Commissioner Klotz details plan to rehab 2014 dump truck instead of purchasing new

The Marshall County Council heard the “brainchild” of County Commissioner Stan Klotz on Tuesday evening on rehabbing one or two 2014 highway department dump trucks instead of buying new ones. 

Klotz said he was reviewing the county budgets, including the Cum Cap Development Fund, and sought ways to operate more efficiently.  He said the Highway Department has two 2014 dump trucks that are not in bad shape but have lots of miles.  Klotz said they are in the cycle to be replaced but purchasing new is about $240,000 to $250,000 each.

The commissioner told council members he wanted to rebuild the trucks, basically make them new used trucks.  He said the aluminum bed and chassis would be the same.  The first truck does have engine issues, and Klotz said it would be his “test case.”   The plan is to remove the engine and transmission, sandblast and paint the frame, and put a new rebuilt engine in the truck.  He said the transmission was rebuilt a couple of years ago, so once it's out, they will determine if it will be reused or replaced. 

The rebuilding process would include replacing all the hoses under the hood, putting new pins on the driver's door, and a new driver’s seat, along with new floor mats.  An electrical junction box under the floor mat will be repaired or replaced, depending on its condition.  The dump truck’s hoist will be rebuilt and repacked, and they will replace the front end. 

Klotz said the worst-case scenario cost would be $108,000, which includes $50,000 for a new rebuilt Cummins motor. 

Councilman Brandon Schadek is a member of the Highway Subcommittee and said he felt the idea was “worth a shot.” 

Highway Superintendent Jason Peters said with this plan, they will get several more years of life out of the trucks that have a good body.   

Commissioner Klotz said the first rehabilitation project on one of the county’s 2014 dump trucks will be paid out of the highway department’s equipment line in the budget.  He said if they decide to rehab the second truck, the highway department will need financial help getting the rehab completed.   

The County Council did not have to take any action.  Commissioner Klotz and Highway Superintendent Jason Peters just wanted them to know what they were trying to do.