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Isanti County approves trailer and forestry-capable track loader to speed ditch vegetation work
Summary
The county authorized two highway purchases — a Towmaster tilt trailer and a Caterpillar compact track loader with a forestry mulcher head — to improve roadside vegetation management and crew safety. Funding will come from 2025 road-and-bridge budget savings and the purchases follow state contract pricing.
Isanti County commissioners on Oct. 7 approved purchase of a tilt-deck trailer and a compact track loader configured with a forestry mulcher head to support roadside vegetation management.
Justin Ferguson, county highway staff, explained the purchases are intended to improve efficiency and crew safety when clearing saplings and brush from county road rights-of-way, improve sight distances at intersections, and reduce manual labor on steep embankments. Ferguson said several neighboring counties have used similar equipment for years and that the planned combination requires a higher-capacity trailer due to the loader's weight with the forestry head attached.
The approved purchases are a Towmaster tilt trailer procured through the state contract (quote $18,312.72, including motor-vehicle sales tax and freight) and a 2025 Caterpillar 265 compact track loader with a Cat 316 forestry mulcher from Ziegler under the MnDOT state equipment contract (total $132,867.05). Ferguson told the board the units carry manufacturer warranties described in the state contract and that the purchases conform to county purchasing policy.
County finance staff confirmed the purchases would be funded from 2025 road-and-bridge budget savings rather than an increase to the levy; combined cost for both items was cited as roughly $151,000, representing about a 1% impact on the fund balance. Commissioners approved both purchases by motion.
Staff said the loader will not replace the county's chipper for large timber work; the forestry mulcher is intended to reduce regrowth, clear sight lines and improve safety and efficiency for routine roadside maintenance and pre-construction clearing.
