Park County Public Works is looking more long-term with its latest purchase of motor graders.

On Nov. 7, county commissioners unanimously approved the recommendation of County Engineer Brian Edwards to purchase four new Caterpillar graders from T&E for $1.58 million.

That decision is a diversion from recent history where the department has been purchasing John Deere graders from Honnen. While the company’s base prices remain slightly cheaper than T&E, Edwards said the increase in cost per year to run the machines has led to them looking at holding on to them for longer in the five year warranty period instead of the standard two year buyback plan.

“Before Covid, five years ago, we were paying $18,000-$20,000 per year per machine for annual cost … It was a fabulous deal, a no brainer at least until Covid. Since then the gap has narrowed.”

He said now the graders cost $65,000-$70,000 per year to run.

“In five years it’s more than tripled the cost of ownership,” he said.

That has made the prospect of holding onto the machines longer make more financial sense.

“Looking at it on an annual cost basis this is the best value at the time,” Edwards said. “Hopefully we’ll get back to normal pricing someday.”

He said both companies are great to work with.

— By Zac Taylor