353                   25-1817473
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION   (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL    (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
     OF INCORPORATION OR        CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)     IDENTIFICATION
        ORGANIZATION)                                               NUMBER)





                      ANTHONY SALES & LEASING CORPORATION
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

          DELAWARE                                             25-1817475
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION       7353                      (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
     OF INCORPORATION OR      (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL    IDENTIFICATION
        ORGANIZATION)         CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)         NUMBER)





<PAGE>

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

                           ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
                       ANTHONY CRANE CAPITAL CORPORATION
 OFFER TO EXCHANGE THEIR SERIES B 10 3/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2008 FOR ANY AND ALL
          OF THEIR OUTSTANDING SERIES A 10 3/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2008

                                  ----------
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON     , 1998,
                                UNLESS EXTENDED.

                                  ----------

  Anthony Crane Rental, L.P., a Pennsylvania limited partnership ("ACR" or the
"Company"), and Anthony Crane Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation and
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company ("AC Capital Corp." and, together with
the Company, the "Issuers"), hereby offer (the "Exchange Offer"), upon the
terms and conditions set forth in this Prospectus (the "Prospectus") and the
accompanying Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), to exchange
$1,000 principal amount of its Series B 10 3/8% Senior Notes due 2008 (the
"Exchange Notes"), which will have been registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), pursuant to a Registration Statement
of which this Prospectus is a part, for each $1,000 principal amount of its
outstanding Series A 10 3/8% Senior Notes due 2008 (the "Notes"), of which
$155,000,000 principal amount is outstanding. The form and terms of the
Exchange Notes are the same as the form and term of the Notes (which they
replace) except that the Exchange Notes will have been registered under the
Securities Act and, therefore, will not bear legends restricting their transfer
and will not contain certain provisions relating to an increase in the interest
rate which were included in the terms of the Notes in certain circumstances
relating to the timing of the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Notes will evidence
the same debt as the Notes (which they replace) and will be issued under and be
entitled to the benefits of the Indenture dated July 22, 1998 among the
Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined) and State Street Bank and Trust
Company, as trustee (the "Indenture"), governing the Notes. See "The Exchange
Offer" and "Description of Exchange Notes."

  The Exchange Notes will be general unsecured obligations of the Issuers, will
rank pari passu in right of payment to all existing and future senior unsecured
indebtedness of the Issuers and will rank senior in right of payment to all
existing and future subordinated indebtedness of the Issuers. The Issuers'
obligations under the Exchange Notes will be jointly and severally guaranteed
(the "Subsidiary Guarantees") by the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Subsidiary
Guarantees will be general unsecured obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors
and will rank pari passu in right of payment to all existing and future senior
unsecured indebtedness of the Subsidiary Guarantors and senior in right of
payment to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness of the Subsidiary
Guarantors. The Exchange Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, however, will be
effectively subordinated to all secured obligations of the Issuers and the
Subsidiary Guarantors, including borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities,
to the extent of the assets securing such obligations. As of September 30,
1998, after giving effect to the Transactions, the Exchange Notes have been
effectively subordinated to $194.9 million of secured obligations (including a
capital lease obligation) of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. Upon
closing of the Exchange Offer, the Company has approximately $131.0 million
available for additional borrowing under the Senior Credit Facilities. Neither
Issuer has issued, and does not have any current firm arrangements to issue,
any indebtedness to which the Exchange Notes would rank senior or pari passu in
right of payment. See "Capitalization" and "Description of Senior Credit
Facilities."

  The Issuers will accept for exchange any and all Notes validly tendered and
not withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on    , 1998, unless
extended by the Issuers in their sole discretion (the "Expiration Date").
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuers will not extend the Expiration Date
beyond    , 1998. Tenders of Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00
p.m. on the Expiration Date. The Exchange Offer is subject to certain customary
conditions. The Notes were sold by the Issuers on July 22, 1998 (the "Note
Offering") to the Initial Purchasers (as defined) in a transaction not
registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon an exemption under the
Securities Act. The Initial Purchasers subsequently placed the Notes with
qualified institutional buyers in reliance upon Rule 144A under the Securities
Act and in offshore transactions pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities
Act. Accordingly, the Notes may not be reoffered, resold or otherwise
transferred in the United States unless registered under the Securities Act or
unless an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act is available. The Exchange Notes are being offered hereunder in
order to satisfy the obligations of the Issuers under the Registration Rights
Agreement entered into by the Issuers in connection with the offering of the
Notes. See "The Exchange Offer".

  With respect to resales of Exchange Notes, based on interpretations by the
staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") set forth in
no-action letters issued to third parties, the Issuers believe the Exchange
Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold
and otherwise transferred by any holder thereof (other than any such holder
that is an "affiliate" of either ACR or AC Capital Corp. within the meaning of
Rule 405 under the Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and
prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such
Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder's business
and such holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution of such Exchange Notes. See "The Exchange
Offer--Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer" and "The Exchange Offer--
Resales of the Exchange Notes." Each broker-dealer (a "Participating Broker-
Dealer") that receives Exchange Notes for its own account pursuant to the
Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such Exchange Notes. The Letter of Transmittal states that
by so acknowledging and by delivering a Prospectus, a participating Broker-
Dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in
connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for Notes where
such Notes were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealer as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities. The Issuers have agreed
that, for a period of 180 days from the consummation of the Exchange Offer, it
will make this Prospectus available to any Participating Broker-Dealer for use
in connection with any such resale. See "Plan of Distribution."

  If any holder of Notes is an affiliate of either ACR or AC Capital Corp., is
engaged in or intends to engage in or has any arrangement or understanding with
any person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange Notes to be
acquired in the Exchange Offer, such holder (i) cannot rely on the applicable
interpretations of the Commission and (ii) must comply with the registration
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction.

  Holders of Notes not tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer will
continue to hold such Notes and will be entitled to all the rights and benefits
and will be subject to the limitations applicable thereto under the Indenture
and with respect to transfer under the Securities Act. The Issuers will pay all
the expenses incurred by them incident to the Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange
Offer."

                                  ----------

  SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 14 FOR A DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY HOLDERS WHO TENDER THEIR NOTES IN THE EXCHANGE
OFFER.

                                  ----------

 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  NOR  HAS  THE
   COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
    ADEQUACY OF  THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY  REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY  IS A
     CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                   The date of this Prospectus is    , 1998.
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF
ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>

(Cover page continued)

  The Issuers will not receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offer. The
Issuers have agreed to bear the expenses of the Exchange Offer. No underwriter
is being used in connection with the Exchange Offer.

  There has not previously been any public market for the Notes or the
Exchange Notes. The Issuers do not intend to list the Exchange Notes on any
securities exchange or to seek approval for quotation through any automated
quotation system. There can be no assurance that an active market for the
Exchange Notes will develop. See "Risk Factors--Absence of a Public Market."
Moreover, to the extent that Notes are tendered and accepted in the Exchange
Offer, the trading market for untendered and tendered but unaccepted Notes
could be adversely affected.

  Concurrent with the Note Offering, Holdings (as defined) and AC Holdings
Corp. (as defined) (together, the "Discount Debenture Issuers"), sold (the
"Initial Discount Debenture Offering," and together with the Note Offering,
the "Initial Offerings") $48.0 million in aggregate principal amount of their
13 3/8% Senior Discount Debentures due 2009 (the "Discount Debentures").

  Concurrent with this Exchange Offer, the Discount Debenture Issuers are
offering to exchange (the "Discount Debenture Exchange Offer," and together
with this Exchange Offer, the "Exchange Offers") $1,000 principal amount at
maturity of their Series B 13 3/8% Senior Discount Debentures due 2009 (the
"Exchange Discount Debentures") registered under the Securities Act pursuant
to a Registration Statement, for each $1,000 principal amount at maturity of
their outstanding Discount Debentures, of which $48.0 million aggregate
principal amount at maturity is outstanding as of the date hereof. The
Discount Debentures and the Exchange Discount Debentures are sometimes
referred to herein collectively as the "Discount Debentures." See "The
Transactions" and "Description of Certain Indebtedness--Discount Debentures."

  THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE TO, NOR WILL THE ISSUERS ACCEPT
SURRENDERS FOR EXCHANGE FROM, HOLDERS OF NOTES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
THE EXCHANGE OFFER OR THE ACCEPTANCE THEREOF WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH
THE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

  NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OFFERING HEREBY TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR
THE ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE ISSUERS.

  UNTIL      , 1998 (90 DAYS AFTER COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER), ALL
DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE EXCHANGE NOTES, WHETHER OR NOT
PARTICIPATING IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS.
THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS WHEN
ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR
SUBSCRIPTIONS.

  The Exchange Notes will be available initially only in book-entry form and
the Issuers expect that the Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange
Offer will be issued in the form of a Global Note (as defined), which will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and
registered in its name or in the name of Cede & Co., its nominee. Beneficial
interests in the Global Note representing the Exchange Notes will be shown on,
and transfers thereof will be effected through, records maintained by DTC and
its participants. After the initial issuance of the Global Note, Exchange
Notes in certificated form will be issued in exchange for the Global Note only
under limited circumstances as set forth in the Indenture. See "Description of
the Exchange Notes--Book-Entry; Delivery and Form."
<PAGE>

                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

  The Issuers have filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-4 (the "Exchange Offer Registration Statement," which term shall encompass
all amendments, exhibits, annexes and schedules thereto) pursuant to the
Securities Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, covering
the Exchange Notes being offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all
the information set forth in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. For
further information with respect to the Issuers and the Exchange Offer,
reference is made to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. Statements
made in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other
document referred to are not necessarily complete. With respect to each such
contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement, reference is made to the exhibit for a more
complete description of the document or matter involved, and each such
statement shall be deemed qualified in its entirety by such reference. The
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, including the exhibits thereto, can be
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at
the Regional Offices of the Commission at 75 Park Place, New York, New York
10007 and at Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such materials can be obtained from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Additionally, the Commission
maintains a web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and
information statements and other information regarding registrants that file
electronically with the Commission, including the Issuers.

  As a result of the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement with
the Commission, the Issuers will become subject to the informational
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), and in accordance therewith will be required to file periodic reports
and other information with the Commission. The obligation of the Issuers to
file periodic reports and other information with the Commission will be
suspended if the Exchange Notes are held of record by fewer than 300 holders
as of the beginning of any fiscal year of the Issuers other than the fiscal
year in which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective.
The Issuers will nevertheless be required to continue to file reports with the
Commission if the Exchange Notes are listed on a national securities exchange.
In the event the Issuers cease to be subject to the informational requirements
of the Exchange Act, the Company will be required under the Indenture to
continue to file with the Commission the annual and quarterly reports,
information, documents or other reports, including, without limitation,
reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, which would be required pursuant to the
informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Under the Indenture, the
Issuers shall file with the Trustee annual, quarterly and other reports within
fifteen days after it files such reports with the Commission. Further, to the
extent that annual or quarterly reports are furnished by the Issuers to
holders of partnership interests generally it will mail such reports to
holders of Exchange Notes. The Issuers will furnish annual and quarterly
financial reports to unitholders of the Issuers and will mail such reports to
holders of Exchange Notes pursuant to the Indenture, thus holders of Exchange
Notes will receive financial reports every quarter. Annual reports delivered
to the Trustee and the holders of Exchange Notes will contain financial
information that has been examined and reported upon, with an opinion
expressed by an independent public or certified public accountant. The Issuers
will also furnish such other reports as may be required by law.

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

  This Prospectus includes "forward-looking statements" which appear in a
number of places in this Prospectus and include statements regarding the
intent, belief or current expectations of the Issuers or their respective
officers with respect to, among other things, the ability to enter into and
borrow funds under the Senior Credit Facilities, the ability to successfully
implement operating strategies, including trends affecting the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations. All statements other
than statements of historical facts included in this Prospectus, including,
without limitation, the statements under "Prospectus Summary," "Unaudited Pro
Forma Consolidated Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business," and located
elsewhere herein regarding industry prospects and the Company's financial
position are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned

                                       i
<PAGE>

not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date hereof. Although the Issuers believe that the expectations
reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, they can give no
assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Issuers'
expectations (the "Cautionary Statements") are disclosed in this Prospectus,
including, without limitation, in conjunction with the forward-looking
statements included in this Prospectus under "Risk Factors," "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
"Business."

  All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to
the Issuers or persons acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their
entirety by the Cautionary Statements and Risk Factors contained throughout
this Prospectus.

                        MARKET SHARE AND INDUSTRY DATA

  The market share and industry data presented herein are based upon estimates
by management of the Company, utilizing various third party sources, where
available. While management believes that such estimates are reasonable and
reliable, in certain cases, such estimates cannot be verified by information
available from independent sources.


                                      ii
<PAGE>

                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

  The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information and financial statements, including the notes thereto, appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus. Each prospective investor is urged to read this
Prospectus in its entirety, including information set forth under the heading
"Risk Factors." Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to
"ACR" or the "Company" include Anthony Crane Rental, L.P., its subsidiaries and
affiliates after giving effect to the Transactions. References herein to other
companies include the subsidiaries and affiliates of such companies. See "The
Transactions."

                                  THE COMPANY
   
  Anthony Crane Rental, L.P. is the largest provider of comprehensive crane and
lifting equipment rentals and services in North America. The Company believes,
based on the number and widespread location of its yards, that it is the only
national crane rental company in the highly fragmented U.S. crane rental
industry. The Company has a network of 25 crane rental yards that provide
services to over 8,000 customers in 41 states, Mexico and the Caribbean. The
Company owns approximately 2,500 pieces of lifting equipment, ranging from
1,000-ton mobile cranes to two-person aerial work platforms. The Company
believes that its crane fleet represented approximately 15% of the total U.S.
crane rental fleet in 1997. While its primary business is the rental of crane
and lifting equipment, approximately 15% of the Company's 1997 revenues were
derived from sales of new and used equipment. The Company has achieved 31
consecutive years of revenue growth and compound annual growth rates of
revenues and EBITDA (as defined) from 1993 to 1997 of 26.0% and 19.5%,
respectively. For the twelve months ended September 30, 1998, on a pro forma
basis ACR generated revenues and EBITDA of $198.2 million and $58.1 million,
respectively.     

  The Company has grown by pursuing an operating philosophy focused on serving
the crane and lifting needs of industrial customers in the petrochemical,
paper, steel, utility, mining and multiple other industries. These industrial
customers, which accounted for approximately 70% of the Company's 1997 rental
revenues, frequently rent cranes for regularly scheduled, non-deferrable plant
maintenance activities. These projects can require up to 100 cranes of varying
sizes at any one time and are often extremely time-sensitive because they
interrupt plant operations. As a result, industrial customers value
reliability, availability, safety and operator experience more than certain
other factors. The Company believes that its industrial customer base provides
stable crane rental demand as such customers tend to require a certain level of
predictable and necessary plant maintenance regardless of economic conditions.
The Company has also been successful in serving the needs of construction
contractors, which accounted for approximately 30% of 1997 rental revenues.
These construction customers rent cranes primarily for large, long-term public
infrastructure and commercial construction projects which are generally not
deferred once started.

INDUSTRY

  The crane rental industry is an estimated $750 million market within the $16
billion general equipment rental industry. The general equipment rental
industry has grown at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 15% from
1991 to 1996. This growth has been driven by a combination of underlying end-
user growth and a trend toward outsourcing non-core operations in order to: (i)
reduce their capital investments; (ii) gain access to specialized equipment on
an economic basis; (iii) meet safety standards; and (iv) minimize the downtime,
maintenance, repair, storage and other operating costs associated with
equipment ownership.

  Growth in the crane rental industry has resulted from factors similar to
those driving growth in the general equipment rental industry, particularly the
trend toward further outsourcing. Rental companies are able to provide
customers with savings relative to owning cranes by capitalizing on volume-
driven equipment purchase discounts and high utilization rates. As evidence of
the outsourcing trend, the Company believes that approximately 80% of new
cranes sold in 1997 were purchased directly for the rental market, representing
an increase from 40% in the early 1980s. However, the Company believes rental
companies own less than one-half of the total installed

                                       1
<PAGE>

base of cranes in the United States. Management believes there is substantial
growth potential from the continued outsourcing of lifting equipment as an
increasing number of end users assess the "rent versus buy" decision.

  The crane rental industry is highly fragmented and is served by a distinct
set of companies who focus almost exclusively on crane and lifting equipment
rental. ACR generally competes with a small number of regional crane rental
companies (who typically own less than 200 cranes) and hundreds of local crane
rental companies (who typically own less than 50 cranes). Management believes
that general equipment rental companies have not significantly participated in
the crane rental market because they are less able to meet the broad needs of
crane rental customers for several reasons, including: (i) the high levels of
expertise and commitment required to provide a full range of value-added
lifting services, such as highly qualified, well trained operators and lift
planning; (ii) the substantial amount of capital dedicated to cranes and
lifting equipment required to provide the fleet size and selection necessary to
meet the broad demands of larger customers; and (iii) the significant
maintenance programs required to ensure equipment reliability and safety. Given
the unique characteristics and fragmentation of the crane rental industry,
management believes there are substantial opportunities for ACR to leverage its
competitive advantages and further increase its market share through geographic
expansion and consolidation.

COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS

  ACR believes that it benefits from the following competitive strengths:

  LEADING MARKET POSITION AND NATIONAL SCOPE. ACR is the largest and only
national provider of comprehensive crane and lifting equipment rentals and
services in the United States. The Company estimates that its crane fleet
represented approximately 15% of the total U.S. crane rental fleet in 1997.
According to industry estimates, the Company's crane rental fleet is
significantly larger than that of its next largest competitor. Management
believes that, relative to the Company, most local and regional crane rental
competitors lack the fleet size necessary to provide customers with comparable
selection and availability. Furthermore, ACR's national scope, together with
the mobile nature of its fleet, affords it the ability to move assets in
response to varying levels of regional or seasonal demand and thus maximize its
fleet utilization.

  LOW COST POSITION. ACR's leadership position results in economies of scale,
which management believes provide significant cost savings relative to its
competitors and thus allow the Company to provide superior services at
competitive prices. ACR's low cost position results from a number of factors.
First, ACR is the largest non-government buyer of cranes in the United States
and consequently benefits from volume-driven purchase discounts. Second, ACR
achieves superior utilization rates for its equipment due to its broad customer
base and ability to move equipment among both yards and regions. Third, ACR
realizes greater efficiency in its maintenance operations, which enables the
Company to realize longer equipment lives than many of its competitors.
Finally, ACR spreads operating and corporate overhead costs over a larger
revenue base. As a result of these advantages, management believes that the
Company generally earns higher margins and returns on its equipment investments
than its smaller local and regional competitors.

  EMPHASIS ON INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS. The Company focuses on serving the crane
and lifting needs of industrial customers, who frequently rent cranes for
regularly scheduled, non-deferrable plant maintenance activities. Industrial
usage accounted for approximately 70% of the Company's rental revenues in 1997.
Management believes that, relative to its competitors, ACR is better positioned
to serve industrial customers for several reasons. First, ACR meets the
quantity, availability and reliability requirements of large industrial
customers with its broad, well maintained fleet which includes larger and more
specialized cranes required for major plant maintenance jobs and special
applications. Second, the Company offers a full range of lifting services and
experienced crane operators, which are increasingly important as customers
outsource more of their crane and lifting needs. Last, ACR minimizes downtime
on a customer's site through both preventative maintenance

                                       2
<PAGE>

and field repair/replacement services. The Company believes that its industrial
customer base provides stable crane rental demand as such customers tend to
require a certain level of predictable and necessary plant maintenance
regardless of economic conditions.

  MODERN, WELL MAINTAINED CRANE FLEET. ACR has a modern, well maintained fleet
with an average age of approximately five years as of September 30, 1998. From
January 1, 1994 through September 30, 1998, the Company has invested
approximately $298 million in rental equipment. As a result of these capital
investments, the Company has expanded its rental fleet by approximately 1,500
units over such four and three quarter year period. In addition, ACR spent over
$13 million on expensed fleet maintenance during 1997 and $10.7 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 1998 in order to maintain the value of its
fleet and exceed industry-accepted safety and reliability standards. By
regularly inspecting its cranes and investing in preventive maintenance, ACR is
able to minimize costly field repairs and downtime on customer sites.
Management believes that its strong maintenance programs enhance the long-term
value of its cranes over their 15 to 25 year average lives. From 1994 to 1997,
ACR sold its used equipment for an average of greater than 90% of its original
cost.

  SUPERIOR FLEET MANAGEMENT. The Company believes that a key factor
contributing to its ability to generate consistent returns and strong resale
values on its rental fleet investment has been its proactive fleet management
program. Through this program, the Company uses a tracking system to monitor
and maximize asset utilization on a crane-by-crane basis. The Company's fleet
management program facilitates decisions regarding: (i) asset mix at individual
yards; (ii) movements of equipment on an intra-regional and inter-regional
basis; and (iii) relocation or divestiture of underperforming assets.
Management believes that as a result of its effective fleet management and high
utilization rates, the Company has generated consistent returns on its fleet
investment.

  COMPREHENSIVE CRANE AND LIFTING EXPERTISE. Over its 30-year history, the
Company has developed significant lifting expertise. The Company provides a
full range of turnkey lift planning and execution services, including job
specification, equipment selection and skilled crane operation and rigging. The
Company's regional managers average over 27 years of crane rental experience.
The Company maintains a Crane Specialist at each yard and has several special
situation experts throughout its organization who typically have many years of
lifting and crane operating experience. In addition, the Company believes that
it has the ability to attract and retain superior operators which allows it to
strengthen customer relationships and provide superior execution. ACR believes
that its long history and reputation as a crane expert and total lifting
solution provider represents a significant competitive advantage, and the
majority of the Company's rentals include the value-added services described
above.

  DIVERSE CUSTOMER BASE. The Company believes its diverse customer base
mitigates the impact of an economic downturn related to a particular customer,
industry or geographic region. In 1997, ACR served over 8,000 customers in 41
states, Mexico and the Caribbean. Examples of the Company's key customers
include: Hess Oil, USX Corp., Mobil Corp., Huntsman Corp., Florida Power and
Light Co., International Paper Co., Procter & Gamble Co. and Bayer AG. No
customer accounted for greater than 2% of the Company's rental revenues in
1997, other than a single industrial customer who represented 7% of 1997 rental
revenues and for whom the Company provides fleet management services under the
terms of an exclusive contract. The Company's customers cover a wide spectrum
of industries, and management estimates that of the end-user groups for which
it records data, no single industry accounted for more than 13% of rental
revenues in 1997. Additionally, no single region accounted for greater than 28%
of the Company's 1997 rental revenues.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

  ACR's business strategy is to serve the crane and lifting needs of industrial
and other large customers by providing a broad selection of modern, well
maintained lifting equipment, comprehensive lift planning and

                                       3
<PAGE>

execution services and highly qualified, well trained operators. The Company's
leading market position and track record of profitable internal growth are
attributable to the successful implementation of this business strategy. ACR
intends to achieve further growth and strengthen its competitive position
through the continued implementation of this strategy and the following
initiatives:
   
  LEVERAGE MARKET LEADERSHIP POSITION. The Company intends to leverage its
leadership position and build on its track record of profitable internal
growth. From 1993 to 1997, ACR achieved a compound annual revenue growth rate
of 26.0% primarily through internal growth. The Company intends to continue
this growth by: (i) expanding sales in existing yards through equipment
additions and marketing efforts targeted at new and existing customers; (ii)
opening satellite yards in contiguous geographic areas, which are currently
served by one of the Company's existing yards; and (iii) opening greenfield
("start-up") yards in selected noncontiguous markets where the Company does not
currently conduct business. Such greenfield yards cannot, in the short term,
benefit from economies that might result from coordination with existing
operations.     

  EMPHASIZE LONG-TERM CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS. Management believes that its
customers value the broad range of equipment and services that the Company
provides and many of its customers use ACR for predominantly all of their
lifting needs. The strength of ACR's customer relationships is evidenced by the
fact that 23 of the Company's top 25 customers in 1997 have been major
customers in each of the last five years. The Company capitalizes on its
presence on a customer's site by proactively anticipating and pursuing
incremental equipment rental opportunities and continuously strengthening this
customer relationship. In addition, as the only national provider of crane
rental services, the Company believes that it is uniquely positioned to serve
customers across multiple locations.

  COMPLETE CALIFORNIA ROLLOUT. ACR intends to continue to invest in the Los
Angeles and San Diego markets, which it entered in 1997 with three new rental
yards. During the initial stages of infrastructure buildout, the Company
incurred significant start-up costs and experienced lower fleet utilization
than that of its more mature yards. The Company is increasing the fleet size of
these new yards in order to leverage its existing investment and meet the
diverse lifting needs of larger customers in these markets. Management expects
that these equipment additions will allow the Company to grow revenues in these
attractive markets and achieve fleet utilization and operating margins
consistent with those of the Company's more mature yards.

  EXPAND THROUGH SELECTED ACQUISITIONS. The crane rental industry is highly
fragmented and the Company generally competes with a small number of regional
and hundreds of local crane rental companies. Management believes that there
are substantial opportunities for ACR to leverage its competitive strengths and
increase its market share through selected acquisitions. In evaluating
acquisition targets, the Company seeks acquisitions that would allow it to
penetrate new geographic markets or to solidify its position in certain
existing geographic markets, while generating attractive economic returns and
building on existing customer relationships.

                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

  The Company has continued to experience growth in revenues and EBITDA since
December 31, 1997. For the ten months ended October 31, 1998, total revenues
increased 11.7%, from $154.7 million in 1997 to $172.9 million in 1998. Over
the same ten-month period, pro forma EBITDA increased 27.7%, from $40.5 million
to $51.7 million. A significant portion of this growth resulted from the full-
year impact of the capital expenditures for new rental equipment made in 1997
and the improved performance of the Company's new yards in California. See
"Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data" and "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

                                       4
<PAGE>


                                  THE SPONSOR

  Bain Capital, Inc. ("Bain") manages capital in excess of $3 billion and has
invested in more than 110 companies representing over $10 billion in purchase
price. Bain is one of the most experienced and successful private equity
investors in the United States and the firm's principals have extensive
experience working with companies in a wide range of industries. Bain's
investment strategy is to acquire companies in partnership with exceptional
management teams and to improve the long-term value of businesses. Bain
typically identifies companies with strong strategic positions and significant
opportunities for growth. Bain's investment in the Company is among its largest
to date.
 
  As a result of the Transactions, certain of Bain's affiliates own
substantially all of the outstanding membership interests of the Equity
Investor. The Equity Investor, through its ownership of approximately 76% of
the outstanding membership interests of the General Partner, controls the
affairs and policies of Holdings and the Company. Certain employees of Bain,
consisting of Paul Edgerley, Robert C. Gay and Andrew B. Balson, serve as
members of the board of the General Partner. In addition, an affiliate of Bain
owns a portion of the outstanding Notes and Discount Debentures.
   
  The General Partner is the general partner of both Holdings and the Company.
The General Partner is approximately 69% owned by affiliates of Bain,
approximately 13% owned by other unrelated parties and management and 18% owned
by Anthony Iron and Metal Company ("AIM"), of which Ray G. Anthony is the
controlling general partner. AIM also owns 17.82% of the limited common
partnership interests of Holdings in addition to its .18% interest through the
General Partner. The General Partner is governed by a Board of Managers, which
consists of the three representatives of Bain, three representatives of AIM
(Mr. Anthony, David W. Mahokey and William B. Kania), and one representative of
another shareholder (James E. Haas). Pursuant to Holdings' Agreement of Limited
Partnership, limited partners have voting rights equivalent to their respective
economic interests (equal in aggregate to 99% of the vote) and, through a
majority vote, can remove the General Partner.     
 
                                THE TRANSACTIONS
 
  Concurrent with the consummation of the Note Offering, the Company
consummated the Recapitalization (as defined) whereby, among other things: (i)
Holdings and AC Holdings Corp. issued the Discount Debentures and contributed
the net proceeds thereof to the Company; (ii) the Company entered into and
borrowed under the Senior Credit Facilities (as defined); (iii) Bain/ACR,
L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the "Equity Investor"), and
certain members of senior management of the Company (the "Management
Investors") indirectly acquired through Holdings approximately 76% and 6%,
respectively, of the outstanding common partnership interests of the Company;
and (iv) the Current Owners (as defined) indirectly retained through Holdings,
18% of the outstanding common partnership interests of the Company. See "The
Transactions" and "Use of Proceeds."
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
   
  Set forth below is the organizational structure of the Company and Holdings,
and the percentage ownership of the common partnership interests thereof,
following the Transactions. Substantially all of the limited liability company
units of the Equity Investor are owned by affiliates of Bain. See "Security
Ownership."     
 
 
                                  [GRAPHIC]
 
 
                                 ------------
 
  The executive offices of the Company are located at 1165 Camp Hollow Road,
West Mifflin, Pennsylvania 15122, and its telephone number is (412) 469-3700.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                               THE NOTE OFFERING
Notes.......................  The Notes were sold (the "Note Offering") by ACR
                              and AC Capital Corp. on July 22, 1998 to
                              Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and Goldman, Sachs &
                              Co. (the "Initial Purchasers") pursuant to a
                              Purchase Agreement dated July 16, 1998 (the
                              "Purchase Agreement"). The Initial Purchasers
                              subsequently resold the Notes to qualified
                              institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under
                              the Securities Act. AC Capital Corp. is a wholly
                              owned subsidiary of ACR that was incorporated for
                              the sole purpose of serving as a co-issuer of the
                              Notes in order to facilitate the Note Offering.
                              AC Capital Corp. does not have any operations or
                              assets of any kind and will not have any
                              revenues. Prospective investors in the Exchange
                              Notes should not expect AC Capital Corp. to
                              participate in servicing the interest, principal
                              obligations or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the
                              Exchange Notes. See "Description of Exchange
                              Notes--Certain Covenants."
 
Registration Rights           Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Issuers
 Agreement..................  and the Initial Purchasers entered into a
                              Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
                              July 22, 1998 (the "Registration Rights
                              Agreement"), which grants the holders of the
                              Notes certain exchange and registration rights.
                              The Exchange Offer is intended to satisfy such
                              exchange and registration rights which terminate
                              upon the consummation of the Exchange Offer.
 
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Securities Offered..........  $155,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Series
                              B 10 3/8% Senior Notes due 2008.
 
The Exchange Offer..........  $1,000 principal amount of the Exchange Notes in
                              exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of
                              Notes. As of the date hereof, $155,000,000
                              aggregate principal amount of Notes are
                              outstanding. The Issuers will issue the Exchange
                              Notes to holders on or promptly after the
                              Expiration Date.
 
                              Based on an interpretation by the staff of the
                              Commission set forth in no-action letters issued
                              to third parties, the Issuers believe that the
                              Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange
                              Offer in exchange for Notes may be offered for
                              resale, resold and otherwise transferred by any
                              holder thereof (other than any such holder which
                              is an "affiliate" of either ACR or AC Capital
                              Corp. within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
                              Securities Act) without compliance with the
                              registration and prospectus delivery provisions
                              of the Securities Act, provided that such
                              Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary
                              course of such holder's business and that such
                              holder does not intend to participate and has no
                              arrangement or understanding with any person to
                              participate in the distribution of such Exchange
                              Notes.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
 
                              Each Participating Broker-Dealer that receives
                              Exchange Notes for its own account pursuant to
                              the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will
                              deliver a prospectus in connection with any
                              resale of such Exchange Notes. The Letter of
                              Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and
                              by delivering a prospectus, a Participating
                              Broker-Dealer will not be deemed to admit that it
                              is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
                              Securities Act. This Prospectus, as it may be
                              amended or supplemented from time to time, may be
                              used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in
                              connection with resales of Exchange Notes
                              received in exchange for Notes where such Notes
                              were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealer
                              as a result of market-making activities or other
                              trading activities. The Issuers have agreed that,
                              for a period of 180 days from the consummation of
                              the Exchange Offer, it will make this Prospectus
                              available to any Participating Broker-Dealer for
                              use in connection with any such resale. See "Plan
                              of Distribution."
 
                              Any holder who tenders in the Exchange Offer with
                              the intention to participate, or for the purpose
                              of participating, in a distribution of the
                              Exchange Notes could not rely on the position of
                              the staff of the Commission enunciated in no-
                              action letters and, in the absence of an
                              exemption therefrom, must comply with the
                              registration and prospectus delivery requirements
                              of the Securities Act in connection with any
                              resale transaction. Failure to comply with such
                              requirements in such instance may result in such
                              holder incurring liability under the Securities
                              Act for which the holder is not indemnified by
                              the Issuers.
 
Expiration Date.............  5:00 p.m., New York City time, on      , 1998
                              unless the Exchange Offer is extended, in which
                              case the term "Expiration Date" means the latest
                              date and time to which the Exchange Offer is
                              extended.
 
Accrued Interest on the
 Exchange Notes and the       Each Exchange Note will bear interest from its
 Notes......................  issuance date. Holders of Notes that are accepted
                              for exchange will receive, in cash, accrued
                              interest thereon to, but not including, the
                              issuance date of the Exchange Notes. Such
                              interest will be paid with the first interest
                              payment on the Exchange Notes. Interest on the
                              Notes accepted for exchange will cease to accrue
                              upon issuance of the Exchange Notes.
 
Conditions to the Exchange    The Exchange Offer is subject to certain
 Offer......................  customary conditions, which may be waived by the
                              Issuers. See "The Exchange Offer--Conditions."
 
Procedures for Tendering      Each holder of Notes wishing to accept the
 Notes......................  Exchange Offer must complete, sign and date the
                              accompanying Letter of Transmittal, or a
                              facsimile thereof, in accordance with the
                              instructions contained herein and therein, and
                              mail or otherwise deliver such Letter of
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                              Transmittal, or such facsimile, together with the
                              Notes and any other required documentation to the
                              Exchange Agent (as defined) at the address set
                              forth herein. Delivery of the Notes may also be
                              made by book-entry transfer in accordance with
                              the procedures described below. Confirmation of
                              such book-entry transfer must be received by the
                              Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date. By
                              executing the Letter of Transmittal or effecting
                              delivery by book-entry transfer, each holder will
                              represent to the Issuers that, among other
                              things, the Exchange Notes acquired pursuant to
                              the Exchange Offer are being obtained in the
                              ordinary course of business of the person
                              receiving such Exchange Notes, whether or not
                              such person is the holder, that neither the
                              holder nor any such other person has any
                              arrangement or understanding with any person to
                              participate in the distribution of such Exchange
                              Notes and that neither the holder nor any such
                              other person is an "affiliate," as defined under
                              Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of either ACR or
                              AC Capital Corp. See "The Exchange Offer--Purpose
                              and Effect of the Exchange Offer" and "--
                              Procedures for Tendering."
 
Untendered Notes............  Following the consummation of the Exchange Offer,
                              holders of Notes eligible to participate but who
                              do not tender their Notes will not have any
                              further exchange rights and such Notes will
                              continue to be subject to certain restrictions on
                              transfer. Accordingly, the liquidity of the
                              market for such Notes could be adversely
                              affected.
 
Consequences of Failure to    The Notes that are not exchanged pursuant to the
 Exchange...................  Exchange Offer will remain restricted securities.
                              Accordingly, such Notes may be resold only: (i)
                              to the Issuers; (ii) pursuant to Rule 144A or
                              Rule 144 under the Securities Act or pursuant to
                              some other exemption under the Securities Act;
                              (iii) outside the United States to a foreign
                              person pursuant to the requirements of Rule 904
                              under the Securities Act; or (iv) pursuant to an
                              effective registration statement under the
                              Securities Act. See "The Exchange Offer--
                              Consequences of Failure to Exchange."
 
Shelf Registration            If the Exchange Offer is not permitted under
 Statement..................  applicable law or Commission policy or any holder
                              of the Notes (other than any such holder which is
                              an "affiliate" of either ACR or AC Capital Corp.
                              within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
                              Securities Act) is not eligible under applicable
                              securities laws to participate in the Exchange
                              Offer, and such holder has provided information
                              regarding such holder and the distribution of
                              such holder's Notes to the Issuers for use
                              therein, the Issuers have agreed to register the
                              Notes on a shelf registration statement (the
                              "Shelf Registration Statement") and use its best
                              efforts to cause it to be declared effective by
                              the Commission as promptly as practicable on or
                              after the consummation of the Exchange Offer. The
                              Issuers have agreed to maintain the continuous
                              effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement
                              for, under certain circumstances, a period of at
                              least two years, to cover resales of the Notes
                              held by any such holders.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
 
Special Procedures for
 Beneficial Owners..........  Any beneficial owner whose Notes are registered
                              in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank,
                              trust company or other nominee and who wishes to
                              tender should contact such registered holder
                              promptly and instruct such registered holder to
                              tender on such beneficial owner's behalf. If such
                              beneficial owner wishes to tender on such owner's
                              own behalf, such owner must, prior to completing
                              and executing the Letter of Transmittal and
                              delivering its Notes, either make appropriate
                              arrangements to register ownership of the Notes
                              in such owner's name or obtain a properly
                              completed bond power from the registered holder.
                              The transfer of registered ownership may take
                              considerable time. The Issuers will keep the
                              Exchange Offer open for not less than twenty
                              business days in order to provide for the
                              transfer of registered ownership.
 
Guaranteed Delivery           Holders of Notes who wish to tender their Notes
 Procedures.................  and whose Notes are not immediately available or
                              who cannot deliver their Notes, the Letter of
                              Transmittal or any other documents required by
                              the Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent
                              (or comply with the procedures for book-entry
                              transfer) prior to the Expiration Date must
                              tender their Notes according to the guaranteed
                              delivery procedures set forth in "The Exchange
                              Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures."
 
Withdrawal Rights...........  Tenders may be withdrawn at any time prior to
                              5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration
                              Date.
 
Acceptance of Notes and
 Delivery of Exchange         The Issuers will accept for exchange any and all
 Notes......................  Notes which are properly tendered in the Exchange
                              Offer prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
                              the Expiration Date. The Exchange Notes issued
                              pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be delivered
                              promptly following the Expiration Date. See "The
                              Exchange Offer--Terms of the Exchange Offer."
 
Use of Proceeds.............  There will be no cash proceeds to the Issuers
                              from the exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
 
Exchange Agent..............  State Street Bank and Trust Company.
 
                                              THE EXCHANGE NOTES
 
General.....................  The form and terms of the Exchange Notes are the
                              same as the form and terms of the Notes (which
                              they replace) except that: (i) the Exchange Notes
                              bear a Series B designation; (ii) the Exchange
                              Notes have been registered under the Securities
                              Act and, therefore, will not bear legends
                              restricting the transfer thereof; and (iii) the
                              holders of Exchange Notes will not be entitled to
                              certain rights under the Registration Rights
                              Agreement, including the provisions providing for
                              an increase in the interest rate on the Notes in
                              certain
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
                              circumstances relating to the timing of the
                              Exchange Offer, which rights will terminate when
                              the Exchange Offer is consummated. See "The
                              Exchange Offer--Purpose and Effect of the
                              Exchange Offer." The Exchange Notes will evidence
                              the same debt as the Notes and will be entitled
                              to the benefits of the Indenture. See
                              "Description of Exchange Notes."
 
 
Securities Offered..........  $155.0 million in aggregate principal amount of
                              10 3/8% Senior Notes due 2008.
 
Issuers.....................  The Exchange Notes will be joint and several ob-
                              ligations of the Company and AC Capital Corp. AC
                              Capital Corp. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
                              Company formed in connection with the Offering.
                              AC Capital Corp. has no assets, no liabilities
                              (other than the Exchange Notes) and no operations
                              and will be prohibited from engaging in any busi-
                              ness activities.
 
Maturity Date...............  August 1, 2008.
 
Interest Rate...............  The Exchange Notes will bear interest at the rate
                              of 10 3/8% per annum, payable semi-annually in
                              cash in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of
                              each year, commencing February 1, 1999.
 
Optional Redemption.........  The Exchange Notes will be redeemable at the op-
                              tion of the Issuers, in whole or in part, at any
                              time on or after August 1, 2003 in cash at the
                              redemption prices set forth herein, plus accrued
                              and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if
                              any, thereon to the date of redemption. In addi-
                              tion, at any time prior to August 1, 2001, the
                              Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem
                              up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of
                              Exchange Notes originally issued at a redemption
                              price equal to 110.375% of the principal amount
                              thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and
                              Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to the re-
                              demption date, with the net cash proceeds of one
                              or more Equity Offerings; provided that at least
                              65% of the aggregate principal amount of Exchange
                              Notes originally issued remain outstanding imme-
                              diately after the occurrence of such redemption.
                              See "Description of Exchange Notes--Optional Re-
                              demption."
 
Change of Control...........  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each
                              holder of Exchange Notes will have the right to
                              require the Issuers to repurchase all or any part
                              of such holder's Exchange Notes at an offer price
                              in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal
                              amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest
                              and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to the
                              date of purchase. See "Description of Exchange
                              Notes--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--
                              Change of Control." There can be no assurance
                              that, in the event of a Change of Control, the
                              Issuers would have sufficient funds to purchase
                              all Exchange Notes tendered. See "Risk Factors--
                              Limitations on Ability to Make Change of Control
                              Payment."
 
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
                              The Exchange Notes will be jointly and severally
Subsidiary Guarantees.......  guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of
                              the Company's existing and future domestic sub-
                              sidiaries (the "Subsidiary Guarantors").
 
Ranking.....................  The Exchange Notes will be general unsecured ob-
                              ligations of the Issuers, will rank pari passu in
                              right of payment to all existing and future se-
                              nior unsecured indebtedness of the Issuers and
                              will rank senior in right of payment to all ex-
                              isting and future subordinated indebtedness of
                              the Issuers. The Issuers' obligations under the
                              Exchange Notes will be jointly and severally
                              guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Sub-
                              sidiary Guarantees will be general unsecured ob-
                              ligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors and will
                              rank pari passu in right of payment to all exist-
                              ing and future senior unsecured indebtedness of
                              the Subsidiary Guarantors and senior in right of
                              payment to all existing and future subordinated
                              indebtedness of the Subsidiary Guarantors. The
                              Exchange Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees,
                              however, will be effectively subordinated to all
                              secured obligations of the Issuers and the Sub-
                              sidiary Guarantors, including borrowings under
                              the Senior Credit Facilities, to the extent of
                              the assets securing such obligations. As of Sep-
                              tember 30, 1998, after giving effect to the Of-
                              fering, the Exchange Notes have been effectively
                              subordinated to $194.9 million of secured obliga-
                              tions (including a capital lease obligation) of
                              the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors.
 
Certain Covenants...........
                              The Indenture contains certain covenants that
                              will limit, among other things, the ability of
                              the Issuers to: (i) make distributions, except to
                              the extent required to pay taxes, redeem partner-
                              ship interests or make certain other restricted
                              payments or investments, (ii) incur additional
                              indebtedness or issue preferred equity interests,
                              (iii) merge, consolidate or sell all or substan-
                              tially all of its assets, (iv) create liens on
                              assets and (v) enter into certain transactions
                              with affiliates or related persons. See "Descrip-
                              tion of Exchange Notes--Certain Covenants."
 
                              For additional information regarding the Exchange
                              Notes, see "Description of Exchange Notes."
 
  FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY HOLDERS WHO
TENDER THEIR NOTES IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER, SEE "RISK FACTORS."
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
  SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER
                                      DATA
 
  The following table sets forth: (i) summary historical consolidated financial
data of the Company for the five years ended December 31, 1997, as of September
30, 1998 and for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1998; and (ii)
summary unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data for the year ended
December 31, 1997 and for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1998.
The summary historical consolidated financial data for the five years ended
December 31, 1997 were derived from the audited consolidated financial
statements of the Company, which, for the three years ended December 31, 1997
are included elsewhere herein. The summary historical consolidated financial
data as of September 30, 1998 and for the nine months ended September 30, 1997
and 1998 were derived from unaudited historical consolidated financial
statements of the Company. The following table should be read in conjunction
with "Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data," "Unaudited Pro Forma
Consolidated Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the historical consolidated
financial statements and the notes related thereto of the Company included
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                     SEPTEMBER 30,
                           ------------------------------------------------    --------------------
                             1993      1994      1995      1996      1997        1997        1998
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:                      (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>
Revenues:
 Equipment rentals......   $ 68,113  $ 85,369  $106,593  $128,161  $156,408    $116,044    $136,876
 Equipment sales........      4,814     7,762     9,419    19,444    27,400      23,127      16,655
                           --------  --------  --------  --------  --------    --------    --------
 Total revenues.........     72,927    93,131   116,012   147,605   183,808     139,171     153,531
Cost of revenues:
 Cost of equipment rent-
  als...................     40,166    50,908    62,533    78,049    97,036      71,659      81,883
 Cost of equipment
  sales.................      3,345     5,206     7,039    13,643    15,541      13,153      12,878
                           --------  --------  --------  --------  --------    --------    --------
 Total cost of reve-
  nues..................     43,511    56,114    69,572    91,692   112,577      84,812      94,761
Gross profit............     29,416    37,017    46,440    55,913    71,231      54,359      58,770
Selling, general and
 administrative.........     17,219    20,567    23,351    29,211    35,111      25,363      30,196
                           --------  --------  --------  --------  --------    --------    --------
Income from operations..     12,197    16,450    23,089    26,702    36,120      28,996      28,574
Net income (loss).......      7,923    10,009    14,128    16,000    23,801(1)   19,467(1)   (2,526)
OTHER DATA:
Net cash provided by op-
 erating activities.....   $ 16,079  $ 22,410  $ 27,695  $ 32,411  $ 30,697    $ 21,998    $ 24,973
Net cash used in invest-
 ing activities.........    (35,254)  (40,938)  (36,907)  (56,349)  (66,976)    (44,020)    (68,661)
Net cash provided by fi-
 nancing activities.....     27,180    11,013     8,722    26,370    32,066      16,568      47,173
EBITDA (2)..............     23,221    28,724    38,922    44,836    47,365      35,352      45,402
Total depreciation and
 amortization (3).......     12,300    14,408    17,653    22,061    21,904(1)   15,496(1)   19,561
Net gain on sales of
 used rental equipment
 .......................      1,276     2,134     1,820     3,926    10,659       9,140       2,733
Total capital expendi-
 tures..................     33,735    42,496    45,241    82,673    92,167      68,887      87,806
Original cost of prop-
 erty and equipment.....    159,581   197,264   238,544   295,405   361,772     347,213     432,385
Original cost of rental
 equipment..............    142,823   174,090   201,972   248,406   295,297     285,951     364,712
PRO FORMA DATA:
Pro forma EBITDA........                                           $ 47,978    $ 35,636    $ 45,798
Cash interest expense
 (4)....................                                             31,081      23,311      23,311
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
                                                        ------------------------
                                                           ACTUAL (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                     <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents..............................         $  7,860
Total assets...........................................          383,454
Total debt.............................................          349,893
Total partners' capital................................           11,336
</TABLE>
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------
(1) Reflects the decrease in depreciation expense of $5.7 million and $4.2
    million for the year ended December 31, 1997 and for the nine months ended
    September 30, 1997, respectively, for the revision in estimated salvage
    values used for depreciating certain rental equipment.
(2) EBITDA represents income from operations less the net gain on sales of used
    rental equipment plus depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is a widely
    accepted financial indicator of a company's ability to service and incur
    debt. EBITDA does not represent net income or cash flows from operations as
    those terms are defined by generally accepted accounting principles
    ("GAAP") and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be
    sufficient to fund cash needs. The Company's measure of EBITDA may not be
    comparable to those reported by other companies.
(3) Excludes amortization of deferred financing fees.
(4) Cash interest expense for all periods is calculated exclusive of any
    amortization of deferred financing fees.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  Holders of the Notes should carefully consider the risk factors set forth
below, as well as the other information appearing elsewhere in this
Prospectus, before tendering their Notes in the Exchange Offer.
 
