The Knox Board of Works considered quotes for a tractor for the Street Department when members met last week.
Street Superintendent Jeff Borg explained that they currently have a two-wheel drive tractor that they’re planning to trade-in for a four-wheel drive.
Borg said it was originally purchased for roadside mowing and it has a front end loader.
He mentioned they have since purchased a snow pusher and the current tractor doesn’t seem to handle that attachment well, noting that it caused some damage to the streets when it was used in the past.
He said the John Deere tractor they have now was purchased in 2005 for $34,000 and the current trade-in value for it is over $20,000.
He provided members with quotes from John Deere stores in three different locations.
The Knox location offered a trade-in of $22,000 and a cost of $41,650 for the tractor. The Plymouth location had the same trade-in price but included a quote of $42,700 while Winamac had a trade-in value that was $350 less and a quote of $43,000.
Board of Works members provided unanimous approval to go with the lowest quote from the John Deere store in Knox. Borg commented on the trade-in value, stating that getting $12,000 for 14 years of use is a pretty good deal.
