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Item No: 7J Meeting Date: May 13, 2013 Type of Business: Council Business Administrator Review: ____ City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Steve Dazenski, Parks Supervisor & Don Peterson, Public Works Supervisor Item Title/Subject: Resolution 8103, Approving the Purchase of a 72-inch Deck Mower for the Public Works Department Background: The Public Works Department mows over 150 acres of parks, trials, and right-of-ways. In 2006, the City purchased a Jacobson Turfcat T628D. The primary function of this mower is to perform what is called “trim mowing” in the City parks and grounds of City owned property. Trim mowing allows the operator to get into areas that the large 16-foot mower is not able to maneuver within. Discussion: The Turfcat T628D mower is a hydrostatic 4 wheel drive mower. The hydrostatic transmission has internal parts that to make the mower operate in forward and reverse. During warm up procedures, the mower is started in a neutral position. In 2012, as the operators started the warm up procedure, they noticed that the mower started to “creep” forward. The City mechanic adjusted the mower per the manufacturer recommendations and this seemed to decrease the creeping motion. At start up and service this year, the creeping of the mower had become worse. The City mechanic again tried to adjust the transmission but was not able to. A short term fix was to place the mower against a stationary object in order to keep the mower from moving but this is not practical in the field nor is it safe. Recently, the mower was sent to the vendor to get an estimate to repair this worsening creeping condition. The cost is estimated to be $2,500-$3,000 to replace the hydrostatic transmission. While the mower is six years, the mower has 1400 hours on it; this equates to 84,000 miles on a car. Public Works has recommended a replacement cycle of 6 to 7 years for this mower. However, this cycle was modified to 10 years a couple years ago as shown on the 5-year financial plan. With the repair costs and the age of the mower the City is at a breakeven point. The trade-in would be worth more than what the repairs would cost. The mower is budgeted for replacement in 2017 and based on the trade-in value today the City would receive $2,000. Staff contacted the vendor, Turf Werks from Eagan MN, and received a quote off the cooperative state bid from for a new Jacobson Turfcat 628D-4WD for $20,356.78 not including sales tax. Turf Werks will give the City a trade-in value of $6,000. The cost for the new Jacobson would be $14,356.78 plus sales tax of $987.03 for a total of $15,343.81. Recommendation: Staff recommends approving the purchase of a new Jacobsen Turfcat 628D-4Wd with a 72” Rear Discharge Deck to replace the 2007 model for a total of $15,343. Monies to fund the purchase will be from the Vehicle and Equipment Replacement Fund (460-4360-7030). To accommodate this purchase, the $90,000 budgeted for the Aebi will be delayed until next year. Respectfully submitted, Steve Dazenski – Parks Supervisor & Don Peterson – Public Works Supervisor