  Certain statements, estimates, predictions and projections contained herein
under "Prospectus Summary," "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business," in
addition to certain statements contained elsewhere herein, are "forward-
looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act
and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements are
prospective, involving risks and uncertainties. While these forward-looking
statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good
faith and reflect the Company's current judgment regarding the direction of
its business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially,
from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future
performance suggested herein. Some important factors (but not necessarily all
factors) that could affect the Company's revenues, growth strategies, future
profitability and operating results, or that otherwise could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any
forward-looking statement, include the following: substantial levels of
indebtedness; restrictions imposed by the terms of indebtedness; limitation on
ability to make change of control payments; inability to enter into and borrow
under the Senior Credit Facilities; changes in economic conditions;
competition; and the other matters referred to herein or elsewhere in this
Prospectus. Holders of the Notes are urged to carefully consider these factors
in connection with the forward-looking statements. The Company does not
undertake to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements that
may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
 
RISKS RELATING TO THE EXCHANGE NOTES
 
 SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE
 
  The Company incurred significant debt in connection with the Transactions.
As of September 30, 1998, after giving effect to the Transactions, the Company
had outstanding indebtedness of $349.9 million, consisting of $194.0 million
drawn under the Senior Credit Facilities, $155.0 million of the Exchange Notes
and a capital lease obligation of $0.9 million. In addition, the Company had
available borrowings of up to an additional $131.0 million under the Revolving
Credit Facility. In addition, subject to restrictions in the Senior Credit
Facilities and the Indenture, the Company may incur additional indebtedness.
For the year ended December 31, 1997, after giving pro forma effect to the
Transactions, the Company's ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been
1.1 to 1.
 
  The Company's ability to make scheduled payments of principal of, or to pay
the premium, if any, interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on, or to
refinance, its indebtedness (including the Exchange Notes), or to fund planned
capital expenditures will depend on its future performance, which, to a
certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive,
legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond its control. Based
upon the current level of operations and certain anticipated improvements,
management believes that cash flow from operations and available cash,
together with available borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities, will be
adequate to meet the Company's future liquidity needs for at least the next
several years. There can be no assurance that the Company's business will
generate sufficient cash flow from operations, that anticipated revenue growth
and operating improvements will be realized or that future borrowings will be
available under the Senior Credit Facilities in an amount sufficient to enable
the Company to service its indebtedness, including the Exchange Notes, or to
fund its other liquidity needs. The Company may be required to refinance all
or a portion of the principal of the Exchange Notes on or prior to maturity.
There can be no assurance, however, that such refinancing would be available
on commercially reasonable terms or at all. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and
Capital Resources."
 
  The degree to which the Company is leveraged could have important
consequences to holders of the Exchange Notes, including, but not limited to:
(i) making it more difficult for the Company to satisfy its obligations with
respect to the Exchange Notes; (ii) increasing the Company's vulnerability to
general adverse
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
economic and industry conditions; (iii) limiting the Company's ability to
obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital
expenditures, research and development and other general corporate
requirements; (iv) requiring the dedication of a substantial portion of the
Company's cash flow from operations to the payment of principal of, and
interest on, its indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of such cash
flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, research and development
or other general corporate purposes; (v) limiting the Company's flexibility in
planning for, or reacting to, changes in its business and the industry in
which it competes; and (vi) placing the Company at a competitive disadvantage
compared to less leveraged competitors. In addition, the Indenture and the
Senior Credit Facilities contain financial and other restrictive covenants
that limit the ability of the Company to, among other things, borrow
additional funds. Failure by the Company to comply with such covenants could
result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations. If the Company cannot generate sufficient cash to meet
its obligations as they become due or refinance such obligations, the Company
may have to sell assets or reduce capital expenditures. See "Description of
Senior Credit Facilities" and "Description of Exchange Notes--Repurchase at
the Option of Holders--Change of Control."
 
 ASSET ENCUMBRANCES
 
  The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by a first-priority perfected lien,
and the Term Loan is secured by a second-priority perfected lien, on all
partnership interests of the Company and all property and assets (tangible and
intangible) of the Company and each of its U.S. subsidiaries, including,
without limitation, all intercompany indebtedness, and all capital stock (or
similar equity interests) of each of the Company's direct and indirect
subsidiaries, whenever acquired and wherever located; provided, however, that
no more than 65% of the capital stock or similar equity interests of non-U.S.
subsidiaries are required to be pledged as security. In the event of a default
under the Senior Credit Facilities, the lenders thereunder could foreclose
upon the assets securing the Senior Credit Facilities and the holders of the
Exchange Notes might not be able to receive any payments until any payment
default under the Senior Credit Facilities was cured or waived, any
acceleration was rescinded, or the indebtedness under the Senior Credit
Facilities was discharged or paid in full.
 
 FRAUDULENT TRANSFER
 
  A significant portion of the net proceeds of the Offering were used to
consummate the Recapitalization. Under applicable provisions of the United
States Bankruptcy Code or comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer
or conveyance laws, if the Issuers, at the time they issued the Notes, and the
Subsidiary Guarantors, at the time they issued the Subsidiary Guarantees, (i)
incurred such indebtedness with intent to hinder, delay or defraud creditors
or (ii)(a) received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair
consideration for incurring such indebtedness and (b)(1) was insolvent at the
time of incurrence, (2) was rendered insolvent by reason of such incurrence
(and the application of the proceeds thereof), (3) was engaged or was about to
engage in a business or transaction for which the assets remaining with the
Issuers constituted unreasonably small capital to carry on its businesses or
(4) intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its
ability to pay such debts as they mature, then, in each case, a court of
competent jurisdiction could void, in whole or in part, the Exchange Notes or
the Subsidiary Guarantees, as applicable, or, in the alternative, subordinate
the Exchange Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as applicable, to existing
and future indebtedness of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors. The
measure of insolvency for purposes of the foregoing will vary depending upon
the law applied in such case. Generally, however, a company would be
considered insolvent if the sum of its debts, including contingent
liabilities, was greater than all of its assets at fair valuation or if the
present fair saleable value of its assets was less than the amount that would
be required to pay the probable liability on its existing debts, including
contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and matured. The Issuers and
the Subsidiary Guarantors believe that, for purposes of all such insolvency,
bankruptcy and fraudulent transfer or conveyance laws, the Notes and the
Subsidiary Guarantees, as applicable, were issued without the intent to
hinder, delay or defraud creditors and for proper purposes and in good faith
and that the Company, after the issuance of the Notes and the application of
the proceeds thereof, was solvent, and the Company will have sufficient
capital for carrying on its business and will be able to pay its debts as they
mature. There can be no assurance, however, that a court passing on such
questions would agree with the Issuers' view.
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
 LIMITATIONS ON ABILITY TO MAKE CHANGE OF CONTROL PAYMENT
 
  In the event of a Change of Control, the Issuers will be required to make an
offer in cash to repurchase the Exchange Notes at 101% of the aggregate
principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, and Liquidated
Damages, if any, thereon to the repurchase date. The provisions of the
Indenture may not, however, afford holders of the Exchange Notes protection in
the event of a highly leveraged transaction, reorganization, restructuring,
merger or similar transaction involving the Issuers that may adversely affect
holders of Exchange Notes, if such transaction does not result in a Change of
Control. A Change of Control will result in an event of default under the
Senior Credit Facilities and may result in a default under other indebtedness
of the Issuers that may be incurred in the future. The Senior Credit
Facilities prohibit the purchase of outstanding Exchange Notes prior to
repayment of the borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities and any
exercise by the holders of the Exchange Notes of their right to require the
Issuers to repurchase the Exchange Notes will cause an event of default under
the Senior Credit Facilities. In addition, prior to repurchasing the Exchange
Notes upon a Change of Control, the Issuers must either repay all outstanding
indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities or obtain the consent of the
lenders. If the Issuers do not obtain such consent or repay their outstanding
indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities, the Issuers would remain
effectively prohibited from offering to purchase the Exchange Notes. Finally,
there can be no assurance that the Issuers will have the financial resources
necessary or be able to arrange financing to repay obligations under the
Senior Credit Facilities and the Indenture or to repurchase the Exchange Notes
upon a Change of Control. See "Description of Exchange Notes--Repurchase at
the Option of Holders--Change of Control."
 
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET
 
  Prior to the Exchange Offer, there has been no public market for the Notes.
The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and will be
subject to restrictions on transferability to the extent that they are not
exchanged for Exchange Notes by holders who are entitled to participate in
this Exchange Offer. The holders of Notes (other than any such holder that is
an "affiliate" of either ACR or AC Capital Corp. within the meaning of Rule
405 under the Securities Act) who are not eligible to participate in the
Exchange Offer are entitled to certain registration rights, and the Issuers
are required to file a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such
Notes. The Exchange Notes are new securities for which there currently is no
market. The Exchange Notes are eligible for trading by qualified buyers in the
Private Offerings, Resale and Trading through Automated Linkages (PORTAL)
market. The Issuers do not intend to apply for listing of the Exchange Notes
on any securities exchange or for quotation through the National Association
of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System. Although the Exchange Notes
are eligible for trading through PORTAL, the Exchange Notes may trade at a
discount from their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest
rates, the market for similar securities, the Company's performance and other
factors. The Issuers have been advised by the Initial Purchasers that they
currently intend to make a market in the Exchange Notes as permitted by
applicable law and regulations; however, the Initial Purchasers are not
obligated to do so and any such market-making activities, if commenced, may be
discontinued at any time without notice. In addition, such market-making
activities may be limited during the Exchange Offer and pendency of the Shelf
Registration Statement. Therefore, there can be no assurance that an active
market for any of the Exchange Notes will develop, either prior to or after
the Issuers' performance of their obligations under the Registration Rights
Agreement. See "Description of Exchange Notes."
 
  The Exchange Notes generally will be permitted to be resold or otherwise
transferred (subject to the restrictions described under "Description of
Exchange Notes") by each holder without the requirement of further
registration. The Exchange Notes, however, will also constitute a new issue of
securities with no established trading market. The Exchange Offer will not be
conditioned upon any minimum or maximum aggregate principal amount of Notes
being tendered for exchange. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of
the trading market for the Exchange Notes, or, in the case of non-exchanging
holders of Notes, the trading market for the Notes following the Exchange
Offer.
 
  The liquidity of, and trading market for, the Exchange Notes also may be
adversely affected by general declines in the market or by declines in the
market for similar securities. Such declines may adversely affect such
liquidity and trading markets independently of the financial performance of,
and prospects for, the Company.
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
EXCHANGE OFFER PROCEDURES
 
  Issuance of the Exchange Notes in exchange for the Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will be made only after a timely receipt by the Issuers of such
Notes, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and all
other required documents. Therefore, holders of the Notes desiring to tender
such Notes in exchange for Exchange Notes should allow sufficient time to
ensure timely delivery. The Issuers are under no duty to give notification of
defects or irregularities with respect to the tenders of Notes for exchange.
Notes that are not tendered or are tendered but not accepted will, following
the consummation of the Exchange Offer, continue to be subject to the existing
restrictions upon transfer thereof and, upon consummation of the Exchange
Offer, certain registration rights under the Registration Rights Agreement
will terminate. In addition, any holder of Notes who tenders in the Exchange
Offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes
may be deemed to have received restricted securities and, if so, will be
required to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements
of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transactions. Each
Participating Broker-Dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account
in exchange for Notes, where such Notes were acquired by such Participating
Broker-Dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such Exchange Notes. See "Plan of Distribution." To the
extent that Notes are tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer, the trading
market for untendered and tendered but unaccepted Notes could be adversely
affected. See "The Exchange Offer."
 
COMPANY-SPECIFIC RISKS
 
 COMPETITION
 
  Certain of the Company's principal competitors are less leveraged than the
Company, may have greater financial resources and may be better able to
withstand market conditions within the crane rental industry. The Company
generally competes on the basis of, among other things: (i) quality and
breadth of service; (ii) expertise; (iii) reliability; and (iv) price. There
can be no assurance that the Company will not encounter increased competition
in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Business--
Competition."
 
 DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
  The Company is dependent on the continued services of its senior management
team. Although the Company believes it could replace key employees in an
orderly fashion should the need arise, the loss of such key personnel could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition
and results of operations. See "Management."
 
 LABOR RELATIONS
 
  As of September 30, 1998, the Company had 752 full time employees.
Approximately 30 were employed at the corporate headquarters in West Mifflin,
Pennsylvania and were involved in administrative functions. The remaining
employees were located at ACR's various operating yards and were engaged in
management, sales and marketing, maintenance and administrative functions. In
addition, as of September 30, 1998, the Company contracted with approximately
790 crane operators on an as-needed basis. The majority of these crane
operators were unionized and, as of September 30, 1998, approximately 14% of
the Company's full time employees were unionized. The Company has never
experienced a material work stoppage and considers its overall relations with
its work force to be good. There can be no assurance, however, that the
Company will not, at some point, be subject to work stoppages by some of its
employees or crane operators and, if such events were to occur, that there
would not be a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations. See "Business--Employees."
 
 COMPUTER SYSTEM; YEAR 2000 ISSUE
 
  The Company is evaluating the extent to which its computer operating systems
will be disrupted upon the turn of the century as a result of the widely-known
dating system flaw inherent in most operating systems (the "Year 2000 Issue").
While the Company believes that new software being installed into its computer
system
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
will address the Year 2000 Issue, there can be no assurance that the new
software will be installed in time to remedy the Year 2000 Issue, that the
Company's computer operating systems will not be disrupted upon the turn of
the century or that such modifications will not require unanticipated capital
expenditures. Any such disruption, whether caused by the Company's systems or
those of any of its suppliers or customers, could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
 
  The Company is 100% complete on the remediation phase for all material
information technology systems and the Company's plans call for testing and
implementing its information technology systems. Completion of the testing
phase is expected by November 1998, with all remediated systems fully
implemented by December 31, 1998. The total cost of the Year 2000 project is
estimated at $650,000 and is being funded through operating cash flows. To
date, the Company has incurred approximately $635,000 for new systems and
equipment, the majority of which has been capitalized. The total remaining
project costs of approximately $15,000 are attributable to the purchase of new
operating equipment, which will be capitalized.
 
 CYCLICALITY
 
  The Company's business is affected by the U.S. economy and the varying
economic and business cycles of its customers. During recessionary periods,
the Company may be adversely affected by reduced demand for equipment rentals
and services, particularly from customers involved in construction. Downward
cycles may result in the reduction of equipment rentals and pricing, which may
materially and adversely impact the Company's results of operations. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Inflation and Cyclicality."
 
 CONCENTRATION OF OWNERSHIP
 
  As a result of the Transactions, the Equity Investor indirectly owns
approximately 76% of the outstanding common partnership interests of the
Company and controls the affairs and policies of the Company, including the
ability to amend the Partnership Agreements of Holdings (as defined) or the
Company. Circumstances may occur in which the interests of the Equity Investor
could be in conflict with the interests of the holders of the Exchange Notes.
In addition, the Equity Investor may have an interest in pursuing
acquisitions, divestitures or other transactions that, in their judgment,
could enhance their equity investment, even though such transactions might
involve risks to the holders of the Exchange Notes. See "Security Ownership."
 
 ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
 
  The Company and its operations are subject to federal, state and local
environmental and occupational health and safety laws and regulations,
including laws and regulations governing petroleum storage, waste water
discharge, underground storage tanks, hazardous chemical reporting, and
hazardous waste disposal. Based upon the findings of an environmental
assessment conducted in connection with the Recapitalization, the Company
believes it is in material compliance with such requirements. The Company
expects to spend approximately $100,000 in 1998 to close and upgrade certain
underground storage tanks. The enactment of more stringent laws or regulations
or stricter interpretation of existing laws and regulations could require
additional expenditures by the Company, which could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
 
  The Company is subject to liability for the investigation and remediation of
environmental contamination (including contamination caused by other parties)
at the properties it owns or operates and at other properties where the
Company or its predecessors have arranged for the disposal of hazardous
substances. The amount of such liability could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. The
Company is currently investigating and delineating soil and groundwater
contamination at its Savannah, Georgia location that resulted from former
gasoline underground storage tanks. See "Business--Environmental, Health and
Safety Matters."
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
                               THE TRANSACTIONS
 
OVERVIEW
 
  Pursuant to a recapitalization agreement, dated as of June 1, 1998 (the
"Recapitalization Agreement"), among the Company, Bain/ACR, L.L.C., ACR
Management, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and the general
partner of the Company following the Recapitalization (the "General Partner")
and the current owners named therein (the "Current Owners"), the Company and
Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P., a Pennsylvania limited partnership which
became the direct owner of 99% of ACR's equity as part of the Transactions
("Holdings"), were recapitalized on July 22, 1998 (the "Recapitalization") in
a transaction in which the proceeds of the Note Offering, together with the
proceeds from the Debenture Offering (as defined) and the Senior Credit
Facilities, the Current Owner Contribution (as defined) and the Equity
Investor and Management Investors Contribution (as defined), were used to
fund: (i) a cash distribution to the Current Owners in the amount of $122.4
million and a non-cash distribution of Senior Preferred Units of Holdings with
a liquidation and fair value of approximately $22.5 million ("Holdings
Preferred Units"); (ii) the refinancing of existing indebtedness of the
Company (the "Refinancing"), of approximately $233.5 million (including
accrued interest and prepayment penalties thereon); (iii) excess cash of $7.5
million; and (iv) estimated transaction expenses of $25.2 million.
Additionally, the Current Owners retained an 18% interest in the common
partnership interests of Holdings with an implied fair value of approximately
$7.4 million (the "Current Owner Rollover Equity" and, together with the
Holdings Preferred Units, the "Current Owner Contribution"). Each of the
Transactions was conditioned upon each of the others and consummation of each
of the Transactions occurred simultaneously. The Recapitalization and the
transactions described above are collectively referred to herein as the
"Transactions."
 
STRUCTURE OF THE RECAPITALIZATION
 
  In connection with the Recapitalization, Anthony Crane Sales & Leasing,
L.P., a Pennsylvania limited partnership in which the Company held a 97%
interest: (i) transferred its assets to a new limited partnership in which the
Company has a 99% interest; (ii) was distributed by the Company to the Current
Owners; and (iii) changed its name to Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P. In
connection with the Transactions, Holdings became the direct and indirect
owner of 99% of the Company and each of its subsidiaries' equity, and the
remaining 1% ownership in the Company and each of its subsidiaries was held by
the General Partner, both of which in turn are owned 82% by the Equity
Investor and the Management Investors and 18% by the Current Owners. Following
the Transactions, the General Partner transferred its 1% interest in each of
the Company's subsidiaries, Anthony Crane International, L.P. and Anthony
Crane Sales & Leasing, L.P. to Anthony International Equipment Services
Corporation and Anthony Sales & Leasing Corporation, respectively, and those
corporations became wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. All interests in
Holdings and the Company have voting rights equivalent to their respective
economic interests and limited partners, through a majority vote, can remove
the General Partner.
 
SOURCES OF FUNDS
 
  In connection with the Transactions: (i) Holdings and Anthony Crane Holdings
Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of
Holdings ("AC Holdings Corp."), completed the offering (the "Debenture
Offering") of $48.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 13 3/8% Senior
Discount Debentures due 2009 (the "Discount Debentures"); and (ii) the Company
entered into two credit agreements (collectively, the "Senior Credit
Facilities") with a syndicate of financial institutions (the "Lenders") for
which Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P. acted as arranger and syndication
agent (the "Arranger"), DLJ Capital Funding, Inc. acted as documentation agent
and Fleet National Bank acted as administrative agent. The Discount Debentures
were issued at a substantial discount from their principal amount and
generated aggregate gross proceeds to Holdings of approximately $25.0 million.
The net proceeds from the Debenture Offering of approximately $23.1 million
were contributed by Holdings to the Company to fund the Recapitalization. The
Senior Credit Facilities are comprised of a revolving credit facility of up to
$275.0 million (the "Revolving Credit Facility"), of which a net amount of
$125.0 million was drawn at Closing, and a term loan of $50.0 million (the
"Term Loan"). The borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities, together with
the aggregate gross proceeds from the Note Offering and the Debenture
Offering, Holdings Preferred Units and the Equity Investor Contribution were
used to consummate the Recapitalization and pay fees and expenses related to
the
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
Transactions. In addition, the Senior Credit Facilities will provide financing
for future working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate
purposes. See "Description of Senior Credit Facilities."
 
  In connection with the Recapitalization, the Current Owners retained
interests in Holdings consisting of an implied fair value of $7.4 million of
Current Owner Rollover Equity, representing 18% of Holdings common partnership
interests, and the Holdings Preferred Units with a liquidation and fair value
of approximately $22.5 million. In addition, the Equity Investor and the
Management Investors contributed $33.6 million of equity to fund the
Transactions (the "Equity Investor Contribution").
 
REFINANCING OF FORMER INDEBTEDNESS
 
  The Company's former revolving credit facility (the "Former Credit
Agreement") and former senior notes (the "Old Notes" and, together with the
Former Credit Agreement, the "Former Indebtedness") was refinanced in
connection with the Transactions. As of July 22, 1998, $100.0 million was
outstanding under the Former Credit Agreement and $115.0 million was
outstanding under the Old Notes. Upon consummation of the Transactions,
borrowings under the Former Indebtedness, together with $15.1 million of
prepayment penalties and $3.4 million of accrued interest, was repaid with
proceeds from the Transactions. See "Capitalization" and "Description of
Senior Credit Facilities."
 
SOURCES AND USES
 
  The sources and uses of proceeds in connection with the Transactions were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 AS OF
                                                             JULY 22, 1998
                                                         (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                      <C>
SOURCES OF FUNDS:
Senior Credit Facilities:
  Revolving Credit Facility--Company(1).................        $125.0
  Term Loan--Company....................................          50.0
Notes--Company..........................................         155.0
Discount Debentures--Holdings(2)........................          25.0
Equity Investor and the Management Investors
 Contribution--Holdings(3)..............................          33.6
                                                                ------
  Total sources.........................................        $388.6
                                                                ======
USES OF FUNDS:
Distribution proceeds to Current Owners--Company(4).....        $122.4
Refinancings (including accrued interest)--Company......         218.4
Transaction expenses--Holdings/Company(6)...............          25.2
Prepayment penalties--Company...........................          15.1
Excess cash--Company(5).................................           7.5
                                                                ------
  Total uses............................................        $388.6
                                                                ======
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(1) Following the Transactions, the Revolving Credit Facility had total
    availability of $275.0 million, with $181.6 million initially drawn at
    Closing, followed by an immediate $56.6 million paydown with the proceeds
    from the cash contribution to the Company from Holdings (net drawdown at
    closing of $125.0 million). See "Description of Senior Credit Facilities."
(2) Represents proceeds from the Debenture Offering which were contributed by
    Holdings to the Company.
(3) The Equity Investor and the Management Investors Contribution consisted of
    the purchase of common partnership interests of Holdings with a fair
    market value of approximately $33.6 million, which was contributed by
    Holdings to the Company.
(4) Reflects a gross cash distribution of $130.1 million (per the
    Recapitalization Agreement) less contractually agreed adjustments for i)
    the amount by which prepayment penalties exceeded $13.6 million ($1.5
    million), and ii) the amount by which estimated consolidated net worth (as
    defined in the Recapitalization Agreement) at closing was less than
    targeted net worth (as defined in the Recapitalization Agreement) ($6.2
    million). Excludes the non-cash Current Owner Contribution of $29.9
    million, consisting of $7.4 million of Current Owner Rollover Equity at an
    implied fair value and Holdings Preferred Units with a liquidation value
    of approximately $22.5 million.
(5) Funding requirements as of the Closing were approximately $7.5 million
    more than pro forma requirements as of July 22, 1998 due to expected
    additional borrowings to fund capital expenditures.
(6) Reflects fees and expenses related to the Transactions (Holdings of $2.0
    million and the Company of $23.2 million). See "Certain Relationships and
    Related Transactions."
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The aggregate gross proceeds from the issuance of the Notes and the Discount
Debentures, together with the borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities,
the Equity Investor and the Management Investors Contribution and the Current
Owner Contribution, were used to consummate the Recapitalization and pay fees
and expenses in connection with the Transactions. See "The Transactions."
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
                UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
  The Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data of the Company have been
derived by giving effect to the pro forma adjustments to the historical
consolidated financial statements of the Company appearing elsewhere in this
Prospectus. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of income for the
nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 and the year ended December 31,
1997 give effect to the Transactions as if they were consummated at the
beginning of such periods.
 
  The pro forma adjustments are described in the accompanying notes and are
based upon the available information and upon certain assumptions that
management believes are reasonable. The Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated
Financial Data and accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes, and other financial
information pertaining to the Company, including "Capitalization" and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
  The Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data and accompanying notes
are provided for informational purposes only and are not necessarily
indicative of the operating results that would have occurred had the
Transactions been consummated on the dates described above, nor are they
necessarily indicative of the Company's future results of operations or
financial position.
 
  In connection with the Transactions, the Company incurred estimated
penalties associated with the prepayment of the Old Notes of approximately
$15.1 million and wrote-off approximately $0.8 million of existing debt
issuance costs. These costs are non-recurring in nature and have therefore not
been reflected in the unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of income.
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
                           ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                      NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    ADJUSTMENTS FOR
                                         HISTORICAL THE TRANSACTIONS PRO FORMA
<S>                                      <C>        <C>              <C>
Revenues:
  Equipment rentals.....................  $136,876      $   --       $136,876
  Equipment sales.......................    16,655          --         16,655
                                          --------      -------      --------
    Total revenues......................   153,531          --        153,531
Cost of revenues:
  Cost of equipment rentals.............    81,883          --         81,883
  Cost of equipment sales...............    12,878          --         12,878
                                          --------      -------      --------
    Total cost of revenues..............    94,761          --         94,761
                                          --------      -------      --------
Gross profit............................    58,770          --         58,770
Selling, general and administrative ex-
 penses.................................    30,196         (396)(1)    29,800
                                          --------      -------      --------
Income from operations..................    28,574          396        28,970
  Interest expense......................    15,702        9,318 (2)    25,020
  Other income..........................      (633)         --           (633)
                                          --------      -------      --------
Income before extraordinary item and
 taxes..................................    13,505       (8,922)        4,583
Provision for state taxes...............       220          --            220
                                          --------      -------      --------
Net income before extraordinary item....  $ 13,285      $(8,922)     $  4,363
                                          ========      =======      ========
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>
OTHER DATA:
  EBITDA (3)........................................................... $45,798
  Total depreciation and amortization..................................  19,561
  Net gain on sales of used rental equipment...........................   2,733
  Total capital expenditures...........................................  87,806
  Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (4)...............................     1.2x
  Ratio of EBITDA to cash interest expense (3).........................     2.0x
</TABLE>
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
 
                           ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                      NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    ADJUSTMENTS FOR
                                         HISTORICAL THE TRANSACTIONS PRO FORMA
<S>                                      <C>        <C>              <C>
Revenues:
  Equipment rentals.....................  $116,044      $    --      $116,004
  Equipment sales.......................    23,127           --        23,127
                                          --------      --------     --------
    Total revenues......................   139,171           --       139,171
Cost of revenues:
  Cost of equipment rentals.............    71,659           --        71,659
  Cost of equipment sales...............    13,153           --        13,153
                                          --------      --------     --------
    Total cost of revenues..............    84,812           --        84,812
                                          --------      --------     --------
Gross profit............................    54,359           --        54,359
Selling, general and administrative ex-
 penses.................................    25,363          (284)(1)   25,079
                                          --------      --------     --------
Income from operations..................    28,996           284       29,280
  Interest expense......................     9,931        15,089 (2)   25,020
  Other income..........................      (480)          --          (480)
                                          --------      --------     --------
Income before extraordinary item and
 taxes..................................    19,545       (14,805)       4,740
Provision for state taxes...............        78           --            78
                                          --------      --------     --------
Net income before extraordinary item....  $ 19,467      $(14,805)    $  4,662
                                          ========      ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>
OTHER DATA:
  EBITDA(3)............................................................ $35,636
  Total depreciation and amortization..................................  15,496
  Net gain on sales of used rental equipment...........................   9,140
  Total capital expenditures...........................................  68,887
  Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (4)...............................     1.2x
  Ratio of EBITDA to cash interest expense (3).........................     1.5x
</TABLE>
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
 
                           ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    ADJUSTMENTS FOR
                                         HISTORICAL THE TRANSACTIONS PRO FORMA
<S>                                      <C>        <C>              <C>
Revenues:
  Equipment rentals.....................  $156,408      $    --      $156,408
  Equipment sales.......................    27,400           --        27,400
                                          --------      --------     --------
    Total revenues......................   183,808           --       183,808
Cost of revenues:
  Cost of equipment rentals.............    97,036           --        97,036
  Cost of equipment sales...............    15,541           --        15,541
                                          --------      --------     --------
    Total cost of revenues..............   112,577           --       112,577
                                          --------      --------     --------
Gross profit............................    71,231           --        71,231
Selling, general and administrative ex-
 penses.................................    35,111          (613)(1)   34,498
                                          --------      --------     --------
Income from operations..................    36,120           613       36,733
  Interest expense......................    13,962        19,398 (2)   33,360
  Other income..........................    (1,739)          --        (1,739)
                                          --------      --------     --------
Income before taxes.....................    23,897       (18,785)       5,112
Provision for state taxes...............        96           --            96
                                          --------      --------     --------
Net income..............................  $ 23,801      $(18,785)    $  5,016
                                          ========      ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>
OTHER DATA:
  EBITDA (3)........................................................... $47,978
  Total depreciation and amortization..................................  21,904
  Net gain on sales of used rental equipment...........................  10,659
  Total capital expenditures...........................................  92,167
  Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (4)...............................    1.1x
  Ratio of EBITDA to cash interest expense (3).........................    1.5x
</TABLE>
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
 
                         NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                 NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997
                       AND YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
(1) Reflects the following pro forma cost savings offset by the annual
    management fee to be paid to Bain for consulting and financial services to
    be provided to the Company. See "Certain Relationships and Related
    Transactions--Advisory Agreement":
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             NINE MONTHS        NINE MONTHS
                               YEAR ENDED       ENDED              ENDED
                                  1997    SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
<S>                            <C>        <C>                <C>
  Elimination of operating
   costs for property
   distributed to majority
   current owner .............   $(813)         $(458)             $(487)
  Elimination of majority
   current owner's life
   insurance costs............    (400)          (300)              (217)
  Elimination of terminated
   employee costs.............    (400)          (276)              (244)
  Management fee to be paid to
   Bain.......................   1,000            750                552
                                 -----          -----              -----
  Net decrease in selling,
   general and administrative
   expenses...................   $(613)         $(284)             $(396)
                                 =====          =====              =====
</TABLE>
 
(2) The increase in pro forma interest expense as a result of the Transactions
    is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             NINE MONTHS        NINE MONTHS
                               YEAR ENDED       ENDED              ENDED
                                  1997    SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
<S>                            <C>        <C>                <C>
  Elimination of historical
   interest expense...........  $(13,962)      $(9,931)           $(15,702)
                                --------       -------            --------
  Interest on new borrowings:
  Senior Credit
   Facilities(a)..............    15,000        11,250              11,250
  Notes.......................    16,081        12,061              12,061
                                --------       -------            --------
    Cash interest expense.....    31,081        23,311              23,311
  Amortization of deferred
   financing fees(b)..........     2,279         1,709               1,709
                                --------       -------            --------
  Total interest from the debt
   requirements of the
   Transactions...............    33,360        25,020              25,020
                                --------       -------            --------
  Net increase in interest
   expense....................  $ 19,398       $15,089            $  9,318
                                ========       =======            ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
  (a) Represents interest expense on bank debt at the LIBO option (assumed to
      be 5.75%) plus: (i) 2.25% for the Revolving Credit Facility ($125,000)
      as well as an unused commitment fee of 0.50% on the unused portion of
      the Revolving Credit Facility ($150,000); and (ii) 2.75% for the Term
      Loan ($50,000).
  (b) Represents the annual amortization expense assuming a weighted average
      maturity on all borrowings of 8.2 years.
 
(3) Based on the Company's pro forma EBITDA for the twelve-month period ended
    September 30, 1998 of $58.1 million, the pro forma ratio of EBITDA to cash
    interest expense would be 1.9 to 1. EBITDA represents income from
    operations less the net gain on sales of used rental equipment plus
    depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is a widely accepted financial
    indicator of a company's ability to service and incur debt. EBITDA does
    not represent net income or cash flows from operations as those terms are
    defined by generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and does not
    necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash
    needs. The Company's measure of EBITDA may not be comparable to those
    reported by other companies.
 
(4) For purposes of computing this ratio, earnings consist of income before
    taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of total interest expense
    and the estimated portion of rent expense.
 
 
                                      27
<PAGE>
 
                SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
  The following table sets forth selected historical consolidated financial
data of the Company for the five years ended December 31, 1997 and for the
nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1998. The selected historical
consolidated financial data for the five years ended December 31, 1997 were
derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company
which for the three years ended December 31, 1997 are included elsewhere in
this Prospectus, together with the report thereon of PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP, independent accountants. The selected historical consolidated financial
data for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1998 were derived from
unaudited historical consolidated financial statements of the Company. The
following table should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the
historical consolidated financial statements and the notes related thereto of
the Company included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                    YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                     SEPTEMBER 30,
                          ------------------------------------------------     ------------------
                            1993      1994      1995      1996      1997         1997      1998
                                                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME
 DATA:
Revenues:
 Equipment rentals......  $ 68,113  $ 85,369  $106,593  $128,161  $156,408     $116,044  $136,876
 Equipment sales........     4,814     7,762     9,419    19,444    27,400       23,127    16,655
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------     --------  --------
Total revenues..........    72,927    93,131   116,012   147,605   183,808      139,171   153,531
Cost of revenues:
 Cost of equipment
  rentals...............    40,166    50,908    62,533    78,049    97,036       71,659    81,883
 Cost of equipment
  sales.................     3,345     5,206     7,039    13,643    15,541       13,153    12,878
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------     --------  --------
Total cost of revenues..    43,511    56,114    69,572    91,692   112,577       84,812    94,761
Gross profit............    29,416    37,017    46,440    55,913    71,231       54,359    58,770
Selling, general and
 administrative
 expenses...............    17,219    20,567    23,351    29,211    35,111       25,363    30,196
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------     --------  --------
Income from operations..    12,197    16,450    23,089    26,702    36,120       28,996    28,574
Interest expense........     3,961     6,281     8,482    10,873    13,962        9,931    15,702
Other (income) expense..      (125)        6      (104)      (69)   (1,739)        (480)     (633)
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------     --------  --------
Income before
 extraordinary item and
 taxes..................     8,361    10,163    14,711    15,898    23,897       19,545    13,505
Provision (benefit) for
 state taxes............       438       154       583      (102)       96           78       220
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------     --------  --------
Income before
 extraordinary item.....     7,923    10,009    14,128    16,000    23,801       19,467    13,285
Extraordinary item......       --        --        --        --        --           --     15,811
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------     --------  --------
Net income (loss).......  $  7,923  $ 10,009  $ 14,128  $ 16,000  $ 23,801(1)  $ 19,467  $ (2,526)
                          ========  ========  ========  ========  ========     ========  ========
OTHER DATA:
Net cash provided by
 operating activities...  $ 16,079  $ 22,410  $ 27,695  $ 32,411  $ 30,697     $ 21,998  $ 24,973
Net cash used in
 investing activities...   (35,254)  (40,938)  (36,907)  (56,349)  (66,976)     (44,020)  (68,661)
Net cash provided by
 financing activities...    27,180    11,013     8,722    26,370    32,066       16,568    47,173
Ratio of earnings to
 fixed charges(2).......       3.1x      2.6x      2.7x      2.4x      2.5x         2.7x      1.8x
EBITDA(3)...............    23,221    28,724    38,922    44,836    47,365       35,352    45,402
Total depreciation and
 amortization(4)........    12,300    14,408    17,653    22,061    21,904 (1)   15,496    19,561
Net gain on sales of
 used rental equipment..     1,276     2,134     1,820     3,926    10,659        9,140     2,733
Total capital
 expenditures...........    33,735    42,496    45,241    82,673    92,167       68,887    87,806
Original cost of
 property and
 equipment..............   159,581   197,264   238,544   295,405   361,772      347,213   432,385
Original cost of rental
 equipment..............   142,823   174,090   201,972   248,406   295,297      285,951   364,712
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash
 equivalents............  $ 14,160  $  6,646  $  6,156  $  8,588  $  4,375     $  3,135  $  7,860
Total assets............   144,581   164,576   196,053   241,239   306,928      287,340   383,454
Total debt..............    71,808    94,427   108,000   140,000   185,961      166,429   349,893
Total liabilities.......    80,614   100,444   115,908   150,378   205,512      185,891   372,118
Total partners'
 capital................    63,967    64,132    80,145    90,861   101,416      101,448    11,336
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(1) Reflects the decrease in depreciation expense of $5.7 million and $4.2
    million for the year ended December 31, 1997 and for the nine months ended
    September 30, 1997, respectively, for the revision in estimated salvage
    values used for depreciating certain rental equipment.
(2) For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
    "earnings" represents income before taxes plus fixed charges. "Fixed
    charges" consist of interest expense, amortization of deferred financing
    cost and the component of rental expense that management believes is
    representative of the interest component of rental expense.
(3) EBITDA represents income from operations less the net gain on sales of
    used rental equipment plus depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is a
    widely accepted financial indicator of a company's ability to service and
    incur debt. EBITDA does not represent net income or cash flows from
    operations as those terms are defined by generally accepted accounting
    principles ("GAAP") and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows
    will be sufficient to fund cash needs. The Company's measure of EBITDA may
    not be comparable to those reported by other companies.
(4) Excludes amortization of deferred financing fees.
 
                                      28
<PAGE>
 
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the more
detailed information and the historical consolidated financial statements and
pro forma consolidated financial data, including notes thereto, appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
OVERVIEW
 
  ACR is the largest crane rental company in North America. The Company's
primary source of revenue is the rental of cranes and lifting equipment for a
variety of applications, most of which involve industrial repair and
maintenance activity. Over the past thirty years, the Company has grown by
pursuing an operating philosophy focused on the crane and lifting equipment
needs of industrial companies in the petrochemical, paper, steel, utility,
mining and other industries, and major non-residential construction
contractors. In addition to its primary business of renting equipment, the
Company also derives revenue from sales of new equipment as a dealer for
selected manufacturers and used equipment as part of its fleet management
program. Equipment sales can fluctuate based on the Company's fleet management
program and market conditions. Fleet management, which is the process of
purchasing, dispatching, maintaining and selling rental equipment, is one of
the most critical operational elements for crane rental companies. The
Company's revenues are dependent on several factors, including the demand for
rental equipment, the amount of equipment available for rent, rental rates and
general economic conditions.
 
  The Company's total revenues have increased by approximately 152.0% over the
past four years, and have increased in each of the past 31 years. Equipment
rental revenues increased by more than 20% in each of the last four years.
This revenue growth reflects several strengths of the Company. Most
importantly, ACR has the most extensive crane fleet and broadest geographic
coverage of any company in the highly fragmented U.S. crane rental industry.
Since 1995, the Company has grown by expanding its existing yards, opening new
yards and acquiring other crane rental companies. Typically, the costs
associated with the opening of new yards or the purchases of new equipment are
incurred up to 12 months prior to realizing the full benefit of the revenue
stream generated by such yards or equipment.
 
  The Company is a limited partnership organized under the laws of
Pennsylvania, as a result of which (i) the Company is not itself subject to
federal and certain state (except for Texas) income tax, (ii) the taxable
income of the Company's businesses in the United States will be allocated to
the equity holders of Holdings, and (iii) such equity holders will be
responsible for income taxes on such taxable income. The Company intends to
make distributions to equity holders of Holdings to enable them to meet their
tax obligations with respect to income allocated to them by the Company.
 
  Effective July 22, 1998, the Company completed a recapitalization whereby
the Company incurred new debt obligations, repaid its outstanding Senior Notes
and credit agreement obligations, restructured certain partnership interests
and distributed cash and property to the previous owners. See "The
Transactions" and "--Following the Recapitalization."
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
 NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1997
 
  Equipment Rental Revenues. Revenues from equipment rentals increased $20.8
million, or 17.9% to $136.8 million for the nine months ended September 30,
1998 as compared to $116.0 million for the same period in the prior year. This
increase was largely due to the continued growth at the Company's existing
yards, reflecting the impact of the rental equipment purchased in 1997 and
1998 and the start up of six rental yards opened in 1997, including three
operations in California which are beginning to reach targeted operating
levels.
 
  Equipment Sales. Revenues from equipment sales decreased $6.5 million, or
28.0% to $16.6 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 1998 as
compared to $23.1 million for the same period in the prior year. The majority
of the decrease was attributable to the Company's decision to reduce sales of
used equipment in connection with its fleet management program.
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
  Total Revenues. Based on the foregoing, total revenues increased $14.3
million, or 10.3% to $153.5 million for the nine months ended September 30,
1998 as compared to $139.2 million for the same period in the prior year.
 
  Gross Profit. Gross profit from equipment rentals increased $10.6 million,
or 23.9% to $55.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 as
compared to $44.4 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase
was primarily the result of the increased equipment rental revenues as
previously discussed, offset in part by an increase in direct operating
expenses primarily associated with the rental yards opened during 1997. As a
percent of equipment rental revenues, gross profit from equipment rentals
increased to 40.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 as compared to
38.3% for the same period in the prior year. This increase in gross profit
margin is primarily attributable to improved profitability of the rental yards
opened in 1997 as a result of better equipment utilization and management's
efforts to maintain and control costs.
 
  Gross profit from equipment sales decreased $6.2 million or 62.1%, to $3.8
million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 as compared to $10.0
million for the same period in the prior year. As a percent of equipment sales
revenue, gross profit declined to 22.7% for the nine months ended September
30, 1998, compared to 43.1% for the same period in the prior year. The gross
profit and gross margin percentage decreases were due to the Company's
decision to sell a lesser amount of used rental equipment under the fleet
management program during the nine months ended September 30, 1998 compared to
the same period in the prior year, coupled with the unusually large margins
obtained on the sale of certain cranes in the nine months ended September 30,
1997.
 
  Based on the foregoing, total gross profit increased $4.4 million, or 8.1%
to $58.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 as compared to
$54.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1997.
 
  Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased $4.8 million, or 19.1% to $30.2 million for
the nine months ended September 30, 1998 as compared to $25.4 million for the
same period in the prior year. This increase was primarily attributable to an
increase in salaries and wages and related benefit costs associated with the
new yards opened during 1997. As a percent of total revenues, selling, general
and administrative expenses increased to 19.7% for the nine months ended
September 30, 1998 as compared to 18.2% for the same period in the prior year.
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of
total revenues was largely due to the decrease in revenues from equipment
sales during the nine months ended September 30, 1998. As a percent of
equipment rental revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses were
22.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 compared to 21.9% for the
same period in the prior year.
 
  Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization. EBITDA (as
defined to exclude net gains on sales of used equipment) increased $10.0
million, or 28.4% to $45.4 million for the nine months ended September 30,
1998, compared to $35.4 million for the same period in the prior year. EBITDA
from equipment rentals (as defined to equal revenues from equipment rentals,
less costs of equipment rentals, less selling, general and administrative
expenses, plus depreciation and amortization) increased $9.9 million, or
28.5%, to $44.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998, compared
to $34.5 million for the same period in the prior year. As a percent of
equipment rental revenues, EBITDA from equipment rentals increased to 32.4%
for the nine months ended September 30, 1998, compared to 29.7% for the same
period in the prior year. This increase is primarily due to the equipment
rental revenue factors discussed above.
 
  Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $5.8 million, or 58.1%, to
$15.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998, compared to $9.9
million for the same period in the prior year. This increase reflected the
higher level of borrowings outstanding attributable to the Company's
recapitalization transaction consummated in July, 1998 as well as the
Company's continued investment in rental equipment and the opening of new
yards.
 
  Other Income. Other income increased $0.1 million or 32.0% to $0.6 million
for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 compared to $0.5 million for the
same period in the prior year.
 
                                      30
<PAGE>
 
  Extraordinary Item. In connection with the recapitalization transaction
consummated in July 1998, the Company recorded a one-time charge of $15.8
million primarily resulting from penalties associated with the prepayment of
the Company's old debt.
 
  Net (Loss) Income. Net income decreased $22.0 million, or 113.0% to a net
loss of $2.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998, compared to
net income of $19.5 million for the same period in the prior year as a result
of the factors discussed above.
 
 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
  Equipment Rental Revenues. Revenues from equipment rentals increased $28.2
million, or 22.0%, to $156.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1997,
compared to $128.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. This increase
was largely due to the continued growth at the Company's existing rental yards
as a result of new rental equipment purchased in 1997, rental equipment
purchased in 1996 becoming more fully utilized and the start-up of six rental
yards, including three yards in California.
 
  Equipment Sales. Revenues from equipment sales increased $8.0 million, or
40.9%, to $27.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 as compared to
$19.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. This increase was
primarily attributable to significantly higher levels of activity in the
Company's fleet management program through upgrading the fleet and selling
older and under-utilized cranes.
 
  Total Revenues. Based on the foregoing, total revenues for the year ended
December 31, 1997 increased $36.2 million, or 24.5%, to $183.8 million as
compared to total revenues of $147.6 million for the prior year.
 
  Gross Profit. Gross profit from equipment rentals increased $9.3 million, or
18.5%, to $59.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 as compared to
$50.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. The increase in gross
profit from equipment rentals was the result of the increased revenues as
previously discussed, offset in part by an increase in direct operating
expenses, primarily attributable to equipment lease expense (relating to a
sale/leaseback transaction in December 1996) of $3.2 million, or 2.0% of total
equipment rental revenues, as well as new yards opened in 1997. Gross profit
from equipment rentals was also impacted by the Company's decision in 1997 to
revise its estimate of the salvage values used for depreciating certain rental
equipment, which had the effect of improving gross profit by $5.7 million,
offset in part by an increase in depreciation expense of $5.4 million as a
result of the significant capital expenditures incurred in 1997 and 1996. As a
percent of equipment rental revenues, gross profit decreased to 38.0% for the
year ended December 31, 1997 from 39.1% for the year ended December 31, 1996.
This decrease was primarily attributable to the factors discussed above.
 
  Gross profit from equipment sales increased $6.1 million, or 104.4%, to
$11.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 as compared to $5.8 million
for the year ended December 31, 1996. As a percent of equipment sales revenue,
gross profit increased to 43.3% for the year ended December 31, 1997, from
29.8% for the year ended December 31, 1996. These increases were attributable
to the increased equipment sales revenues, as previously discussed as well as
the unusually high margins earned on certain equipment sales during 1997.
 
  Based on the foregoing, total gross profit increased $15.3 million, or
27.4%, to $71.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 as compared to
$55.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1996.
 
  Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased $5.9 million, or 20.2%, to $35.1 million for
the year ended December 31, 1997 compared to $29.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 1996. This increase was primarily attributable to increased
salaries and wages and employee benefits associated with the new yards opened
during 1997. As a percent of total revenues, selling general and
administrative expenses decreased to 19.1% of total revenues for the year
ended December 31, 1997 as compared to 19.8% of total revenues for the year
ended December 31, 1996. The decrease in selling, general and administrative
expenses as a percent of total revenues was largely due to the significant
increase in revenues from equipment sales during 1997. As a percent of
equipment rental revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses
decreased to 22.4% for the year ended December 31, 1997 as compared to 22.8%
for the year ended December 31, 1996.
 
                                      31
<PAGE>
 
  Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization. EBITDA (as
defined to exclude net gains on sales of used equipment) increased $2.6
million, or 5.6%, to $47.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 as
compared to $44.8 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. EBITDA from
equipment rentals (as defined to equal revenues from equipment rentals, less
costs of equipment rentals, less selling, general and administrative expenses,
plus depreciation and amortization) increased $3.2 million, or 7.5%, to $46.2
million for the year ended December 31, 1997 as compared to $43.0 million for
the year ended December 31, 1996. These increases were primarily attributable
to the increase in rental revenues, as previously discussed. As a percent of
equipment rental revenues, EBITDA from equipment rentals decreased to 29.5%
for the year ended December 31, 1997 as compared to 33.5% for the year ended
December 31, 1996. This decrease was primarily attributable to the increase in
equipment lease expense as a result of a sale/leaseback transaction in
December 1996, as well as the new rental yards opened in 1997.
 
  Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $3.1 million, or 28.4%, to
$14.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 as compared to $10.9
million for the year ended December 31, 1996. This increase reflected the
higher level of borrowings outstanding attributable to the Company's continued
investment in rental equipment and the new rental yards opened during 1997.
 
  Other Income. Other income increased $1.6 million to $1.7 million for the
year ended December 31, 1997 as compared to $0.1 million for the year ended
December 31, 1996. This increase was primarily the result of a gain on the
sale of property purchased for resale by the Company.
 
  Net Income. Net income increased $7.8 million, or 48.8%, to $23.8 million
for the year ended December 31, 1997 as compared to $16.0 million for the year
ended December 31, 1996. This increase reflected the factors discussed above.
 
 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
  Equipment Rental Revenues. Revenues from equipment rentals increased $21.6
million, or 20.2%, to $128.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 as
compared to $106.6 million for the year ended December 31, 1995. The increase
in equipment rental revenues was attributable to the Company's increased
revenues at existing locations and its continued expansion efforts. During
1996, the Company opened a rental facility in California and expanded its
national accounts program by obtaining a long-term contract with a customer.
 
  Equipment Sales. Revenues from equipment sales increased $10.0 million, or
106.4%, to $19.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to
$9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1995. This increase was
principally attributable to the resale of rental equipment purchased in
connection with the contract discussed above and the effects of the Company's
existing fleet management program.
 
  Total Revenues. Based on the foregoing, total revenues increased $31.6
million, or 27.2%, to $147.6 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 as
compared to $116.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
  Gross Profit. Gross profit from equipment rentals increased $6.0 million, or
13.7%, to $50.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to
$44.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1995, primarily as a result of
the increased revenues previously discussed. As a percent of equipment rental
revenues, the gross profit from equipment rentals decreased to 39.1% for the
year ended December 31, 1996 from 41.3% for the year ended December 31, 1995.
The key factor contributing to this decrease was an increase in direct
operating expenses due to a management initiative to upgrade the Company's
ongoing preventive maintenance and inspection program.
 
  Gross profit from equipment sales increased $3.4 million, or 143.7%, to $5.8
million for the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to $2.4 million for
the year ended December 31, 1995. This increase was primarily attributable to
the increased level of equipment sales, as discussed above. As a percent of
equipment sales revenues, gross profit increased to 29.8% for the year ended
December 31, 1996 as compared to 25.3% for the year ended December 31, 1995.
This increase was primarily due to the margins generated on the equipment
purchased and subsequently resold in connection with the contract discussed
above.
 
 
                                      32
<PAGE>
 
  Based on the foregoing, total gross profit increased $9.5 million, or 20.4%,
to $55.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to $46.4
million for the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
  Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased $5.9 million, or 25.1%, to $29.2 million for
the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to $23.4 million for the year
ended December 31, 1995. This increase was attributable to increased salaries
and wages and travel expenses related to the new locations opened in 1996 and
1995. As a percent of total revenues, selling, general and administrative
expenses decreased to 19.8% for the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared
to 20.1% for the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
  Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization. EBITDA (as
defined to exclude net gains on sales of used equipment) increased $5.9
million, or 15.2%, to $44.8 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 as
compared to $38.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1995. This increase
was primarily attributable to the increased revenues discussed above. EBITDA
from equipment rentals (as defined to equal revenues from equipment rentals,
less costs of equipment rentals, less selling, general and administrative
expenses, plus depreciation and amortization) increased from $38.4 million in
1995 to $43.0 million in 1996, an increase of 12.0%. As a percent of equipment
rental revenues, EBITDA from equipment rentals decreased from 36.0% in 1995 to
33.5% in 1996. This decrease was principally attributable to the changes in
gross profit and selling, general and administrative expenses discussed above.
 
  Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $2.4 million, or 28.2%, to
$10.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to $8.5 million
for the year ended December 31, 1995. This increase was reflective of the
Company's higher levels of borrowings to finance the continued growth of the
Company.
 
  Net Income. Net income increased $1.9 million, or 13.3%, to $16.0 million
for the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to $14.1 million for the year
ended December 31, 1995 as a result of the factors discussed above.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
 HISTORICAL
 
  During the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and the years ended December
31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company's primary sources of funds consisted of
net cash provided by operating activities, proceeds from the sale of fixed
assets, including rental equipment and borrowings under its Former Credit
Agreement. Additionally, in 1996, proceeds of $24.1 million were received from
a sale/leaseback transaction, and in 1997, $59.0 million in proceeds from the
issuance of privately placed senior notes. Net cash provided by operating
activities for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 increased $3.0
million, or 13.5%, to $25.0 million from $22.0 million for the same period in
the prior year. This increase was primarily the result of an increase in
income from operations before consideration of non-cash components of net
income. Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December
31, 1997 declined to $30.7 million from $32.4 million as a result of an
increase in working capital partially offset by an increase in net income. Net
cash provided by operations for the year ended December 31, 1996 increased
17.0% to $32.4 million from $27.7 million in 1995. This increase is primarily
the result of increased net income and an increase in certain operating
liabilities.
 
  For the nine months ended September 30, 1998, the Company's principal use of
cash for investing activities was for capital expenditures, primarily the
purchase of rental equipment for the Company's fleet. Total capital
expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 increased $21.4
million, or 36.0%, to $80.9 million, compared to $59.8 million for the same
period in the prior year. Of those amounts, $73.6 million and $40.2 million,
respectively, reflected the purchases of rental equipment both to increase the
size of the Company's fleet and to replace sold used rental equipment.
Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets, including rental equipment, for the
nine months ended September 30, 1998 decreased $10.4 million, or 53.0%, to
$9.2 million from $19.6 million for the same period in the prior year.
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
  For the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, net cash provided by
financing activities was $47.2 million and $16.6 million, respectively. The
increase in net cash provided by financing activities was due to an increase
in net borrowings and equity proceeds as a result of the recapitalization
transaction as well as borrowings to fund capital expenditures, offset by an
increase in partner distributions, primarily related to the recapitalization
transaction.
 
  During the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company's
principal uses of cash for investing activities, were for capital
expenditures, including expenditures for rental equipment. Total capital
expenditures during these periods were $85.6 million, $81.2 million and $44.8
million, respectively. Included in these totals were expenditures for rental
equipment totaling $64.2 million, $77.0 million, and $37.0 million,
respectively. These expenditures were made to increase the Company's total
investment in the rental fleet and to replace sold used rental equipment.
Total proceeds from the sale of fixed assets, including rental equipment,
increased 170.2% to $22.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 from
$8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. Total proceeds from the
sale of fixed assets, including rental equipment, totaled $7.7 million for the
year ended December 31, 1995.
 
  For the year ended December 31, 1997, net cash provided by financing
activities was $32.1 million compared to $26.4 million and $8.7 million for
the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The increases in
1997 and 1996 were due to higher net borrowings to fund capital expenditures
and acquisitions, offset by an increase in partner withdrawals compared to
1995.
 
  The Company has no long-term minimum purchase commitments for rental
equipment. Management has budgeted $95 million for gross fleet capital
expenditures for 1998. These expenditures will be partially offset by expected
proceeds from the sale of used equipment. The Company also expects to spend
approximately $8.0 million in 1998 on non-rental related capital expenditures
consisting of buildings, land, furniture and fixtures and machinery and tools.
In addition to the budgeted capital expenditures, the Company is currently
considering several potential acquisitions, although the Company does not
currently have any agreements with respect to the potential acquisitions. In
1997, the Company incurred approximately $3.1 million related to a
sale/leaseback transaction entered into in December 1996. This transaction
will require annual payments of approximately $3.1 million through January,
2004.
 
  In connection with the Recapitalization, the Company incurred significant
amounts of debt with interest and principal repayments on the Senior Notes and
under the Senior Credit Facilities representing significant obligations of the
Company. The Company's liquidity needs relate to working capital, debt
service, capital expenditures and potential acquisitions.
 
  The Company intends to fund its working capital, capital expenditures and
debt service requirements through cash flows generated from operations and
borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities. The Senior Credit Facilities
consist of a $275.0 million, non-amortizing revolving Credit Facility of which
a net amount of $144.0 million was drawn at September 30, 1998, and a $50.0
million non-amortizing Term Loan. Amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility
will be available on a revolving basis during the period commencing on July
22, 1998 (the date of the closing) and ending on the sixth anniversary of the
closing.
 
  The Senior Credit Facilities and the Senior Notes contain certain covenants
that limit, among other things, the ability of the Company to: (i) make
distributions, redeem partnership interests or make certain other restricted
payments or investments other than distributions to pay taxes; (ii) incur
additional indebtedness or issue preferred equity interests; (iii) merge,
consolidate or sell all or substantially all of its assets; (iv) create liens
on assets; and (v) enter into certain transactions with affiliates or related
persons. In addition, the Senior Credit Facilities require the Company to
maintain specified financial ratios and tests, among other obligations,
including a minimum interest coverage ratio. At September 30, 1998, the
Company was in full compliance with the financial covenants and expects to
remain in compliance for the forseeable future, including with respect to the
minimum interest coverage ratio covenant.
 
                                      34
<PAGE>
 
IMPACT OF YEAR 2000 ISSUE
 
  The Year 2000 Issue is the result of computer programs being written using
two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. Any of the
Company's computer programs or hardware that have date-sensitive software or
embedded chips may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than
the year 2000. This could result in a system failure or miscalculations
causing disruptions of operations, including, among other things, a temporary
inability to process transactions, send invoices, or engage in similar normal
business activities.
 
  Based on recent assessments, the Company determined that its information
technology systems will require modification or replacement of portions of
hardware and software so that those systems will properly utilize dates beyond
December 31, 1999. The Company presently believes that with modifications and
replacement of existing hardware and software, the Year 2000 Issue can be
mitigated. However, if such modifications and replacements are not made, or
are not completed timely, the Year 2000 Issue could have a material impact on
the operations of the Company. The Company does not have any significant non-
information technology systems.
 
  The Company will utilize both internal and external resources to reprogram,
or replace, test, and implement the software and hardware for Year 2000
modifications. The total cost of the Year 2000 project is estimated at
$650,000 and is being funded through operating cash flows. To date, the
Company has incurred approximately $635,000 for new systems and equipment, the
majority of which has been capitalized. The total remaining project costs of
approximately $15,000 are attributable to the purchase of new operating
equipment, which will be capitalized.
 
  The Company's plan to complete the Year 2000 modifications are based on
management's best estimates, which were derived utilizing numerous assumptions
of future events including the continued availability of certain resources,
and other factors. Estimates on the status of completion and the expected
completion dates are based on costs incurred to date compared to total
expected costs. However, there can be no guarantee that these estimates will
be achieved and actual results could differ materially from those plans.
Specific factors that might cause such material differences include, but are
not limited to, the availability and cost of personnel trained in this area,
the ability to locate and correct all relevant computer codes, and similar
uncertainties.
 
  The Company's plan to resolve the Year 2000 Issue involves four phases:
assessment, remediation, testing, and implementation. To date, the Company has
fully completed its assessment of all material systems that could be affected
by the Year 2000 Issue. The completed assessment indicated that most of the
Company's significant information technology systems could be affected.
Further, the Company conducts a significant portion of its purchase
transactions with vendors involved in the business of crane and lifting
equipment manufacturing and repair. If these vendors are not Year 2000 ready,
the Company's ability to service its crane rental customers could be impaired.
 
  For its information technology exposures, to date, the Company is 100%
complete on the remediation phase for all material systems and is 98% complete
with testing and implementing its information technology systems. Completion
of the testing phase is expected by November 1998 with all remediated systems
fully implemented by December 31, 1998.
 
  With respect to third parties, the Company does not utilize systems that
interface directly with significant vendors. The Company has queried its
important vendors, and to date, the Company is not aware of any problems that
would materially impact results of operations, liquidity, or capital
resources. The Company has no means of ensuring that their vendors will be
Year 2000 ready. The inability of those parties to complete their Year 2000
resolution process could materially impact the Company.
 
                                      35
<PAGE>
 
INFLATION AND CYCLICALITY
 
  Although the Company cannot accurately anticipate the effect of inflation on
its operations, it does not believe that inflation has had, or is likely in
the foreseeable future to have, a material impact on its results of
operations. The Company's operating results may be adversely affected by
events or conditions in a particular region, such as regional economic,
weather and other factors. In addition, the Company's operating results may be
adversely affected by increases in interest rates that may lead to a decline
in economic activity, while simultaneously resulting in higher interest
payments by the Company under its variable rate credit facilities.
 
  Although much of the Company's business is with customers in industries that
are cyclical in nature, management believes that certain characteristics of
the crane rental industry and the Company's operating strategies should help
to mitigate the effects of an economic downturn. These characteristics
include: (i) the flexibility and low cost offered to customers by renting,
which may be a more attractive alternative to capital purchases; (ii) the
Company's ability to relocate equipment during regional recessions; (iii) the
Company's high percentage of industrial customers who frequently rent cranes
for regularly scheduled, non-deferrable plant maintenance activities; and (iv)
the diversity of the Company's industry and customer base.
 
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
  The following table presents unaudited quarterly operating results for each
of the Company's last eleven quarters as well as the percentage of the
Company's total revenues represented by each item. This information has been
prepared by the Company on a basis consistent with the Company's audited
consolidated financial statements and includes all adjustments (consisting
only of normal recurring adjustments) that management considers necessary for
a fair presentation of the data. These quarterly results are not necessarily
indicative of future results of operations. This information should be read in
conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and notes
thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               QUARTER ENDED
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------
                            MARCH 31        JUNE 30     SEPTEMBER 30         DECEMBER 31
                          -------------  -------------  -----------------   -------------
                                          (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                       <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>         <C>     <C>     <C>
1996:
Total revenues..........  $29,790 100.0% $34,663 100.0% $39,948     100.0%  $43,204 100.0%
Gross profit............   11,599  38.9   13,486  38.9   14,072      35.2    16,756  38.8
Income before income
 taxes..................    3,322  11.2    4,178  12.1    3,395       8.5     5,003  11.6
Net income..............    3,342  11.2    4,205  12.1    3,417       8.6     5,036  11.7
1997:
Total revenues..........  $45,575 100.0% $44,278 100.0% $49,319     100.0%  $44,636 100.0%
Gross profit............   17,384  38.2   16,164  36.5   20,757      42.1    16,926  37.9
Income before income
 taxes..................    7,629  16.8    4,594  10.4    7,323      14.9     4,351   9.8
Net income..............    7,599  16.7    4,576  10.3    7,293      14.8     4,333   9.7
1998:
Total revenues..........  $48,463 100.0% $51,086 100.0% $53,982       100%      --    --
Gross profit............   17,551  36.3   20,271  39.7   20,948      38.8%      --    --
Income (loss) before in-
 come taxes.............    4,564   9.5    5,765  11.3  (12,634)(a) (23.4%)     --    --
Net income (loss).......    4,504   9.3    5,765  11.3  (12,795)(a) (23.7%)     --    --
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(a) Includes an extraordinary loss of $15,811 associated with refinancing
indebtedness in connection with the Recapitalization.
 
IMPACT OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
  In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive Income," which establishes standards for reporting and
displaying comprehensive income and its components. SFAS No. 130 requires that
all items that are required to be recognized under accounting standards as
components of comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that
is displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements. The
provisions of SFAS No. 130 have been adopted in the nine month period ended
September 30, 1998 and all years presented have been adjusted to reflect the
adoption.
 
                                      36
<PAGE>
 
  The FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise
and Related Information," which establishes standards for the way that public
business enterprises report information about operating segments in annual
financial statements and related disclosures about products and services,
geographic areas and major customers. SFAS No. 131 is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 1997. Accordingly, the Company is not
required to adopt this standard until the fiscal year ending December 31,
1998. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on the
consolidated financial statements.
 
  The FASB issued SFAS No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and
Other Postretirement Benefits," which revises employers' disclosures about
pension and other postretirement benefit plans by standardizing the disclosure
requirements for pensions and other postretirement benefits to the extent
practicable, requiring additional information on changes in the benefit
obligations and fair values of plan assets that will facilitate financial
analysis, and eliminating certain disclosures that are no longer as useful.
SFAS No. 132 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997.
Accordingly, the Company is not required to adopt this standard until the
fiscal year ending December 31, 1998. Management is currently evaluating the
impact of this standard on the consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      37
<PAGE>
 
                                   BUSINESS
   
  Anthony Crane Rental, L.P. is the largest provider of comprehensive crane
and lifting equipment rentals and services in North America. The Company
believes, based on the number and widespread locations of its yards, that it
is the only national crane rental company in the highly fragmented U.S. crane
rental industry. The Company has a network of 25 crane rental yards that
provide services to over 8,000 customers in 41 states, Mexico and the
Caribbean. The Company owns approximately 2,500 pieces of lifting equipment,
ranging from 1,000-ton mobile cranes to two-person aerial work platforms. The
Company believes that its crane fleet represented approximately 15% of the
total U.S. crane rental fleet in 1997. While its primary business is the
rental of crane and lifting equipment, approximately 15% of the Company's 1997
revenues were derived from sales of new and used equipment. The Company has
achieved 31 consecutive years of revenue growth and compound annual growth
rates of revenues and EBITDA (as defined) from 1993 to 1997 of 26.0% and
19.5%, respectively. For the twelve months ended September 30, 1998, on a pro
forma basis ACR generated revenues and EBITDA of $198.2 million and $58.1
million, respectively.     
 
  The Company's two subsidiaries, Anthony Crane Sales & Leasing, L.P. ("Sales
& Leasing") and Anthony Crane International, L.P. ("AC International") conduct
business solely in the Virgin Islands under the terms of a contract with a
single customer. The principal activity of Sales & Leasing is the rental of
cranes and lifting equipment. AC International provides labor services for the
operation, management and maintenance of the equipment.
 
  ACR was founded by Ray G. Anthony, who entered the crane rental business in
1966 when he took over the family business, a small scrap yard south of
Pittsburgh. Mr. Anthony initially purchased a crane to facilitate moving scrap
metal and shortly thereafter began receiving calls from parties interested in
renting the crane. As such calls became more frequent, Mr. Anthony purchased
additional cranes and incorporated Anthony Crane Rental, Inc. in 1973. Since
that time, the Company has grown largely through controlled and disciplined
geographic expansion.
 
OPERATING PHILOSOPHY
 
  The Company has grown by pursuing an operating philosophy focused on serving
the crane and lifting needs of industrial customers in the petrochemical,
paper, steel, utility, mining and multiple other industries. These industrial
customers, which accounted for approximately 70% of the Company's 1997 rental
revenues, frequently rent cranes for regularly scheduled, non-deferrable plant
maintenance activities. These projects can require up to 100 cranes of varying
sizes at any one time and are often extremely time-sensitive because they
interrupt plant operations. As a result, industrial customers value
reliability, availability, safety and operator experience more than certain
other factors. The Company believes that its industrial customer base provides
stable crane rental demand as such customers tend to require a certain level
of predictable and necessary plant maintenance regardless of economic
conditions. The Company has also been successful in serving the needs of
construction contractors, which accounted for approximately 30% of 1997 rental
revenues. These construction customers rent cranes primarily for large, long-
term public infrastructure and commercial construction projects which are
generally not deferred once started.
 
CRANE RENTAL INDUSTRY
 
  The crane rental industry is an estimated $750 million market within the $16
billion general equipment rental industry. The general equipment rental
industry has grown at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 15% from
1991 to 1996. This growth has been driven by a combination of underlying end-
user growth and a trend toward outsourcing non-core operations in order to:
(i) reduce their capital investments; (ii) gain access to specialized
equipment on an economic basis; (iii) meet safety standards; and (iv) minimize
the downtime, maintenance, repair, storage and other operating costs
associated with equipment ownership.
 
  Growth in the crane rental industry has resulted from factors similar to
those driving growth in the general equipment rental industry, particularly
the trend toward further outsourcing. Rental companies are able to provide
customers with savings relative to owning cranes by capitalizing on volume-
driven equipment purchase discounts and high utilization rates. As evidence of
the outsourcing trend, the Company believes that approximately 80% of new
cranes sold in 1997 were purchased directly for the rental market,
representing an increase from 40% in the early 1980s. However, the Company
believes rental companies own less than one-half of the total installed base
of cranes in the United States. Management believes there is substantial
growth potential from the continued outsourcing of lifting equipment as an
increasing number of end users assess the "rent versus buy" decision.
 
 
                                      38
<PAGE>
 
  Generally, cranes are rented by two sets of customers: (i) industrial
customers who typically use cranes for regularly-scheduled, non-deferrable
plant maintenance activities; and (ii) contractors who generally utilize
cranes in public infrastructure or commercial construction projects. Crane
lifting services are required in many plant maintenance and construction
projects but typically represent only a small fraction of a project's total
cost. In addition, plant maintenance programs often require the suspension of
production. Consequently, effective, timely and safe crane operation is
critical to avoid prolonged, costly production suspensions and construction
delays. As a result, crane rental companies are held to stringent safety,
availability and uptime standards and well trained, experienced operators and
lifting expertise are highly valued. As crane rental customers weigh the
average cost of crane rental relative to the all-in-cost of ownership, safety
violations and lengthened project delays or plant shutdowns, they typically
value reliability, availability, safety record and technical skill over other
factors.
 
  The crane rental industry is highly fragmented and is served by a distinct
set of companies who focus almost exclusively on crane and lifting equipment
rental. ACR generally competes with a small number of regional crane rental
companies (who typically own less than 200 cranes) and hundreds of local crane
rental companies (who typically own less than 50 cranes). Management believes
that general equipment rental companies have not significantly participated in
the crane rental market because they are less able to meet the broad needs of
crane rental customers for several reasons, including: (i) the high levels of
expertise and commitment required to provide a full range of value-added
lifting services, such as highly qualified, well trained operators and lift
planning; (ii) the substantial amount of capital dedicated to cranes and
lifting equipment required to provide the fleet size and selection necessary
to meet the broad demands of larger customers; and (iii) the significant
maintenance programs required to ensure equipment reliability and safety.
Given the unique characteristics and fragmentation of the crane rental
industry, management believes there are substantial opportunities for ACR to
leverage its competitive advantages and further increase its market share
through geographic expansion and consolidation.
 
COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS
 
  ACR believes that it benefits from the following competitive strengths:
 
  LEADING MARKET POSITION AND NATIONAL SCOPE. ACR is the largest and only
national provider of comprehensive crane and lifting equipment rentals and
services in the United States. The Company estimates that its crane fleet
represented approximately 15% of the total U.S. crane rental fleet in 1997.
According to industry estimates, the Company's crane rental fleet is
significantly larger than that of its next largest competitor. Management
believes that, relative to the Company, most local and regional crane rental
competitors lack the fleet size necessary to provide customers with comparable
selection and availability. Furthermore, ACR's national scope, together with
the mobile nature of its fleet, affords it the ability to move assets in
response to varying levels of regional or seasonal demand and thus maximize
its fleet utilization.
 
  LOW COST POSITION. ACR's leadership position results in economies of scale,
which management believes provide significant cost savings relative to its
competitors and thus allow the Company to provide superior services at
competitive prices. ACR's low cost position results from a number of factors.
First, ACR is the largest non-government buyer of cranes in the United States
and consequently benefits from volume-driven purchase discounts. Second, ACR
achieves superior utilization rates for its equipment due to its broad
customer base and ability to move equipment among both yards and regions.
Third, ACR realizes greater efficiency in its maintenance operations, which
enables the Company to realize longer equipment lives than many of its
competitors. Finally, ACR spreads operating and corporate overhead costs over
a larger revenue base. As a result of these advantages, management believes
that the Company generally earns higher margins and returns on its equipment
investments than its smaller local and regional competitors.
 
  EMPHASIS ON INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS. The Company focuses on serving the crane
and lifting needs of industrial customers, who frequently rent cranes for
regularly scheduled, non-deferrable plant maintenance activities. Industrial
usage accounted for approximately 70% of the Company's rental revenues in
1997. Management believes that, relative to its competitors, ACR is better
positioned to serve industrial customers for
 
                                      39
<PAGE>
 
several reasons. First, ACR meets the quantity, availability and reliability
requirements of large industrial customers with its broad, well maintained
fleet which includes larger and more specialized cranes required for major
plant maintenance jobs and special applications. Second, the Company offers a
full range of lifting services and experienced crane operators, which are
increasingly important as customers outsource more of their crane and lifting
needs. Last, ACR minimizes downtime on a customer's site through both
preventative maintenance and field repair/replacement services. The Company
believes that its industrial customer base provides stable crane rental demand
as such customers tend to require a certain level of predictable and necessary
plant maintenance regardless of economic conditions.
 
  MODERN, WELL MAINTAINED CRANE FLEET. ACR has a modern, well maintained fleet
with an average age of approximately five years as of September 30, 1998. From
January 1, 1994 through September 30, 1998, the Company has invested
approximately $298 million in rental equipment. As a result of these capital
investments, the Company has expanded its rental fleet by approximately 1,500
units over such four and three quarter year period. In addition, ACR spent
over $13 million on expensed fleet maintenance during 1997 and $10.7 million
for the nine months ended September 30, 1998, in order to maintain the value
of its fleet and exceed industry-accepted safety and reliability standards. By
regularly inspecting its cranes and investing in preventive maintenance, ACR
is able to minimize costly field repairs and downtime on customer sites.
Management believes that its strong maintenance programs enhance the long-term
value of its cranes over their 15 to 25 year average lives. From 1994 to 1997,
ACR sold its used equipment for an average of greater than 90% of its original
cost.
 
  SUPERIOR FLEET MANAGEMENT. The Company believes that a key factor
contributing to its ability to generate consistent returns and strong resale
values on its rental fleet investment has been its proactive fleet management
program. Through this program, the Company uses a tracking system to monitor
and maximize asset utilization on a crane-by-crane basis. The Company's fleet
management program facilitates decisions regarding: (i) asset mix at
individual yards; (ii) movements of equipment on an intra-regional and inter-
regional basis; and (iii) relocation or divestiture of underperforming assets.
Management believes that as a result of its effective fleet management and
high utilization rates, the Company has generated consistent returns on its
fleet investment.
 
  COMPREHENSIVE CRANE AND LIFTING EXPERTISE. Over its 30-year history, the
Company has developed significant lifting expertise. The Company provides a
full range of turnkey lift planning and execution services, including job
specification, equipment selection and skilled crane operation and rigging.
The Company's regional managers average over 27 years of crane rental
experience. The Company maintains a Crane Specialist at each yard and has
several special situation experts throughout its organization who typically
have many years of lifting and crane operating experience. In addition, the
Company believes that it has the ability to attract and retain superior
operators which allows it to strengthen customer relationships and provide
superior execution. ACR believes that its long history and reputation as a
crane expert and total lifting solution provider represents a significant
competitive advantage, and the majority of the Company's rentals include the
value-added services described above.
 
  DIVERSE CUSTOMER BASE. The Company believes its diverse customer base
mitigates the impact of an economic downturn related to a particular customer,
industry or geographic region. In 1997, ACR served over 8,000 customers in 41
states, Mexico and the Caribbean. Examples of the Company's key customers
include: Hess Oil, USX Corp., Mobil Corp., Huntsman Corp., Florida Power and
Light Co., International Paper Co., Procter & Gamble Co. and Bayer AG. No
customer accounted for greater than 2% of the Company's rental revenues in
1997, other than a single industrial customer who represented 7% of 1997
rental revenues and for whom the Company provides fleet management services
under the terms of an exclusive contract. The Company's customers cover a wide
spectrum of industries, and management estimates that of the end-user groups
for which it records data, no single industry accounted for more than 13% of
rental revenues in 1997. Additionally, no single region accounted for greater
than 28% of the Company's 1997 rental revenues.
 
 
                                      40
<PAGE>
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
  ACR's business strategy is to serve the crane and lifting needs of
industrial and other large customers by providing a broad selection of modern,
well maintained lifting equipment, comprehensive lift planning and execution
services and highly qualified, well trained operators. The Company's leading
market position and track record of profitable internal growth are
attributable to the successful implementation of this business strategy. ACR
intends to achieve further growth and strengthen its competitive position
through the continued implementation of this strategy and the following
initiatives:
   
  LEVERAGE MARKET LEADERSHIP POSITION. The Company intends to leverage its
leadership position and build on its track record of profitable internal
growth. From 1993 to 1997, ACR achieved a compound annual revenue growth rate
of 26.0% primarily through internal growth. The Company intends to continue
this growth by: (i) expanding sales in existing yards through equipment
additions and marketing efforts targeted at new and existing customers; (ii)
opening satellite yards in contiguous geographic areas, which are currently
served by one of the Company's existing yards; and (iii) opening greenfield
yards ("start-up") in selected noncontiguous markets where the Company does
not currently conduct business. Such greenfield yards cannot, in the short
term, benefit from economies that might result from coordination with existing
operations.     
 
  EMPHASIZE LONG-TERM CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS. Management believes that its
customers value the broad range of equipment and services that the Company
provides and many of its customers use ACR for predominantly all of their
lifting needs. The strength of ACR's customer relationships is evidenced by
the fact that 23 of the Company's top 25 customers in 1997 have been major
customers in each of the last five years. The Company capitalizes on its
presence on a customer's site by proactively anticipating and pursuing
incremental equipment rental opportunities and continuously strengthening this
customer relationship. In addition, as the only national provider of crane
rental services, the Company believes that it is uniquely positioned to serve
customers across multiple locations.
 
  COMPLETE CALIFORNIA ROLLOUT. ACR intends to continue to invest in the Los
Angeles and San Diego markets, which it entered in 1997 with three new rental
yards. During the initial stages of infrastructure buildout, the Company
incurred significant start-up costs and experienced lower fleet utilization
than that of its more mature yards. The Company is increasing the fleet size
of these new yards in order to leverage its existing investment and meet the
diverse lifting needs of larger customers in these markets. Management expects
that these equipment additions will allow the Company to grow revenues in
these attractive markets and achieve fleet utilization and operating margins
consistent with those of the Company's more mature yards.
 
  EXPAND THROUGH SELECTED ACQUISITIONS. The crane rental industry is highly
fragmented and the Company generally competes with a small number of regional
and hundreds of local crane rental companies. Management believes that there
are substantial opportunities for ACR to leverage its competitive strengths
and increase its market share through selected acquisitions. In evaluating
acquisition targets, the Company seeks acquisitions that would allow it to
penetrate new geographic markets or to solidify its position in certain
existing geographic markets, while generating attractive economic returns and
building on existing customer relationships.
 
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW
 
  ACR is headquartered in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania and organized into four
regions: Northeast (based in Pittsburgh, PA), Southeast (based in Atlanta,
GA), Central (based in Beaumont, TX), and West (based in Phoenix, AZ). Each of
these regions is headed by a regional manager who supervises five to eight
yards and oversees the movement of equipment within and across regions. These
managers have responsibility for sales and profitability for an individual
region and for the Company as a whole and receive bonuses for local, regional
and company-wide performance. This cooperative management style ensures proper
fleet deployment and optimal utilization on a company-wide basis.
Additionally, regional managers are responsible for locating promising growth
opportunities, new national customers and new yard sites in their respective
regions. The Company's regional managers average over 27 years of crane rental
experience.
 
  Each yard serves an area within a radius of approximately 150 miles.
Depending on its size, each yard utilizes 20 to 40 skilled crane operators who
have undergone an intensive four-year training and apprenticeship program to
develop their expertise, which is a critical success factor for the Company.
The majority of these operators are used on an as-needed basis, which provides
ACR with a significant degree of operational and
 
                                      41
<PAGE>
 
financial flexibility. In addition, each yard is supervised by its respective
regional manager and staffed with a Yard Manager, Crane Specialist,
Dispatcher, two to four sales people, an in-house maintenance department and a
small financial and administrative staff. The Yard Manager oversees the day-
to-day management of equipment, employees and local customers and approves all
pricing decisions.
 
  Throughout its history, the Company has continually reviewed its options to
expand both within and across regions by adding new yards, often at the
initial request of one of its existing customers. ACR evaluates these
opportunities, applying financial and market-related criteria, and if
appropriate, enters a market through a single yard. As the Company gains new
customers in this market, it continues to build the size of its fleet and,
correspondingly, its market share. This initial yard then serves its market
and adjoining markets until the Company develops a sufficient revenue base to
support further expansion, at which point ACR opens a new yard in a contiguous
market. ACR has used this disciplined expansion strategy to expand regionally
into the Southeast and Central regions, and more recently to enter the West
region. Management believes that there are significant opportunities to expand
operations and grow revenue within the geographic scope of its current
operations.
 
  One of the Company's primary performance measures is utilization, which it
defines as equipment rental revenue (excluding ancillary services such as
labor, freight and rigging which have historically generated additional
revenues) expressed as a percentage of original equipment cost. Since 1990,
ACR has consistently achieved utilization rates at or near its target of 30%,
even as it has expanded into new markets. For a particular class of equipment,
ACR's utilization rates tend to be relatively constant throughout its useful
life. Utilization in 1997 was below average primarily due to the Company's
substantial investment in new equipment and the start-up of new yards in
California. The Company's improved utilization rate in the nine months ended
September 30, 1998 reflects increased utilization achieved related to these
investments.
 
  Fleet management, which is the process of purchasing, dispatching,
maintaining and selling rental equipment, is one of the most critical
operational elements for crane rental companies. As part of its fleet
management program, the Company monitors utilization on a crane-by-crane
basis, using a tracking system that indicates, by yard, the number of cranes
currently utilized or reserved and the number and types of cranes available.
The Company's fleet management program facilitates decisions regarding: (i)
asset mix at individual yards; (ii) movements of equipment on an intra-
regional and inter-regional basis; and (iii) relocation and divestiture of
underperforming assets. The Company believes that as a result of its effective
fleet management and high utilization rates, it has generated consistent
returns on its fleet investment.
 
CRANE SALES
 
  While the majority of its revenues result from crane rentals and services,
the Company engages in two forms of crane sales and has a dedicated staff
focused on maximizing returns in this business. First, the Company purchases
cranes directly from manufacturers and acts as a dealer in sales to third
parties, which has historically generated a relatively small percentage of the
Company's total revenues (4.7% in 1997). As a dealer and the largest non-
government crane purchaser in the United States, the Company benefits from
both wholesale and volume-driven purchase discounts. Additionally, by
participating in the new crane sales business, the Company has access to up-
to-date crane market and product information, which aids ACR in marketing its
used equipment and in advising its rental customers regarding equipment
selection.
 
  Second, the Company's proactive fleet management program is designed to
match the Company's rental product offerings with regional market demand. As
part of this program, once management determines that a piece of equipment is
being underutilized in a particular yard, the equipment is either relocated to
achieve higher utilization rates or sold. The Company's preventative
maintenance programs and its knowledge of the global market for crane sales
allow it to generate consistent average returns on sales of used equipment to
both domestic and international purchasers. For example, from 1994 to 1997,
ACR sold its used equipment for an average of greater than 90% of its original
cost. The Company has historically reinvested these sales proceeds in new
equipment selected to meet customer demand and maintain optimal fleet mix.
 
                                      42
<PAGE>
 
CUSTOMERS, SALES AND MARKETING
 
  The Company's broad and stable customer base consists of over 8,000
customers in 41 states, Mexico and the Caribbean. Examples of the Company's
key customers include: Hess Oil, USX Corp., Mobil Corp., Huntsman Corp.,
Florida Power and Light Co., International Paper Co., Proctor & Gamble Co. and
Bayer AG.
 
  Over 60% of the Company's rental revenues are derived from customers who
rent cranes on an operated and maintained basis, which means that the rentals
include an experienced operator. These types of rentals also tend to include
value-added services, such as the services of a Crane Specialist who provides
equipment recommendations and specifications for a potential lift. The
remainder of ACR's rental revenues are on a bare basis (i.e., without an
operator). Additionally, approximately 75% of ACR's rentals are for greater
than one month, with the majority lasting for two to four months.
 
  In 1997, approximately 70% of the Company's rental revenues were derived
from industrial customers. The Company believes that its industrial customer
base provides stable demand for crane rentals as such customers tend to
require a certain level of predictable and necessary plant maintenance
regardless of economic conditions. Approximately 30% of the Company's rental
revenues in 1997 were from construction contractors, who primarily utilize
cranes for public infrastructure and commercial construction for a wide
variety of industries. These construction projects tend to be large, long-term
projects that generally demand value-added services and lifting expertise, and
which are generally not deferred once started.
 
  The Company believes its diverse customer base mitigates the impact of an
economic downturn related to a particular customer, industry or geographic
region. Management estimates that in 1997, of the specific end-user groups for
which it records such data, no single industry accounted for over 13% of
rental revenues. In 1997, no single customer accounted for over 2% of rental
revenues, except for one industrial customer who represented 7% of rental
revenues and for whom the Company provides fleet management services under the
terms of an exclusive contract. The Company's customer base is also
diversified by geography, which helps to insulate the Company from regional
economic downturns and seasonality and enables ACR to optimize fleet
utilization as equipment can be moved in response to fluctuations in demand
across ACR's markets. No single region accounted for greater than 28% of the
Company's 1997 rental revenues.
 
  The Company has created and continues to develop its diverse and extensive
customer base through a proactive marketing strategy. The Company employs an
experienced staff of over 70 full-time sales personnel to reach new customers
and maintain existing relationships. ACR believes that its marketing approach
fosters long-term relationships and multi-location or national crane rental
contracts, and enables the Company to drive market share gains and consolidate
its position as the number one choice in crane rental services. This strategy
differs from those of the Company's smaller local and regional competitors,
whose marketing efforts have traditionally been limited to yellow pages and
other print advertising which typically attracts sporadic and smaller users of
cranes and lifting services.
 
COMPETITION
 
  The crane rental industry is highly fragmented and is served by a distinct
set of companies who focus almost exclusively on crane and lifting equipment
rental. ACR generally competes with a small number of regional crane rental
companies (who typically own less than 200 cranes) and hundreds of local crane
rental companies (who typically own less than 50 cranes). Management believes
that general equipment rental companies have not significantly participated in
the crane rental market because they are less able to meet the broad needs of
crane rental customers for several reasons, including: (i) the high levels of
expertise and commitment required to provide a full range of value-added
lifting services, such as highly qualified, well trained operators and lift
planning; (ii) the substantial amount of capital dedicated to cranes and
lifting equipment required to provide the fleet size and selection necessary
to meet the broad demands of larger customers; and (iii) the significant
maintenance programs required to ensure equipment reliability and safety.
Given the unique characteristics and fragmentation of the crane rental
industry, management believes there are substantial opportunities for ACR to
leverage its competitive advantages and further increase its market share
through geographic expansion and consolidation.
 
                                      43
<PAGE>
 
  ACR is the largest and only national provider of comprehensive crane and
lifting equipment rentals and services in the United States. The Company
estimates that its crane fleet represented approximately 15% of the total U.S.
crane rental fleet in 1997. According to industry estimates, the Company's
crane rental fleet is significantly larger than that of its next largest
competitor. Management believes that, relative to the Company, most local and
regional crane rental competitors lack the fleet size necessary to provide
customers with comparable selection and availability. Furthermore, ACR's
national scope, together with the mobile nature of its fleet, affords it the
ability to move assets in response to varying levels of regional or seasonal
demand and thus maximize its fleet utilization.
 
EQUIPMENT
 
  The Company has a total of approximately 4,300 pieces of equipment, of which
approximately 2,500 pieces are comprised of cranes and lifting equipment, with
the remainder comprised of support vehicles (including tractors, trailers and
mechanics' vehicles). As of September 30, 1998, the original cost of the
Company's equipment, in the aggregate, was greater than $395 million. ACR is
the largest non-government purchaser of cranes in North America and
consequently benefits from volume-driven purchase discounts. The large scale
of the Company's fleet, in conjunction with its broad geographic coverage and
customer base, allow it to purchase specialized, often expensive equipment
that smaller competitors or individual crane users could not justify.
 
