County Purchases Two Used Maintainers

The Cheyenne County Commissioners Tuesday approved the purchase of a 2012 John Deere 770G and a 2013 Caterpillar 12 M2.

In December, the commissioners opened bids for the purchase of a new maintainer. Bids ranged from a low of $135,900 for a 2010 John Deere 770G with 4,753 hours to a high of $245,000 for a 2018 Caterpillar 12 M2. The proposals include the trade-in of a 1991 Caterpillar for $46,800 against the 2012 John Deere 770G, and a 1990 Caterpillar with a trade value of $59,200 against the 2013 Caterpillar 12 M2.

The 2018 Caterpillar models come with full warranties and $10,000 in parts and service credit. The 2018 John Deeres come with a five-year, 5,000 hour warranty.

Commissioner Philip Sanders said he recognizes the county needs new equipment, and that in his election he promised new equipment, but the county is under budget constraints.

“I just don’t think we can afford a new one,” Sanders said.

He admitted the county is “behind the eight-ball,” and needs to upgrade equipment.

“I’m looking at it from the budget standpoint,” he said.

Highway Superintendent Doug Hart and the commissioners agreed some of the earlier John Deere models offered are getting too old. Offerings included two 2010 John Deere 770Gs with an after-trade price of $86,100 to $91,000.

The 2012 John Deer 770G is being purchased from Murphy Equipment, and the 2013 Caterpillar 12 M2 will be purchased from Nebraska Machinery.

In addition to the purchase of two motor graders, the commissioners discussed acquiring a sloper for the highway department. Sanders asked Hart if the existing sloper can be modified for the new machines by the highway department personnel, possibly even to hire a welder to adapt one to the machines purchased. Hart was also encouraged to research local availability of the part.