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Troublesome truck returned for better model
Published Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Anne Martens
Last year’s purchase of a side-loading garbarge truck turned out to be more trouble than it was worth for Fergus Falls staff.
This spring, the city is looking to find a similar vehicle but with better results.
With Monday’s approval from the city council, Fergus Falls staff will advertise for bids of an automated side-load refuse truck, the same style of vehicle purchased by the city last June.
After the $200,000 purchase from McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing of Dodge Center, city staff found the truck did not have the correct grabber for handling 65- and 95-gallon containers.
The truck was also incompatible with the 300-gallon light-weight plastic tubs the city purchased for $87,000.
Despite attempts by McNeilus to fix the truck, the vehicle was eventually returned at no cost to the city, leaving the plastic tubs sitting in the city garage.
This time around, city staff say they’ll need to see trucks in action before a purchase is made.
“They’ll need to demonstrate that they’ll work with our cans,” said Public Works Director Anne Martens, adding the city has done additional research into truck models and features since last year.
The benefit of combining the side-loading truck and the plastic bins comes down to efficiency, said Steve Hames, the city’s operations manager.
Automated collection of commercial garbage requires one worker instead of two.
Once the truck arrives, the plastic bins will replace current steel commerical dumpsters, though that might take awhile.
“They’re saying if we were to order it today we’d have it by September or October,” Hames said Monday.
The truck would be paid for out of the equipment replacement fund at a cost of $225,000 to $250,000, Hames said. A trade-in of a rear loading truck is valued at $20,000 to $30,000.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by rodentboy (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
who was accountable for the purchase of the 300 gal. contianers? i think that most people who spend $87,000 would make sure that it would work before placeing a order.
Posted by bobcab (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"This time around, city staff say they’ll need to see trucks in action before a purchase is made". really? do you think that might be a good idea before spending almost 300 thousand dollars. and while im ranting why spend 300k to replace one 25k a year salary? oh i see its not there money, makes all the difference..
Posted by The_Nick (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 7:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey bobcab, "oh i see its not there money". Who's money is it, the taxpayers? I would imagine that the city officials pay the same city taxes as you do, that is if you even live in the city. Also, if those people are only getting paid 25k a year to pick up your stinking, rotting garbage they seriously need a raise.
Posted by tomsmom (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
25K a year to pick up garbage? That's asinine! There are people whose working conditions are a whole lot worse that don't make that kind of money.
Posted by FFguy (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
25k to pick up garbage? Are you kidding me. Jeez...thats $12 an hour. They should be doing it for much less than that. In fact, I know alot of guys that would do it for free! Some might even pay for the wonderful experience.
Posted by luvmyboys (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go City of FF! Buy something before you even know if it works or not. Doesn't come as a surprise. I love the "this time around..." statement. I'm surprise the City let this article get printed with that in there. Talk about admitting you made a moronic move.
Posted by bobcab (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
so no one did the math on how many years they could employ the poor sap they are eliminating by buying this truck? If the guy made 25k a year thats 12 years. who thinks that truck will be in operation 12 years from now, probably not or if it is not for much longer. why hasn't the person who made these great decisions lost his job. If i lost 87 grand, i'm not planing on keeping my job after that. he must know the right people.
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