PROPERTIES
 
  The following table sets forth certain information regarding significant
facilities operated by the Company as of September 30, 1998:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      FACILITY
                                       SQUARE
           LOCATION             ACRES FOOTAGE      PURPOSE      OWNED OR LEASED
<S>                             <C>   <C>      <C>             <C>
CALIFORNIA
  Fontana......................  5.0    7,200  Regional Office      Leased
  Richmond.....................  5.3   12,000  Regional Office       Owned
  San Diego....................  4.3    6,000  Regional Office      Leased
  Wilmington...................  6.4   26,420  Regional Office       Owned
ARIZONA
  Phoenix......................  8.7   33,800  Regional Office       Owned
TEXAS
  Beaumont.....................  8.8   21,000  Regional Office       Owned
  Dallas.......................  3.1    5,380  Regional Office       Owned
  Jacinto...................... 13.2   20,720  Maintenance           Owned
  La Porte.....................  5.4    9,940  Regional Office       Owned
  North Houston................  3.6   18,000  Regional Office       Owned
LOUISIANA
  West Lake....................  6.5   21,962  Regional Office       Owned
NORTH CAROLINA
  Charlotte....................  1.5      500  Regional Office      Leased
SOUTH CAROLINA
  Columbia.....................  4.5   16,800  Regional Office       Owned
GEORGIA
  Atlanta...................... 32.0   34,884  Regional Office       Owned
  Augusta...................... 12.6   12,556  Regional Office       Owned
  Savannah..................... 14.9   26,390  Regional Office       Owned
FLORIDA
  Miami........................  2.1      160  Regional Office      Leased
  Pompano......................  3.4   15,440  Regional Office       Owned
  West Palm Beach..............  3.0   15,100  Regional Office      Leased
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
  St. Croix....................  N/A      N/A  Contract Office Customer Facility
</TABLE>
 
                                      44
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  FACILITY
                                   SQUARE
         LOCATION           ACRES FOOTAGE        PURPOSE        OWNED OR LEASED
<S>                         <C>   <C>      <C>                  <C>
PENNSYLVANIA
  Mercer................... 17.6   18,050    Regional Office         Owned
  Monroeville..............  5.9   39,100    Regional Office         Owned
  Philadelphia.............  8.0   19,350    Regional Office         Owned
  West Mifflin (Pitts-      28.5   45,760
   burgh)..................                Corp. & Reg. Offices      Owned
WEST VIRGINIA
  Nitro (Charleston).......  5.8   29,220    Regional Office         Owned
</TABLE>
 
  To the extent any such properties are leased, the Company expects to be able
to renew such leases or lease comparable facilities on terms commercially
acceptable to the Company. Management believes that the Company's facilities
are suitable for its operations and provide sufficient capacity to meet the
Company's requirements for the foreseeable future.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
  Various claims and legal proceedings generally incidental to the normal
course of business are pending or threatened against the Company. While the
Company cannot predict the outcome of these matters, in the opinion of
management, any liability arising thereunder will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations after giving effect to provisions already recorded.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY MATTERS
 
  The Company and its operations are subject to federal, state and local
environmental and occupational health and safety laws and regulations,
including laws and regulations governing petroleum storage, waste water
discharge, underground storage tanks, hazardous chemical reporting, and
hazardous waste disposal. Based upon the findings of an environmental
assessment conducted in connection with the Recapitalization, the Company
believes it is in material compliance with such requirements. The Company
expects to spend approximately $100,000 in 1998 to close and upgrade certain
underground storage tanks to comply with the U.S. EPA 1998 deadline for
attaining certain technical standards for such tanks. The Company does not
anticipate any material capital expenditures in 1999 for environmental
controls. The enactment of more stringent laws or regulations or stricter
interpretation of existing laws and regulations could require additional
expenditures by the Company, which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
  Like all businesses, the Company is subject to liability for the
investigation and remediation of environmental contamination (including
contamination caused by other parties) at the properties it owns or operates
and at other properties where the Company or its predecessors have arranged
for the disposal of hazardous substances. The amount of such liability could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition
and results of operations.
 
  The Company is currently investigating and delineating soil and groundwater
contamination at its Savannah, Georgia location that resulted from former
gasoline underground storage tanks that were removed in 1994. These activities
are being conducted under the oversight of the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources. Following delineation, either active remediation or continued
monitoring of contamination will likely be required. The cost of such work is
not yet known, but the Company expects that it will receive reimbursement for
such costs from the Georgia Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund. To date, the
Company has been approved for reimbursement for $80,000 to delineate the
contamination. The reimbursement limit under the Trust Fund is $1 million. The
Company believes that it is unlikely that its costs will exceed the
reimbursement limit.
 
  In connection with the Recapitalization, the Current Owners have agreed to
indemnify the Company for matters that breach the environmental
representations and warranties set forth in the Recapitalization Agreement.
Such indemnification is limited to claims submitted within four years
following the Recapitalization, subject to a
 
                                      45
<PAGE>
 
$1.6 million deductible and a $16 million cap, when aggregated with other
indemnified matters. There can be no assurance that the Current Owners will
have the ability to fulfill their indemnification obligations if called upon
to do so by the Company.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
  As of September 30, 1998, the Company had 752 full time employees.
Approximately 30 were employed at the corporate headquarters in West Mifflin,
Pennsylvania and were involved in administrative functions. The remaining
employees were located at ACR's various operating yards and were engaged in
management, sales and marketing, maintenance and administrative functions. In
addition, as of September 30, 1998, the Company contracted with approximately
790 crane operators on an as-needed basis. The majority of these crane
operators were unionized and, as of September 30, 1998, approximately 14% of
the Company's full time employees were unionized. The Company has never
experienced a material work stoppage and considers its overall relations with
its work force to be good.
 
  The Company believes that its employees are an invaluable source of industry
expertise. ACR's ability to draw upon the vast experience of its employees
enables the Company to provide extensive, value-added services. In-house
training ensures that ACR's operators are at the forefront of industry best
practices and are able to operate the best available equipment in a safe,
efficient manner. The Company's employees and operators also provide ACR with
substantial market data, which contributes to more efficient fleet utilization
and consequently stronger financial results.
 
                                      46
<PAGE>
 
                                  MANAGEMENT
   
BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE GENERAL PARTNER AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF HOLDINGS
AND THE COMPANY     
 
  The executive officers of Holdings and the Company serve at the discretion
of the General Partner, acting through its board of managers (the "GP Board").
Neither Holdings nor the Company has a board of managers or similar body. The
following table sets forth information concerning executive officers of the
Company and Holdings and the members of the GP Board (those executive officers
indicated by a "*" following their name are executive officers of Holdings):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                             AGE                    POSITION
<S>                              <C> <C>
Ray G. Anthony*.................  59 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
David W. Mahokey*...............  39 Member of the GP Board and Chief Operating
                                     Officer
Dale A. Buckwalter*.............  40 Chief Financial Officer
Albert C. Bove..................  51 Senior Vice President--West Region
Joseph M. Connelly..............  51 Senior Vice President--Northeast Region
Richard Ferchak, Sr.............  53 Senior Vice President--Central Region
Ray Graham......................  49 Senior Vice President--Regional Development
Michael Corn....................  50 Senior Vice President--Southeast Region
Frank Hanjorgiris...............  36 Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Arthur J. Innamorato*...........  44 General Counsel
Paul Edgerley...................  41 Member of the GP Board
Robert C. Gay...................  46 Member of the GP Board
Andrew B. Balson*...............  31 Member of the GP Board
James E. Haas...................  62 Member of the GP Board
William B. Kania................  66 Member of the GP Board
</TABLE>
 
  Ray G. Anthony is the founder of Anthony Crane Rental, L.P. and currently
serves as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. His primary focus is to
aid senior management in reviewing fleet management strategies and to coach
and develop yard managers.
 
  David W. Mahokey has a total of 16 years of experience in the crane rental
business, all of which have been with ACR. As the Chief Operating Officer, Mr.
Mahokey oversees the daily operations of the Company, including all equipment
acquisition and disposition decisions, fleet management, sales and marketing
and personnel issues. He has a direct dialogue with the four regional senior
vice presidents and works closely with them regarding the key operations
issues at the Company. Mr. Mahokey was appointed Chief Operating Officer upon
consummation of the Recapitalization. Prior to that time, he served as the
Company's Chief Financial Officer, a position he held since 1991.
 
  Dale A. Buckwalter has four years of public accounting experience and over
11 years of investment banking experience. He has served as the financial
advisor to ACR for the past five years and has been primarily responsible for
the Company's financial activities during this time. Mr. Buckwalter became the
Company's Chief Financial Officer upon the consummation of the
Recapitalization.
 
  Albert C. Bove has more than 26 years of experience in the crane rental and
general construction industries, 21 of which have been with ACR. Since 1996,
Mr. Bove has served as the Senior Vice President--West Region. Prior to this
time, Mr. Bove served as the Yard Manager of the Company's Phoenix yard, a
position he held since 1992.
 
  Richard Ferchak, Sr. has 31 years experience in the crane rental industry,
all with ACR. Mr. Ferchak is responsible for the operations of the Company's
Central region as Senior Vice President--Central Region. He has been Yard
Manager of the Pittsburgh, Carnegie and Beaumont yards. He was one of the
first ACR employees and has experience in all phases of the crane rental
business.
 
 
                                      47
<PAGE>
 
  Ray Graham has 27 years of experience in the crane rental industry, the last
nine of which have been with ACR. Mr. Graham started his career as a crane
operator and has been in a management position for the past 16 years. For the
past three years Mr. Graham has been responsible for the Southeast region. In
1998, he assumed responsibility as a regional development officer and is
responsible for developing operating plans for any facilities which are deemed
by Management as being underperforming.
 
  Michael Corn has 13 years of experience in the crane rental industry, all of
which have been with ACR. Mr. Corn ran the operations in the Southeast from
1986 to 1995. For the past three years he has managed the Company's Virgin
Islands operation and recently returned to assume operating responsibilities
for the Southeast region.
 
  Joseph M. Connelly has nearly 26 years of experience in construction and
engineering, the last seven of which have been with ACR. Mr. Connelly has
responsibility for the Company's quality control programs and oversees the
operations of the Company's Northeast region.
 
  Frank Hanjorgiris has 10 years of industry sales experience and has been
employed by the Company for four years. Since 1996, Mr. Hanjorgiris has been
Vice President of Sales and Marketing and his primary responsibility has been
the sales of new and used equipment. Mr. Hanjorgiris joined the company as a
salesman of new and used equipment in 1994 and was promoted to Corporate Sales
Manager in 1995. Prior to his employment with the Company, Mr. Hanjorgiris was
employed by Brambles Equipment and American High Reach as a salesman.
 
  Arthur J. Innamorato has 20 years of legal and public accounting experience
and has been a valued advisor to the Company for the past five years. He
assumed the position as General Counsel upon the consummation of the
Recapitalization and is responsible for managing the legal affairs of the
Company. Mr. Innamorato is also involved in strategic planning and the
Company's external growth initiatives.
 
  Paul Edgerley has been Managing Director of Bain since 1993. Since 1990, he
has been a General Partner of Bain Venture Capital, and from 1988 to 1990 he
was a Principal of Bain Venture Capital. He serves on the Boards of Directors
of Steel Dynamics, Inc., GS Technologies Corporation, AMF Group Inc. and Sealy
Corporation.
 
  Robert C. Gay has been a Managing Director of Bain since 1993 and has been a
General Partner of Bain Venture Capital since 1989. From 1988 to 1989, Mr. Gay
was a Principal of Bain Venture Capital. Mr. Gay is Vice Chairman of the Board
of Directors of IHF Capital, Inc., parent of ICON Health & Fitness Inc. Mr.
Gay also serves as a director of Alliance Entertainment Corp., GT Bicycles,
Inc., Physio-Control International Corporation, Cambridge Industries, Inc.,
Nutraceutical Corporation, American Pad & Paper Company, GS Technologies
Corporation, Small Fry Snack Foods Limited and Alliance Laundry Holdings LLC.
 
  Andrew B. Balson has been a Principal of Bain since June 1998 and was an
Associate of Bain from 1996 to 1998. From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Balson was a
Consultant for Bain & Company. Previously, he was an Associate with SBC
Australia.
 
  James E. Haas has been Vice President and Director of Sensical Corporation,
a printing company, since 1993. From 1990 to 1993, Mr. Haas was President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director of Edgecomb Metals, a metals distributor.
Mr. Haas is a Director of GS Technologies Corporation.
 
  William B. Kania has been Senior Partner of W.B. Kania & Associates, CPAs
since 1987. Mr Kania is a Director of BT Financial Corporation, Chairman of
North Fayette County Municipal Authority and Vice Chairman of Fayette County
Industrial Development Authority. He was also a Director of Fayette Bank &
Trust Company from 1989 to 1997.
 
                                      48
<PAGE>
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
  The following table sets forth information concerning the annual and long-
term compensation for services in all capacities to the Company for 1997 of
those persons who served as (i) the chief executive officer during 1997 and
(ii) the other four most highly compensated executive officers of the Company
or its predecessor for 1997 (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers"):
 
                          SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     ANNUAL COMPENSATION
                                              ---------------------------------
               NAME AND                                          OTHER ANNUAL
          PRINCIPAL POSITION             YEAR  SALARY   BONUS   COMPENSATION(1)
<S>                                      <C>  <C>      <C>      <C>
Ray G. Anthony, Chairman and Chief Ex-
 ecutive Officer.......................  1997 $266,000 $    --     $    --
Frank Hanjorgiris, Vice President of
 Sales and Marketing...................  1997   65,600   17,500     332,474
Sam R. Anthony, Executive Vice Presi-
 dent(2)...............................  1997  100,160  191,280         --
Albert C. Bove, Senior Vice President--
 Western Region........................  1997  104,000  116,067      53,362
Michael Corn, Vice President...........  1997  122,681   65,300      50,768
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Represents commissions earned on the sale of new and used rental equipment
    and deferred compensation.
(2) Sam Anthony is no longer an Executive Vice President but acts as a
    consultant on strategic acquisitions to the Board. Mr. Anthony's
    consulting agreement provides for annual compensation of $240,000.
 
PENSION PLANS
 
  All non-union and certain union employees of the Company are eligible to
participate in the Company's profit sharing defined contribution plan. Under
the plan, the Company contributes an amount determined by the Company (1% of
eligible participant's compensation in 1997). The plan also includes a 401(k)
savings plan feature which enables employees to make voluntary salary
reduction contributions up to 15% of eligible compensation to the plan. The
Company will match fifty percent of the contributions, up to six percent of
participant's compensation.
 
MULTI-EMPLOYER BENEFIT PLANS
 
  Union employees of the Company are covered by various union-sponsored,
collectively bargained, benefit plans. The Company's contributions to these
multi-employer plans are based on specified amounts per hours worked by the
covered union employees. One such plan is currently in reorganization and the
unfunded amount is being funded through ongoing contributions by all
sponsoring companies. Under certain circumstances, the Company may have to
accelerate such funding. In 1997, the Company paid approximately $600,000
towards its share of the unfunded plan.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
  In connection with the Transactions, the Company entered into an employment
agreement with Ray G. Anthony. Such agreement provides for: (i) a five year
employment term (subject to earlier termination in certain circumstances);
(ii) a minimum base salary and a bonus following the end of each fiscal year;
(iii) severance benefits in certain circumstances; (iv) non-compete and non-
solicitation agreements; and (v) other terms and conditions of Mr. Anthony's
employment. The Company may, from time to time enter into employment
agreements with certain other members of senior management.
 
MANAGEMENT EQUITY PARTICIPATION
 
  In connection with the Transactions, it is expected that the Equity Investor
will offer certain members of management the opportunity to purchase up to an
aggregate of 10% of the common partnership interests of
 
                                      49
<PAGE>
 
Holdings, including approximately 6% of which was purchased at the Closing and
4% of which is expected to be purchased in the future. In addition, in order
to provide additional financial incentives to management, certain members of
management are expected to be granted options to purchase up to 10% of the
common partnership interests of Holdings. Such additional options are expected
to be granted periodically and all options vest and become exercisable upon
the occurrence of certain events. The terms of management's equity
participation will be determined following the Offering.
 
COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GP BOARD
 
  Members of the GP Board will not be compensated in connection with services
provided in such capacity. Members of the GP Board will be reimbursed for any
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in traveling to and from meetings of the GP
Board.
   
COMPENSATION AND AUDIT COMMITTEES     
   
  The GP Board has established an Audit Committee and a Compensation
Committee. The current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Balson and
Haas. The Audit Committee oversees actions taken by the Company's independent
auditors, recommends the engagement of auditors and reviews the Company's
internal accounting policies and practices. The current members of the
Compensation Committee are Messrs. Edgerley and Haas. The Compensation
Committee approves the compensation of executives of the Company and makes
recommendations to the GP Board with respect to standards for setting
compensation levels.     
 
                                      50
<PAGE>
 
                              SECURITY OWNERSHIP
 
  Holdings owns 99% of the outstanding common partnership and voting interests
of the Company and the General Partner owns the remaining 1% of the common
partnership and voting interests. The following table sets forth certain
information regarding the actual beneficial ownership of Holdings' common
partnership interests held by (i) each person (other than directors and
executive officers of Holdings) known to Holdings to own more than 5% of the
outstanding common partnership interests of Holdings and (ii) certain
executive officers and members of the Board of Holdings.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          NUMBER OF COMMON        PERCENTAGE OF COMMON
                                      PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS ON PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS ON A
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER   A FULLY DILUTED BASIS      FULLY DILUTED BASIS
<S>                                   <C>                      <C>
Bain/ACR, L.L.C.(1)........                 3,444,444.44                  75.6%
  c/o Bain Capital, Inc.
  Two Copley Place
  Boston, MA 02116
Anthony Iron and Metal Com-
 pany......................                   820,000.00                  18.0%
  c/o Anthony Crane Rental,
   L.P.
  1165 Camp Hollow Road
  West Mifflin, PA 15122
Ray G. Anthony(2)..........                   820,000.00                  18.0%
  c/o Anthony Crane Rental,
   L.P.
  1165 Camp Hollow Road
  West Mifflin, PA 15122
David W. Mahokey...........                   182,222.22                   4.0%
  c/o Anthony Crane Rental,
   L.P.
  1165 Camp Hollow Road
  West Mifflin, PA 15122
Paul Edgerley(1)...........                 3,058,197.35                  67.1%
  c/o Bain Capital, Inc.
  Two Copley Place
  Boston, MA 02116
Robert C. Gay(1)...........                 3,128,700.42                  68.7%
  c/o Bain Capital, Inc.
  Two Copley Place
  Boston, MA 02116
Andrew B. Balson(1)........                   107,546.67                   2.4%
  c/o Bain Capital, Inc.
  Two Copley Place
  Boston, MA 02116
James E. Haas(3)...........                   233,333.33                   5.1%
  c/o Haas Family Limited
   Partnership
  745 Beach View Drive
  Boca Grande, FL 33921
Albert C. Bove.............                    45,555.56                   1.0%
  c/o Anthony Crane Rental,
   L.P.
  1165 Camp Hollow Road
  West Mifflin, PA 15122
William B. Kania...........                    17,777.78                   0.4%
  c/o Anthony Crane Rental,
   L.P.
  1165 Camp Hollow Road
  West Mifflin, PA 15122
All directors and executive
 officers as a group
 (12 persons)(1)(2)(3).....                 4,493,671.51                  98.6%
</TABLE>
 
                                      51
<PAGE>
 
- --------
(1) The limited liability company units of Bain/ACR, L.L.C. will be held by
    Bain Capital Fund VI, L.P. ("Fund VI"), BCIP Trust Associates II ("BCIP
    Trust II"), BCIP Trust Associates II-B ("BCIP Trust II-B"), BCIP
    Associates II ("BCIP II"), BCIP Associates II-B ("BCIP II-B"), BCIP
    Associates II-C ("BCIP II-C") and certain unrelated entities. Messrs.
    Edgerley and Gay are: (i) Managing Directors of Bain Capital Investors VI,
    Inc., the General Partner of Bain Capital Partners VI, L.P., which is the
    General Partner of Fund VI; (ii) General Partners of BCIP II; (iii)
    General Partners of BCIP Trust II; and (iv) affiliated with BCIP II-C.
    Mr. Edgerley is a General Partner of BCIP Trust II-B. Mr. Gay is a General
    Partner of BCIP II-B. Mr. Balson is a General Partner of BCIP II-B and
    BCIP Trust II-B. Each of Messrs. Edgerley, Gay and Balson may be deemed to
    beneficially own units held by entities in which they have an interest
    and, accordingly, to beneficially own the common partnership interests of
    Holdings held by such entities. Each such person disclaims beneficial
    ownership of any such interests in which he does not have a pecuniary
    interest.
(2) Mr. Anthony is a General Partner of Anthony Iron and Metal Company
    ("AIM"). Accordingly, Mr. Anthony may be deemed to beneficially own
    interests owned by AIM. Mr. Anthony disclaims beneficial ownership of any
    such interests in which he does not have a pecuniary interest.
(3) Mr. Haas is a General Partner of Haas Family Limited Partnership ("HFLP"),
    a member of the Equity Investor. Accordingly, Mr. Haas may be deemed to
    beneficially own interests beneficially owned by HFLP. Mr. Haas disclaims
    beneficial ownership of any such interests in which he does not have a
    pecuniary interest.
 
                                      52
<PAGE>
 
                CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
SECURITYHOLDERS AGREEMENT
 
  Upon the consummation of the Recapitalization, Holdings, the General
Partner, the Equity Investor and the Current Owners entered into a
securityholders agreement (the "Securityholders Agreement"). The
Securityholders Agreement: (i) restricts the transfer of the equity interests
of Holdings; (ii) grants tag-along rights on certain transfers of equity
interests of Holdings; (iii) requires each of the Equity Investor and the
Current Owners to consent to a sale of Holdings to an independent third party
if such sale is approved by a majority of the then outstanding equity
interests of Holdings; and (iv) grants preemptive rights on certain issuances
of equity interests of Holdings. The foregoing provisions of the
Securityholders Agreement will terminate upon the consummation of an Initial
Public Offering (as defined in the Securityholders Agreement) or a Liquidity
Event. For purposes of the Securityholders Agreement, "Liquidity Event" means
(a) any sale to an Independent Third Party of all or substantially all (as
defined in the Model Business Corporation Act) of the assets of Holdings and
its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in one transaction or series of
related transactions, (b) any sale to an Independent Third Party of all or
substantially all of the Common Units (as defined) (or a transaction having a
similar effect as contemplated by Section 13.9 of the Holdings Partnership
Agreement (as defined)) in one transaction or series of related transactions,
but excluding any sales of Common Units in a Public Sale (as defined in the
Securityholders Agreement) or (c) a merger or consolidation or other
transaction which accomplishes one of the foregoing. Certain equity holders
and directors of the Issuers, including Bain, and certain other related
parties received one-time transaction fees aggregating $8.8 million upon
consummation of the Transactions.
 
ADVISORY AGREEMENT
 
  In connection with the Transactions, the Company entered into an advisory
agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") with Bain pursuant to which Bain agreed
to provide: (i) general executive and management services; (ii)
identification, support, negotiation and analysis of acquisitions and
dispositions; (iii) support, negotiation and analysis of financial
alternatives; and (iv) other services agreed upon by the Company and Bain. In
exchange for such services, Bain will receive (i) an annual management fee of
$1.0 million, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (payable quarterly) and
(ii) a transaction fee in an amount in accordance with the general practices
of Bain at the time of the consummation of any additional acquisition or
divestiture by the Company and of each financing or refinancing. The Advisory
Agreement has an initial term of ten years subject to automatic one-year
extensions (unless the Company or Bain provides written notice of
termination), provided that the Advisory Agreement will terminate
automatically upon the consummation of a transaction involving a sale of all
or substantially all of the assets or partnership interests of the Company.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
 
  Upon the consummation of the Recapitalization, Holdings, the General
Partner, the Equity Investor and the Current Owners entered into a
registration rights agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement"). Under the
Registration Rights Agreement, the holders of a majority of the Registrable
Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) owned by the
Equity Investor and General Partner have the right, subject to certain
conditions, to require Holdings to register any or all of their common equity
interests of Holdings under the Securities Act at Holdings' expense. In
addition, all holders of Registrable Securities are entitled to request the
inclusion of any common equity interests of Holdings subject to the
Registration Rights Agreement in any registration statement at Holdings'
expense whenever Holdings proposes to register any of its common equity
interests under the Securities Act. In connection with all such registrations,
Holdings has agreed to indemnify all holders of Registrable Securities against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
  Holdings and each of the Equity Investor, General Partner and certain of the
Current Owners (collectively, the "Partners") entered into an Amended and
Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Holdings (the "Holdings
Partnership Agreement"). The Holdings Partnership Agreement governs the
relative rights and duties of the Partners.
 
  Partnership Units. The ownership interests of the Partners consist of the
Holdings Preferred Units and common units (the "Common Units"). The Common
Units have voting rights and represent the common equity
 
                                      53
<PAGE>
 
of Holdings. Holders of the Holdings Preferred Units do not have voting rights
but are entitled to payment of unpaid yield and a return of capital
contributions prior to any distributions made to holders of the Common Units.
 
  Distributions. Subject to any restrictions contained in any financing
agreements to which Holdings or any of its Affiliates (as defined in the
Holdings Partnership Agreement) is a party, the Board may make distributions,
whether in cash, property or securities of Holdings, at any time or from time
to time pursuant to an order of priority set forth in the Holdings Partnership
Agreement. In addition, Holdings may distribute to each holder of units within
75 days after the close of each fiscal year such amounts as determined by the
Board to be appropriate to enable each holder of units to pay estimated income
tax liabilities.
 
  Management. General Partner, as general partner of Holdings, will conduct,
direct and exercise full control over all activities of Holdings; however,
limited partners have voting rights equivalent to their respective economic
interests and, through a majority vote, can remove the General Partner.
 
HOLDINGS PREFERRED UNITS
 
  Upon the consummation of the Recapitalization, Holdings issued the Holdings
Preferred Units with a liquidation preference and fair value of approximately
$22.5 million to the Current Owners. The Holdings Preferred Units are not
redeemable and have a yield of 11.0% per annum, compounded quarterly. Subject
to any restrictions contained in any financing agreements to which Holdings or
any of its Affiliates is a party, the holders of the Holdings Preferred Units
are entitled to receive distributions from Holdings, including payment of the
accrued interest thereon, prior to distributions in respect to any other
partnership interests of Holdings. See "--Amended and Restated Agreement of
Limited Partnership."
 
ESCROW AGREEMENT
 
  Upon the consummation of the Recapitalization, the Company and the Current
Owners entered into an Escrow Agreement (the "Escrow Agreement") pursuant to
which the Company deposited an aggregate of $4.0 million with an escrow agent
in connection with certain distribution amount adjustment provisions and
certain indemnification provisions for the benefit of the Company pursuant to
the Recapitalization Agreement. The Escrow Agreement provides for the payment
of a distribution amount adjustment to the Company or the Current Owners based
on a targeted level of Consolidated Net Worth (as defined in the
Recapitalization Agreement) for the Company as of the Closing Date. In
addition, the Escrow Agreement provides for the payment of indemnity claims to
either the Equity Investor, the Company or the Current Owners upon any breach
by another party of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made
in the Recapitalization Agreement. If, upon payment of the distribution amount
adjustment and indemnity claims, if any, the escrow fund holds greater than
$2.0 million, such amount in excess of $2.0 million shall be distributed to
the Current Owners.
   
OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST     
 
  The Company periodically rents and sells equipment to affiliated companies.
Rental revenues from such transactions totaled approximately $682,000,
$423,000 and $639,000 and gross proceeds from equipment sales totaled
approximately $119,000, $45,000 and $22,000 in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively. In addition, the Company rents equipment, utilizes personnel and
purchases equipment from affiliated companies. Expenses from such transactions
totaled approximately $652,000, $198,000 and $366,000 in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively, and purchases of equipment totaled approximately $218,000 and
$50,000 in 1997 and 1996, respectively. See Note 6 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
 
  The Company has periodically made advances to Mr. Anthony. Such advances,
which totaled approximately $4.0 million at December 31, 1997 and 1996, had no
specific repayment terms and have been treated as a distribution to Anthony
Iron and Metal Company and have been classified as a reduction of partners'
capital. In addition, during 1997, advances and other receivables due from Mr.
Anthony totaling $806,000 were treated as a distribution to Anthony Iron and
Metal Company and have been charged to the partners' capital account.
 
  Certain employees of the Company have from time to time received equity
interests in entities controlled by Mr. Anthony in conjunction with their
affiliation with the Company.
 
  The GP Board is expected to adopt a Corporate Compliance Policy for the
Company. Such policy will be administered by a Corporate Compliance Officer.
Pursuant to such policy, the Company will prohibit its employees from engaging
in any activity or conduct which appears to conflict with the interests of the
Company, its customers or its suppliers. Reports of any violations of the
policy will be investigated by the Company.
 
                                      54
<PAGE>
 
                      DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS
 
SENIOR CREDIT FACILITIES
 
  In connection with the Transactions, the Company entered into the Senior
Credit Facilities with the Lenders for which Goldman Sachs Credit Partners
L.P. acted as arranger and syndication agent, DLJ Capital Funding, Inc. acted
as documentation agent and Fleet National Bank acted as administrative agent.
The following is a summary of the material terms and conditions of the Senior
Credit Facilities and is subject to the detailed provisions of the Senior
Credit Facilities and the various related documents entered into in connection
therewith.
 
  Loans; Interest Rates. The Senior Credit Facilities consist of up to a
$275.0 million six-year non-amortizing Revolving Credit Facility and a $50.0
million eight-year non-amortizing Term Loan. Borrowings of $175.0 million
under the Senior Credit Facilities, together with the proceeds of the Note
Offering and the Debenture Offering, provided a portion of the financing for
the Transactions and certain expenses related to the Transactions, and will
provide financing for future working capital, capital expenditures and other
general corporate purposes including acquisitions.
 
  The Revolving Credit Facility is available on a revolving basis subject to a
borrowing base during the period commencing on the date of the Closing and
ending on the date that is six years after the date of the Closing. At the
Company's option, loans made under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest
at either (i) the Base Rate (defined as the highest of (x) the rate of
interest announced publicly by Fleet National Bank from time to time, as its
prime rate and (y) the Federal funds effective rate from time to time plus
0.50%) plus a margin of 1.25%, subject to adjustment based on a leverage test,
or (ii) the reserve-adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBO") plus a
margin of 2.25%, subject to adjustment based on a leverage test. The entire
Term Loan was drawn at Closing and, at the Company's option, bears interest at
either (i) the Base Rate plus a margin of 1.75%, or (ii) the reserve-adjusted
LIBO rate plus a margin of 2.75%.
 
  Repayment. Revolving loans may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed from time
to time until six years after the closing of the Senior Credit Facilities. The
Term Loan may be repaid at any time but is subject to certain call protections
and must be repaid in full eight years after the closing of the Senior Credit
Facilities.
 
  Security. The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by a first-priority
perfected lien, and the Term Loan is secured by a second-priority perfected
lien, on all partnership interests of the Company and all property and assets
(tangible and intangible) of the Company and each of its material
subsidiaries, including, without limitation, all intercompany indebtedness,
and all capital stock (or similar equity interests owned by the Company) of
each of the Company's direct and indirect material subsidiaries, whenever
acquired and wherever located; provided, however, that no more than 65% of the
capital stock or similar equity interests of non-U.S. subsidiaries will be
required to be pledged as security in the event that a pledge of a greater
percentage would result in increased tax or similar liabilities for the
Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or would violate
applicable law.
 
  Guarantees. The obligations of the Company under the Senior Credit
Facilities are guaranteed by all material existing, direct and indirect
domestic and foreign subsidiaries of the Company and by Holdings and will be
guaranteed by all material future, direct and indirect domestic and foreign
subsidiaries of the Company.
 
  Prepayments. The Senior Credit Facilities provide for mandatory repayments,
subject to certain exceptions, of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term
Loan based on certain net asset sales outside the ordinary course of business
of the Company and its subsidiaries and the net proceeds of certain debt and
equity issuances.
 
  Outstanding loans under the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan
(subject to certain call protections) are voluntarily pre-payable without
penalty; provided, however, that LIBO rate breakage costs, if any, shall be
borne by the Company.
 
                                      55
<PAGE>
 
  Conditions and Covenants. The obligations of the lenders under the Senior
Credit Facilities are subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions
precedent customary for similar credit facilities or otherwise appropriate
under the circumstances. The Company, Holdings and each of its Subsidiaries
are subject to certain negative covenants contained in the Senior Credit
Facilities, including without limitation covenants that restrict: (i) the
incurrence of additional indebtedness and other obligations and the granting
of additional liens; (ii) mergers, consolidations, amalgamations,
liquidations, dissolutions and dispositions of assets; (iii) investments,
loans and advances; (iv) dividends, stock repurchases and redemptions; (v)
prepayment or repurchase of subordinated indebtedness and amendments to
certain agreements governing indebtedness, including the Indenture and the
Exchange Notes; (vi) engaging in transactions with affiliates; and (vii) sales
and leasebacks. The Senior Credit Facilities also contain customary
affirmative covenants, including compliance with environmental laws,
maintenance of corporate existence and rights, maintenance of insurance,
property and interest rate protection, financial reporting, inspection of
property, books and records, and the pledge of additional collateral and
guarantees from certain new subsidiaries. In addition, the Revolving Credit
Facility requires the Company to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio
and maximum leverage ratios. Certain of these financial, negative and
affirmative covenants are more restrictive than those set forth in the
Indenture.
 
  Events of Default. The Senior Credit Facilities also include events of
default that are typical for senior credit facilities and appropriate in the
context of the Transactions, including, without limitation, nonpayment of
principal, interest, fees or reimbursement obligations with respect to letters
of credit, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations and
warranties in any material respect, cross default to certain other
indebtedness and agreements, bankruptcy and insolvency events, material
judgments and liabilities, defaults or judgements under ERISA and change of
control. The occurrence of any of such events of default could result in
acceleration of the Company's obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities
and foreclosure on the collateral securing such obligations, which could have
material adverse results to holders of the Exchange Notes.
 
DISCOUNT DEBENTURES
 
  Concurrent with the Note Offering, the Discount Debenture Issuers offered
$25.0 million initial aggregate principal amount ($48.0 million principal
amount at August 1, 2003) of their 13 3/8% Senior Discount Debentures due
2009. The Discount Debentures are joint and several obligations of Holdings
and AC Holdings Corp.
 
  The Discount Debentures were issued at a substantial discount to their
principal amount at maturity. The aggregate issue price to investors was
$25,044,000, which represents a yield to maturity on the Discount Debentures
of 13 3/8% per annum (computed on a semi-annual bond equivalent basis). A
holder of Discount Debentures will be required to include the accretion of the
original issue discount as gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes
prior to the receipt of the cash payments to which such income is
attributable.
 
  Interest on the Discount Debentures accretes at a rate of 13 3/8% per annum,
compounded semi-annually to an aggregate principal amount of $48.0 million on
August 1, 2003. Thereafter, interest on the Discount Debentures will accrue at
the rate of 13 3/8% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on
February 1 and August 1, commencing on February 1, 2004, to holders of record
on the immediately preceding January 15 and July 15.
 
  The Discount Debentures are general unsecured obligations of the Discount
Debenture Issuers, rank pari passu in right of payment to all existing and
future senior unsecured indebtedness of the Discount Debentures Issuers and
rank senior in right of payment to all existing and future subordinated
indebtedness of the Discount Debenture Issuers. The Discount Debentures,
however, are effectively subordinated to all secured obligations of the
Discount Debenture Issuers and all obligations of Holdings' subsidiaries,
including the Exchange Notes and borrowings under the Senior Credit
Facilities. As of September 30, 1998, after giving effect to the Transactions,
the Discount Debentures have been effectively subordinated to $349.9 million
of obligations of Holdings' subsidiaries (including a capital lease
obligation). The Discount Debenture Indenture permits additional borrowings
under the Senior Credit Facilities in the future.
 
                                      56
<PAGE>
 
  The Discount Debentures are redeemable at the option of the Discount
Debenture Issuers, in whole or in part, at any time on or after August 1, 2003
in cash at the redemption prices set forth in the Discount Debenture
Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages (as defined
in the Discount Debenture Indenture), if any, thereon to the date of
redemption. In addition, at any time prior to August 1, 2001, the Discount
Debenture Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the
aggregate principal amount at maturity of Discount Debentures originally
issued at a redemption price equal to 113.375% of the Accreted Value (as
defined in the Discount Debenture Indenture) thereof (as determined on the
redemption date), plus Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to the redemption
date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (as defined
in the Discount Debenture Indenture); provided that at least 65% of the
aggregate principal amount at maturity of Discount Debentures originally
issued remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of any such
redemption.
 
  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Discount
Debenture Indenture), each holder of Discount Debentures has the right to
require the Discount Debenture Issuers to repurchase all or any part of such
holder's Discount Debentures at an offer price in cash equal to 101% of the
Accreted Value thereof on the date of repurchase (if such date of repurchase
is prior to August 1, 2003) or 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof
(if such date of repurchase is on or after August 1, 2003), plus, in each
case, accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to
the date of purchase.
 
  The Discount Debenture Indenture contains certain covenants that limit,
among other things, the ability of the Discount Debenture Issuers to: (i) make
distributions, except to the extent required to pay taxes, redeem partnership
interests or make certain other restricted payments or investments, (ii) incur
additional indebtedness or issue preferred equity interests, (iii) merge,
consolidate or sell all or substantially all of its assets, (iv) create liens
on assets and (v) enter into certain transactions with affiliates or related
persons.
 
  Pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement between the Discount Debenture
Issuers and the Initial Purchasers, the Discount Debenture Issuers have agreed
to (a) file an Exchange Offer Registration Statement (as defined in such
agreement) on or prior to 90 days after the closing of the Initial Discount
Debenture Offering (the "Discount Debenture Closing") with respect to an offer
to exchange the Discount Debentures for a new issue of debt securities of the
Discount Debenture Issuers registered under the Securities Act, with terms
substantially identical to those of the Debentures and (b) use their
reasonable best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to
be declared effective by the Commission on prior to 165 days after the
Discount Debenture Closing. If (i) the Discount Debenture Exchange Offer is
not permitted by applicable law or (ii) any holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities (as defined in such agreement) notifies the Discount Debenture
Issuers that (A) it is prohibited by law or Commission policy from
participating in the Discount Debenture Exchange Offer, (B) it may not resell
the Exchange Discount Debentures acquired by it in the Discount Debenture
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 or (C) it is a broker-dealer and
holds Discount Debentures acquired directly from the Discount Debenture
Issuers or an affiliate of the Discount Debenture Issuers, the Discount
Debenture Issuers will be required to provide a shelf registration statement
to cover resales of the Discount Debentures by the holders thereof. If the
Discount Debenture Issuers fail to satisfy these registration obligations, it
will be required to pay liquidated damages to the holders of Discount
Debentures under certain circumstances.
 
  The net proceeds from the sale of the Discount Debentures were contributed
by the Discount Debentures Issuers to the Company to fund, in part, the
Transactions.
 
                                      57
<PAGE>
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF EXCHANGE NOTES
 
GENERAL
   
  The Exchange Notes will be issued pursuant to an Indenture (the "Indenture")
among the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and State Street Bank and Trust
Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"). The Indenture is governed under the laws
of the state of New York. The terms of the Exchange Notes include those stated
in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The Exchange Notes
are subject to all such terms, and Holders of Exchange Notes are referred to
the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement thereof. The
following summary of the material provisions of the Indenture and the
Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the Indenture and the Registration Rights
Agreement, including the definitions therein of certain terms used below.
Copies of the form of Indenture and Registration Rights Agreement are
available as set forth below under "--Additional Information." The definitions
of certain terms used in the following summary are set forth below under "--
Certain Definitions." For purposes of this summary, the term "Company" refers
only to Anthony Crane Rental, L.P. and not to any of its Subsidiaries.     
 
  The Exchange Notes will be general senior unsecured obligations of the
Issuers, will rank pari passu in right of payment to all existing and future
senior unsecured Indebtedness of the Issuers and will rank senior in right of
payment to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness of the Issuers.
The Issuers obligations under the Exchange Notes will be jointly and severally
guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Exchange Notes and the Subsidiary
Guarantees, however, will be effectively subordinated to all secured
obligations of the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors, including borrowings
under the Senior Credit Facilities. As of September 30, 1998, after giving
effect to the Transactions, the Exchange Notes have been effectively
subordinated to $194.9 million of secured obligations (including a capital
lease obligation) of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Indenture
permits additional borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities in the
future. See "Risk Factors--Asset Encumbrances."
 
  Anthony Crane Capital Corporation is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the
Company that was incorporated in Delaware for the purpose of serving as a co-
issuer of the Notes in order to facilitate the Note Offering. The Issuers
believe that certain prospective purchasers of the Exchange Notes may be
restricted in their ability to purchase debt securities of partnerships, such
as the Company, unless such debt securities are jointly issued by a
corporation. Anthony Crane Capital Corporation will not have any operations or
assets and will not have any revenues. It is expected that the Exchange Notes
will be repaid by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Company
and the Subsidiary Guarantors will have no contribution or similar rights
against Anthony Crane Capital Corporation with respect thereto. As a result,
prospective purchasers of the Exchange Notes should not expect Anthony Crane
Capital Corporation to participate in servicing the interest and principal
Obligations on the Exchange Notes.
 
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
 
  The Issuers' payment obligations under the Exchange Notes will be jointly
and severally guaranteed (the "Subsidiary Guarantees") by the Subsidiary
Guarantors. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary
Guarantee will be limited so as not to constitute a fraudulent conveyance
under applicable law. See, however, "Risk Factors--Fraudulent Transfer."
 
  Subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the Indenture provides
that no Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate with or merge with or into
(whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person), another
corporation, Person or entity whether or not affiliated with such Subsidiary
Guarantor (other than a Subsidiary Guarantor) unless (i) subject to the
provisions of the following paragraph, the Person formed by or surviving any
such consolidation or merger (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) assumes
all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to a supplemental
indenture in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, under
the Exchange Notes, the Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement;
(ii) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, no Default
or Event of Default exists; and (iii) the Company
 
                                      58
<PAGE>
 
would be permitted by virtue of the Company's Consolidated Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio, immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction,
to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the covenant
described below under the caption "--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance
of Preferred Stock."
 
  The Indenture provides that in the event of a sale or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of any Subsidiary Guarantor, by way of
merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of all of
the capital stock of any Subsidiary Guarantor, then such Subsidiary Guarantor
(in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of such a merger,
consolidation or otherwise, of all of the capital stock of such Subsidiary
Guarantor) or the corporation acquiring the property (in the event of a sale
or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such
Subsidiary Guarantor) will be released and relieved of any obligations under
its Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that the Net Proceeds of such sale or other
disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of the
Indenture. See "Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Asset Sales."
 
PRINCIPAL, MATURITY AND INTEREST
 
  The Exchange Notes will be limited in aggregate principal amount to $255.0
million, of which $155.0 million were issued in the Note Offering, and mature
on August 1, 2008. Interest on the Exchange Notes will accrue at the rate of
10 3/8% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1
and August 1, commencing on February 1, 1999, to Holders of record on the
immediately preceding January 15 and July 15. Additional Exchange Notes may be
issued from time to time after the Note Offering, subject to the provisions of
the Indenture described below under the caption "Incurrence of Indebtedness
and Issuance of Preferred Stock." The Exchange Notes offered hereby and any
additional Exchange Notes subsequently issued under the Indenture, would be
treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture, including,
without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.
Interest on the Exchange Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of
original issuance. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
comprised of twelve 30-day months. Principal, premium, if any, interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Exchange Notes will be payable at the
office or agency of the Issuers maintained for such purpose within the City
and State of New York or, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest
and Liquidated Damages, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders of
the Exchange Notes at their respective addresses set forth in the register of
Holders of Exchange Notes; provided that all payments of principal, premium,
interest and Liquidated Damages with respect to Exchange Notes, the Holders of
which have given wire transfer instructions to the Issuers, will be required
to be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts
specified by the Holders thereof. Until otherwise designated by the Issuers,
the Issuers' office or agency in New York will be the office of the Trustee
maintained for such purpose. The Exchange Notes will be issued in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
  The Exchange Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers' option prior to
August 1, 2003. Thereafter, the Exchange Notes will be subject to redemption
at any time at the option of the Issuers, in whole or in part, upon not less
than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as
percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid
interest and Liquidated Damages thereon to the applicable redemption date, if
redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on August 1 of the years
indicated below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   PERCENTAGE OF
                                                                     PRINCIPAL
   YEAR                                                               AMOUNT
   <S>                                                             <C>
   2003...........................................................    105.188%
   2004...........................................................    103.458%
   2005...........................................................    101.729%
   2006 and thereafter............................................    100.000%
</TABLE>
 
                                      59
<PAGE>
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to August 1, 2001, the
Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate
principal amount of Exchange Notes originally issued under the Indenture at a
redemption price of 110.375% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and
unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the redemption
date, with the net cash proceeds of any Equity Offerings; provided that at
least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes originally
issued remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption
(excluding Exchange Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries); and
provided further that such redemption shall occur within 120 days of the date
of the closing of any such Equity Offering.
 
SELECTION AND NOTICE
 
  If less than all of the Exchange Notes are to be redeemed at any time,
selection of Exchange Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in
compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities
exchange, if any, on which the Exchange Notes are listed, or, if the Exchange
Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the
Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate; provided that no Exchange Notes of
$1,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Notices of redemption shall be
mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the
redemption date to each Holder of Exchange Notes to be redeemed at its
registered address. Notices of redemption may not be conditional. If any
Exchange Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that
relates to such Exchange Note shall state the portion of the principal amount
thereof to be redeemed. A new Exchange Note in principal amount equal to the
unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof
upon cancellation of the original Exchange Note. Exchange Notes called for
redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and after the
redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Exchange Notes or portions of
them called for redemption.
 
MANDATORY REDEMPTION
 
  The Issuers are not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund
payments with respect to the Exchange Notes.
 
REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS
 
CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder of Exchange Notes
will have the right to require the Issuers to repurchase all or any part
(equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such Holder's Exchange
Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the "Change of Control Offer") at
an offer price in cash (the "Change of Control Payment") equal to 101% of the
aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the date of purchase. Within ten days
following any Change of Control, the Issuers will mail a notice to each Holder
describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of
Control and offering to repurchase Exchange Notes on the date specified in
such notice, which date shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60
days from the date such notice is mailed (the "Change of Control Payment
Date"), pursuant to the procedures required by the Indenture and described in
such notice. The Issuers will comply with the requirements of 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 connection with the
repurchase of the Exchange Notes as a result of a Change of Control.
 
