Russell City Council Approves Purchase of Used Motor Grader

Jul 19, 2023

The Russell City Council met Tuesday and approved the purchase of a 2015 John Deere 670G Motor Grader and the trade in of a 1980 CAT 120G Motor Grader in the amount of $127,500.

The City Council's establishment of the Equipment Reserve Fund serves the purpose of equipment replacement such as a heavy equipment motor grader according to City staff.

City staff uses a motor grader for the maintenance of gravel streets, alleys and asphalt repairs in roadways. It is also used in snow removal of streets.

Staff recommended replacement of the current 1980 CAT Motor Grader with a used one instead of purchasing or leasing a new machine.

A local township traded in a 2015 John Deere 670G Motor Grader with 4,348 hours into Murphy Tractor and Equipment of Great Bend in June. This motor grader was on a maintenance agreement out of Great Bend and had a single owner and operator.

This motor grader was delivered to City staff for a short trial basis on June 26. Staff were able to look it over and try it out. The machine functioned well and met the City's needs according to Russell Public Works Director Rich Krause.

To lower the quoted purchase price of $149,500, the vendor was asked to give a quote on the City's current 1980 motor grader and that came in at $22,000.

Also Tuesday, the Council approved the 2022 financial audit and discussed the status of water sources.