EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
  We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting part of this
Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our reports relating to the respective
financial statements which appear in such Prospectus.
 


      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                                            DATE
      --------------------                                            ----
                                                             
      National Equipment Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries....... April 1, 1998
      Aerial Platforms, Inc.................................... November 4, 1997
      Lone Star Rentals, Inc................................... November 4, 1997
      BAT Rentals, Inc......................................... November 4, 1997
      Sprintank and Sprintank Mobile Storage
       (divisions of Sprint Industrial Services, Inc.)......... November 4, 1997
      MST Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Equipco Rental and Sales..... November 4, 1997
      Work Safe Supply Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries.......... March 4, 1998
      Genpower Pump & Equipment, Inc........................... March 3, 1998
      Albany Ladder Company, Inc. ............................. September 3, 1998
      R & R Rentals, Inc. ..................................... September 3, 1998

 
  We also consent to the application of the National Equipment Services, Inc.
and Subsidiaries report to the Financial Statement Schedules for the period
from inception (June 4, 1996) through December 31, 1996 and the year ended
December 31, 1997 listed under Item 21(b) of this Registration Statement when
such schedules are read in conjunction with the financial statements referred
to in our report. The audits referred to in such report also included these
schedules. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts."
 
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
September 8, 1998