  On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers will, to the extent
lawful, (1) accept for payment all Exchange Notes or portions thereof properly
tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, (2) deposit with the Paying
Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all
Exchange Notes or portions thereof so tendered and (3) deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Trustee the Exchange Notes so accepted together with an
Officers' Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes
or portions thereof being purchased by the Issuers. The Paying Agent will
promptly mail to each Holder of Exchange Notes so tendered the Change of
Control Payment for such Exchange Notes, and the Trustee will promptly
authenticate
 
                                      60
<PAGE>
 
and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new
Exchange Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the
Exchange Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Exchange Note
will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof. The
Issuers will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on
or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.
 
  The Senior Credit Facilities prohibit the Issuers from repurchasing any
Exchange Notes prior to repaying any obligations outstanding thereunder and
also provide that certain change of control events with respect to the Issuers
would constitute a default thereunder. Any future credit agreements or other
agreements relating to Indebtedness to which the Issuers become a party may
contain similar restrictions and provisions. In the event a Change of Control
occurs at a time when the Issuers are prohibited from purchasing Exchange
Notes, the Issuers could seek the consent of their lenders to the purchase of
Exchange Notes or could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain such
prohibition. If the Issuers do not obtain such a consent or repay such
borrowings, the Issuers will remain prohibited from purchasing Exchange Notes.
In such case, the Issuers' failure to purchase tendered Exchange Notes would
constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture which would, in turn,
constitute a default under the Senior Credit Facilities. In addition, the
exercise by Holders of the Exchange Notes of their right to require the
Issuers to repurchase the Exchange Notes could cause a default under the
Senior Credit Facilities, even if the Change of Control itself does not, due
to the financial effect of such repurchases on the Issuers. Finally, the
Issuers' ability to pay cash to the Holders of Exchange Notes upon a
repurchase may be limited by the Company's then existing financial resources.
 
  The Change of Control provisions described above are applicable whether or
not any other provisions of the Indenture are applicable. Except as described
above with respect to a Change of Control, the Indenture does not contain
provisions that permit the Holders of the Exchange Notes to require that the
Issuers repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a takeover,
recapitalization or similar transaction.
 
  The Issuers are not 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 set forth in
the Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and
purchases all Exchange Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such
Change of Control Offer.
 
  "Change of Control" means the occurrence of one or more of the following
events: (i) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or
a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of
Holdings and its Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis) or the
Company and its Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis) to any
Person or group of related Persons, as defined in Section 13(d) of the
Exchange Act (a "Group"), together with any Affiliates thereof (whether or not
otherwise in compliance with the provisions of the Indenture) other than a
Principal or a Related Party of a Principal; (ii) the approval by the holders
of Capital Stock of one or more of the Issuers or the General Partner of any
plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Issuers or the
General Partner (whether or not otherwise in compliance with the provisions of
the Indenture); (iii) any Person or Group (other than one of the Principals or
their respective Related Parties) shall become the owner, directly or
indirectly, beneficially or of record, of more than 50% of either the
aggregate Voting Stock or Capital Stock of Holdings, the General Partner, one
of the Issuers or any successor to all or substantially all of their
respective assets; (iv) the occurrence of any transaction, the result of which
is that the General Partner is no longer the sole general partner of the
Company; (v) the first day on which the Company fails to own 100% of the
issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Anthony Crane Capital Corporation;
and (vi) (A) for so long as the Company is a partnership (or other pass-
through entity for federal income tax purposes) with a limited liability
company serving as the General Partner, the first day on which a majority of
the members of the Management Committee of the General Partner are not
Continuing Members and (B) at all such other times, the first day on which a
majority of the members of the Company's Management Committee are not
Continuing Members. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any reorganization of the
Company and Anthony Crane Capital Corporation pursuant to the last sentence of
the covenant described below under the caption "Merger, Consolidation or Sale
of Assets" shall not constitute a Change of Control under the Indenture.
 
                                      61
<PAGE>
 
  The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the sale,
lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of "all or substantially all"
of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although
there is a developing body of case law interpreting the phrase "all or
substantially all," there is no precise established definition of the phrase
under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a Holder of Exchange Notes
to require the Issuers to repurchase such Exchange Notes as a result of a
sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of the
assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person
or group may be uncertain.
 
  "Continuing Members" means, as of any date of determination, any member of
the Management Committee of the Company who (i) was a member of such
Management Committee on the date of the Indenture or (ii) was nominated for
election or elected to such Management Committee by any of the Principals or
with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Members who were members of
such Board at the time of such nomination or election.
 
  "Principals" means Bain Capital, Inc. and any Affiliate of Bain Capital,
Inc.
 
  "Related Party" with respect to any Principal means (A) any controlling
stockholder, 80% (or more) owned Subsidiary, or spouse or immediate family
member (in the case of an individual) of such Principal or (B) any trust,
corporation, partnership or other entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders,
partners, owners or Persons beneficially holding an 80% or more controlling
interest of which consist of such Principal and/or such other Persons referred
to in the immediately preceding clause (A).
 
ASSET SALES
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless (i) the
Company or the applicable 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 assets sold or otherwise disposed of (as determined in good faith
by the Management Committee), (ii) at least 75% of the consideration received
by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from such
Asset Sale shall be cash or Cash Equivalents; provided that the amount of (a)
any liabilities (as shown on the Company's or such Restricted Subsidiary's
most recent balance sheet) of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary
(other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Exchange
Notes) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets, (b) any notes or
other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary
from such transferee that are immediately converted by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received), and (c)
any Designated Noncash Consideration received by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in such Asset Sale having an aggregate fair market
value, taken together with all other Designated Noncash Consideration received
pursuant to this clause (c) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed
10% of Total Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Noncash
Consideration (with the fair market value of each item of Designated Noncash
Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to
subsequent changes in value), shall be deemed to be cash for the purposes of
this provision, and (iii) upon the consummation of an Asset Sale, the Company
shall apply, or cause such Restricted Subsidiary to apply, the Net Cash
Proceeds relating to such Asset Sale within 365 days of receipt thereof to
reinvest in Productive Assets or to repay Indebtedness under the Senior Credit
Facilities. Pending the final application of any such Net Cash Proceeds, the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary may invest such Net Cash Proceeds in
Cash Equivalents.
 
  On the 366th day after an Asset Sale or such earlier date, if any, as the
Management Committee or such Restricted Subsidiary determines not to apply the
Net Cash Proceeds relating to such Asset Sale as set forth in clause (iii) of
the preceding paragraph (each, a "Net Proceeds Offer Trigger Date"), the
aggregate amount of Net Cash Proceeds that have not been applied on or before
such Net Proceeds Offer Trigger Date as permitted in clause (iii) of the
preceding paragraph (each a "Net Proceeds Offer Amount") shall be applied by
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to make an offer to purchase (the
"Net Proceeds Offer") on a date (the "Net
 
                                      62
<PAGE>
 
Proceeds Offer Payment Date") not less than 30 nor more than 45 days following
the applicable Net Proceeds Offer Trigger Date, from all Holders on a pro rata
basis that amount of Exchange Notes equal to the Net Proceeds Offer Amount at
a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Exchange Notes to be
purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if
any, to the date of purchase; provided, however, that if at any time any non-
cash consideration (including any Designated Noncash Consideration) received
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, as the case may
be, in connection with any Asset Sale is converted into or sold or otherwise
disposed of for cash (other than interest received with respect to any such
non-cash consideration), then such conversion or disposition shall be deemed
to constitute an Asset Sale hereunder and the Net Cash Proceeds thereof shall
be applied in accordance with this covenant.
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Net Proceeds Offer Amount is less than
$10.0 million, the application of the Net Cash Proceeds constituting such Net
Proceeds Offer Amount to a Net Proceeds Offer may be deferred until such time
as such Net Proceeds Offer Amount plus the aggregate amount of all Net
Proceeds Offer Amounts arising subsequent to the Net Proceeds Offer Trigger
Date relating to such initial Net Proceeds Offer Amount from all Asset Sales
by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries aggregates at least $10.0
million, at which time the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary shall apply
all Net Cash Proceeds constituting all Net Proceeds Offer Amounts that have
been so deferred to make a Net Proceeds Offer (the first date the aggregate of
all such deferred Net Proceeds Offer Amounts is equal to $10.0 million or more
shall be deemed to be a "Net Proceeds Offer Trigger Date").
 
  Notwithstanding the two immediately preceding paragraphs, the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries are permitted to consummate an Asset Sale without
complying with such paragraphs to the extent (i) at least 75% of the
consideration for such Asset Sale constitutes Productive Assets, cash, Cash
Equivalents and/or Marketable Securities and (ii) such Asset Sale is for fair
market value (as determined in good faith by the Management Committee of the
General Partner); provided that any consideration not constituting Productive
Assets received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in
connection with any Asset Sale permitted to be consummated under this
paragraph shall be subject to the provisions of the two preceding paragraphs.
 
  Each Net Proceeds Offer will be mailed to the record Holders as shown on the
register of Holders within 25 days following the Net Proceeds Offer Trigger
Date, with a copy to the Trustee, and shall comply with the procedures set
forth in the Indenture. Upon receiving notice of the Net Proceeds Offer,
Holders may elect to tender their Exchange Notes in whole or in part in
integral multiples of $1,000 in exchange for cash. To the extent Holders
properly tender Exchange Notes in an amount exceeding the Net Proceeds Offer
Amount, Exchange Notes of tendering Holders will be purchased on a pro rata
basis (based on amounts tendered). A Net Proceeds Offer shall remain open for
a period of 20 business days or such longer period as may be required by law.
To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes tendered pursuant to a Net
Proceeds Offer is less than the Net Proceeds Offer Amount, the Company may use
any remaining Net Proceeds Offer Amount for general corporate purposes. Upon
completion of any such Net Proceeds Offer, the Net Proceeds Offer Amount shall
be reset at zero.
 
  The Issuers will comply with the requirements of 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 connection with the
repurchase of Exchange Notes pursuant to a Net Proceeds Offer. To the extent
that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the
Asset Sale provisions of the Indenture, the Issuers shall comply with the
applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have
breached its obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of the Indenture by
virtue thereof.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
RESTRICTED PAYMENTS
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly: (i) declare or pay any
dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company's
or any of its Subsidiaries' Equity Interests (including, without limitation,
any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries') or to the direct
 
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or indirect holders of the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' Equity
Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions
payable in Qualified Capital Stock of the Company); (ii) purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in
connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity
Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company;
(iii) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or
otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness that is subordinated to
the Exchange Notes (other than intercompany Indebtedness), except a payment of
interest or principal at stated maturity; or (iv) make any Restricted
Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i)
through (iv) above being collectively referred to as "Restricted Payments"),
unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:
 
    (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
  or would occur as a consequence thereof; and
 
    (b) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after
  giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made
  at the beginning of the applicable Four-Quarter Period, have been permitted
  to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the
  Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first
  paragraph of the covenant described below under the caption "--Incurrence
  of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock"; and
 
    (c) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all
  other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted
  Subsidiaries after the date of the Indenture (excluding Restricted Payments
  permitted by clauses (3), (4) (but only to the extent such Restricted
  Payment is made with the cash proceeds received by the Company from any
  "key man" life insurance policies), (5), (7), (8) and (9) of the next
  succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum, without duplication, of (i)
  50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as
  one accounting period) from the beginning of the first fiscal quarter
  commencing after the date of the Indenture to the end of the Company's most
  recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are
  available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated
  Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit), plus
  (ii) 100% of the aggregate net proceeds (including the fair market value of
  property other than cash (determined in good faith by the Management
  Committee as evidenced by a certificate filed with the Trustee, except that
  in the event the value of any non-cash consideration shall be $15.0 million
  or more, the value shall be determined based upon an opinion or appraisal
  issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national
  standing)) received by the Company since the date of the Indenture as a
  contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of
  Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (excluding
  any net proceeds from an Equity Offering or capital contribution to the
  extent used to redeem Exchange Notes in accordance with the optional
  redemption provisions of the Exchange Notes) or from the issue or sale of
  Disqualified Stock or debt securities of the Company that have been
  converted into such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or
  Disqualified Stock or convertible debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of
  the Company), plus (iii) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that
  was made after the date of the Indenture is sold for cash or otherwise
  liquidated or repaid for cash, the cash return of capital with respect to
  such Restricted Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any), plus
  (iv) any dividends (the fair market value of property other than cash shall
  be determined in good faith by the Management Committee as evidenced by a
  certificate filed with the trustee, except that in the event the value of
  any non-cash consideration shall be $15.0 million or more, the value shall
  be determined based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an accounting,
  appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing) received by the
  Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after the date of the Indenture from any
  Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company, to the extent that such dividends
  were not otherwise included in Consolidated Net Income of the Company for
  such period, plus (v) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary is
  redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the date of the Indenture, if
  as a result of such redesignation, (x) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of
  the Company on a pro forma basis is lower than such ratio immediately prior
  thereto, then the lesser of (A) the fair market value of the Company's
  Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation or (B)
  such fair market value as of the date on which such Subsidiary was
  originally designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or (y) the Fixed Charge
  Coverage Ratio of the Company
 
                                      64
<PAGE>
 
  on a pro forma basis is equal to or higher than such ratio immediately
  prior thereto, the fair market value of the Company's Investment in such
  Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation.
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions set forth in the immediately
preceding paragraph do not prohibit (1) the payment of any dividend or the
consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of
declaration of such dividend or notice of such redemption if the dividend or
payment of the redemption price, as the case may be, would have been permitted
on the date of declaration or notice; (2) if no Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing or shall occur as a consequence thereof, the
acquisition of any Capital Stock of the Company (the "Retired Capital Stock"),
either (i) solely in exchange for Qualified Capital Stock of the Company (the
"Refunding Capital Stock"), or (ii) through the application of the net
proceeds of a substantially concurrent sale for cash (other than to a
Subsidiary of the Company) of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company, and, in
the case of subclause (i) of this clause (2), if immediately prior to the
retirement of the Retired Capital Stock the declaration and payment of
dividends thereon was permitted under clause (3) of this paragraph, the
declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock in an
aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends
per annum that was declarable and payable on such Retired Capital Stock
immediately prior to such retirement; provided that at the time of the
declaration of any such dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock, no Default
or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a
consequence thereof; (3) if no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof, the declaration and
payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred
Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued after the date of the Indenture
(including, without limitation, the declaration and payment of dividends on
Refunding Capital Stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable
thereon pursuant to clause (2) of this paragraph); provided that, at the time
of such issuance, the Company, after giving effect to such issuance on a pro
forma basis, would have had a Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at
least 2.0 to 1.0 for the most recent Four-Quarter Period; (4) the repurchase,
redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity
Interests of Holdings or the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company held by
any former member of the Holdings' or the Company's (or any of their
Subsidiaries') management committee or any former officer, employee or
director of Holdings or the Company pursuant to any equity subscription
agreement, stock option agreement, employment agreement or other similar
agreements and any dividends or distributions to Holdings to fund such
purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement; provided that (A) the
aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired
Equity Interests shall not exceed (x) $1.5 million in any calendar year (with
unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar
years) plus (y) the aggregate cash proceeds received by Holdings or the
Company during such calendar year from any reissuance of Equity Interests by
Holdings or the Company to members of management of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries and (B) no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing immediately after such transaction; provided,
further that the aggregate cash proceeds referred to in (y) above shall be
excluded from clause (c)(ii) of the preceding paragraph; (5) the making of
distributions, loans or advances to Holdings in an amount not to exceed $1.5
million per annum in order to permit Holdings to pay the ordinary operating
expenses of Holdings (including, without limitation, directors' fees,
indemnification obligations, professional fees and expenses); (6) if no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would
occur as a consequence thereof, other Restricted Payments in an aggregate
amount not to exceed $7.5 million since the date of the Indenture; (7)
repurchases of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock
options if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price
thereof; (8) distributions to Holdings and the Current Owners to fund the
Transactions (as described under "The Transactions--Sources and Uses") and (9)
so long as the Company is treated as a partnership or disregarded as an entity
separate from its owners for federal income tax purposes, distributions to the
partners of the Company in an amount with respect to any period after June 30,
1998 not to exceed the Tax Amount of the Company for such period.
 
  The Management Committee may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an
Unrestricted Subsidiary if such designation would not cause a Default. For
purposes of making such determination, all outstanding Investments by the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid in cash)
in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments at
the time of such designation and will reduce the
 
                                      65
<PAGE>
 
amount available for Restricted Payments under the first paragraph of this
covenant. All such outstanding Investments will be deemed to constitute
Investments in an amount equal to the fair market value of such Investments at
the time of such designation. Such designation will only be permitted if such
Restricted Payment would be permitted at such time and if such Restricted
Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
  The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the fair
market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or
securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment.
 
INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS AND ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue,
assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable,
contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, "incur") any
Indebtedness and that the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and
will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of
preferred stock; provided, however, that the Issuers may incur Indebtedness or
issue shares of Disqualified Stock and the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries
that are Subsidiary Guarantors may incur Indebtedness or issue shares of
preferred stock if (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing at the time or as a consequence of the incurrence of any such
Indebtedness or the issuance of any such Disqualified Stock, and (ii) the
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company's most recently ended
Four-Quarter Period would have been at least 2.0 to 1.0, determined on a pro
forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom),
as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock
had been issued, at the beginning of such Four-Quarter Period.
 
  The provisions of the first paragraph of this covenant do not apply to the
incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively,
"Permitted Indebtedness"):
 
    (i) the Exchange Notes issued in the Exchange Offer and the Subsidiary
  Guarantees thereof;
 
    (ii) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of
  Indebtedness incurred pursuant to one or more Credit Facilities in an
  aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding (with letters of credit
  being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential
  liability of the Company and its Subsidiaries thereunder) not to exceed the
  sum of (a) $50.0 million (which amount shall initially be utilized for term
  Indebtedness) plus (b) the greater of (I) the Borrowing Base or (II) $275.0
  million, less, in the case of clauses (a) or (b)(II), (A) the aggregate
  amount of Indebtedness of Securitization Entities at the time outstanding
  less (B) the amount of all optional or mandatory principal payments
  actually made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since
  the date of the Indenture in respect of term loans under Credit Facilities
  (excluding any such payments to the extent refinanced at the time of
  payment under a Credit Facility) and (C) further reduced by (X) any
  repayments of revolving credit borrowings under Credit Facilities that are
  applied in accordance with the covenant described above under the caption
  "--Asset Sales" and (Y) any Attributable Debt incurred in pursuant to the
  covenant described below under the caption "--Sale Leaseback Transaction";
 
    (iii) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of
  Indebtedness under Currency Agreements;
 
    (iv) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of
  Existing Indebtedness;
 
    (v) Interest Swap Obligations of the Company and its Restricted
  Subsidiaries covering Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted
  Subsidiaries; provided that any Indebtedness to which any such Interest
  Swap Obligations correspond is otherwise permitted to be incurred under the
  Indenture; and provided, further, that such Interest Swap Obligations are
  entered into, in the judgment of the Company, to protect the Company and
  its Restricted Subsidiaries from fluctuation in interest rates on its
  outstanding Indebtedness;
 
    (vi) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
  of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its
  Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (i) if the
 
                                      66
<PAGE>
 
  Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is expressly
  subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with
  respect to the Exchange Notes and (ii)(A) any subsequent issuance or
  transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being
  held by a Person other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof and (B) any
  sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not
  either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof shall be deemed, in
  each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company
  or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted
  by this clause (vi);
 
    (vii) the incurrence of Acquired Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries
  of the Company to the extent the Company could have incurred such
  Indebtedness in accordance with the first paragraph of this covenant on the
  date such Indebtedness became Acquired Indebtedness;
 
    (viii) Guarantees by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors of each
  other's Indebtedness; provided that such Indebtedness is permitted to be
  incurred under the Indenture;
 
    (ix) Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) incurred by
  the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to finance the purchase,
  lease or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment (whether
  through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person
  owning such assets) in an aggregate principal amount outstanding not to
  exceed 5% of Total Assets at the time of any incurrence thereof (including
  any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto) (which amount may, but
  need not, be incurred in whole or in part under the Senior Credit
  Facilities);
 
    (x) the incurrence of Indebtedness (including letters of credit) in
  respect of workers' compensation claims, self-insurance obligations,
  performance, surety, bid or similar bonds and completion guarantees
  provided by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course
  of business and consistent with past practices;
 
    (xi) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or a Restricted
  Subsidiary of the Company providing for indemnification, adjustment of
  purchase price, earn out or other similar obligations, in each case,
  incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business,
  assets or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, other than guarantees of
  Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such
  business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such
  acquisition; provided that the maximum assumable liability in respect of
  all such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually
  received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with
  such disposition;
 
    (xii) obligations in respect of performance and surety bonds and
  completion guarantees provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
  of the Company in the ordinary course of business;
 
    (xiii) any refinancing, modification, replacement, renewal, restatement,
  refunding, defeasance, deferral, extension, substitution, supplement,
  reissuance or resale of existing or future Indebtedness (other than
  intercompany Indebtedness), including any additional Indebtedness incurred
  to pay interest or premiums required by the instruments governing such
  existing or future Indebtedness as in effect at the time of issuance
  thereof ("Required Premiums") and fees in connection therewith
  ("Refinancing Indebtedness"); provided that (1) any such event shall not
  directly or indirectly result in an increase in the aggregate principal
  amount of Permitted Indebtedness (except to the extent such increase is a
  result of a simultaneous incurrence of additional Indebtedness (A) to pay
  Required Premiums and related fees or (B) otherwise permitted to be
  incurred under the Indenture) of the Company and its Restricted
  Subsidiaries, (2) such Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date
  later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to
  Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of,
  the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
  refunded, (3) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed,
  replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the
  Exchange Notes, such Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date
  later than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of
  payment to, the Exchange Notes on terms at least as favorable to the
  Holders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness
  being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded;
 
                                      67
<PAGE>
 
    (xiv) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
  of additional Indebtedness and/or the issuance of Disqualified Stock in an
  aggregate principal amount or aggregate liquidation value, as applicable
  (or accreted value, as applicable), at any time outstanding, including all
  Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any
  Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (xiv), not to exceed $20
  million; and
 
    (xv) the incurrence by a Securitization Entity of Indebtedness in a
  Qualified Securitization Transaction that is Non-Recourse Debt (except for
  Standard Securitization Undertakings) with respect to the Company and its
  other Restricted Subsidiaries.
 
  The Indenture also provides that the Issuers will not incur any Indebtedness
(including Permitted Indebtedness) that is contractually subordinated in right
of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Issuers unless such Indebtedness
is also contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Exchange Notes
on substantially identical terms; provided, however, that no Indebtedness of
the Issuers shall be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of
payment to any other Indebtedness of the Issuers solely by virtue of being
unsecured.
 
  For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in the event that
an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories
of Permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (xv) above or is
entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, the
Issuers shall, in their sole discretion, classify such item of Indebtedness in
any manner that complies with this covenant. Accrual of interest, accretion or
amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any
Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, and
the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional
shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an
incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes
of this covenant; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof is
included in Consolidated Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued.
 
LIENS
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will 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, except for Permitted Liens.
 
SALE LEASEBACK TRANSACTION
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction;
provided that the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into
a sale and leaseback transaction if (i) the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as applicable, could have (a) incurred Indebtedness in an amount
equal to the Attributable Debt relating to such sale and leaseback transaction
pursuant to either (A) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the
first paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption "Incurrence
of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock" or (B) clause (ii) of the
covenant described above under the caption "Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Preferred Stock" and (b) incurred a Lien to secure such
Indebtedness pursuant to the covenant described above under the caption "--
Liens," (ii) the gross cash proceeds of such sale and leaseback transaction
are at least equal to the fair market value (as determined in good faith by
the Management Committee and set forth in an Officers' Certificate delivered
to the Trustee) of the property that is the subject of such sale and leaseback
transaction and (iii) the transfer of assets in such sale and leaseback
transaction is permitted by, and the Company applies the proceeds of such
transaction in compliance with, the covenant described above under the caption
"--Asset Sales."
 
DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise
cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or
consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (a) pay
dividends or make
 
                                      68
<PAGE>
 
any other distributions on or in respect of its Capital Stock, (b) make loans
or advances or to pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to the Company
or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (c) transfer any of its
property or assets to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by
reason of: (1) applicable law; (2) the Indenture; (3) non-assignment
provisions of any contract or any lease entered into in the ordinary course of
business; (4) any instrument governing Acquired Indebtedness, which
encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties
or assets of any Person, other than the Person or the properties or assets of
the Person so acquired; (5) agreements existing on the date of the Indenture
(including, without limitation, the Senior Credit Facilities); (6)
restrictions on the transfer of assets subject to any Lien permitted under the
Indenture imposed by the holder of such Lien; (7) restrictions imposed by any
agreement to sell assets or Capital Stock permitted under the Indenture to any
Person pending the closing of such sale; (8) any agreement or instrument
governing Capital Stock of any Person that is in effect on the date such
Person is acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
(9) any Purchase Money Note, or other Indebtedness or other contractual
requirements of a Securitization Entity in connection with a Qualified
Securitization Transaction; provided that such restrictions apply only to such
Securitization Entity; (10) other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred
subsequent to the date of the Indenture pursuant to the provisions of the
covenant described above under the caption "--Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Preferred Stock"; provided that any such restrictions are ordinary
and customary with respect to the type of Indebtedness or preferred stock
being incurred or issued (under the relevant circumstances); (11) restrictions
on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts
entered into in the ordinary course of business; and (12) any encumbrances or
restrictions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals,
increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the
contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (11)
above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals,
increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the
good faith judgment of the Management Committee, no more restrictive with
respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained
in the dividend or other payment restrictions prior to such amendment,
modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding,
replacement or refinancing.
 
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, OR SALE OF ASSETS
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company may not consolidate or merge with or
into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or sell,
assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of
its properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to another
corporation, Person or entity unless (i) the Company is the surviving
corporation or the entity or the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale,
assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is
a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any
state thereof or the District of Columbia; (ii) the entity or Person formed by
or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or
the entity or Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or
other disposition shall have been made assumes all the obligations of the
Company under the Registration Rights Agreement, the Exchange Notes and the
Indenture pursuant to supplemental indentures in forms reasonably satisfactory
to the Trustee; (iii) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event
of Default exists; and (iv) except in the case of a merger of the Company with
or into a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and except in the
case of a merger entered into solely for the purpose of incorporating the
Company or reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction, the Company or
the entity or Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger
(if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer,
conveyance or other disposition shall have been made will, at the time of such
transaction and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such transaction
had occurred at the beginning of the applicable Four-Quarter Period, be
permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph
of the covenant described above under the caption "--Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock." The Indenture will also provide
that the Company may not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially
all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any
other Person. The provisions of this covenant will not be applicable to a
merger,
 
                                      69
<PAGE>
 
sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between
or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Company is permitted to reorganize as a corporation in
accordance with the procedures established in the Indenture (and Anthony Crane
Capital Corporation may thereafter liquidate); provided that the Company shall
have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel in the United States
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that such reorganization (and,
if applicable, liquidation of Anthony Crane Capital Corporation) is not
adverse to holders of the Exchange Notes from a U.S. federal tax standpoint
(it being recognized that such reorganization shall not be deemed adverse to
the holders of the Exchange Notes solely because (i) of the accrual of
deferred tax liabilities resulting from such reorganization or (ii) the
successor or surviving corporation (a) is subject to income tax as a corporate
entity or (b) is considered to be an "includible corporation" of an affiliated
group of corporations within the meaning of the Code or any similar state or
local law) and certain other conditions are satisfied.
 
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
 
  (a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to occur any
transaction or series or related transactions (including, without limitation,
the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any
service) with, or for the benefit of, any of its Affiliates (an "Affiliate
Transaction"), other than (x) Affiliate Transactions permitted under paragraph
(b) below and (y) Affiliate Transactions on terms that are not materially less
favorable than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction
at such time on an arm's-length basis from a Person that is not an Affiliate
of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that
for a transaction or series of related transactions with an aggregate value of
$5.0 million or more, at the Company's option, either (i) a majority of the
disinterested members of the Management Committee shall determine in good
faith that such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less
favorable than those that might reasonably have been obtained in a comparable
transaction at such time on an arm's-length basis from a Person that is not an
Affiliate of the Company or (ii) the Management Committee or any such
Restricted Subsidiary party to such Affiliate Transaction shall have received
an opinion from a nationally recognized investment banking firm that such
Affiliate Transaction is on terms not materially less favorable than those
that might reasonably have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such
time on an arm's-length basis from a Person that is not an Affiliate of the
Company; and provided, further, that for an Affiliate Transaction with an
aggregate value of $10.0 million or more the Management Committee or any such
Restricted Subsidiary party to such Affiliate Transaction shall have received
an opinion from a nationally recognized investment banking firm that such
Affiliate Transaction is on terms not materially less favorable than those
that might reasonably have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such
time on an arm's-length basis from a Person that is not an Affiliate of the
Company.
 
  (b) The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to (i) reasonable fees and
compensation paid to and indemnity provided on behalf of, officers, directors,
employee or consultants of the Company or any Subsidiary as determined in good
faith by the Management Committee or senior management; (ii) transactions
exclusively between or among the Company and any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or exclusively between or among such Restricted Subsidiaries,
provided such transactions are not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture;
(iii) any agreement as in effect as of the date of the Indenture or any
amendment or replacement thereto or any transaction contemplated thereby
(including pursuant to any amendment or replacement thereto) so long as any
such amendment or replacement agreement is not more disadvantageous to the
Holders in any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on
the date of the Indenture; (iv) Restricted Payments permitted by the
Indenture; (v) the payment of customary annual management, consulting and
advisory fees and related expenses to the Principals and their Affiliates made
pursuant to any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement
agreement or in respect of other investment banking activities, including,
without limitation, in connection with acquisitions or divestitures which are
approved by the Management Committee or such Restricted Subsidiary in good
faith; (vi) payments or loans to employees or consultants that are approved by
the Management Committee in good faith; (vii) the existence of, or the
performance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its
obligations under the terms of, any securityholders agreement (including any
 
                                      70
<PAGE>
 
registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which
it is a party as of the date of the Indenture and any similar agreements which
it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence
of, or the performance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of
obligations under, any future amendment to any such existing agreement or
under any similar agreement entered into after the date of the Indenture shall
only be permitted by this clause (vii) to the extent that the terms of any
such amendment or new agreement are not disadvantageous to the Holders of
Exchange Notes in any material respect; (viii) transactions permitted by, and
complying with, the provisions of the covenant described under "--Merger,
Consolidation, or Sale of Assets"; (ix) transactions effected as part of a
Qualified Securitization Transaction; (x) transactions with customers,
clients, suppliers, or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each
case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the
terms of the Indenture which are fair to the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the Management Committee or
the senior management thereof, or are on terms at least as favorable as might
reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party; and
(xi) any Affiliate Transaction with (A) a Principal or Related Party not in
excess of $1.0 million or (B) any other Person not in excess of $100,000.
 
ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
 
  The Indenture provides that if the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries shall acquire or create another domestic Subsidiary after the
date of the Indenture, then such newly acquired or created Subsidiary shall
execute a Subsidiary Guarantee and deliver an Opinion of Counsel, in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture; provided, that all Subsidiaries
that have properly been designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries in accordance
with the Indenture shall not be subject to the requirements of this covenant
for so long as they continue to constitute Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
 
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any businesses a majority of whose
revenues are not derived from the same or reasonably similar, ancillary or
related to, or a reasonable extension, development or expansion of, the
businesses in which the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged on
the date of the Indenture.
 
REPORTS
 
  The Indenture provides that, whether or not required by the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), so
long as any Exchange Notes are outstanding, the Issuers will furnish to the
Holders of Exchange Notes (i) all quarterly and annual financial information
that would be required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on
Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such Forms, including
a "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" that describes the financial condition and results of operations
of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries and, with respect to the
annual information only, a report thereon by the Company's certified
independent accountants and (ii) all current reports that would be required to
be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file
such reports, in each case within the time periods specified in the
Commission's rules and regulations. In addition, following the consummation of
the exchange offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, whether
or not required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, the Company
will file a copy of all such information and reports with the Commission for
public availability within the time periods specified in the Commission's
rules and regulations (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing)
and make such information available to securities analysts and prospective
investors upon request. In addition, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors
have agreed that, for so long as any Exchange Notes remain outstanding, they
will furnish to the Holders 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.
 
 
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<PAGE>
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
 
  The following events are defined in the Indenture as "Events of Default":
(i) the failure to pay interest on any Exchange Notes when the same becomes
due and payable if the default continues for a period of 30 days; (ii) the
failure to pay the principal on any Exchange Notes when such principal becomes
due and payable, at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise (including the
failure to make a payment to purchase Exchange Notes tendered pursuant to a
Change of Control Offer or a Net Proceeds Offer); (iii) failure by the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions of the
covenants described above under the captions "--Change of Control," or "--
Asset Sales;" (iv) a default in the observance or performance of any other
covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture if the default continues for
a period of 30 days after the Issuers receive written notice specifying the
default (and demanding that such default be remedied) from the Trustee or the
Holders of at least 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the Exchange
Notes; (v) the failure to pay at final stated maturity (giving effect to any
extensions thereof) the principal amount of any Indebtedness of the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Securitization Entity), which failure
continues for at least 10 days, or the acceleration of the maturity of any
such Indebtedness, which acceleration remains uncured and unrescinded for at
least 10 days, if the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness,
together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default
for failure to pay principal at final maturity or which has been accelerated,
aggregates $10.0 million or more at any time; (vi) one or more judgments in an
aggregate amount in excess of $10.0 million shall have been rendered against
the Issuers or any of their Significant Subsidiaries and such judgments remain
undischarged, unpaid or unstayed for a period of 60 days after such judgment
or judgments become final and non-appealable; and (vii) certain events of
bankruptcy affecting the Issuers or any of their Significant Subsidiaries.
 
  Upon the happening of any Event of Default specified in the Indenture, the
Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of outstanding
Exchange Notes may declare the principal of and accrued interest on all the
Exchange Notes to be due and payable by notice in writing to the Issuers and
the Trustee specifying the respective Event of Default and that such notice is
a "notice of acceleration" (the "Acceleration Notice"), and the same shall
become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default with respect to
bankruptcy proceedings of the Issuers occurs and is continuing, then such
amount shall become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration
or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of Exchange Notes.
 
  The Indenture provides that, at any time after a declaration of acceleration
with respect to the Exchange Notes as described in the preceding paragraph,
the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Exchange Notes may rescind
and cancel such declaration and its consequences (i) if the rescission would
not conflict with any judgment or decree, (ii) if all existing Events of
Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest
that has become due solely because of the acceleration, (iii) to the extent
the payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of
interest and overdue principal, which has become due otherwise than by such
declaration of acceleration, has been paid, (iv) if the Issuers have paid the
Trustee its reasonable compensation and reimbursed the Trustee for its
expenses, disbursements and advances and (v) in the event of the cure or
waiver of an Event of Default of the type described in clause (vi) of the
description above of Events of Default, the Trustee shall have received an
Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that such Event of Default has
been cured or waived. The holders of a majority in principal amount of Notes
may waive any existing Default or Event of Default under the Indenture, and
its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of or
interest on any Exchange Notes.
 
  In the case of any Event of Default occurring by reason of any willful
action (or inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Issuers with
the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Issuers would have
had to pay if the Issuers then had elected to redeem the Exchange Notes
pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of the Indenture, an equivalent
premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the extent
permitted by law upon the acceleration of the Exchange Notes. If an Event of
Default occurs prior to August 1, 2003 by reason of any willful action (or
inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Issuers with the
intention of avoiding the prohibition on redemption of the Exchange Notes
prior to August 1, 2003, then the premium specified in the Indenture shall
also become immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law upon
the acceleration of the Exchange Notes.
 
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<PAGE>
 
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF PARTNERS, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND
STOCKHOLDERS
 
  No partner, director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the
Issuers, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers
under the Exchange Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in
respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder
of Exchange Notes by accepting an Exchange Note waives and releases all such
liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance
of the Exchange Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities
under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the Commission that
such a waiver is against public policy.
 
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
  The Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have all of its
obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding Exchange Notes ("Legal
Defeasance") except for (i) the rights of Holders of outstanding Exchange
Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest and Liquidated Damages on such Exchange Notes when such payments are
due from the trust referred to below, (ii) the Issuers' obligations with
respect to such Exchange Notes concerning issuing temporary Exchange Notes,
registration of Exchange Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Exchange
Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for
security payments held in trust, (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and
immunities of the applicable trustee, and the Issuers' obligations in
connection therewith and (iv) the Legal Defeasance provisions of the
Indenture. In addition, the Issuers may, at their option and at any time,
elect to have the obligations of the Issuers released with respect to certain
covenants that are described in the Indenture ("Covenant Defeasance") and
thereafter any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a
Default or Event of Default with respect to the Exchange Notes. In the event
Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment,
bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation and insolvency events) described
under "Events of Default and Remedies" will no longer constitute an Event of
Default with respect to the Exchange Notes.
 
  In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, (i) the
Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit
of the Holders of the Exchange Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable
Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be
sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent
public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on all outstanding Exchange Notes on the stated
maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the
Issuers must specify whether the Exchange Notes are being defeased to maturity
or to a particular redemption date; (ii) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the
Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the
United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (A) the
Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal
Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of the Indenture, there has
been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the
effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the
Holders of the outstanding Exchange Notes will not recognize income, gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and
will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner
and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had
not occurred; (iii) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuers shall have
delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably
acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding
Exchange Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to
federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same
times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not
occurred; (iv) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of
Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);
(v) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach
or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or
instrument (including the Indenture and the Senior Credit Facilities) to which
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries is bound; (vi) the Issuers must have delivered to the
Trustee an Opinion of Counsel 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
 
                                      73
<PAGE>
 
creditors' rights generally; (vii) the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers
with the intent of preferring the Holders of Exchange Notes over the other
creditors of the Issuers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or
defrauding creditors of the Issuers or others; and (viii) the Issuers must
deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel,
each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the Legal
Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
 
TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
 
  A Holder may transfer or exchange Exchange Notes in accordance with the
Indenture. The applicable Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder,
among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents
and the Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law
or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuers are not required to transfer or
exchange any Exchange Note selected for redemption. Also, the Issuers are not
required to transfer or exchange any Exchange Note for a period of 15 days
before a selection of Exchange Notes to be redeemed.
 
  The registered Holder of an Exchange Note will be treated as the owner of it
for all purposes.
 
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
 
  Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the Indenture and
the Exchange Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Exchange Notes then
outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection
with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Exchange Notes),
and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or
the Exchange Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority
in principal amount of the then outstanding Exchange Notes (including, without
limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender
offer or exchange offer for, Exchange Notes).
 
  Without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver may not
(with respect to any Exchange Notes held by a non-consenting Holder): (i)
reduce the principal amount of Exchange Notes whose Holders must consent to an
amendment, supplement or waiver, (ii) reduce the principal of or change the
fixed maturity of any Exchange Note or alter the provisions with respect to
the redemption of the Exchange Notes (other than provisions relating to the
covenants described above under the caption "--Repurchase at the Option of
Holders"), (iii) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest
on any Exchange Note, (iv) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment
of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Exchange Notes (except
a rescission of acceleration of the Exchange Notes by the Holders of at least
a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Notes and a waiver of
the payment default that resulted from such acceleration), (v) make any
Exchange Note payable in money other than that stated in the Exchange Notes,
(vi) make any change in the provisions of the Indenture relating to waivers of
past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Exchange Notes to receive payments
of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Exchange Notes, (vii)
waive a redemption payment with respect to any Exchange Note (other than a
payment required by one of the covenants described above under the caption "--
Repurchase at the Option of Holders") or (viii) make any change in the
foregoing amendment and waiver provisions.
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any Holder of Exchange
Notes, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or
the Exchange Notes to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide
for uncertificated Exchange Notes in addition to or in place of certificated
Exchange Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Issuers' obligations to
Holders of Exchange Notes in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of
all or substantially all of the Issuers' assets, to make any change that would
provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Exchange Notes or
that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any
such Holder, or to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to
effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act.
 
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<PAGE>
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
  The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee,
should the Trustee become a creditor of the Issuers, to obtain payment of
claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect
of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to
engage in other transactions; however, if the Trustee acquires any conflicting
interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the
Commission for permission to continue or resign.
 
  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding
Exchange Notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee,
subject to certain exceptions. The Indenture will provide that in case an
Event of Default shall occur (which shall not be cured), the Trustee will be
required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent
man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee
will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request of any Holder of Exchange Notes, unless such Holder
shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it
against any loss, liability or expense.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  Anyone who receives this Prospectus may obtain copies of the Indenture and
Registration Rights Agreement, without charge, by writing to Anthony Crane
Rental L.P., 1165 Camp Hollow Road, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania 15122,
Attention: Investor Services.
 
BOOK-ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM
 
  The Exchange Notes initially will be represented by one or more notes in
registered, global form without interest coupons (collectively, the "Global
Note"). The Global Note will be deposited upon issuance with the Trustee, as
custodian for The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), in New York, New York, and
registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case for credit to an
account of a direct or indirect participant as described below.
 
  Except as set forth below, the Global Note may be transferred, in whole and
not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its
nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Note may not be exchanged for
Exchange Notes in certificated form except in the limited circumstances
described below.
 
  The Exchange Notes may be presented for registration of transfer and
exchange at the offices of the Exchange Agent.
 
  DTC has advised the Issuers that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company
created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively,
the "Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of
transactions in those securities between the Participants through electronic
book-entry changes in accounts of the Participants. The Participants include
securities brokers and dealers (including the Initial Purchasers), banks,
trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access
to DTC's system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers,
dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively,
the "Indirect Participants"). Persons who are not Participants may
beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the
Participants or the Indirect Participants. The ownership interest and transfer
of ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security held by or on
behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and the Indirect
Participants.
 
  DTC has also advised the Issuers that pursuant to procedures established by
it, (i) upon deposit of the Global Note, DTC will credit the accounts of
Participants designated by the exchanging holders with portions of the
principal amount of the Global Note and (ii) ownership of such interests in
the Global Note will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will
be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the
Participants) or by the Participants and the Indirect Participants (with
respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the Global Note).
 
                                      75
<PAGE>
 
  The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery
in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to
transfer beneficial interests in the Global Note to such persons may be
limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of the
Participants, which in turn act on behalf of the Indirect Participants and
certain banks, the ability of a person having beneficial interests in the
Global Note to pledge such interests to persons or entities that do not
participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such
interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing
such interests.
 
  EXCEPT AS DESCRIBED BELOW, OWNERS OF INTEREST IN THE GLOBAL NOTE WILL NOT
HAVE NOTES REGISTERED IN THEIR NAMES, WILL NOT RECEIVE PHYSICAL DELIVERY OF
NOTES IN CERTIFICATED FORM AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED THE REGISTERED OWNERS OR
HOLDERS THEREOF UNDER THE INDENTURE FOR ANY PURPOSE.
 
  Payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest
on the Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be
payable to DTC or its nominee in its capacity as the registered holder under
the Indenture. Under the terms of the Indenture, the Issuers and the Trustee
will treat the persons in whose names the Exchange Notes, including the Global
Note, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such
payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. Consequently, none of
the Issuers or the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee has or
will have any responsibility or liability for (i) any aspect or accuracy of
DTC's records or any Participant's or Indirect Participant's records relating
to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global
Note, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC's records or any
Participant's or Indirect Participant's records relating to the beneficial
ownership interests in the Global Note or (ii) any other matter relating to
the actions and practices of DTC or any of the Participants or the Indirect
Participants.
 
  DTC has advised the Issuers that its current practice, upon receipt of any
payment in respect of securities such as the Exchange Notes (including
principal and interest), is to credit the accounts of the relevant
Participants with the payment on the payment date, in amounts proportionate to
their respective holdings in principal amount of beneficial interests in the
relevant security as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the Participants
and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of Notes will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will not be the
responsibility of DTC, the Trustee or the Issuers. Neither the Issuers nor the
Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of the Participants in
identifying the beneficial owners of the Exchange Notes, and the Issuers and
the Trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on
instructions from DTC or its nominee as the registered owner of the Global
Note for all purposes.
 
  Interests in the Global Note will trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement
System and secondary market trading activity in such interests will therefore
settle in immediately available funds, subject in all cases to the rules and
procedures of DTC and the Participants. Transfers between Participants in DTC
will be effected in accordance with DTC's procedures and will be settled in
same-day funds.
 
  DTC has advised the Issuers that it will take any action permitted to be
taken by a holder of Exchange Notes only at the direction of one or more
Participants to whose account with DTC interests in the Global Note are
credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount
of the Exchange Notes as to which such Participant or Participants has or have
given such direction. However, if any of the events described under "--
Exchange of Book Entry Notes for Certificated Notes" occurs, DTC reserves the
right to exchange the Global Note for Notes in certificated form and to
distributed such Notes to its Participants.
 
  The information in this section concerning DTC and its book-entry system has
been obtained from sources that the Company believes to be reliable, but the
Company takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
 
  Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers
of interests in the Global Note among accountholders in DTC, it is under no
obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and such
procedures may be discontinued at any time. None of the Issuers or the Trustee
nor any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee will have any responsibility for
the performance by DTC or its respective participants, indirect participants
or accountholders of their respective obligations under the rules and
procedures governing their operations.
 
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<PAGE>
 
 Exchange of Book-Entry Notes for Certificated Notes
 
  The Global Note is exchangeable for definitive Exchange Notes in registered
certificated form if (i) DTC (x) notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or
unable to continue as depository for the Global Note and the Issuers thereupon
fail to appoint a successor depository or (y) has ceased to be a clearing
agency registered under the Exchange Act, (ii) the Issuers, at their option,
notify the Trustee in writing that they elect to cause the issuance of the
Exchange Notes in certificated form or (iii) there shall have occurred and be
continuing a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the Exchange
Notes. In all cases, certificated Exchange Notes delivered in exchange for the
Global Note or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names,
and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of DTC (in
accordance with its customary procedures).
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
  Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Indenture. Reference
is made to the Indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as
any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.
 
