Baker County approves $574,600 purchase of track-mounted jaw crusher
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Summary
The Baker County Board of Commissioners approved buying a used track-mounted jaw crusher from Goodfellow Corporation for $574,600, after staff presented a cost analysis showing production would be far cheaper than buying crushed rock for an upcoming road project.
The Baker County Board of Commissioners voted to buy a track-mounted jaw crusher from Goodfellow Corporation for $574,600 and authorized a five-day protest period and out-of-session signature to complete the purchase.
County public-works staff presented a cost analysis comparing in-house rock crushing with purchasing crushed base. The presentation said the purchased machine would be capable of up to 400 tons per hour at factory rating and staff used a conservative 325 tons-per-hour operating estimate. Staff estimated that producing crushed base in Baker County pits would cost about $0.56 per ton, versus vendor prices in the transcript of $14.82–$15.35 per ton from outside suppliers. For the Clarks Creek project, estimated at 28,000 tons, staff estimated the cost at roughly $616,000–$601,000 if purchased and hauled from outside suppliers, $202,000 if produced in Butler Pit, and $48,440 if crushed on-site within five miles of the project.
After discussing machine hours, expected wear parts, fuel use (8–10 gallons per hour) and the tradeoffs of buying a newer machine with fewer hours, a commissioner moved to approve the Goodfellow bid and a second was recorded. The motion passed on voice vote. Commissioners also voted to allow a five-day protest period and to permit "Shane" to sign related documents out of session if no protest is filed.
The presenter told commissioners the Goodfellow unit included a new set of jaws and factory work to address a prior recall on a subframe; the machine’s core components were described as refurbished and the drivetrain and power-plant hours were listed separately in staff notes. Commissioners asked about transport and whether county crews could haul the machine; staff said contractors with lowboys were available locally if needed.
Staff emphasized the long-term equipment-life tradeoff and that a well-maintained machine can provide service for many hours. Commissioners noted the county’s capital budget had already accounted for the purchase and that the purchase would come from carryover cash.
The board approved the purchase and the authorization for post-bid signature and the motion carried by voice vote.
