Public Works presents machinery shopping list to council

Times Contributor    

 

The new Public Works manager, Tom Schultz, presented a shopping list of 2013 machinery purchases submitted under the tender process for Council approval. There were nine tenders in all, and the costs would be reduced if the old equipment could be resold, or municipal rebates were available.

ARMTEC won the bid out of four bidders, to supply culverts, coming in with a low bid of $62,743.08. 

The county will purchase replacement grader blades from Titan Supply at a cost of $82,199.67. Titan was the lowest of eight bidders. 

Two Class Eight highway tractor trucks will be purchased from Kenworth at $150,182.81 each. Freightliner lost the bid as some of the selection criteria were unavailable in their models. Kenworth will also supply a new single axle patching truck which will replace the old Volvo truck. Kenworth was the winner out of three bids. The cost will be $90,253.01. It is a little higher than some of the other bidders, but they were chosen because they met the evaluation criteria and the county has a mechanic who can maintain and fix the vehicle. 

A single axle hydraulic brake truck only had one bid, which was from Freightliner at $79,999, will be used by the Ag Service Board. Councillors questioned why an air brake unit was not considered. Schultz said that by using a hydraulic brake unit, it allowed all drivers to use the vehicle, instead of limiting drivers to those with air brake tickets. 

Two HYSTER gas forklifts were recommended for purchase, chosen out of six bids, with price tags of $25,996.10. One would be used by the Ag Services Board. HYSTER was chosen over Mainline because there was a local supplier and they offered the best training and customer service. Councillors questioned whether the old unit could be repaired and whether good use would be made of a second forklift. 

“If it sits in the shop, over 30 years that’s $1,000 a year for convenience,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong.

Schultz replied that it was difficult to coordinate schedules between the two shops, when there was only one forklift, and it decreased staff efficiency by having to wait to use only one lift. It also decreased the chance of incidents in the shop, with employees hurrying to make the equipment available.

“The old one has major issues. The second one is requested for Ag Service use. They need one to move supplies and seed, and spray chemicals above the office areas,” said Schultz.

Schultz also recommended the purchase of a HYSTER electric WAJAX reach unit, capable of lifting up to 3000 lbs, for the parts warehouse. It had a low bid of $35,069.83, out of 5 bidders. Schutz said that a big forklift is difficult to maneuver in the area, due to the way the warehouse is built. 

John Deere beat out another bidder to supply an HP Construction tractor that was recommended for purchase. The tractor will pull the new disc, previously purchased by the County. The old tractor only had 225 to 250 horsepower, which left the disc cutting shallow and sticking in wet soil conditions. The new tractor has 280 to 300 horse power. It will cost $192,900. The sale of the old tractor will recover some of the cost for the new purchase.

Churchill assured council all purchases fell within the Capital funding budget which was discussed with council previously this year. Council approved the purchases.