  "Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person or any of its
Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company or that is assumed by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in
each case excluding any Indebtedness incurred by such Person in connection
with, or in anticipation or contemplation of, such Person becoming a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or such acquisition.
 
  "Affiliate" means a Person who directly or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries controls, or controlled by, or is under common control with,
the Company. The term "control" means the possession directly or indirectly,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies
of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person (other than the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company) in whom a Securitization Entity makes an
Investment in connection with a Qualified Securitization Transaction shall be
deemed to be an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries solely by
reason of such Investment.
 
  "all or substantially all" shall have the meaning given such phrase in the
Revised Model Business Corporation Act.
 
  "Asset Acquisition" means (a) an Investment by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company in any other Person if, as a result of such
Investment, such Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,
or shall be merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company, or (b) the acquisition by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company of all or substantially all of the assets of any
other Person or any division or line of business of any other Person.
 
  "Asset Sale" means any direct or indirect sale, issuance, conveyance,
transfer, lease, assignment or other transfer for value (other than operating
leases entered into in the ordinary course of business (other than Sale and
Leaseback Transactions)) by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
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 or (b)
any other property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company other than in the ordinary course of business; provided, however,
that Asset Sales shall not include (i) a transaction or series of related
transactions for which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries receive
aggregate consideration of less than $1.0 million, (ii) the sale, lease,
conveyance, disposition or other transfer of all substantially all of the
assets of the Company as permitted under the provisions described above under
the caption "--Certain Covenants--Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets" or
any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control, (iii) the sale or
discount, in each case without recourse, of accounts receivable arising in the
ordinary course of business, but only in connection with the compromise or
collection thereof, (iv) the factoring of accounts receivable arising in the
ordinary course of business pursuant to arrangements customary in the
 
                                      77
<PAGE>
 
industry, (v) the licensing of intellectual property, (vi) disposals or
replacements of used or obsolete cranes and equipment in the ordinary course
of business, (vii) the sale, lease conveyance, disposition or other transfer
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of assets or property to one or
more Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with Investments permitted by the
covenant described under the caption "--Restricted Payments" and (viii) sales
of accounts receivable, equipment and related assets (including contract
rights) of the type specified in the definition of "Qualified Securitization
Transaction" to a Securitization Entity for the fair market value thereof,
including cash in an amount at least equal to 75% of the fair market value
thereof. For the purposes of clause (viii), Purchase Money Notes shall be
deemed to be cash.
 
  "Attributable Debt" means, in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction,
at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the rate of
interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP) of
the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term
of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction (including any
period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the
lessor, be extended).
 
  "Borrowing Base" means, as of any date, an amount equal to the sum of (i)
100% of the orderly liquidation value of cranes and lifting equipment; (ii)
75% of the orderly liquidation value of trucks and trailers; (iii) 85% of the
face amount of all accounts receivable owned by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries as of such date that are not more than 90 days past due, as
calculated on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP and (iv) 75% of
the book value of spare parts inventory. To the extent that information is not
available as to the amount of accounts receivable as of a specific date, the
Company may utilize the most recent available information for purposes of
calculating the Borrowing Base.
 
  "Capital Lease Obligation" means, at the time any determination thereof is
to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that
would at such time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in
accordance with GAAP.
 
  "Capital Stock" means (i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock,
(ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares,
interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of
corporate stock, (iii) in the case of a partnership or limited liability
company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited) and
(iv) 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,
the issuing Person.
 
  "Cash Equivalents" means: (i) marketable direct obligations issued by, or
unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by any
agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States,
in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;
(ii) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of
America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public
instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition
thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having one of the two highest ratings
obtainable from either S&P or Moody's; (iii) commercial paper maturity no more
than one year from the date of creation thereof and at the time of
acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from
Moody's; (iv) certificates of deposit or bankers' acceptances (or, with
respect to foreign banks, similar instruments) maturing within one year from
the date of acquisition thereof issued by any bank organized under the laws of
the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia,
having at the date of acquisition thereof combined capital and surplus of not
less than $500.0 million; (v) repurchase obligations with a term of not more
than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (i)
above entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in
clause (iv) above; and (vi) investments in money market funds which invest
substantially all their assets in securities of the types described in clauses
(i) through (v) above.
 
  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
  "Consolidated EBITDA" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the
sum (without duplication) of such Person's (i) Consolidated Net Income (less
any gains on Used Crane Sales) and (ii) to the extent
 
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<PAGE>
 
Consolidated Net Income has been reduced thereby, (A) all income taxes and
foreign withholding taxes of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries paid
or accrued in accordance with GAAP for such period and any provision for taxes
paid or accrued based on income or profits or the Tax Amount of such Person
and its Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for
taxes or Tax Amount was included in computing such Consolidated Net Income,
(B) Consolidated Interest Expense, (C) Consolidated Noncash Charges, (D) all
one-time cash compensation payments made in connection with the Transactions,
and (E) any payments related to addressing the Company's or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries "Year 2000" information systems issues or to re-
engineering efforts that must be expensed in accordance with EITF 97-13.
 
  "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, with respect to any
Person, the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA of such Person during the most recent
four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are
available (the "Four-Quarter Period") ending on or prior to the date of the
transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio (the "Transaction Date") to Consolidated Fixed Charges of such
Person for the Four-Quarter Period. In addition to and without limitation of
the foregoing, for purposes of this definition, Consolidated EBITDA and
Consolidated Fixed Charges shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro
forma basis for the period of such calculation to (i) the incurrence of any
Indebtedness or the issuance of any preferred stock of such Person or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries (and the application of the proceeds thereof) and
any repayment of other Indebtedness or redemption of other preferred stock
occurring during the Four-Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to the last
day of the Four-Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if
such incurrence, repayment, issuance or redemption, as the case may be (and
the application of the proceeds thereof), occurred on the first day of the
Four-Quarter Period and (ii) any Asset Sales or Asset Acquisitions (including,
without limitation, any Asset Acquisition giving rise to the need to make such
calculation as a result of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries
(including any Person who becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the
Asset Acquisition) incurring, assuming or otherwise being liable for Acquired
Indebtedness and also including any Consolidated EBITDA (including any Pro
Forma Cost Savings) associated with such Asset Acquisition) occurring during
the Four-Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of the Four-
Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if such Asset Sale
or Asset Acquisition (including the incurrence, assumption or liability for
any such Indebtedness or Acquired Indebtedness) occurred on the first day of
the Four-Quarter Period. If such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
directly or indirectly Guarantees Indebtedness of a third Person, the
preceding sentence shall give effect to the incurrence of such guaranteed
Indebtedness as if such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person had
directly incurred or otherwise assumed such guaranteed Indebtedness.
Furthermore, in calculating Consolidated Fixed Charges for purposes of
determining the denominator (but not the numerator) of this Consolidated Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio, (1) 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; (2) 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; and (3)
notwithstanding clause (1) above, interest on Indebtedness determined on a
fluctuating rate, to the extent such interest is covered by agreements
relating to Interest Swap Obligations, shall be deemed to accrue at the rate
per annum resulting after giving effect to the operation of such agreements.
 
  "Consolidated Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any Person for any
period, the sum, without duplication, of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense
(excluding amortization or write off of debt issuance costs incurred on or
prior to the date of the Indenture) plus (ii) the product of (a) all cash
dividend payments or other distributions (and non-cash dividend payments in
the case of a Person that is a Subsidiary) on any series of preferred equity
of such Person, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the
denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and
local statutory tax rate of such Person (or, in the case of a Person that is a
partnership or a limited liability company, the combined federal, state and
local income tax rate that was or would have been utilized to calculate the
Tax Amount of such Person), expressed as a decimal,
 
                                      79
<PAGE>
 
in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP, provided
that with respect to any series of preferred stock that was not paid cash
dividends during such period but that is eligible to be paid cash dividends
during any period prior to the maturity date of the Exchange Notes, cash
dividends shall be deemed to have been paid with respect to such series of
preferred stock during such period for purposes of clause (ii) of this
definition.
 
  "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, with respect to any Person for any
period, the sum of, without duplication, (i) the aggregate of all cash and
non-cash interest expense with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness
(including amortization or write-off of debt issuance costs) of such Person
and its Restricted Subsidiaries, including the net costs associated with
Interest Swap Obligations, for such period determined on a consolidated basis
in conformity with GAAP, (ii) the consolidated interest expense incurred by
such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such
period, and (iii) the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations and
imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt 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,
(i) the aggregate net income (or loss) of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance
with GAAP, provided that there shall be excluded therefrom (a) gains (or
losses) from Asset Sales (without regard to the $1.0 million limitation set
forth in the definition thereof) or abandonments or reserves relating thereto
and the related tax effects according to GAAP, (b) gains (or losses) due
solely to fluctuations in currency values and the related tax effects
according to GAAP, (c) items classified as extraordinary, unusual or
nonrecurring gains (or losses) (including, without limitation, severance,
relocation, other restructuring costs and multiemployer pension plan insured
liability payments), and the related tax effects according to GAAP and any
related Tax Amounts with respect thereto, (d) the net income (or loss) of any
Person acquired in a pooling of interests transaction accrued prior to the
date it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or is merged or
consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, (e)
the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent that
the declaration of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company of that income is restricted by contract, operation,
operation of law or otherwise, (f) the net income of any Person, other than a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, except to the extent of cash dividends
or distributions paid to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
by such Person, (g) only for purposes of clause (c)(i) of the first paragraph
of the covenant described under the caption "--Restricted Payments", any
amounts included pursuant to clause (c)(iii) of the first paragraph of such
covenant, (h) the net income (or loss) from the operations of any business
that has been divested by distribution, sale, spin-off or abandonment, and (i)
one time non-cash compensation charges, including any arising from existing
stock options resulting from any merger or recapitalization transaction, less
(ii) any cash distribution paid or accrued related to payment of the Tax
Amount for such period.
 
  "Consolidated Noncash Charges" means, with respect to any Person for any
period, the aggregate depreciation, amortization and any other non-cash
expenses of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated
Net Income of such Person for such period, determined on a consolidated basis
in accordance with GAAP excluding any such non-cash charge constituting an
extraordinary item or loss or any such non-cash charge which requires an
accrual of or a reserve for cash charges for any future period.
 
  "Credit Facilities" means one or more debt facilities (including, without
limitation, the Senior Credit Facilities) or commercial paper facilities with
banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans,
term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables
to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such
lenders against such receivables) and/or letters of credit.
 
  "Currency Agreements" means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap
agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company against fluctuations in
currency values.
 
 
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<PAGE>
 
  "Default" means any event that is or with the passage of time or the giving
of notice or both would be an Event of Default.
 
  "Designated Noncash Consideration" means any non-cash consideration (other
than non-cash consideration that would constitute a Restricted Investment)
received by the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection
with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Noncash Consideration
pursuant to an Officers' Certificate executed by the principal executive
officer and the principal financial officer of the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary. Such Officers' Certificate shall state the basis of such
valuation, which shall be a report of a nationally recognized investment
banking firm with respect to the receipt in one or a series of related
transactions of Designated Noncash Consideration with a fair market value in
excess of $10.0 million.
 
  "Designated Preferred Stock" means preferred stock that is so designated as
Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officers' Certificate executed by
the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of the
Company, on the issuance date thereof, the cash proceeds of which are excluded
from the calculation set forth in clause (iv) of the first paragraph of the
covenant described under the caption "--Restricted Payments."
 
  "Disqualified Stock" means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the
terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is
exchangeable, at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of
any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund
obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the Holder thereof, in
whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on
which the Exchange Notes mature; provided, however, that any Capital Stock
that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof
have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon
the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale shall not constitute
Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company
may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such
provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with the covenant
described above under the caption "--Certain Covenants--Restricted Payments."
 
  "dividends" means, for so long as the Company or any applicable Subsidiary
is a partnership (or other pass-through entity for federal income tax
purposes), dividends or distributions.
 
  "Equity Interests" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other
rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is
convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
 
  "Equity Offering" means any offering of Qualified Capital Stock of Holdings
or the Company; provided that, in the event of any Equity Offering by
Holdings, Holdings contributes to the capital of the Company the portion of
the net cash proceeds of such Equity Offering necessary to pay the aggregate
redemption price (plus accrued interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the
redemption date) of the Exchange Notes to be redeemed pursuant to the second
paragraph of the provision described above under the caption "Optional
Redemption."
 
  "Existing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities) in
existence on the date of the Indenture, until such amounts are permanently
repaid.
 
  "Four-Quarter Period" has the meaning specified in the definition of
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
 
  "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 have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession, which are in effect on the date of the Indenture.
 
 
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<PAGE>
 
  "Guarantee" means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable
instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or
indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of
assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect
thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness.
 
  "Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of
such Person under (i) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap
agreements and interest rate collar agreements (including Interest Swap
Obligations) and (ii) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect
such Person against fluctuations in interest rates.
 
  "Holdings" means Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership and its successors.
 
  "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, any indebtedness of such
Person, whether or not contingent, in respect of borrowed money or evidenced
by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or
reimbursement agreements in respect thereof) or banker's acceptances or
representing Capital Lease Obligations or the balance deferred and unpaid of
the purchase price of any property or representing any Hedging Obligations,
except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable,
if and to the extent any of the foregoing (other than letters of credit and
Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such
Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as all Indebtedness of others
secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person (whether or not such
Indebtedness is assumed by such Person) and, to the extent not otherwise
included, the Guarantee by such Person of any indebtedness of any other
Person. The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be (i)
the accreted value thereof, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with
original issue discount, and (ii) the principal amount thereof, together with
any interest thereon that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any
other Indebtedness. For purposes of calculating the amount of Indebtedness of
a Securitization Entity outstanding as of any date, the face or notional
amount of any interest in receivables or equipment that is outstanding as of
such date shall be deemed to be Indebtedness but any such interests held by
Affiliates of such Securitization Entity shall be excluded for purposes of
such calculation.
 
  "Interest Swap Obligations" means the obligations of any Person, pursuant to
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 other Persons calculated
by applying a fixed or a floating rate of interest on the same notional
amount.
 
  "Investments" means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such
Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of direct or
indirect loans (including guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations),
advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar
advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business),
purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity
Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be
classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.
If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of
any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company such
that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no
longer a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company shall be deemed to have made
an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the fair
market value of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary not sold or disposed
of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of the covenant
described above under the caption "--Restricted Payments".
 
  "Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge,
security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether
or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the
nature thereof,
 
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<PAGE>
 
any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any
filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform
Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction).
 
  "Management Committee" means (i) for so long as the Company is a partnership
(or other pass through entity for federal income tax purposes), the management
committee (or the equivalent thereof for any other pass through entity for
federal income tax purposes) of the General Partner and (ii) otherwise, the
Board of Directors of the Company.
 
  "Marketable Securities" means publicly traded debt or equity securities that
are listed for trading on a national securities exchange and that were issued
by a corporation whose debt securities are rated at least "AAA-" from S&P or
"Aaa3" from Moody's.
 
  "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
 
  "Net Proceeds" means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including,
without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of
any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the direct
costs relating to such Asset Sale (including, without limitation, legal,
accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions) and any
relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, taxes or Tax Distributions
paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available
tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements) and any reserve
for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets
established in accordance with GAAP.
 
  "Non-Recourse Debt" means Indebtedness (i) as to which neither the Company
nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind
(including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute
Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or
otherwise), or (c) constitutes the lender; and (ii) no default with respect to
which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take
enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon
notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such
other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable
prior to its stated maturity; and (iii) as to which the lenders have been
notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or
assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
 
  "Obligations" means any principal, interest (including interest that, but
for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to the Issuers, would
accrue on such obligations), penalties, fees, indemnifications,
reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation
governing any Indebtedness.
 
  "Permitted Business" means any business that derives a majority of its
revenues from the sale, rental or lease of cranes or other lifting equipment
or activities that are reasonably similar, ancillary or related to, or a
reasonable extension, development or expansion of, the businesses in which the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged on the date of the
Indenture.
 
  "Permitted Investments" means (i) Investments by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company (whether existing on the date of the Indenture or created thereafter)
or in any other Person (including by means of any transfer of cash or other
property) if as a result of such Investment such Person shall become a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and Investments in the Company by any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) cash and Cash Equivalents, (iii)
Investments existing on the date of the Indenture, (iv) loans and advances to
employees and officers of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of business, (v) accounts receivable created or acquired in
the ordinary course of business, (vi) Interest Swap Obligations entered into
in the ordinary course of the Company's businesses and otherwise in compliance
with the Indenture, (vii) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries an amount
at any one time outstanding not to exceed $10.0 million, (viii) Investments in
securities of trade creditors or customers received pursuant to any plan of
reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of
 
                                      83
<PAGE>
 
such trade creditors or customers, (ix) guarantees by the Company of
Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred by Restricted Subsidiaries of
the Company under the Indenture, (x) Investments the payment for which
consists exclusively of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company, (xi)
additional Investments having an aggregate fair market value, taken together
with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (xi) that are at that
time outstanding, not to exceed 5% of Total Assets at the time of such
Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at
the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value),
(xii) Investments received by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries as
consideration for asset sales, including Asset Sales; provided that in the
case of an Asset Sale, such Asset Sale is effected in compliance with the
covenant described under the caption "--Redemption or Repurchase at Option of
Holders--Asset Sales," and (xiii) any Investment by the Company or a
Subsidiary of the Company in a Securitization Entity or any Investment by a
Securitization Entity in any other Person in connection with a Qualified
Securitization Transaction; provided that any Investment in a Securitization
Entity is in the form of a Purchase Money Note or an equity interest.
 
  "Permitted Liens" means the following types of Liens:
 
    (i) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims either
  (a) not delinquent or (b) 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;
 
    (ii) 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;
 
    (iii) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business
  in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other
  types of social security, including any Lien securing letters of credit
  issued in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice in
  connection therewith, 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);
 
    (iv) judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default;
 
    (v) 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;
 
    (vi) any interest or title of a lessor under any Capitalized Lease
  Obligation;
 
    (vii) 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 (A) the related purchase money
  Indebtedness shall not exceed the cost of such property or assets and shall
  not be secured by any property or assets of the Company or any Restricted
  Subsidiary of the Company other than the property and assets so acquired
  and (B) the Lien securing such Indebtedness shall be created with 90 days
  of such acquisition;
 
    (viii) Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds
  of any Person securing such Person's obligations in respect of bankers'
  acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate
  the purchase, shipment, or storage of such inventory or other goods;
 
    (ix) 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;
 
    (x) 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;
 
 
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<PAGE>
 
    (xi) Liens securing Interest Swap Obligations which Interest Swap
  Obligations relate to Indebtedness that is otherwise permitted under the
  Indenture;
 
    (xii) Liens securing Acquired Indebtedness incurred in reliance on the
  second paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption "--
  Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock";
 
    (xiii) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company
  or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to obligations that do not in the
  aggregate exceed $10.0 million at any one time outstanding;
 
    (xiv) leases or subleases granted to others that do not materially
  interfere with the ordinary course of business of the Company and its
  Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
    (xv) Liens arising from filing Uniform Commercial Code financing
  statements regarding leases;
 
    (xvi) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a
  matter of law to secure payment of customer duties in connection with the
  importation of goods;
 
    (xvii) Liens on assets of Unrestricted Subsidiaries that secure Non-
  Recourse Debt of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;
 
    (xviii) Liens existing on the date of the Indenture, together with any
  Liens securing Indebtedness incurred in reliance on clause (xiii) of the
  definition of Permitted Indebtedness in order to refinance the Indebtedness
  secured by Liens existing on the date of the Indenture; provided that the
  Liens securing the refinancing Indebtedness shall not extend to property
  other than that pledged under the Liens securing the Indebtedness being
  refinanced;
 
    (xix) Liens securing Indebtedness and other Obligations under Credit
  Facilities that will be permitted by the terms of the Indenture to be
  incurred;
 
    (xx) Liens securing Attributable Debt incurred in connection with any
  sale and leaseback transaction permitted to be consummated pursuant to the
  covenant described above under the caption "Sale Leaseback Transaction";
 
    (xxi) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to
  (A) the Senior Credit Facilities (whether such Indebtedness is incurred
  pursuant to the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio set forth in the
  first paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption
  "Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock" or clause (ii)
  of the covenant described above under the caption "Incurrence of
  Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock"), (B) clause (ix) of the
  covenant described above under the caption "Incurrence of Indebtedness and
  Issuance of Preferred Stock" and (C) clause (xiv) of the covenant described
  above under the caption "Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
  Preferred Stock"; and
 
    (xxii) Liens on assets transferred to a Securitization Entity or on
  assets of a Securitization Entity, in either case incurred in connection
  with a Qualified Securitization Transaction.
 
  "Productive Assets" means assets (including Capital Stock) that are used or
usable by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in Permitted Businesses;
provided that for any Capital Stock to qualify as Productive Assets, it must,
after giving pro forma effect to the transaction in which it was acquired, be
Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary.
 
  "Pro Forma Cost Savings" means, with respect to any period, the reduction in
costs that occurred during the Four-Quarter Period or after the end of the
Four-Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date that were (i)
directly attributable to an Asset Acquisition and calculated on a basis that
is consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act as in
effect on the date of the Indenture or (ii) implemented by the business that
was the subject of any such Asset Acquisition within six months of the date of
the Asset Acquisition and that are supportable and quantifiable by the
underlying accounting records of such business, as if, in the case of each of
clause (i) and (ii), all such reductions in costs had been effected as of the
beginning of such period.
 
 
                                      85
<PAGE>
 
  "Purchase Money Note" means a promissory note of a Securitization Entity
evidencing a line of credit, which may be irrevocable, from the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in connection with a Qualified
Securitization Transaction, which note shall be repaid from cash available to
the Securitization Entity, other than (i) amounts required to be established
as reserves pursuant to agreements, (ii) amounts paid to investors in respect
of interest, principal and other amounts owing to such investors and (iii)
amounts paid in connection with the purchase of newly generated receivables or
newly acquired equipment.
 
  "Qualified Capital Stock" means any Capital Stock that is not Disqualified
Stock.
 
  "Qualified Securitization Transaction" means any transaction or series of
transactions pursuant to which the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (a) a Securitization
Entity (in the case of a transfer by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries) and (b) any other Person (in case of a transfer by a
Securitization Entity), or may grant a security interest in, any accounts
receivable or equipment (whether now existing or arising or acquired in the
future) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and any assets
related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral securing such
accounts receivable and equipment, all contracts and contract rights and all
Guarantees or other obligations in respect to such accounts receivable and
equipment, proceeds of such accounts receivable and equipment and other assets
(including contract rights) which are customarily transferred or in respect of
which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset
securitization transactions involving accounts receivable and equipment, all
of the foregoing for the purpose of providing working capital financing on
terms that are more favorable to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiary
than would otherwise be available at that time.
 
  "Restricted Investment" means an Investment other than a Permitted
Investment.
 
  "Restricted Subsidiary" of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent
Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
  "S&P" means Standard & Poor's.
 
  "Securitization Entity" means a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company (or
another Person in which the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company makes an
Investment and to which the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company transfers
accounts receivable or equipment and related assets) that engages in no
activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable
or equipment and that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company
(as provided below) as a Securitization Entity (a) no portion of the
Indebtedness or any other Obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which (i)
is guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
(excluding guarantees of Obligations (other than the principal of, and
interest on, Indebtedness)) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings,
(ii) is recourse to or obligates the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization
Undertakings or (iii) subjects any property or asset of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, directly or indirectly, contingently or
otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard
Securitization Undertakings, (b) with which neither the Company nor any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company has any material contract, agreement,
arrangement or understanding other than on terms no less favorable to the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the
time from Persons that are not Affiliates of the Company, other than fees
payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with servicing
receivables of such entity, and (c) to which neither the Company nor any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company has any obligation to maintain or
preserve such entity's financial condition or cause such entity to achieve
certain levels of operating results. Any such designation by the Board of
Directors of the Company shall be evidenced to each of the Trustees by filing
with the Trustees a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors
of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officers' Certificate
certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.
 
 
                                      86
<PAGE>
 
  "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means any sale and leaseback transaction by
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to assets with
an aggregate fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Management
Committee) in excess of $1.0 million.
 
  "Senior Credit Facilities" means the Credit Agreement, dated as of the date
of the Indenture, by and among the Company, Goldman Sachs Credit Partners
L.P., and the Agent, Collateral Agent and the financial institutions party
thereto, providing for revolving credit borrowings and term loan borrowings,
including any related 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, refinanced or restructured from time to time and whether
with the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders, including to
increase the amount of available borrowings thereunder.
 
  "Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that would be a "significant
subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated
pursuant to the Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date hereof.
 
  "Standard Securitization Undertakings" means representations, warranties,
covenants and indemnities entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company that are reasonably customary in an accounts receivable or equipment
transactions.
 
  "Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any installment of interest or
principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of
interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation
governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations
to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the
date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
 
  "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation,
association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total
voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the
occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers
or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that
Person (or a combination thereof) and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole
general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a
Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such
Person or of one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination
thereof), but shall not include any Non-Recourse Subsidiary.
 
  "Subsidiary Guarantors" means (i) all Restricted Subsidiaries (other than
Anthony Crane Capital Corporation) and (ii) any other subsidiary that executes
a Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, and
their respective successors and assigns.
 
  "Tax Amount" means the amount of distributions, whether paid or accrued,
necessary to permit the Company's partners to pay federal and state income tax
liabilities arising from income of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
and taxable to such partners, including the tax distributions contemplated by
the Holdings' and the Company's respective partnership agreements attributable
to such partners solely as a result of the Company (and any intermediate
entity through which any such partner owns its interest in the Company) being
a partnership or similar pass-through entity for federal income tax purposes.
 
  "Tax Distributions" means a distribution in respect of taxes to the partners
of the Company pursuant to clause (9) of the second paragraph of the covenant
described above under the caption "Certain Covenants--Restricted Payments."
 
  "Total Assets" means the total consolidated assets of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries, as set forth on the Company's most recent
consolidated balance sheet.
 
  "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) any Subsidiary (other than Anthony Crane
Capital Corporation) that is designated by the Management Committee as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Resolution, but only to
 
                                      87
<PAGE>
 
the extent that such Subsidiary: (a) has no Indebtedness other than Non-
Recourse Debt; (b) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or
understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding
are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those
that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the
Company; (c) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (x) to
subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (y) to maintain or preserve such
Person's financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified
levels of operating results; (d) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or
indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and (e) has at least one director on its board
of directors that is not a director or executive officer of the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries and has at least one executive officer that is
not a director or executive officer of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries. Any such designation by the Management Committee shall be
evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the
Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers'
Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing
conditions and was permitted by the covenant described above under the caption
"Certain Covenants--Restricted Payments." If, at any time, any Unrestricted
Subsidiary would fail to meet the foregoing requirements as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for
purposes of the Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be
deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such
date (and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such
date under the covenant described under the caption "--Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock", the Company shall be in default
of such covenant). The Management Committee may at any time designate any
Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such
designation shall be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness by a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such
Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation shall only be permitted if (i)
such Indebtedness is permitted under the covenant described under the caption
"--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock", calculated on
a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the
four-quarter reference period, (ii) such Subsidiary shall execute a Subsidiary
Guarantee and deliver an Opinion of Counsel, in accordance with the terms of
the Indenture and (iii) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence
following such designation.
 
  "Used Crane Sales" means sales of used cranes, used parts and other used
equipment by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the
Company's fleet management program in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices on the date of the Indenture.
 
  "Voting Stock" of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such
Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Management
Committee or Board of Directors, as applicable, of such Person.
 
  "Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any Indebtedness
at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the
products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining
installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of
principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the
number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse
between such date and the making of such payment, by (ii) the then outstanding
principal amount of such Indebtedness.
 
  "Wholly Owned Subsidiary" of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person
all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which
(other than directors' qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such
Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person and one or
more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.
 
  "Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary" of any Person means a Restricted
Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other
ownership interests of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) shall
at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiaries of such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiaries of such Person.
 
                                      88
<PAGE>
 
                              THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
  The Notes were originally sold by the Issuers on July 22, 1998 to the
Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. The Initial Purchasers
subsequently resold the Notes to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on
Rule 144A under the Securities Act and in offshore transactions pursuant to
Regulation S under the Securities Act. As a condition to the Purchase
Agreement, the Issuers entered into the Registration Rights Agreement with the
Initial Purchasers pursuant to which the Issuers have agreed to: (i) to use
their respective best efforts to file with the Commission on or prior to 90
calendar days after the date of issuance of the Notes (the "Issue Date") a
registration statement on an appropriate form under the Securities Act (the
"Exchange Offer Registration Statement") relating to a registered exchange
offer (the "Exchange Offer") for the Notes under the Securities Act and (ii)
use their respective best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement to become effective within 165 calendar days after the Issue Date.
Upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, unless it
would not be permitted by applicable law or Commission policy, the Issuers
will promptly offer to exchange any and all of the outstanding Notes for the
Exchange Notes that are identical in all material respects to the Notes
(except that the Exchange Notes will not contain terms with respect to
transfer restrictions) and that would be registered under the Securities Act.
The Issuers will keep the Exchange Offer open for not less than 20 business
days (or longer, if required by applicable law) after the date on which notice
of the Exchange Offer is mailed to the holders of the Notes. For each Note
surrendered to the Issuers pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the holder of such
Note will receive an Exchange Note having a principal amount equal to that of
the surrendered Note. Interest on each Exchange Note will accrue from the date
of its original issue.
 
  Under existing interpretations of the staff of the Commission contained in
several no-action letters to third parties, the Issuers believe that the
Exchange Notes would in general be freely tradeable after the Exchange Offer
without further registration under the Securities Act. However, any purchaser
of Notes who is an "affiliate" of either ACR or AC Captial Corp. or who
intends to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing
the Exchange Notes: (i) will not be able to rely on the interpretation of the
staff of the Commission; (ii) will not be able to tender its Notes in the
Exchange Offer; and (iii) must comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any sale or
transfer of the Notes, unless such sale or transfer is made pursuant to an
exemption from such requirements.
 
  If (i) the Issuers are not required to file the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or permitted to effect the Exchange Offer because the Exchange Offer
is not permitted by applicable law or Commission policy; or (ii) any Holder of
Transfer Restricted Securities notifies the Issuers prior to the 20th business
day following commencement of the Exchange Offer that (a) it is prohibited by
law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer or (b) that
it 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 or (c) that it is a broker-dealer and owns Notes acquired directly
from the Issuers or an affiliate of the Issuers, then the Issuers will file
with the Commission a shelf registration statement (the "Shelf Registration
Statement") to cover resales of Transfer Restricted Securities by such Holders
who satisfy certain conditions relating to the provision of information in
connection with the Shelf Registration Statement. The Issuers will use their
best efforts to cause the applicable registration statement to be declared
effective as promptly as possible by the Commission. For purposes of the
foregoing, "Transfer Restricted Securities" means each (A) Note, until the
earliest to occur of any of the following events: (i) the date on which such
Note may be exchanged for an Exchange Note in the Exchange Offer, if following
such exchange such Holder would be entitled to resell such Exchange Note to
the public without complying with the prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act; (ii) the date on which such Note has been registered pursuant
to an effective Shelf Registration Statement under the Securities Act and
disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement (and
purchasers thereof have been issued Exchange Notes); or (iii) the date on
which such Note is sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the
Securities Act and each (B) Exchange Note held by a
 
                                      89
<PAGE>
 
Broker-Dealer until the date on which such Exchange Note is disposed of by a
Broker Dealer pursuant to the "Plan of Distribution" contemplated by the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement (including delivery of the Offering
Memorandum contained therein).
 
  The Issuers will use their respective best efforts to cause the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration
Statement (each, a "Registration Statement") to become effective under the
Securities Act by the Commission as soon as practicable after the filing
thereof but in no event later than 165 calendar days after the Issue Date.
 
  Upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, unless
it would not be permitted by applicable law or Commission policy, the Issuers
will promptly commence the Exchange Offer to enable each Holder of the Notes
(other than Holders who are affiliates (within the meaning of the Securities
Act) of either ACR or AC Capital Corp. or underwriters (as defined in the
Securities Act) with respect to the Exchange Notes) to exchange the Notes for
Exchange Notes. If applicable, the Issuers shall keep the Shelf Registration
Statement continuously effective for, under certain circumstances, a period of
at least two years after the Issue Date.
 
  In the event that, for any reason whatsoever: (a) the Issuers fail to file
any of the Registration Statements on or before the date specified for such
filing; (b) any of such Registration Statements is not declared effective by
the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such effectiveness (the
"Effectiveness Target Date"); (c) the Issuers fail to consummate the Exchange
Offer within 30 business days of the Effectiveness Target Date with respect to
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement; or (d) the Shelf Registration
Statement or the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective
but thereafter ceases to be effective or usable in connection with resales of
Transfer Restricted Securities during the periods specified in the
Registration Rights Agreement (each such event referred to in clauses (a)
through (d) above a "Registration Default"), then the Issuers will pay
liquidated damages ("Liquidated Damages") to each Holder of Notes, with
respect to the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of the
first Registration Default, in an amount equal to $.05 per week per $1,000
principal amount of Notes held by such Holder. The amount of the Liquidated
Damages will increase by an additional $.05 per week per $1,000 principal
amount of Notes with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all
Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount of Liquidated
Damages for all Registration Defaults of $.50 per week per $1,000 principal
amount of Notes. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, the accrual
of Liquidated Damages will cease.
 
  The Issuers (i) shall make available for a period of 180 days from the
consummation of the Exchange Offer a prospectus meeting the requirements of
the Securities Act to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any resale
of any such Exchange Notes and (ii) shall pay all expenses incident to the
Exchange Offer (including the expense of one counsel to the Holders covered
thereby) and will indemnify certain holders of the Notes (including any
broker-dealer) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act. A broker-dealer which delivers such a prospectus to purchasers
in connection with such resales will be subject to certain of the civil
liability provisions under the Securities Act and will be bound by the
provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement (including certain
indemnification rights and obligations).
 
  Each holder of Notes who wishes to exchange such Notes for Exchange Notes in
the Exchange Offer will be required to make representations in the Letter of
Transmittal that (a) it is not an "affiliate" of either ACR or AC Capital
Corp. (within the meaning of Rule 405 of the Securities Act); (b) it is not
engaged in and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of the
Exchange Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer; (c) it is acquiring the
Exchange Notes in its ordinary course of business; and (d) if it is a
Participating Broker-Dealer holding Notes acquired for its own account as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it
acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with any resale of Exchange Notes received in
respect of such Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The Commission
has taken the position and the Issuers believe that Participating Broker-
Dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect to the
Exchange Notes (other than a resale of an unsold allotment from the original
sale of the Notes) with the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement. Under the Registration Rights Agreement,
 
                                      90
<PAGE>
 
the Issuers are required to allow Participating Broker-Dealers and other
persons, if any, subject to similar prospectus delivery requirements to use
the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in
connection with the resale of such Exchange Notes.
 
  If the holder is a Participating Broker-Dealer, it will be required to
include a representation in such Participating Broker-Dealer's letter of
transmittal with respect to the Exchange Offer that such Participating Broker-
Dealer has not entered into any arrangement or understanding with the Issuers
or any affiliate of the Issuers to distribute the Exchange Notes.
 
  Holders of the Notes will be required to make certain representations to the
Issuers (as described above) in order to participate in the Exchange Offer and
will be required to deliver information to be used in connection with the
Shelf Registration Statement in order to have their Notes included in the
Shelf Registration Statement and benefit from the provisions regarding
liquidated damages set forth in the preceding paragraphs. A holder who sells
Notes pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement generally will be required
to be named as a selling securityholder in the related prospectus and to
deliver a prospectus to purchasers, will be subject to certain of the civil
liability provisions under the Securities Act in connection with such sales
and will be bound by the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement which
are applicable to such a holder (including certain indemnification
obligations).
 
  For so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuers will continue to
provide to holders of the Notes and to prospective purchasers of the Notes the
information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
 
  The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement contains a
discussion of all material elements thereof, but does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to all provisions of
the Registration Rights Agreement. The Issuers will provide a copy of the
Registration Rights Agreement to holders of Notes identified to the Issuers by
any Initial Purchasers upon request.
 
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus
and in the Letter of Transmittal, the Issuers will accept any and all Notes
validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
the Expiration Date. The Issuers will issue $1,000 principal amount of
Exchange Notes in exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of outstanding
Notes accepted in the Exchange Offer. Holders may tender some or all of their
Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. However, Notes may be tendered only in
integral multiples of $1,000.
 
  The form and terms of the Exchange Notes are the same as the form and terms
of the Notes except that: (i) the Exchange Notes bear a Series B designation
and a different CUSIP Number from the Notes; (ii) the Exchange Notes have been
registered under the Securities Act and hence will not bear legends
restricting the transfer thereof; and (iii) the holders of the Exchange Notes
will not be entitled to certain rights under the Registration Rights
Agreement, including the provisions providing for an increase in the interest
rate on the Notes in certain circumstances relating to the timing of the
Exchange Offer, all of which rights will terminate when the Exchange Offer is
terminated. The Exchange Notes will evidence the same debt as the Notes and
will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.
 
  As of the date of this Prospectus, $155,000,000 aggregate principal amount
of Notes were outstanding. The Issuers have fixed the close of business on
     , 1998 as the record date for the Exchange Offer for purposes of
determining the persons to whom this Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal
will be mailed initially.
 
  Holders of Notes do not have any appraisal or dissenters' rights under the
Pennsylvania Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, the General Corporation
Law of Delaware or the Indenture in connection with the Exchange Offer. The
Issuers intend to conduct the Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable
requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder.
 
                                      91
<PAGE>
 
  The Issuers shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered Notes when, as
and if the Issuers have given oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange
Agent. The Exchange Agent will act as agent for the tendering holders for the
purpose of receiving the Exchange Notes from the Issuers.
 
  If any tendered Notes are not accepted for exchange because of an invalid
tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth herein or otherwise,
the certificates for any such unaccepted Notes will be returned, without
expense, to the tendering holder thereof as promptly as practicable after the
Expiration Date.
 
  Holders who tender Notes in the Exchange Offer will not be required to pay
brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the Letter of
Transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of Notes pursuant to
the Exchange Offer. The Issuers will pay all charges and expenses, other than
transfer taxes in certain circumstances, in connection with the Exchange
Offer. See "--Fees and Expenses."
 
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS
 
  The term "Expiration Date" shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
    , 1998, unless the Issuers, in their sole discretion, extends the Exchange
Offer, in which case the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date and
time to which the Exchange Offer is extended. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Company will not extend the Expiration Date beyond     , 1998.
 
  In order to extend the Exchange Offer, the Issuers will notify the Exchange
Agent of any extension by oral or written notice and will mail to the
registered holders an announcement thereof, each prior to 9:00 a.m., New York
City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration
date.
 
  The Issuers reserve the right, in their sole discretion, (i) to delay
accepting any Notes, to extend the Exchange Offer or to terminate the Exchange
Offer if any of the conditions set forth below under "--Conditions" shall not
have been satisfied, by giving oral or written notice of such delay, extension
or termination to the Exchange Agent or (ii) to amend the terms of the
Exchange Offer in any manner. Any such delay in acceptance, extension,
termination or amendment will be followed as promptly as practicable by oral
or written notice thereof to the registered holders.
 
INTEREST ON THE EXCHANGE NOTES
 
  The Exchange Notes will bear interest form their date of issuance. Holders
of Notes that are accepted for exchange will receive, in cash, accrued
interest thereon to, but not including, the date of issuance of the Exchange
Notes. Such interest will be paid with the first interest payment on the
Exchange Notes on February 1, 1999. Interest on the Notes accepted for
exchange will cease to accrue upon issuance of the Exchange Notes.
 
  Interest on the Exchange Notes is payable semi-annually on each February 1
and August 1 commencing on February 1, 1999.
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING
 
  Only a holder of Notes may tender such Notes in the Exchange Offer. To
tender in the Exchange Offer, a holder must complete, sign and date the Letter
of Transmittal, or a facsimile thereof, have the signatures thereon guaranteed
if required by the Letter of Transmittal, and mail or otherwise deliver such
Letter of Transmittal or such facsimile, together with the Notes and any other
required documents, to the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the Expiration Date. To be tendered effectively, the Notes, Letter of
Transmittal and other required documents must be completed and received by the
Exchange Agent at the address set forth below under "Exchange Agent" prior to
5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Delivery of the Notes
may be made by book-entry transfer in accordance with the procedures described
below. Confirmation of such book-entry transfer must be received by the
Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date.
 
                                      92
<PAGE>
 
  By executing the Letter of Transmittal, each holder will make to the Issuers
the representations set forth in the eighth paragraph under the heading "--
Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer."
 
  The tender by a holder and the acceptance thereof by the Issuers will
constitute agreement between such holder and the Issuers in accordance with
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Letter of
Transmittal.
 
  THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF NOTES AND THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT IS AT THE ELECTION AND SOLE RISK OF
THE HOLDER. AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO DELIVERY BY MAIL, HOLDERS MAY WISH TO
CONSIDER OVERNIGHT OR HAND DELIVERY SERVICE. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME
SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ASSURE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT BEFORE THE
EXPIRATION DATE. NO LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR NOTES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE
ISSUERS. HOLDERS MAY REQUEST THEIR RESPECTIVE BROKERS, DEALERS, COMMERCIAL
BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES OR NOMINEES TO EFFECT THE ABOVE TRANSACTIONS FOR SUCH
HOLDERS.
 
  Any beneficial owner whose Notes are registered in the name of a broker,
dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who wishes to
tender should contact the registered holder promptly and instruct such
registered holder to tender on such beneficial owner's behalf. See
"Instruction to Registered Holder and/or Book-Entry Transfer Facility
Participant from Owner" included with the Letter of Transmittal.
 
  Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case
may be, must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined below)
unless the Notes tendered pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a registered
holder who has not completed the box entitled "Special Registration
Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal
or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution. In the event that
signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case
maybe, are required to be guaranteed, such guarantee must be by a member firm
of the Medallion System (an "Eligible Institution").
 
  If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered
holder of any Notes listed therein, such Notes must be endorsed or accompanied
by a properly completed bond power, signed by such registered holder as such
registered holder's name appears on such Notes with the signature thereon
guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
  If the Letter of Transmittal or any Notes or bond powers are signed by
trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, offices of
corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such
persons should so indicate when signing, and evidence satisfactory to the
Issuers of their authority to so act must be submitted with the Letter of
Transmittal.
 
  The Issuers understand that the Exchange Agent will make a request promptly
after the date of this Prospectus to establish accounts with respect to the
Notes at the book-entry transfer facility, The Depository Trust Company (the
"Book-Entry Transfer Facility"), for the purpose of facilitating the Exchange
Offer, and subject to the establishment thereof, any financial institution
that is a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's system may make
book-entry delivery of Notes by causing such Book-Entry Transfer Facility to
transfer such Notes into the Exchange Agent's account with respect to the
Notes in accordance with the Book-Entry Transfers Facility's procedures for
such transfer. Although delivery of the Notes may be effected through book-
entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility, an appropriate Letter of Transmittal properly completed and duly
executed with any required signature guarantee and all other required
documents must in each case be transmitted to and received or confirmed by the
Exchange Agent at its address set forth below on or prior to the Expiration
Date, or, if the guaranteed delivery procedures described below are complied
with, within the time period provided under such procedures. Delivery of
documents to the Book-Entry Transfer Facility does not constitute delivery to
the Exchange Agent.
 
                                      93
<PAGE>
 
  The Depositary and DTC have confirmed that the Exchange Offer is eligible
for the DTC Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP"). Accordingly, DTC
participants may electronically transmit their acceptance of the Exchange
Offer by causing DTC to transfer Notes to the Depositary in accordance with
DTC's ATOP procedures for transfer. DTC will then send an Agent's Message to
the Depositary.
 
  The term "Agent's Message" means a message transmitted by DTC, received by
the Depositary and forming part of the confirmation of a book-entry transfer,
which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the
participant in DTC tendering Notes which are the subject of such book-entry
confirmation, that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the
terms of the Letter of Transmittal and that the Issuers may enforce such
agreement against such participant. In the case of an Agent's Message relating
to guaranteed delivery, the term means a message transmitted by DTC and
received by the Depositary, which states that DTC has received an express
acknowledgment from the participant in DTC tendering Notes that such
participant has received and agrees to be bound by the Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery.
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order to validly tender in the Exchange
Offer with respect to Securities transferred pursuant to ATOP, a DTC
participant using ATOP must also properly complete and duly execute and
applicable Letter of Transmittal and deliver it to the Depositary. Pursuant to
authority granted by DTC, any DTC participant which has Notes credited to its
DTC account at any time (and thereby held of record by DTC's nominee) may
directly provide a tender as though it were the registered holder by so
completing, executing and delivering the applicable Letter of Transmittal to
the Depositary. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO
THE DEPOSITARY.
 
  All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance of tendered Notes and withdrawal of tendered Notes will
be determined by the Issuers in their sole discretion, which determination
will be final and binding. The Issuers reserve the absolute right to reject
any and all Notes not properly tendered or any Notes the Issuers' acceptance
of which would, in the opinion of counsel for the Issuers, be unlawful. The
Issuers also reserves the right in their sole discretion to waive any defects,
irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular Notes. The Issuers'
interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including
the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal) will be final and binding on
all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with
tenders of Notes must be cured within such time as the Issuers shall
determine. Although the Issuers intend, to notify holders of defects or
irregularities with respect to tenders of Notes, neither the Issuers, the
Exchange Agent nor any other person shall incur any liability for failure to
give such notification. Tenders of Notes will not be deemed to have been made
until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Notes
received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which
the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned
by the Exchange Agent to the tendering holders, unless otherwise provided in
the Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the Expiration
Date.
 
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
 
  Holders who wish to tender their Notes and (i) whose Notes are not
immediately available, (ii) who cannot deliver their Notes, the Letter of
Transmittal or any other required documents to the Exchange Agent or (iii) who
cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer, prior to the
Expiration Date, may effect a tender if:
 
    (a) the tender is made through an Eligible Institution;
 
    (b) prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent receives from such
  Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of
  Guaranteed Delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery)
  setting forth the name and address of the holder, the certificate number(s)
  of such Notes and the principal amount of Notes tendered, stating that the
  tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that, within five New York
  Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date, the Letter of
  Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) together with the certificate(s)
  representing the Notes (or a confirmation of book-entry transfer of such
  Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer
  Facility), and any
 
                                      94
<PAGE>
 
  other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal will be deposited by
  the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent; and
 
    (c) such properly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal (of
  facsimile thereof), as well as the certificate(s) representing all tendered
  Notes in proper form for transfer (or a confirmation of book-entry transfer
  of such Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer
  Facility), and all other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal
  are received by the Exchange Agent upon five New York Stock Exchange
  trading days after the Expiration Date.
 
  Upon request to the Exchange Agent, a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will be
sent to holders who wish to tender their Notes according to the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth above.
 
WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS
 
  Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Notes may be withdrawn at
any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. To
withdraw a tender of Notes in the Exchange offer, a telegram, telex, letter or
facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be received by the Exchange
Agent at its address set forth herein prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
on the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the
name of the person having deposited the Notes to be withdrawn (the
"Depositor"), (ii) identify the Notes to be withdrawn (including the
certificate number(s) and principal amount of such Notes, or, in the case of
Notes transferred by book-entry transfer, the name and number of the account
at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to be credited), (iii) be signed by the
holder in the same manner as the original signature on the Letter of
Transmittal by which such Notes were tendered (including any required
signature guarantees) or be accompanied by documents of transfer sufficient to
have the Trustee with respect to the Notes register the transfer of such Notes
into the name of the person withdrawing the tender and (iv) specify the name
in which any such Notes are to be registered, if different form that of the
Depositor. All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including
time of receipt) of such notices will be determined by the Issuers, whose
determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Any Notes so
withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the
Exchange Offer and no Exchange Notes will be issued with respect thereto
unless the Notes so withdrawn are validly retendered. Any Notes which have
been tendered but which are not accepted for exchange will be returned to the
holder thereof without cost to such holder as soon as practicable after
withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the Exchange Offer. Properly
withdrawn Notes may be retendered by following one of the procedures described
above under "--Procedures for Tendering" at any time prior to the Expiration
Date.
 
CONDITIONS
 
  Notwithstanding any other term of the Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall not
be required to accept for exchange, or exchange Exchange Notes for, any Notes,
and may terminate or amend the Exchange Offer as provided herein before the
acceptance of such Notes, if:
 
    (a) any action or proceeding is instituted or threatened in any court or
  by or before any governmental agency with respect to the Exchange Offer
  which, in the sole judgment of the Issuers, might materially impair the
  ability of the Issuers to proceed with the Exchange Offer or any material
  adverse development has occurred in any existing action or proceeding with
  respect to the Issuers or any of their respective subsidiaries; or
 
    (b) any law, statute, rule, regulation or interpretation by the staff of
  the Commission is proposed, adopted or enacted, which, in the sole judgment
  of the Issuers, might materially impair the ability of the Issuers to
  proceed with the Exchange Offer or materially impair the contemplated
  benefits of the Exchange Offer to the Issuers; or
 
    (c) any governmental approval has not been obtained, which approval the
  Issuers shall, in their sole discretion, deem necessary for the
  consummation of the Exchange Offer as contemplated hereby.
 
 
                                      95
<PAGE>
 
  If the Issuers determine in their reasonable sole discretion that any of the
conditions are not satisfied, the Issuers may (i) refuse to accept any Notes
and return all tendered Notes to the tendering holders, (ii) extend the
Exchange Offer and retain all Notes tendered prior to the expiration of the
Exchange Offer, subject, however, to the rights of holders to withdraw such
Notes (see "--Withdrawal of Tenders") or (iii) waive such unsatisfied
conditions with respect to the Exchange Offer and accept all properly tendered
Notes which have not been withdrawn.
 
EXCHANGE AGENT
 
  State Street Bank and Trust Company has been appointed as Exchange Agent for
the Exchange Offer. Questions and requests for assistance, requests for
additional copies of this Prospectus or of the Letter of Transmittal and
requests for Notice of Guaranteed Delivery should be directed to the Exchange
Agent addressed as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>       <C>                                            <C>
          By Overnight Courier or Hand:                  By Registered or Certified Mail:
          -----------------------------                  --------------------------------
          State Street Bank and Trust Company            State Street Bank and Trust Company
          Corporate Trust Department                     Corporate Trust Department
          Two International Place                        P.O. Box 778
          Boston, Massachusetts 02102-0078               Boston, Massachusetts 02102-0078
          Fourth Floor                                   Attn: Kellie Mullen
          Attn: Kellie Mullen                            Telephone: (617) 664-5587
          Telephone: (617) 664-5587                      Facsimile: (617) 664-5290
          Facsimile: (617) 664-5290
</TABLE>
 
  Delivery to an address other than as set forth above will not constitute a
valid delivery.
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
  The expenses of soliciting tenders will be borne by the Issuers. The
principal solicitation is being made by mail; however, additional solicitation
may be made by telegraph, telecopy, telephone or in person by officers and
regular employees of the Issuers and their respective affiliates.
 
  The Issuers have not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the
Exchange Offer and will not make any payments to brokers, dealers, or others
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. The Issuers however, will pay
the Exchange Agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will
reimburse it for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection
therewith.
 
   The cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer will
be paid by the Issuers. Such expenses include fees and expenses of the
Exchange Agent and Trustee, accounting and legal fees and printing costs,
among others.
 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
  The Exchange Notes will be recorded at the same carrying value as the Notes,
which is face value, as reflected in the Company's accounting records on the
date of exchange. Accordingly, no gain or loss for accounting purposes will be
recognized by the Company. The expenses of the Exchange Offer will be
capitalized and amortized to expense over the term of the Exchange Notes.
 
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE
 
  The Notes that are not exchanged for Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Offer will remain restricted securities. Accordingly, such Notes may be resold
only; (i) to the Issuers (upon redemption thereof or otherwise); (ii) so long
as the Notes are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, to a person inside
the United States whom the seller reasonably believes is a qualified
institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act
in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, in accordance with
Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or pursuant to another exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act (and based upon an opinion of
counsel reasonably acceptable to the Issuers); (iii) outside the United States
to a foreign person in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 904
under the Securities Act; or (iv) pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act, in each case in accordance with any
applicable securities laws of any state of the United States.
 
                                      96
<PAGE>
 
RESALES OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES
 
  With respect to resales of Exchange Notes, based on interpretations by the
staff of the Commission set forth in no-action letters issued to third
parties, the Issuers believe that a holder or other person who receives
Exchange Notes, whether or not such person is the holder (other than a person
that is an "affiliate" of either ACR or AC Capital Corp. within the meaning of
Rule 405 under the Securities Act) who receives Exchange Notes in exchange for
Notes in the ordinary course of business and who is not participating, does
not intend to participate, and has no arrangement or understanding with person
to participate, in the distribution of the Exchange Notes, will be allowed to
resell the Exchange Notes to the public without further registration under the
Securities Act and without delivering to the purchasers of the Exchange Notes
a prospectus that satisfies the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities
Act. However, if any holder acquires Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer for
the
purpose of distributing or participating in a distribution of the Exchange
Notes, such holder cannot rely on the position of the staff of the Commission
enunciated in such no-action letters or any similar interpretive letters, and
must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction, unless an exemption
from registration is otherwise available. Further, each Participating Broker-
Dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Notes,
where such Notes were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealer as a result
of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that
it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange
Notes.
 
  As contemplated by these no-action letters and the Registration Rights
Agreement, each holder accepting the Exchange Offer is required to represent
to the Issuers in the Letter of Transmittal that (a) it is not an "affiliate"
of either ACR or AC Capital Corp. (within the meaning of Rule 405 of the
Securities Act); (b) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in,
and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a
distribution of the Exchange Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer; (c) it
is acquiring the Exchange Notes in its ordinary course of business; and (d) if
it is a Participating Broker-Dealer holding Notes acquired for its own account
as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it
acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with any resale of Exchange Notes received in
respect of such Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. As indicated
above, each Participating Broker-Dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its
own account in exchange for Notes must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes. For a
description of the procedures for such resales by Participating Broker-
Dealers, see "Plan of Distribution."
 
             CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
  The following discussion (including the opinion of special counsel described
below) is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended, applicable Treasury regulations, judicial authority and
administrative rulings and practice. There can be no assurance that the
Internal Revenue Service (the "Service") will not take a contrary view, and no
ruling from the Service has been or will be sought. Legislative, judicial or
administrative changes or interpretations may be forthcoming that could alter
or modify the statements and conditions set forth herein. Any such changes or
interpretations may or may not be retroactive and could affect the tax
consequences to holders. Certain holders (including insurance companies, tax-
exempt organizations, financial institutions, broker-dealers, foreign
corporations and persons who are not citizens or residents of the United
States) may be subject to special rules not discussed below. The Issuers
recommend that each holder consult such holder's own tax advisor as to the
particular tax consequences of exchanging such holder's Notes for Exchange
Notes, including the applicability and effect of any state, local or foreign
tax laws.
 
  Kirkland & Ellis, special counsel to the Issuers, has advised the Issuers
that in its opinion, the exchange of the Notes for Exchange Notes pursuant to
the Exchange Offer will not be treated as an "exchange" for federal income tax
purposes because the Exchange Notes will not be considered to differ
materially in kind or extent from the Notes. Rather, the Exchange Notes
received by a holder will be treated as a continuation of the Notes in the
hands of such holder. As a result, there will be no federal income tax
consequences to holders exchanging Notes for Exchange Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer.
 
                                      97
<PAGE>
 
                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  Each Participating Broker-Dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own
account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with
any resale of Exchange Notes received in respect of such Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from
time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in connection with
resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for Notes where such Notes were
acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities.
The Issuers have agreed that for a period of 180 days from the consummation of
the Exchange Offer, it will make this Prospectus, as amended or supplemented,
available to any Participating Broker-Dealer for use in connection with any
such resale. In addition, until     , 1998, all dealers effecting transactions
in the Exchange Notes may be required to deliver a prospectus.
 
  The Issuers will not receive any proceeds from any sales of the Exchange
Notes by Participating Broker-Dealers. Exchange Notes received by
Participating Broker-Dealers for their own account pursuant to the Exchange
Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-
the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options
on the Exchange Notes or a combination of such methods of resale, at market
prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing
market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to
purchaser or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in
the form of commissions or concessions from any such Participating Broker-
Dealer and/or the purchasers of any such Exchange Notes. Any Participating
Broker-Dealer that resells the Exchange Notes that were received by it for its
own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that
participates in a distribution of such Exchange Notes may be deemed to be an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on any
such resale of Exchange Notes and any commissions or concessions received by
any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation a under the
Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that by acknowledging that it
will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a Participating Broker-Dealer
will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of
the Securities Act.
 
  With respect to resales of Exchange Notes, based on interpretations by the
staff of the Commission set forth in no-action letters issued to third
parties, the Issuers believe that a holder or other person who receives
Exchange Notes, whether or not such person is the holder (other than a person
that is an "affiliate" of either ACR or AC Capital Corp. within the meaning of
Rule 405 under the Securities Act) who receives Exchange Notes in exchange for
Notes in the ordinary course of business and who is not participating, does
not intend to participate, and has no arrangement or understanding with person
to participate, in the distribution of the Exchange Notes, will be allowed to
resell the Exchange Notes to the public without further registration under the
Securities Act and without delivering to the purchasers of the Exchange Notes
a prospectus that satisfies the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities
Act. However, if any holder acquires Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer for
the purpose of distributing or participating in a distribution of the Exchange
Notes, such holder cannot rely on the position of the staff of the Commission
enunciated in such no-action letters or any similar interpretive letters, and
must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction and such a secondary
resale transaction should be covered by an effective registration statement
containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or
508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, unless an
exemption from registration is otherwise available. Further, each
Participating Broker-Dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account
in exchange for Notes, where such Notes were acquired by such Participating
Broker-Dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such Exchange Notes. The Issuers have agreed that, for a
period of up to one year from the consummation of the Exchange Offer, it will
make this Prospectus available to any Participating Broker-Dealer for use in
connection with any such resale.
 
                                      98
<PAGE>
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  Certain legal matters in connection with the Exchange Notes offered hereby
will be passed upon for the Issuers by Kirkland & Ellis, New York, New York.
Certain partners of Kirkland & Ellis indirectly own a portion of the equity of
Holdings.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The consolidated financial statements of Anthony Crane Rental, L.P. and
subsidiaries for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1997, included in this Prospectus have been included herein in reliance on the
report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                      99
<PAGE>
 
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                  ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Report of Independent Accountants.........................................  F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 and September
 30, 1998 (unaudited).....................................................  F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31,
 1995, 1996 and 1997 and for the nine month periods ended September 30,
 1997 and 1998 (unaudited)................................................  F-4
Consolidated Statements of Partners' Capital for the years ended December
 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and for the nine month period ended September 30,
 1998 (unaudited).........................................................  F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,
 1995, 1996 and 1997 and for the nine month periods ended September 30,
 1997 and 1998 (unaudited)................................................  F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................  F-7
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Partners of
 Anthony Crane Rental, L.P.:
 
  We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Anthony
Crane Rental, L.P. and subsidiaries (collectively, the Partnership) as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, partners' capital, and cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1997. These consolidated financial statements
are the responsibility of the Partnership's management. 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 Anthony Crane Rental, L.P. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and
1996, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
  As more fully discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements,
effective January 1, 1997, the Partnership revised its estimate of the salvage
values used for depreciating certain rental equipment. The effect of this
change was to decrease depreciation expense and increase net income for 1997
by approximately $5,650,000.
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
February 25, 1998, except as to Note 13,
which is as of July 22, 1998
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                           ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                            ------------------
                                                 SEPTEMBER
                                                 30, 1998     1997      1996
                                                ----------- --------  --------
                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                             <C>         <C>       <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents...................   $  7,860   $  4,375  $  8,588
  Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance
   for doubtful accounts of $2,673, $1,840 and
   $1,850 in 1998, 1997 and 1996,
   respectively...............................     25,349     24,152    19,871
  Receivable from sale of property (Note 3)...        --       6,055       --
  Other receivables (Note 6)..................      2,140      2,596     2,010
  Prepaid expenses and deposits...............      1,496      1,560     1,262
                                                 --------   --------  --------
    Total current assets......................     36,845     38,738    31,731
Rental equipment, net of accumulated
 depreciation of $89,960, $82,322 and $77,181
 in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively (Notes 3
 and 5).......................................    274,752    212,975   171,226
Property and equipment, net (Notes 4 and 5)...     50,654     51,859    35,068
Intangible assets, net of accumulated
 amortization of $3,095, $2,661 and $2,273 in
 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively............      3,511      1,865     1,868
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated
 amortization of $524, $926 and $566 in 1998,
 1997 and 1996, respectively..................     17,206      1,003       711
Other assets (Note 6).........................        486        488       635
                                                 --------   --------  --------
    Total assets..............................   $383,454   $306,928  $241,239
                                                 ========   ========  ========
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable--trade (Note 6)............      9,479      8,603     3,559
  Accrued interest............................      3,988      2,530     1,953
  Accrued wages and employee benefits.........      1,793      1,730     1,548
  Accrued taxes, other than income taxes......      4,613      3,669     1,027
  Other accrued liabilities...................        657      1,450     1,001
  Current portion of long-term debt (Note 5)..        --       7,500     4,000
  Current portion of obligation under capital
   lease (Note 7).............................         94         94       --
                                                 --------   --------  --------
    Total current liabilities.................     20,624     25,576    13,088
Long-term debt, less current portion (Note
 5)...........................................    349,000    177,500   136,000
Long-term obligation under capital lease (Note
 7)...........................................        799        867       --
Other non-current liabilities.................      1,695      1,569     1,290
                                                 --------   --------  --------
    Total liabilities.........................    372,118    205,512   150,378
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 7 and 10)
Partners' capital:
  Holdings Capital............................     15,238        --        --
  Predecessor Partners Capital................        --     105,316    94,654
  Accumulated other comprehensive income......         48         50       157
  Related party receivables (Note 6)..........     (3,950)    (3,950)   (3,950)
                                                 --------   --------  --------
    Total partners' capital...................     11,336    101,416    90,861
                                                 --------   --------  --------
      Total liabilities and partners'
       capital................................   $383,454   $306,928  $241,239
                                                 ========   ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
                  The accompanying notes are an integral part
                   of the consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                           ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                SEPTEMBER 30,      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                              ------------------  ----------------------------
                                1998      1997      1997      1996      1995
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
<S>                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Revenues:
  Equipment rentals (Note
   6).......................  $136,876  $116,044  $156,408  $128,161  $106,593
  Equipment sales...........    16,655    23,127    27,400    19,444     9,419
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
    Total revenues..........   153,531   139,171   183,808   147,605   116,012
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Cost of revenues:
  Cost of equipment rentals
   (Note 6).................    81,883    71,659    97,036    78,049    62,533
  Cost of equipment sales...    12,878    13,153    15,541    13,643     7,039
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
    Total cost of revenues..    94,761    84,812   112,577    91,692    69,572
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Gross profit................    58,770    54,359    71,231    55,913    46,440
Selling, general and admin-
 istrative expenses.........    30,196    25,363    35,111    29,211    23,351
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Income from operations......    28,574    28,996    36,120    26,702    23,089
Interest expense............    15,702     9,931    13,962    10,873     8,482
Other income................      (633)     (480)   (1,739)      (69)     (104)
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Income before extraordinary
 item and taxes.............    13,505    19,545    23,897    15,898    14,711
Provision (benefit) for
 state taxes................       220        78        96      (102)      583
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Income before extraordinary
 item.......................    13,285    19,467    23,801    16,000    14,128
Extraordinary item (see Note
 13)........................    15,811       --        --        --        --
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Net income (loss)...........  $(2,526)  $ 19,467  $ 23,801  $ 16,000  $ 14,128
                              ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                           ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS' CAPITAL
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          ACCUMULATED
                                                                            PREDECESSOR      OTHER
                                                    COMPREHENSIVE HOLDINGS   PARTNERS    COMPREHENSIVE   RELATED PARTY
                                                       INCOME     CAPITAL     CAPITAL   INCOME (EXPENSE)  RECEIVABLES
                                                    ------------- --------  ----------- ---------------  -------------
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>       <C>         <C>              <C>
Balance at December 31, 1994............                          $    --    $  74,645       $ --          $(10,512)
Capital contributions...................                               --           25         --             6,562
Partner withdrawals.....................                               --       (4,851)        --               --
Comprehensive income:
 Net income.............................               $14,128         --       14,128         --               --
 Unrealized investment gain on
  securities............................                   148         --          --          148              --
                                                       -------    --------   ---------       -----         --------
Comprehensive income....................               $14,276
                                                       =======
Balance at December 31, 1995............                               --       83,947         148           (3,950)
Partner withdrawals.....................                               --       (5,293)        --               --
Comprehensive income:
 Net income.............................                16,000         --       16,000         --               --
 Unrealized investment gain on
  securities............................                     9         --          --            9              --
                                                       -------    --------   ---------       -----         --------
Comprehensive income....................               $16,009
                                                       =======
Balance at December 31, 1996............                               --       94,654         157           (3,950)
Partner withdrawals.....................                               --      (13,139)        --               --
Comprehensive income:
 Net income.............................                23,801         --       23,801         --               --
 Unrealized investment (loss) on
  securities............................                  (107)        --          --         (107)             --
                                                       -------    --------   ---------       -----         --------
Comprehensive income....................               $23,694
                                                       =======
Balance at December 31, 1997............                               --      105,316          50           (3,950)
Partner withdrawals (unaudited).........                               --      (13,891)        --               --
Recapitalization expenses (unaudited)...                               --       (6,886)        --               --
Capital contributions (unaudited).......                            55,574         --          --               --
Partner distributions from
 Recapitalization (unaudited)...........                               --     (122,349)        --               --
Comprehensive income (unaudited):
 Net income (loss)......................                (2,526)      1,830      (4,356)        --               --
 Unrealized investment (loss) on
  securities............................                    (2)        --          --           (2)             --
                                                       -------
Comprehensive income (unaudited)........               $(2,528)
                                                       =======
Contribution of capital to Holdings
 (unaudited)............................                           (42,166)     42,166         --               --
                                                                  --------   ---------       -----         --------
Balance at September 30, 1998
 (unaudited)............................                          $ 15,238   $     --        $  48         $ (3,950)
- --------------------------------------------------
                                                                  ========   =========       =====         ========
<CAPTION>
                                                    TOTAL PARTNERS'
                                                        CAPITAL
                                                    ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>
Balance at December 31, 1994............               $  64,133
Capital contributions...................                   6,587
Partner withdrawals.....................                  (4,851)
Comprehensive income:
 Net income.............................                  14,128
 Unrealized investment gain on
  securities............................                     148
                                                    ---------------
Comprehensive income....................
Balance at December 31, 1995............                  80,145
Partner withdrawals.....................                  (5,293)
Comprehensive income:
 Net income.............................                  16,000
 Unrealized investment gain on
  securities............................                       9
                                                    ---------------
Comprehensive income....................
Balance at December 31, 1996............                  90,861
Partner withdrawals.....................                 (13,139)
Comprehensive income:
 Net income.............................                  23,801
 Unrealized investment (loss) on
  securities............................                    (107)
                                                    ---------------
Comprehensive income....................
Balance at December 31, 1997............                 101,416
Partner withdrawals (unaudited).........                 (13,891)
Recapitalization expenses (unaudited)...                  (6,886)
Capital contributions (unaudited).......                  55,574
Partner distributions from
 Recapitalization (unaudited)...........                (122,349)
Comprehensive income (unaudited):
 Net income (loss)......................                  (2,526)
 Unrealized investment (loss) on
  securities............................                      (2)
Comprehensive income (unaudited)........
Contribution of capital to Holdings
 (unaudited)............................                     --
                                                    ---------------
Balance at September 30, 1998
 (unaudited)............................               $  11,336
- --------------------------------------------------
                                                    ===============
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                           ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             NINE MONTHS ENDED
                               SEPTEMBER 30,      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                             ------------------  ----------------------------
                               1998      1997      1997      1996      1995
                             --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                          <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Cash flows from operating
 activities:
 Net income................  $ (2,526) $ 19,468  $ 23,801  $ 16,000  $ 14,128
 Adjustments to reconcile
  net income to net cash
  provided by operating
  activities:
   Depreciation and
    amortization...........    20,197    15,767    22,264    22,302    17,909
   Net (gains) on used
    rental equipment
    sales..................    (2,733)   (9,140)  (10,659)   (3,926)   (1,820)
   Net (gains) losses on
    other asset
    dispositions...........      (390)     (418)   (1,657)       29       --
   Provision (benefit) for
    bad debts..............     1,255       236       428     1,071     1,293
   Deferred income tax
    provision (benefit)....       220        78        96      (102)      582
   Write-off of deferred
    financing costs........       735       --        --        --        --
   Extraordinary item-loss
    on early extinguishment
    of debt................    15,076       --        --        --        --
 Increase (decrease) in
  cash from changes in:
   Trade accounts
    receivable.............    (2,238)   (4,743)   (4,709)   (4,304)   (4,759)
   Other receivables.......       456      (460)   (2,011)     (571)      139
   Prepaid expenses and
    deposits...............        65       431      (298)      670      (871)
   Other non-current
    assets.................       --        --         39       --         17
   Accounts payable--
    trade..................    (6,149)     (639)     (447)      803      (228)
   Accrued interest........       806     1,066       577       278       125
   Accrued wages and
    employee benefits......        48       734       182       664       302
   Accrued taxes, other
    than income taxes......       944       (91)    2,642      (627)    1,262
   Other accrued
    liabilities............      (793)     (291)      449       124      (384)
                             --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
      Net cash provided by
       operating
       activities..........    24,973    21,998    30,697    32,411    27,695
                             --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Cash flows from investing
 activities:
 Cash paid for business
  acquisitions.............    (2,936)   (4,050)   (4,050)   (7,825)      --
 Proceeds from
  sale/leaseback
  transaction..............       --        --        --     24,162       --
 Proceeds from sale of
  fixed assets, including
  rental equipment.........     9,241    19,655    22,532     8,338     7,738
 Proceeds from sale of
  property.................     6,055       --        --        --        --
 Capital expenditures......   (80,927)  (59,819)  (85,641)  (81,195)  (44,847)
 Repayment of related party
  loans, net...............       --        --        --        319       350
 Other.....................       (94)      194       183      (148)     (148)
                             --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
      Net cash used in
       investing
       activities..........   (68,661)  (44,020)  (66,976)  (56,349)  (36,907)
                             --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Cash flows from financing
 activities:
 Proceeds from issuance of
  debt.....................   379,000    88,480   108,000    56,500    21,000
 Payments on debt..........  (215,000)  (63,000)  (63,000)  (24,500)   (7,427)
 Payments under capital
  leases...................       (58)      (87)      (74)      --        --
 Expenditures for debt
  issuance cost and other
  intangibles..............   (17,730)     (864)   (1,147)     (337)      --
 Proceeds from
  Recapitalization, net....    55,574       --        --        --        --
 Prepayment penalties as a
  result of early
  extinguishment of debt...   (15,076)      --        --        --        --
 Partner withdrawals.......  (139,537)   (7,961)  (11,713)   (5,293)   (4,851)
                             --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
      Net cash provided by
       financing
       activities..........    47,173    16,568    32,066    26,370     8,722
                             --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
      Net increase
       (decrease) in cash
       and cash
       equivalents.........     3,485    (5,454)   (4,213)    2,432      (490)
Cash and cash equivalents,
 beginning of period.......     4,375     8,588     8,588     6,156     6,646
                             --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Cash and cash equivalents,
 end of period.............  $  7,860  $  3,134  $  4,375  $  8,588  $  6,156
                             ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
Supplemental disclosure of
 cash flow information:
 Cash paid during the
  period for interest......  $ 14,260  $  8,594  $ 13,026  $ 10,353  $  8,101
                             ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
Noncash investing and
 financing activities:
 Assets acquired under
  capital lease
  obligations..............       --   $  1,035  $  1,035       --        --
                             ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
 Expenditures for rental
  equipment purchases
  included in accounts
  payable/trade............  $  6,879  $  8,033  $  5,491  $  1,478  $    394
                             ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
 Receivable from sale of
  property.................       --        --   $  6,055       --        --
                             ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
 Noncash partner
  withdrawals..............  $  3,589  $    806  $  1,426       --        --
                             ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
 Property and equipment
  contributed by partners..       --        --        --        --   $  6,562
                             ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
 Contributed capital
  through advances.........       --        --        --        --   $     25
                             ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                          ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
 
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
 
  Anthony Crane Rental, L.P. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"
or the "Partnership") are engaged in the rental of cranes and other heavy
equipment primarily for industrial maintenance and construction to a variety
of companies in the petrochemical, paper, steel, utility, mining and multiple
other industries. The Partnership provides twenty-four hour service, seven
days a week to customers principally in the United States. The Partnership
also sells new and used equipment to commercial construction, industrial and
residential users. Effective July 22, 1998 as part of the Company's
Recapitalization (see Note 13), the Company became 99% directly-owned by
Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P. ("Holdings"), a former subsidiary of the
Company, which now has no current operations other than through the Company.
 
2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Partnership and all of its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts
and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
  Prior to the Recapitalization of the Partnership on July 22, 1998, the
partners of the Partnership consisted of Anthony Crane Rental, Inc., as
general partner; and ACR Acquisitions, Inc., Anthony Crane Rental of Georgia,
Inc., Anthony Crane Rental of Texas, Inc. and Anthony Iron and Metal Company,
as limited partners (collectively referred to hereafter as the "Predecessor
Partners"). All of these entities are under common control of Ray G. Anthony
(Mr. Anthony). Effective with the Recapitalization, the partners of the
Partnership now include Holdings, which owns 99% (and which in turn is owned
82% by the Equity Investors (as defined in Note 13) and the Predecessor
Partners, which retained an 18% common interest in Holdings), and ACR
Management L.L.C., the general partner holding a 1% interest in the
Partnership.
 
  In addition, Mr. Anthony has a majority ownership interest in organizations
that engage in steel erection and installation (Century Steel Erectors, Inc.);
inspect, repair and manufacture overhead cranes (Century Crane and Hoist,
Inc.); rent cranes to mining operations (Republic Crane Rental, Inc.); and
sell motorcycles and service (Dallas Corporation). Mr. Anthony also owns a
fifty percent interest in Steel City Environmental Services, Inc., which
provides environmental remediation and transportation services to the steel
and petrochemical industries; Crane and Rigging Consultants, Inc., a lift
consulting company; and A & D Tower, Inc., a communications company, which is
a passive investment with no personal management control by Mr. Anthony. These
companies are not included in these consolidated financial statements.
 
 PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
 
  The term of the Partnership, which was amended and restated July 22, 1998,
expires December 31, 2080; however, dissolution will occur earlier in the
event of the sale of substantially all of the Partnership's assets or a
disabling event as described in the Partnership Agreement. Partners may not
sell, assign, transfer or convey all or any portion of their interest in the
Partnership without the consent of the general partner, or as specifically
defined in the Partnership Agreement.
 
3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
  For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Partnership
considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of
90 days or less to be cash equivalents.
 
 INVESTMENT SECURITIES
 
  Investment securities, included in other assets, are classified as available
for sale and are recorded at the aggregate fair market value determined at the
consolidated balance sheets date. Gross unrealized investment gains/losses are
included as a separate component of partners' capital.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
                          ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
 
 RENTAL EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
  Rental equipment and property and equipment are stated at cost less
accumulated depreciation.
 
  Major renewals and improvements are charged to the property and equipment
accounts, while replacements, maintenance and repairs which do not improve or
extend the useful lives of the respective assets are expensed. Upon
disposition or retirement of property and equipment, the cost and the related
accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is
recorded in results of operations. Depreciation of rental equipment and
property and equipment is computed using the straight-line method based on the
estimated useful lives of the assets.
 
  Effective January 1, 1997, the Partnership revised its estimate of the
salvage values used for depreciating certain rental equipment, principally
cranes, to amounts ranging from 15% to 35%. Prior to 1997, the Partnership
depreciated this rental equipment over their estimated useful lives with no
salvage value. The Partnership believes this change in estimated salvage
values more appropriately allocates the costs of this rental equipment over
their estimated useful lives. The effect of this change was to decrease
depreciation expense and increase net income for 1997 by approximately $5,650.
All other rental equipment and property and equipment will continue to be
depreciated with no salvage value.
 
  The useful lives of rental equipment and property and equipment are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          LIFE
                                                                        IN YEARS
                                                                        --------
      <S>                                                               <C>
      Rental equipment:
        Cranes, lifts and other heavy equipment........................  8-12.5
      Property and equipment:
        Buildings and improvements.....................................    5-30
        Motor vehicles and trailers....................................     3-8
        Aircraft.......................................................      15
        Machinery and tools............................................     3-8
        Furniture, fixtures and office equipment ......................    5-10
</TABLE>
 
 INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
  Intangible assets consist of noncompetition agreements, customer lists,
trade names and goodwill related to various business acquisitions. These
assets are being amortized using the straight-line method over periods ranging
from 2 to 20 years. The Partnership periodically reviews the carrying value of
intangible assets and will recognize impairments when the expected future
operating cash flow derived from such intangible assets is less than their
carrying value.
 
 REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
 The Partnership rents equipment to commercial, industrial and government
customers by the day, month and longer terms. Revenue from equipment rentals
is earned over the corresponding rental period. In addition, the Partnership
generates revenue from equipment sales. Revenue from the sale of equipment is
recognized upon the execution of a sales agreement and delivery of the
equipment.
 
 OTHER INCOME
 
  Included in other income is approximately $1.4 million related to a net gain
on property sold by the Partnership during 1997.
 
 INCOME TAXES
 
  The partners included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements
have elected to be treated as either an S-corporation or a partnership for
federal income tax purposes.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                          ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
 
  Similar elections are made, where possible, for state income tax purposes.
Accordingly, all federal and certain state (except for Texas) income tax
liabilities are borne by the partners and, accordingly, are not reflected in
the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
 
  Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are provided for state income tax
purposes for the temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and
liabilities and the financial reporting basis using enacted tax rates in
effect in the years in which these differences are expected to reverse. These
differences principally relate to depreciation and the reporting for certain
revenues and expenses.
 
 CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
 
  Financial instruments which potentially subject the Partnership to
significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and
accounts receivable. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade
accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of entities comprising
the Partnership's customer base and their geographic dispersion. The
Partnership generally does not require collateral on accounts receivable. As
of December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Partnership had no significant
concentrations of credit risk.
 
  The Partnership maintains cash and cash equivalents with a limited number of
financial institutions located throughout the country in order to limit
exposure. No collateral or other security is provided on these deposits, other
than $100 of deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
The Partnership's periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of
these financial institutions are considered in the Partnership's business
strategy.
 
 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 reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements. Estimates also affect the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
  The unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 1998, and the
unaudited consolidated statements of operations, partners' capital and cash
flows for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and the unaudited
consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997, in the opinion of management, have been prepared on the
same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and include all
significant adjustments (consisting primarily of normal recurring adjustments)
considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of these interim
periods. Operating results for the nine month period ended September 30, 1998
are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.
 
 RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
  In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive Income," which establishes standards for reporting and
displaying comprehensive income and its components. This Statement requires
that all items that are required to be recognized under accounting standards
as components of comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement
that is displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements. The
provisions of SFAS No. 130 have been adopted in the nine month period ended
September 30, 1998 and all years presented have been adjusted to reflect the
adoption. In the Partnership's case, comprehensive income includes net income
and unrealized investment gains and losses on securities.
 
  The FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise
and Related Information," which establishes standards for the way that public
business enterprises report information about operating
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                          ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
segments in annual financial statements and related disclosures about products
and services, geographic areas and major customers. SFAS No. 131 is effective
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. Accordingly, the
Partnership is not required to adopt this standard until the fiscal year
ending December 31, 1998. Management is currently evaluating the impact of
this standard on the consolidated financial statements.
 
  The FASB issued SFAS No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and
other Postretirement Benefits," which revises employers' disclosures about
pension and other postretirement benefit plans by standardizing the disclosure
requirements for pensions and other postretirement benefits to the extent
practicable, requiring additional information on changes in the benefit
obligations and fair values of plan assets that will facilitate financial
analysis, and eliminating certain disclosures that are no longer as useful.
SFAS No. 132 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997.
Accordingly, the Partnership is not required to adopt this standard until the
fiscal year ending December 31, 1998. Management is currently evaluating the
impact of this standard on the consolidated financial statements.
 
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
  Property and equipment consist of the following as of December 31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1997      1996
                                                             --------  --------
     <S>                                                     <C>       <C>
     Land................................................... $  8,438  $  5,351
     Buildings and improvements.............................   14,898    12,362
     Motor vehicles and trailers............................   29,986    15,560
     Aircraft...............................................    1,889     3,549
     Machinery and tools....................................    3,562     3,414
     Furniture, fixtures and office equipment...............    2,685     2,722
     Spare equipment parts..................................    5,016     4,041
                                                             --------  --------
                                                               66,474    46,999
     Less accumulated depreciation and amortization.........  (14,615)  (11,931)
                                                             --------  --------
                                                             $ 51,859  $ 35,068
                                                             ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
  Depreciation expense for rental equipment and property and equipment was
approximately $21,405, $21,662 and $17,228 in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.
 
5. LONG-TERM DEBT
 
  Long-term debt consists of the following (see Note 13):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
                                            1998          1997         1996
                                        ------------- ------------ ------------
                                         (UNAUDITED)
   <S>                                  <C>           <C>          <C>
   10 3/8% Senior Notes, due 2008
    (A)...............................    $155,000      $    --      $    --
   Senior Credit Facility (A)
     Revolving Credit Facility........     144,000           --           --
     Term Loan........................      50,000           --           --
   8.5% Series A Senior Notes $20
    million, due 2001 (B).............                    16,000       20,000
   8.9% Series B Senior Notes $40
    million, due 2006 (B).............                    40,000       40,000
   8.9% Series C Senior Notes $22.5
    million, due 2004 (C).............                    22,500           --
   9.5% Series D Senior Notes $36.5
    million, due 2009 (C).............                    36,500           --
   Credit Agreement--Banks' Prime Rate
    (D)...............................         --         10,000           --
   Credit Agreement--LIBO (D).........                    60,000       80,000
                                          --------      --------     --------
                                           349,000       185,000      140,000
   Less current portion of long-term
    debt..............................         --          7,500        4,000
                                          --------      --------     --------
                                          $349,000      $177,500     $136,000
                                          ========      ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-10
<PAGE>
 
                          ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
 
 
(A) Refer to Note 13 for description of the Company's new indebtedness
    incurred in connection with its July 22, 1998 Recapitalization.
 
(B) The $20 million and $40 million Senior Notes issued to various insurance
    companies are due September 30, 2001 and 2006, respectively. On April 16,
    1997, in connection with the issuance of the Senior Notes discussed in
    item (C) below, the Series A and B Senior Notes were amended to change the
    interest rates from 8.25% and 8.65% to 8.5% and 8.9%, respectively.
    Interest payments are due semi-annually on March 31 and September 30. In
    accordance with the note agreements, the Partnership is required to make
    sinking funds payments of principal amounting to $4.0 million annually
    beginning September 30, 1997 for Series A Senior Notes and $5.0 million
    annually beginning September 30, 1999 for Series B Senior Notes.
 
(C) On April 16, 1997, the Partnership issued Series C and D Senior Notes to
    various insurance companies. The $22.5 million Series C Senior Notes and
    the $36.5 million Series D Senior Notes bear interest at 8.9% and 9.5%,
    respectively. Interest payments are due semi-annually on April 15 and
    October 15. The Series C and D Senior Notes mature on April 15, 2004 and
    April 15, 2009, respectively.
 
(D) On September 23, 1994, the Partnership entered into a credit agreement
    (Credit Agreement) by which two banks committed maximum borrowings of $40
    million. The facilities bear interest at the banks' prime rate (8.5% at
    December 31, 1997) or the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBO) plus 1.25%
    for specified periods if elected by the Partnership. The interest rate in
    effect for borrowings at LIBO was 7.1875% at December 31, 1997.
 
    During 1996 and 1995, the banks committed an additional $55 million and $15
    million, respectively, increasing the commitment under the facilities to
    $110 million with the same terms. The credit agreement matures in September
    1998 at which time, at the Partnership's election, the credit agreement can
    be converted into a term loan payable over five years. Management
    anticipates that they will convert the credit agreement into a term loan,
    therefore, the principal debt maturities in the table below are reflected
    over a five-year period beginning in 1998.

    The Partnership's debt agreements contain various covenants related to the
    maintenance of certain financial ratios, tangible net worth, additional
    indebtedness, fixed charges, and maintenance of cash balances. Additionally,
    all of the outstanding debt under the Company's Series A, B, C and D Senior
    Notes and Credit Agreement and its new Senior Notes and Senior Credit
    Facility are guaranteed on a full, unconditional and joint and several basis
    by all of the Company's subsidiaries (Guarantor Subsidiaries).
    
    The aggregate principal debt maturities of long-term debt for the next five
    years are as follows:
 
    <TABLE>
    <CAPTION>
                                     SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
                                         1998          1997
                                     ------------- ------------
                                      (UNAUDITED)
         <S>                         <C>           <C>
         1998.......................   $    --       $  7,500
         1999.......................        --         23,000
         2000.......................        --         27,500
         2001.......................        --         27,500
         2002.......................        --         28,062
         Thereafter.................    349,000        71,438
                                       --------      --------
                                       $349,000      $185,000
                                       ========      ========
   </TABLE>
 
6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
  The Partnership periodically rents and sells equipment to affiliated
companies. Rental revenues from such transactions totaled $682, $423 and $639
and gross proceeds from equipment sales totaled $119, $45 and $22 in 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively. In addition, the Partnership rents equipment,
utilizes personnel and purchases
 
                                     F-11
<PAGE>
 
                          ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
 
equipment from affiliated companies. Expenses from such transactions totaled
$652, $198 and $366 in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, and purchases of
equipment totaled $218 and $50 in 1997 and 1996, respectively. There were no
equipment purchases in 1995.
 
  The following is a summary of amounts due from/to related parties as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996, exclusive of amounts classified as a reduction of
partners' capital:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1997 1996
                                                                      ---- ----
     <S>                                                              <C>  <C>
     Due from:
       Ray G. Anthony................................................ $--  $806
       Century Steel Erectors, Inc. (CSE)............................  115   44
       Steel City Environmental Services, Inc. (SCE).................   26   21
       Republic Crane Rental, Inc. (Republic)........................  --    14
       Lindsay Crane.................................................   28  --
       Insurance Salvors Corp. ......................................   19  --
                                                                      ---- ----
                                                                      $188 $885
                                                                      ==== ====
     Long-term notes receivable from:
       SCE...........................................................  300  300
       Century Crane and Hoist, Inc. ................................   81   81
                                                                      ---- ----
                                                                      $381 $381
                                                                      ==== ====
     Due to:
       Republic......................................................  --    33
       Lindsay Crane.................................................   13  --
                                                                      ---- ----
                                                                      $ 13 $ 33
                                                                      ==== ====
</TABLE>
 
  The Partnership periodically has made advances to Mr. Anthony. Such
advances, which totaled $3,950 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, have no specific
repayment terms and have been classified as a reduction of partners' capital
in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. For federal income tax
purposes, the advances are treated as distributions to Anthony Iron and Metal
Company. In addition, during 1997, advances and other receivables due from Mr.
Anthony totaling $806 were charged to the partners' capital account.
 
7. LEASE COMMITMENTS:
 
  The Partnership leases various pieces of equipment under long-term operating
lease agreements with third parties.
 
  In addition, during December 1996, the Partnership entered into an agreement
for the sale and leaseback of certain cranes, lifts and other heavy equipment.
The Partnership has purchase and lease renewal options at future fair market
values under the agreement. The lease is classified as an operating lease in
accordance with SFAS No. 13, "Accounting for Leases." The net book value of
the equipment totaling approximately $24 million has been removed from the
accompanying consolidated balance sheets. There was no gain or loss on the
transaction. Rentals under this agreement approximate $3,141 annually through
January 2004.
 
  The approximate future minimum lease payments under these agreements are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
         <S>                                             <C>
         Year ending December 31:
           1998......................................... $ 4,765
           1999.........................................   4,744
           2000.........................................   4,744
           2001.........................................   4,744
           2002.........................................   4,744
           Thereafter...................................   3,942
</TABLE>
 
 
                                     F-12
<PAGE>
 
                          ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
 
  Total rental expense for all leases, including the related party rentals
discussed in Note 6, approximated $5,060, $2,091 and $1,739 in 1997, 1996 and
1995, respectively.
 
  In April 1997, the Partnership entered into a capital lease agreement for
the lease of twenty trucks. The lease has a term of three years with a bargain
purchase option at the end of the lease agreement. Interest rates under the
capital lease agreement range from approximately 19% to 22%.
 
  The following is a schedule of future minimum lease payments under the
capital lease agreement together with the present value of the net minimum
lease payments as of December 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
         <S>                                              <C>
         Year ending December 31:
           1998.......................................... $  287
           1999..........................................    287
           2000..........................................    806
                                                          ------
         Total minimum lease payments....................  1,380
         Less amount representing interest...............    419
                                                          ------
         Present value of minimum lease payments.........    961
         Less current portion............................     94
                                                          ------
                                                          $  867
                                                          ======
</TABLE>
 
  Included in rental equipment is cost and accumulated depreciation for these
leased trucks of approximately $1,035 and $86, respectively, at December 31,
1997.
 
8. BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS
 
  In 1997 and 1996, the Partnership entered into various purchase agreements
to acquire certain tangible and intangible assets from unrelated parties. The
total purchase price for the acquisitions was $4,050 and $7,825 for 1997 and
1996, respectively. These acquisitions were accounted for under the purchase
method of accounting and, accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated
to the assets acquired, principally consisting of equipment, based on their
estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.
 
  The operating results of these acquisitions were included in the
Partnership's consolidated results of operations from the date of acquisition.
Certain required pro forma financial information related to the above
acquisitions has not been presented since the acquisitions were not material
to the Partnership's consolidated financial position or its consolidated
results of operations.
 
9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
  The Partnership has a profit-sharing defined contribution pension plan for
all affiliated companies. The plan covers all non-union employees of the
Partnership. The contribution to the plan is an amount determined by the
Partnership. The contribution for 1997, 1996 and 1995 was one percent of the
eligible participant's compensation.
 
  The plan also includes a 401(k) savings plan feature that enables employees
to make voluntary salary reduction contributions up to 15% of eligible
compensation to the plan. The Partnership will match fifty percent of the
contributions, up to six percent of the participant's compensation.
 
  The Partnership's total expense for the profit-sharing and 401(k) savings
plans was approximately $583, $380 and $220 in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.
 
                                     F-13
<PAGE>
 
                          ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
 
 
  Union employees of the Partnership are covered by various union-sponsored,
collectively bargained, benefit plans. The Partnership's contributions to
these multi-employer plans are based on specified amounts per hours worked by
the covered union employees. One such plan is underfunded and the unfunded
amount is being funded through ongoing contributions by all sponsoring
companies. Under certain circumstances, the Partnership may have to accelerate
such funding. In 1997, the Partnership paid approximately $600 towards its
share of the underfunded plan. Union employees receive union-sponsored
benefits such as pension benefits, health and welfare benefits, annuity
benefits, industry advancement and apprentice training. The total cost of
these union benefits approximated $6,162, $4,339 and $3,632 in 1997, 1996 and
1995, respectively.
 
  The Partnership also has a deferred compensation plan for certain eligible
employees and members of the board of advisors. The participants are credited
with one percent of after-tax income annually and vest in annual contributions
if employed at year-end. The Partnership has purchased insurance contracts to
satisfy all future liabilities relating to the Plan. The Partnership's expense
for the deferred compensation plan for 1997, 1996 and 1995 was approximately
$250, $340 and $261, respectively.
 
10. CONTINGENCIES
 
  The Partnership is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in
the ordinary course of business. The ultimate liability from these
contingencies cannot be determined because of the uncertainties that exist.
Therefore, it is possible that, upon settlement, consolidated results of
operations in a particular period could be materially affected by these
contingencies. Certain of these matters may be covered under the Partnership's
insurance coverage. However, in the opinion of management, the ultimate
disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the
consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operation of the
Partnership.
 
11. DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
  The Company has the following types of financial instruments:
 
    . Cash and cash equivalents
    . Accounts receivable
    . Accounts payable
    . Debt
 
Due to the short maturity of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable
and accounts payable, their carrying values approximate their fair value.
Based on the interest rates available at December 31, 1997, management
believes that the carrying amount of its long-term debt approximates fair
value.
 
 
                                     F-14
<PAGE>
 
                          ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
 
 
12. SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS
 
  All of the Guarantor Subsidiaries are wholly owned and all of the
outstanding debt under the Company's new Senior Notes and Senior Credit
Facility are guaranteed on a full, unconditional and joint and several basis
by all of the Guarantor Subsidiaries. The following consolidated condensed
financial information presents the financial position, the results of
operations and the cash flows for the Company and its Guarantor Subsidiaries
as of and for the nine month period ended September 30, 1998 and as of and for
the year ended December 31, 1997. The Guarantor Subsidiaries began operations
in August 1996, and therefore, constitute only five months of activity in
1996. Management does not believe that the financial information for 1996 is
meaningful for an understanding of the financial contribution of the Guarantor
Subsidiaries. In connection with the Recapitalization (see Note 13), the
Company created a wholly-owned subsidiary, Anthony Crane Capital Corporation
(AC Capital Corp.), for the sole purpose of serving as co-issuer of the Senior
Notes. AC Capital Corp. does not have any substantial operations or assets of
any kind and will not have any revenues. As a result, no separate disclosure
of AC Capital Corp.'s financial information has been provided as such
disclosure would not be meaningful given AC Capital Corp.'s lack of operations
and assets.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 (UNAUDITED)                          DECEMBER 31, 1997
                  ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------
                             GUARANTOR   INTERCOMPANY                         GUARANTOR   INTERCOMPANY
                  COMPANY   SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED COMPANY   SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS    --------  ------------ ------------ ------------ --------  ------------ ------------ ------------
<S>               <C>       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C> <C>
Total current
 assets.........  $ 37,381    $ 2,377      $(2,913)     $ 36,845   $ 42,260    $ 1,747      $(5,269)     $ 38,738
Rental
 equipment, net
 of accumulated
 depreciation...   267,466      7,286          --        274,752    205,412      7,563          --        212,975
Property and
 equipment,
 net............    48,943      1,711          --         50,654     50,320      1,539          --         51,859
Other Assets....    21,076        127          --         21,203      3,194        162          --          3,356
                  --------    -------      -------      --------   --------    -------      -------      --------
 Total assets...  $374,866    $11,501      $(2,913)     $383,454   $301,186    $11,011      $(5,269)     $306,928
                  ========    =======      =======      ========   ========    =======      =======      ========
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
Total current
 liabilities....    20,392      3,145       (2,913)       20,624     25,436      5,409       (5,269)       25,576
Long-term debt,
 less current
 portion........   349,000        --           --        349,000    177,500        --           --        177,500
Other non-
 current........     2,494        --           --          2,494      2,436        --           --          2,436
                  --------    -------      -------      --------   --------    -------      -------      --------
 Total
  liabilities...   371,886      3,145       (2,913)      372,118    205,372      5,409       (5,269)      205,512
Partners'
 capital........     2,980      8,356          --         11,336     95,814      5,602          --        101,416
                  --------    -------      -------      --------   --------    -------      -------      --------
 Total
  liabilities
  and partners'
  capital.......  $374,866    $11,501      $(2,913)     $383,454   $301,186    $11,011      $(5,269)     $306,928
                  ========    =======      =======      ========   ========    =======      =======      ========
<CAPTION>
                          SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 (UNAUDITED)                          DECEMBER 31, 1997
                  ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------
                             GUARANTOR   INTERCOMPANY                         GUARANTOR   INTERCOMPANY
STATEMENTS OF     COMPANY   SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED COMPANY   SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
OPERATIONS        --------  ------------ ------------ ------------ --------  ------------ ------------ ------------
<S>               <C>       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C> <C>
Revenues
 Equipment
  rentals.......  $128,995    $ 7,881          --       $136,876   $145,985    $10,423          --       $156,408
 Equipment
  sales.........    16,496        159          --         16,655     27,400        --           --         27,400
                  --------    -------      -------      --------   --------    -------      -------      --------
   Total
    revenues....   145,491      8,040          --        153,531    173,385     10,423          --        183,808
Cost of
 revenues.......
 Cost of
  equipment
  rentals.......    78,699      3,184          --         81,883     92,148      4,888          --         97,036
 Cost of
  equipment
  sales.........    12,753        125          --         12,878     15,541        --           --         15,541
                  --------    -------      -------      --------   --------    -------      -------      --------
   Total cost of
    revenues....    91,452      3,309          --         94,761    107,689      4,888          --        112,577
Gross profit....    54,039      4,731          --         58,770     65,696      5,535          --         71,231
Selling,
 general, and
 administrative..   28,781      1,415          --         30,196     33,067      2,044          --         35,111
                  --------    -------      -------      --------   --------    -------      -------      --------
Income from
 operations.....    25,258      3,316          --         28,574     32,629      3,491          --         36,120
Interest
 expense........    15,140        562          --         15,702     13,422        540          --         13,962
Other income....      (633)       --           --           (633)    (1,739)       --           --         (1,739)
                  --------    -------      -------      --------   --------    -------      -------      --------
Income before
 extraordinary
 item and
 taxes..........    10,751      2,754          --         13,505     20,946      2,951          --         23,897
Provision
 (benefit) for
 state taxes....       220        --           --            220         96        --           --             96
                  --------    -------      -------      --------   --------    -------      -------      --------
Income before
 extraordinary
 item...........    10,531      2,754          --         13,285     20,850      2,951          --         23,801
Extraordinary
 item...........    15,811        --           --         15,811        --         --           --            --
                  --------    -------      -------      --------   --------    -------      -------      --------
Net income
 (loss).........  $ (5,280)   $ 2,754          --       $ (2,526)  $ 20,850    $ 2,951          --       $ 23,801
                  ========    =======      =======      ========   ========    =======      =======      ========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-15
<PAGE>
 
                          ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 (UNAUDITED)            DECEMBER 31, 1997
                         ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
                                    GUARANTOR                           GUARANTOR
STATEMENTS OF            COMPANY   SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED COMPANY   SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED
CASH FLOWS               --------  ------------ ------------ --------  ------------ ------------
<S>                      <C>       <C>          <C>          <C>       <C>          <C>
Net cash provided by
 operating activities... $ 23,714     $1,259      $ 24,973   $ 29,399     $1,298      $ 30,697
                         --------     ------      --------   --------     ------      --------
Cash flows from
 investing activities...
  Capital expenditures..  (80,219)      (708)      (80,927)   (85,297)      (344)      (85,641)
  Other investing
   activities...........   12,266        --         12,266     18,665        --         18,665
                         --------     ------      --------   --------     ------      --------
Net cash provided by
 investing activities... $(67,953)    $ (708)     $(68,661)  $(66,632)    $ (344)     $(66,976)
                         --------     ------      --------   --------     ------      --------
Net cash provided by
 financing activities... $ 47,173        --       $ 47,173   $ 32,066        --       $ 32,066
                         --------     ------      --------   --------     ------      --------
Net increase (decrease)
 in cash and cash
 equivalents............    2,934        551         3,485     (5,167)       954        (4,213)
Cash and cash
 equivalents, beginning
 of period..............    3,132      1,243         4,375      8,300        288         8,588
                         --------     ------      --------   --------     ------      --------
Cash and cash
 equivalents, end of
 period................. $  6,066     $1,794      $  7,860   $  3,133     $1,242      $  4,375
                         ========     ======      ========   ========     ======      ========
Supplemental disclosure
 of cash flow
 information:
  Cash paid during the
   period for interest.. $ 14,260     $  --       $ 14,260   $ 13,026        --       $ 13,026
                         ========     ======      ========   ========     ======      ========
</TABLE>
 
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
 RECAPITALIZATION
 
  On June 1, 1998, the Partnership entered into a recapitalization agreement
with Bain/ACR, L.L.C. (Bain), pursuant to which Bain and certain members of
senior management of the Partnership (collectively the "Equity Investors")
indirectly acquired through Holdings an 82% ownership interest in the
Partnership (the "Recapitalization"). Effective July 22, 1998, the
Recapitalization was consummated and the Partnership incurred new debt
obligations, repaid its outstanding Senior Notes and Credit Agreement
obligations (see Note 5), restructured certain of its outstanding Partnership
interests when the Predecessor Partners contributed their interest in the
Partnership to Holdings and distributed approximately $122.4 million in cash
and property with a net book value of approximately $3.6 million to the
Predecessor Partners. In connection with the repayment of its outstanding debt
obligations, the Partnership incurred approximately $15.1 million in
prepayment penalties and wrote-off deferred financing costs of $0.8 million
which have been reflected as an extraordinary item in the consolidated
statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1998.
 
  The Recapitalization was funded by: (i) a notes offering by the Company with
gross proceeds of $155 million, (ii) a discount debentures offering by
Holdings with proceeds of $25 million (iii) a $33.6 million contribution to
Holdings by the Equity Investors, (iv) $125 million of borrowings by the
Company under a revolving credit facility of a new senior credit facility, (v)
$50 million of borrowings by the Company under the term loan facility of a new
senior credit facility, and (vi) the distribution by Holdings of $22.5 million
of Senior Preferred Units to the Predecessor Partners.
 
                                     F-16
<PAGE>
 
                          ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
 
  The Recapitalization Agreement provided for an adjustment of the
distribution made to the Predecessor Partners based on consolidated net worth
(as defined in the Recapitalization Agreement), as of the closing date. The
amount of the adjustment has not yet been determined.
 
  The Company's $155 million note offering consisted of 10 3/8% Senior Notes
due 2008, Holdings' $25 million discount debentures offering consisted of 13
3/8% Senior Discount Debentures due 2009 and the Company's new senior credit
facilities provides up to $325.0 million in borrowings under a non-amortizing
revolving credit facility and non-amortizing term loan facility, which mature
in 2004 and 2006, respectively. At the Partnership's option, loans under the
new senior credit facilities bear interest at either the Base Rate (as defined
in the agreement) or the reserve-adjusted LIBO plus a margin of 2.25%.
 
 ENVIRONMENTAL CONTINGENCY
 
  The Partnership is currently investigating soil and groundwater
contamination at its Savannah, Georgia location from underground storage tanks
removed in 1994. Clean up activities associated with the contamination are
covered under the Georgia Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund (GUST). While
the ultimate costs of any remediation or continued monitoring are not yet
known, the Partnership expects that it will receive reimbursement for such
costs from the GUST. The reimbursement limit under the Trust Fund is $1
million. The Partnership believes that it is unlikely that its costs will
exceed the reimbursement limit.
 
 
                                     F-17
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  NO DEALER, SALESPERSON, OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY IN-
FORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING
OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH IN-
FORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE ISSUERS OR THE INITIAL PURCHASERS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE
AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER
THAN THE SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO
SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDIC-
TION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED, OR IN WHICH THE
PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO, OR TO ANY
PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER
THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AF-
FAIRS OF THE ISSUERS SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
 
                                 ------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PAGE
<S>                                                                       <C>
Prospectus Summary.......................................................   1
Risk Factors.............................................................  15
The Transactions.........................................................  20
Use of Proceeds..........................................................  22
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data..........................  23
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data..........................  28
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
 of Operations...........................................................  29
Business.................................................................  38
Management...............................................................  47
Security Ownership.......................................................  51
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions...........................  53
Description of Certain Indebtedness......................................  55
Description of Exchange Notes............................................  58
The Exchange Offer.......................................................  89
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences....................  97
Plan of Distribution.....................................................  98
Legal Matters............................................................  99
Experts..................................................................  99
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements............................... F-1
</TABLE>    
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 $155,000,000
 
 
                          ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P.
 
                       ANTHONY CRANE CAPITAL CORPORATION
 
                         10 3/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2008
 
                               ----------------
 
                                  PROSPECTUS
 
                               ----------------
 
 
 
 
 
                                       , 1998
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
  Anthony Crane Rental, L.P. (the "Company") is a limited partnership
organized under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania. Section 8510 of the
Pennsylvania Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the "Pennsylvania
RULPA") provides that, subject to such standards and restrictions, if any, as
are set forth in its partnership agreement, a limited partnership may, and
shall have the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other
persons from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever; provided,
however, that such indemnification shall not be made in any case where the act
or failure to act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is determined
by a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness.
 
  Section 5.10 of the Company's Amended and Restated Limited Partnership
Agreement (the "Limited Partnership Agreement") provides, among other things,
that:
 
  (a) The Partnership shall indemnify and hold harmless the General partner
and each Affiliate, officer, director, controlling person, partner, employee
or shareholder of the General Partner ("Indemnified Person") from and against
any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses (including
reasonable legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements and other
amounts relating to any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or
proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, which
relate in any way to the General Partner's status or activities of the General
Partner or to the Partnership's property, business or affairs ("Claims"). An
Indemnified Person's expenses paid or incurred in defending itself against any
Claim shall be reimbursed as paid or incurred. A Person shall be considered an
Indemnified Person whether or not such Person has the status required to be an
Indemnified Person at the time any such Claim is made or maintained as long as
such person had the status of an Indemnified Person at the time the events
which gave rise to the Claim occurred. This Section 5.10 shall not apply with
respect to any Indemnified Person for that portion of any Claim determined by
the final decision (from which an appeal cannot be taken or is not taken on a
timely basis) of a court of competent jurisdiction to have been caused by his
or its gross negligence, willful misconduct or knowing violation of law. Any
payments made to or on behalf of a Person who is later determined not to be
entitled to such payments shall be refunded to the Partnership promptly
following such determination. Nothing contained in this Section 5.10 shall
obligate any Limited Partner to pay any amount to the Partnership or to any
Indemnified Person in excess of his Capital Contribution.
 
  (b) The right to indemnification and the advancement of expenses conferred
in this Section 5.10 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any
Person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, agreement, vote of
Partners or otherwise.
 
  (c) The Partnership may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect any
Person against any expense, liability or loss, to the extent that the
Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such
expense, liability or loss under the Pennsylvania RULPA.
 
  The Pennsylvania RULPA defines "Person" as an individual or a corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization,
association or other entity.
 
  Section 5.11 of the Company's Limited Partnership Agreement further provides
that except as provided in Section 5.10, an Indemnified Person shall not be
liable to the Partnership or any Partner for any act or omission performed or
omitted by such Person pursuant to authority granted to such Person by this
Agreement; provided that such limitation of liability shall not apply to the
extent the act or omission was attributable to such Person's negligence,
willful misconduct or knowing violation of law. The General Partner may
exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of
the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its
agents, and the General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner (so
long as such agent was selected in good faith and with due care) to the extent
that such agent's misconduct or negligence is not caused by and does not arise
out of the General Partner's misconduct or negligence in supervising the
activities of such agent.
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
  Anthony Crane Capital Corporation (the "Corporation") is a Delaware
corporation. Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware (the "DGCL") provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any
person who were, are or are threatened to be made, parties to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative of investigative (other than an action by or in the right of
such corporation), by reason of the fact that such person is or was an
officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving
at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent
of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding, provided such person acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation's
best interests and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was illegal. A Delaware
corporation may indemnify any persons who are, were or are threatened to be
made, a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in
the right of the corporation by reasons of the fact that such person was a
director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving
at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent
of another corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection
with the defense or settlement of such action or suit, provided such person
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the corporation's best interests, provided that no indemnification
is permitted without judicial approval if the officer, director, employee or
agent is adjudged to be liable to the corporation. Where an officer, director,
employee or agent is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of
any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him against the
expenses which such officer or director has actually and reasonably incurred.
 
  The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation provides that to the
fullest extent permitted by the provisions of (S)145 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same exists or may thereafter
be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify any and all persons whom it shall
have power to indemnify under said section from and against any and all of the
expenses, liabilities, or other matters referred to in or covered by said
section, and the indemnification provided for herein shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under
any Bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in
another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person
who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure
to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person.
 
  Article VI of the Bylaws of the Corporation provides that every director and
officer of the Corporation shall be entitled as of right to be indemnified by
the Corporation against all expenses, liability and loss (including without
limitation, attorney's fees, judgments, fines, taxes, penalties and amounts
paid in settlement) paid or incurred by such person in connection with any
actual or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding, civil, criminal,
administrative, investigative or other, whether brought by or in the right of
the Corporation or otherwise, in which he may be involved, as a party or
otherwise, by reason of such person being or having been a director or officer
of the Corporation or by reason of the fact such person is or was serving at
the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or
other representative of another domestic or foreign corporation for profit or
not-for-profit, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or
other entity or enterprise (such claim, action, suit or proceeding hereinafter
being referred to as an "Action" to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL
as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such
amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to
provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted prior to such
amendment); provided, that no such right of indemnification shall exist with
respect to an Action brought by an Indemnitee (as hereinafter defined) against
the Corporation except as provided in the last sentence of this Section.
Persons who are not directors or officers of the Corporation may be similarly
indemnified in respect of service to the Corporation or to another such entity
at the request of the Corporation to the extent the Board of Directors at any
time denominates any of such persons as entitled to the benefits of this
Article VI. As used in this Article VI, "Indemnitee" shall include each
director and officer of the Corporation and each other person denominated by
the Board of Directors as entitled to the benefits of
 
                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
this Article VI. An Indemnitee shall be entitled to be indemnified pursuant to
this Section for expenses incurred in connection with any Action brought by
such Indemnitee against the Corporation only if the Action is a claim for
indemnity or expenses under Section 3 of this Article VI or otherwise and
either (i) the Indemnitee is successful in whole or in part in the Action for
which expenses are claimed or (ii) the indemnification for expenses is
included in a settlement of the Action or is awarded by a court.
 
  Section 145 further authorizes a corporation to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee
or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation
or enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him
in any such capacity, arising out of his status as such, whether or not the
corporation would otherwise have the power to indemnify him under Section 145.
The Corporation's Bylaws provide for the maintenance of insurance under the
circumstances described in Section 145.
 
  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the
registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrants have been
informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and is therefore unenforceable.
 
                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
 (A) EXHIBITS.
 
<TABLE>   
 <C>   <S>
  2.1  Recapitalization Agreement, dated as of June 1, 1998, by and among
        Anthony Crane Rental, L.P., Bain/ACR, L.L.C., ACR Management, L.L.C.
        and the current owners named therein.**
  3.1  Certificate of limited partnership of Anthony Crane Rental, L.P.**
  3.2  Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Anthony Crane
        Rental, L.P.**
  3.3  Certificate of Incorporation of Anthony Crane Capital Corporation.**
  3.4  Bylaws of Anthony Crane Capital Corporation.**
  4.1  Indenture, dated as of July 22, 1998, among Anthony Crane Rental, L.P.,
        Anthony Crane Capital Corporation, the Guarantors and State Street Bank
        and Trust Company.**
  5.1  Opinion and Consent of Kirkland & Ellis.*
  8.1  Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis as to federal income tax consequences.**
 10.1  Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 16, 1998, by and among Anthony
        Crane Rental, L.P., Anthony Crane Capital Corporation, the Guarantors
        and the Initial Purchasers.**
 10.2  Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among
        Anthony Crane Rental, L.P., Anthony Crane Capital Corporation, the
        Guarantors, and the Initial Purchasers.**
 10.3  Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, among Anthony
        Crane Rental, L.P., Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P., the several
        banks or other financial institutions or entities from time to time
        parties to this Agreement, Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P., Fleet
        National Bank and DLJ Capital Funding, Inc.**
 10.4  Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, among Anthony
        Crane Rental, L.P., Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P., the several
        banks or other financial institutions or entities from time to time
        parties to this Agreement, Goldman Sachs Credit Partners, L.P., Fleet
        National Bank and DLJ Capital Funding, Inc.**
 10.5  Securityholders Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among ACR
        Management, L.L.C., Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P. and the
        Securityholders.**
 10.6  Registration Rights Agreement, made as of July 22, 1998, by and among
        Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P., ACR Management, L.L.C., Bain/ACR,
        L.L.C. and the Current Owners.**
 10.7  Advisory Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among Bain
        Capital, Inc., Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P. and Anthony Crane
        Rental, L.P.**
 
 
 10.8  Escrow Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among Anthony Crane
        Rental, L.P., Anthony Iron & Metal Company, David W. Mahokey and Brown
        Brothers Harriman & Co.**
 10.9  Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Holdings.**
 10.10 Indenture, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among Anthony Crane Rental
        Holdings, L.P., Anthony Crane Holdings Capital Corporation and State
        Street Bank and Trust Company.**
 10.11 Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 16, 1998, by and among Anthony
        Crane Rental Holdings, L.P., Anthony Crane Holdings Capital Corporation
        and the Initial Purchasers.**
 10.12 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among
        Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P., Anthony Crane Holdings Capital
        Corporation and the Initial Purchasers.**
 10.13 Employment Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and between Anthony
        Crane Rental, L.P. and Ray G. Anthony.**
 10.14 Consulting and Noncompetition Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by
        and between Anthony Crane Rental, L.P. and Samuel R. Anthony.**
 10.15 Executive Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among
        ACR Management, L.L.C., Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P. and David
        W. Mahokey.**
 10.16 Executive Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among
        ACR Management, L.L.C., Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P. and Arthur
        J. Innamorato.**
</TABLE>    
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
 <C>   <S>
 10.17 Executive Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among
        ACR Management, L.L.C., Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P. and Albert
        C. Bove.**
 10.18 Executive Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among
        ACR Management, L.L.C., Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P. and William
        B. Kania.**
 10.19 Liability Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and between Anthony
        Crane Rental, L.P. and Anthony Crane Capital Corporation.**
 10.20 Liability Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and between Anthony
        Crane Rental Holdings, L.P. and Anthony Crane Holdings Capital
        Corporation.**
 10.21 Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1996, between Hess Oil Virgin Islands
        Corp. and Anthony Crane International, L.P.**
 10.22 Sale and Lease Agreement, dated as of July 25, 1996, by and between
        Anthony Crane Sales & Leasing, L.P. and Hess Oil Virgin Islands Corp.**
 10.23 Master Rental Agreement for Bare Rental Equipment, dated as of August 1,
        1996, by and between Anthony Crane Sales & Leasing, L.P. and Hess Oil
        Virgin Islands Corp.**
 12.1  Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.**
 21.1  Subsidiaries of Anthony Crane Rental, L.P.**
 23.1  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP*
 23.2  Consent of Kirkland & Ellis (included in exhibits 5.1 and 8.1).*
 24.1  Powers of Attorney (included in signature page).**
 25.1  Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1.**
 27.1  Financial Data Schedule.**
 99.1  Form of Letter of Transmittal.**
 99.2  Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.**
 99.3  Form of Tender Instructions.**
</TABLE>    
- ---------------------
  * Filed herewith
 ** Previously filed
 
 (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
SCHEDULE II--VALUATION & QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                BALANCE AT
                                BEGINNING   CHARGED               BALANCE AT
        CLASSIFICATION          OF PERIOD  TO EXPENSE DEDUCTIONS END OF PERIOD
        --------------          ---------- ---------- ---------- -------------
                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
Allowance for Doubtful Ac-
counts.........................   $1,850     $  428    $  (438)     $1,840
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
Allowance for Doubtful Ac-
counts.........................   $1,500     $1,071    $  (721)     $1,850
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
Allowance for Doubtful Ac-
counts.........................   $1,250     $1,293    $(1,043)     $1,500
</TABLE>
 
  All other schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or not
required or the required information is included in the consolidated financial
statements or notes thereto.
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
 
 (C) REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
  In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements of
Anthony Crane Rental, L.P. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996
and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, which
financial statements are included in the Prospectus, we have also audited the
financial statement schedule listed in Item 21(b) herein.
 
  In our opinion, this financial statement schedule, when considered in
relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly, in all material respects, the information required to be
included therein.
 
                                          PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
February 25, 1998, except as to Note 13,
which is as of July 22, 1998
 
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
  (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement;
 
    (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a) (3) of the
  Securities Act of 1933;
 
    (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
  effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-
  effective amendment thereof) which individually or in the aggregate,
  represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
  registration statement;
 
    (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
  distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
  material change to such information in the registration statement;
 
  (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof;
 
  (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering; and
 
  (4) If the registrant is a foreign private issuer, to file a post-effective
amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements
required by Rule 3-19 of the chapter at the start of any delayed offering or
throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information
otherwise required by Section 10(a) (3) of the Act need not be furnished,
provided, that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-
effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph
(a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in
the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial
statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration
statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to
include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of
the Act or Rule 3-19 of this chapter is such financial statements and
information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Form
F-3.
 
    (1) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows: that prior
  to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use
  of a prospectus which is part of this registration statement, by any person
  or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule
  145(c), the issuer
 
                                     II-6
<PAGE>
 
  undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information
  called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings
  by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information
  called for by the other items of the applicable form.
 
    (2) The registrant undertakes that every prospectus: (i) that is filed
  pursuant to paragraph (1) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to
  meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Act and is used in
  connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be
  filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not
  be used until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of
  determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-
  effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
  relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
  offering thereof.
 
  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 (the "Securities Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described
under Item 20 or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel
the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
    (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
  1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
  this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
  form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
  (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
  registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
    (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
  of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus
  shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
  securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
  time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Item 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through
the date of responding to the request.
 
  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-
effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company
being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in
the registration statement when it became effective.
 
                                     II-7
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
HAS DULY CAUSED THIS AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE
SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE
CITY OF WEST MIFFLIN, STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, ON DECEMBER 21, 1998.     
 
                                          Anthony Crane Rental, L.P.
                                                             
                                                          *     
                                          By: _________________________________
                                            Name: Ray G. Anthony
                                            Title: Chairman and Chief
                                                   Executive Officer
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS AMENDMENT
NO. 2 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS
IN THE CAPACITIES INDICATED ON DECEMBER 21, 1998:     
 
              SIGNATURE                              CAPACITY
 
                                       Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
               *                        (principal executive officer)
- -------------------------------------
           RAY G. ANTHONY
 
                                       Chief Financial Officer (principal
     /s/ Dale A. Buckwalter             financial and accounting officer)
- -------------------------------------
         DALE A. BUCKWALTER
 
                                       Member of the Board and Chief
               *                        Operating Officer
- -------------------------------------
          DAVID W. MAHOKEY
 
                                       Member of the Board
               *     
- -------------------------------------
            PAUL EDGERLEY
 
                                       Member of the Board
               *     
- -------------------------------------
            ROBERT C. GAY
 
                                       Member of the Board
               *     
- -------------------------------------
          ANDREW B. BALSON
 
                                       Member of the Board
               *     
- -------------------------------------
            JAMES E. HAAS
 
                                       Member of the Board
               *     
- -------------------------------------
- ---------------------
          WILLIAM B. KANIA
   
* means signed by attorney-in-fact     
 
                                     II-8
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
HAS DULY CAUSED THIS AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED
ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF
WEST MIFFLIN, STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, ON DECEMBER 21, 1998.     
 
                                         Anthony Crane Capital Corporation
 
                                                            *
                                         By: __________________________________
                                           Name: Ray G. Anthony
                                           Title: Chairman and Chief
                                                  Executive Officer
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS AMENDMENT
NO. 2 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN
THE CAPACITIES INDICATED ON DECEMBER 21, 1998:     
 
             SIGNATURE                              CAPACITY
 
                 *                    Chairman and Chief Executive
- ------------------------------------   Officer (principal executive
           RAY G. ANTHONY              officer)
 
       /s/ Dale A. Buckwalter         Chief Financial Officer (principal
- ------------------------------------   financial and accounting officer)
         DALE A. BUCKWALTER
 
                 *                    Member of the Board and Chief
- ------------------------------------   Operating Officer
          DAVID W. MAHOKEY
 
                 *                    Member of the Board
- ------------------------------------
           PAUL EDGERLEY
 
                 *                    Member of the Board
- ------------------------------------
           ROBERT C. GAY
 
                 *                    Member of the Board
- ------------------------------------
          ANDREW B. BALSON
 
                 *                    Member of the Board
- ------------------------------------
           JAMES E. HAAS
 
                 *                    Member of the Board
- ------------------------------------
 
          WILLIAM B. KANIA
- --------------------
* means signed by attorney-in-fact
 
                                      II-9
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
HAS DULY CAUSED THIS AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE
SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE
CITY OF WEST MIFFLIN, STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, ON DECEMBER 21, 1998.     
 
                                          Anthony Crane Sales & Leasing, L.P.
 
                                                             *
                                          By: _________________________________
                                            Name: Ray G. Anthony
                                            Title: Chairman and Chief
                                                   Executive Officer
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS AMENDMENT
NO. 2 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS
IN THE CAPACITIES INDICATED ON DECEMBER 21, 1998:     
 
              SIGNATURE                              CAPACITY
 
                  *                    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
- -------------------------------------   (principal executive officer)
           RAY G. ANTHONY
 
       /s/ Dale A. Buckwalter          Chief Financial Officer (principal
- -------------------------------------   financial and accounting officer)
         DALE A. BUCKWALTER
 
                  *                    Member of the Board and Chief
- -------------------------------------   Operating Officer
          DAVID W. MAHOKEY
 
                  *                    Member of the Board
- -------------------------------------
            PAUL EDGERLEY
 
                  *                    Member of the Board
- -------------------------------------
            ROBERT C. GAY
 
                  *                    Member of the Board
- -------------------------------------
          ANDREW B. BALSON
 
                  *                    Member of the Board
- -------------------------------------
            JAMES E. HAAS
 
                  *                    Member of the Board
- -------------------------------------
 
          WILLIAM B. KANIA
- ---------------------
* means signed by attorney-in-fact
 
                                     II-10
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
HAS DULY CAUSED THIS AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE
SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE
CITY OF WEST MIFFLIN, STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, ON DECEMBER 21, 1998.     
 
                                          Anthony International Equipment
                                           Services Corporation
 
                                                             *
                                          By: _________________________________
                                            Name: Ray G. Anthony
                                            Title: Chairman and Chief
                                                   Executive Officer
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS AMENDMENT
NO. 1 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS
IN THE CAPACITIES INDICATED ON DECEMBER 21, 1998:     
 
              SIGNATURE                              CAPACITY
 
                  *                    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
- -------------------------------------   (principal executive officer)
           RAY G. ANTHONY
 
       /s/ Dale A. Buckwalter          Chief Financial Officer (principal
- -------------------------------------   financial and accounting officer)
         DALE A. BUCKWALTER
 
                  *                    Member of the Board and Chief
- -------------------------------------   Operating Officer
          DAVID W. MAHOKEY
 
                  *                    Member of the Board
- -------------------------------------
            PAUL EDGERLEY
 
                  *                    Member of the Board
- -------------------------------------
            ROBERT C. GAY
 
                  *                    Member of the Board
- -------------------------------------
          ANDREW B. BALSON
 
                  *                    Member of the Board
- -------------------------------------
            JAMES E. HAAS
 
                  *                    Member of the Board
- -------------------------------------
          WILLIAM B. KANIA
 
- ---------------------
* means signed by attorney-in-fact
 
                                     II-11
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
HAS DULY CAUSED THIS AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE
SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE
CITY OF WEST MIFFLIN, STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, ON DECEMBER 21, 1998.     
 
                                          Anthony Crane International, L.P.
 
                                                             *
                                          By: _________________________________
                                            Name: Ray G. Anthony
                                            Title: Chairman and Chief
                                                   Executive Officer
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS AMENDMENT
NO. 2 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS
IN THE CAPACITIES INDICATED ON DECEMBER 21, 1998:     
 
              SIGNATURE                              CAPACITY
 
                  *                    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
- -------------------------------------   (principal executive officer)
           RAY G. ANTHONY
 
       /s/ Dale A. Buckwalter          Chief Financial Officer (principal
- -------------------------------------   financial and accounting officer)
         DALE A. BUCKWALTER
 
                  *                    Member of the Board and Chief
- -------------------------------------   Operating Officer
          DAVID W. MAHOKEY
 
                  *                    Member of the Board
- -------------------------------------
            PAUL EDGERLEY
 
                  *                    Member of the Board
- -------------------------------------
            ROBERT C. GAY
 
                  *                    Member of the Board
- -------------------------------------
          ANDREW B. BALSON
 
                  *                    Member of the Board
- -------------------------------------
            JAMES E. HAAS
 
                  *                    Member of the Board
- -------------------------------------
          WILLIAM B. KANIA
- ---------------------
* means signed by attorney-in-fact
 
                                     II-12
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
HAS DULY CAUSED THIS AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED
ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF
WEST MIFFLIN, STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, ON DECEMBER 21, 1998.     
 
                                         Anthony Sales & Leasing Corporation
 
                                                            *
                                         By: __________________________________
                                           Name: Ray G. Anthony
                                           Title: Chairman and Chief
                                                  Executive Officer
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS AMENDMENT
NO. 2 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN
THE CAPACITIES INDICATED ON DECEMBER 21, 1998:     
 
             SIGNATURE                              CAPACITY
 
                 *                    Chairman and Chief Executive
- ------------------------------------   Officer (principal executive
           RAY G. ANTHONY              officer)
 
       /s/ Dale A. Buckwalter         Chief Financial Officer (principal
- ------------------------------------   financial and accounting officer)
         DALE A. BUCKWALTER
 
                 *                    Member of the Board and Chief
- ------------------------------------   Operating Officer
          DAVID W. MAHOKEY
 
                 *                    Member of the Board
- ------------------------------------
           PAUL EDGERLEY
 
                 *                    Member of the Board
- ------------------------------------
           ROBERT C. GAY
 
                 *                    Member of the Board
- ------------------------------------
          ANDREW B. BALSON
 
                 *                    Member of the Board
- ------------------------------------
           JAMES E. HAAS
 
                 *                    Member of the Board
- ------------------------------------
          WILLIAM B. KANIA
- --------------------
* means signed by attorney-in-fact
 
                                     II-13
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBITS INDEX
 
 (A) EXHIBITS.
 
<TABLE>   
 <C>   <S>
  2.1  Recapitalization Agreement, dated as of June 1, 1998, by and among
        Anthony Crane Rental, L.P., Bain/ACR, L.L.C., ACR Management, L.L.C.
        and the current owners named therein.**
  3.1  Certificate of limited partnership of Anthony Crane Rental, L.P.**
  3.2  Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Anthony Crane
        Rental, L.P.**
  3.3  Certificate of Incorporation of Anthony Crane Capital Corporation.**
  3.4  Bylaws of Anthony Crane Capital Corporation.**
  4.1  Indenture, dated as of July 22, 1998, among Anthony Crane Rental, L.P.,
        Anthony Crane Capital Corporation, the Guarantors and State Street Bank
        and Trust Company.**
  5.1  Opinion and Consent of Kirkland & Ellis.*
  8.1  Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis as to federal income tax consequences.**
 10.1  Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 16, 1998, by and among Anthony
        Crane Rental, L.P., Anthony Crane Capital Corporation, the Guarantors
        and the Initial Purchasers.**
 10.2  Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among
        Anthony Crane Rental, L.P., Anthony Crane Capital Corporation, the
        Guarantors, and the Initial Purchasers.**
 10.3  Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, among Anthony
        Crane Rental, L.P., Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P., the several
        banks or other financial institutions or entities from time to time
        parties to this Agreement, Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P., Fleet
        National Bank and DLJ Capital Funding, Inc.**
 10.4  Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, among Anthony
        Crane Rental, L.P., Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P., the several
        banks or other financial institutions or entities from time to time
        parties to this Agreement, Goldman Sachs Credit Partners, L.P., Fleet
        National Bank and DLJ Capital Funding, Inc.**
 10.5  Securityholders Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among ACR
        Management, L.L.C., Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P. and the
        Securityholders.**
 10.6  Registration Rights Agreement, made as of July 22, 1998, by and among
        Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P., ACR Management, L.L.C., Bain/ACR,
        L.L.C. and the Current Owners.**
 10.7  Advisory Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among Bain
        Capital, Inc., Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P. and Anthony Crane
        Rental, L.P.**
 
 
 10.8  Escrow Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among Anthony Crane
        Rental, L.P., Anthony Iron & Metal Company, David W. Mahokey and Brown
        Brothers Harriman & Co.**
 10.9  Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Holdings.**
 10.10 Indenture, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among Anthony Crane Rental
        Holdings, L.P., Anthony Crane Holdings Capital Corporation and State
        Street Bank and Trust Company.**
 10.11 Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 16, 1998, by and among Anthony
        Crane Rental Holdings, L.P., Anthony Crane Holdings Capital Corporation
        and the Initial Purchasers.**
 10.12 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among
        Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P., Anthony Crane Holdings Capital
        Corporation and the Initial Purchasers.**
 10.13 Employment Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and between Anthony
        Crane Rental, L.P. and Ray G. Anthony.**
 10.14 Consulting and Noncompetition Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by
        and between Anthony Crane Rental, L.P. and Samuel R. Anthony.**
 10.15 Executive Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among
        ACR Management, L.L.C., Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P. and David
        W. Mahokey.**
</TABLE>    
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
 <C>   <S>
 10.16 Executive Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among
        ACR Management, L.L.C., Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P. and Arthur
        J. Innamorato.**
 10.17 Executive Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among
        ACR Management, L.L.C., Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P. and Albert
        C. Bove.**
 10.18 Executive Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among
        ACR Management, L.L.C., Anthony Crane Rental Holdings, L.P. and William
        B. Kania.**
 10.19 Liability Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and between Anthony
        Crane Rental, L.P. and Anthony Crane Capital Corporation.**
 10.20 Liability Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and between Anthony
        Crane Rental Holdings, L.P. and Anthony Crane Holdings Capital
        Corporation.**
 10.21 Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1996, between Hess Oil Virgin Islands
        Corp. and Anthony Crane International, L.P.**
 10.22 Sale and Lease Agreement, dated as of July 25, 1996, by and between
        Anthony Crane Sales & Leasing, L.P. and Hess Oil Virgin Islands Corp.**
 10.23 Master Rental Agreement for Bare Rental Equipment, dated as of August 1,
        1996, by and between Anthony Crane Sales & Leasing, L.P. and Hess Oil
        Virgin Islands Corp.**
 12.1  Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.**
 21.1  Subsidiaries of Anthony Crane Rental, L.P.**
 23.1  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP*
 23.2  Consent of Kirkland & Ellis (included in exhibits 5.1 and 8.1).*
 24.1  Powers of Attorney (included in signature page).**
 25.1  Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1.**
 27.1  Financial Data Schedule.**
 99.1  Form of Letter of Transmittal.**
 99.2  Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.**
 99.3  Form of Tender Instructions.**
</TABLE>    
- ---------------------
  * Filed herewith
 ** Previously filed

<PAGE>                         
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                                KIRKLAND & ELLIS
                PARTNERSHIPS INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL CORPORATIONS

                                 Citicorp Center
                              153 East 53rd Street
                          New York, New York 10022-4675

                                  212 446-4800
                                   Facsimile:
                                  212 446-4900
 


                               November 25, 1998

Anthony Crane Rental, L.P.
1165 Camp Hollow Road
West Mifflin, Pennsylvania 15122

  Re: Offer by Anthony Crane Rental, L.P. and Anthony Crane Capital Corporation
      to Exchange their Series B 10 3/8% Senior Notes due 2008 for any and all
      Notes due 2008 of their outstanding Series A 10 3/8% Senior Notes due 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen:

   We are acting as special counsel to Anthony Crane Rental, L.P., a
Pennsylvania limited partnership (the "Company") and Anthony Crane 
Capital Corporation ("AC Capital Corp." and, together with the Company, the
"Issuers"), in connection with the proposed registration by the Issuers of up to
$155,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Issuer's Series B 10 3/8%
Senior Notes due 2008 (the "Exchange Notes"), pursuant to a Registration
Statement on Form S-4 originally filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") on September 30, 1998 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") (such Registration Statement, as amended
or supplemented, is hereinafter referred to as the "Registration Statement"),
for the purpose of effecting an exchange offer (the "Exchange Offer") for the
Company's outstanding Series A 10 3/8% Senior Notes due 2008 (the "Notes").
<PAGE>
 
Anthony Crane Rental, L.P.
November 25, 1998
Page 2


The Exchange Notes are to be issued pursuant to the Senior Note Indenture (the
"Senior Note Indenture"), dated as of July 22, 1998, among the Issuers, the
guarantors named therein (the "Guarantors"), and State Street Bank and Trust
Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"), in exchange for and in replacement of the
Company's outstanding Senior Notes, of which $155,000,000 in aggregate principal
amount is outstanding.

   In connection with the Exchange Offer, we have examined originals, or copies
certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents,
corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the
purposes of this opinion, including (i) the corporate and organizational
documents of the Company, AC Capital Corp., and the Guarantors (ii) minutes and
records of the corporate proceedings of the Company, AC Capital Corp., and the
Guarantors with respect to the issuance of the Exchange Notes, (iii) the
Registration Statement and exhibits thereto and (iv) the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1998, by and among the Issuers, Anthony Crane
Sales and Leasing, L.P., Anthony Crane International, L.P., and Donaldson,
Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and Goldman, Sachs & Co.

   For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all
documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals of all
documents submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the genuineness of the
signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this
opinion is rendered, the authority of such persons signing on behalf of the
parties thereto other than the Issuers and the Guarantors, and the due
authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by the parties thereto
other than the Issuers. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed
herein which we have not independently established or verified, we have relied
upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the
Issuers, and others.


<PAGE>
 
 
Anthony Crane Rental, L.P.
November 25, 1998 
Page 3



   Based upon and subject to the foregoing qualifications, assumptions and
limitations and the further limitations set forth below, we are of the opinion
that:

   (1) The Company is a limited partnership existing and in good standing
under the Pennsylvania Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act.

   (2) AC Capital Corp. is a corporation existing and in good standing under
the Delaware General Corporation Law.

   (3) The issuance of the Exchange Notes has been duly authorized by each
of the Issuers.

   (4) Each Guarantee has been duly authorized by the respective Guarantor.

   (5) When, as and if (i) the Registration Statement shall have become
effective pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act, (ii) the Indenture
shall have been qualified pursuant to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, as amended, (iii) the Notes shall have been validly tendered to the
Issuers, (iv) the Exchange Notes shall have been issued in the form and
containing the terms described in the Registration Statement, the Indenture, the
resolutions of the Company's general partner (or authorized committee thereof)
and AC Capital Corp.'s Board of Directors (or authorized committee thereof)
authorizing the foregoing and any legally required consents, approvals,
authorizations and other order of the Commission and any other regulatory
authorities to be obtained, the Exchange Notes when issued pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will
constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company and AC Capital Corp. and
the Guarantees will constitute valid and binding obligations of each of the
Guarantors under the terms and conditions described in the Registration
Statement, the Indenture, the resolutions of each of the Guarantors' respective
general partners (or authorized committee thereof) authorizing the foregoing and
any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other order of the
Commission and any other regulatory authorities to be obtained.

    
   Our opinions expressed above are subject to the qualifications that we
express no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of (i)
any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, fraudulent
conveyance, moratorium or other similar law affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of
whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (iii)
public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to obtain
certain remedies and (iv) any laws except the laws of the State of New York, the
laws of the State of Delaware and the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
For      


<PAGE>
 
Anthony Crane Rental, L.P.
    
November 25, 1998      
Page 4

    
purposes of our opinions expressed above, we have relied upon certain
certificates and opinions as we have deemed appropriate.      
 
   We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the
heading "Legal Matters" in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent,
we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is
required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of the rules and regulations of
the Commission.

   We do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion, and accordingly
we do not purport to cover herein, the application of the securities or "Blue
Sky" laws of the various states to the issuance of the Exchange Notes.

   This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no
opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. We
assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion should the present
laws of the States of Delaware or New York be changed by legislative action,
judicial decision or otherwise.

   This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the
Registration Statement, and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise
relied upon for any other purposes.

                                    Yours very truly,

                                     /s/ Kirkland & Ellis

                                    KIRKLAND & ELLIS



<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
   
  We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement on Amendment No. 2
to Form S-4 of our report dated February 25, 1998, except as to Note 13, which
is as of July 22, 1998, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements
and financial statement schedule of Anthony Crane Rental, L.P. as of December
31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1997. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the captions
"Experts" and "Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data."     
 
                                          /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
Pittsburgh, PA
   
December 21, 1998     


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