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Road & Bridge staff recommend Lloyd's triple‑axle trailer after warranty issues with recent Trail King unit; Kennedy Pit crushing to increase
Summary
Road & Bridge staff described warranty and durability problems with a recent Trail King trailer and recommended purchase of a triple‑axle trailer for $59,773 from a Rapid City dealer; commissioners approved the purchase and also authorized adding 40,000 cubic yards to the Kennedy Pit crushing contract.
Road & Bridge Superintendent Carl Knapp briefed the commission on two related operational items: replacement of an aging trailer and increased gravel production at the Kennedy Pit.
Knapp said the 2015 trailer in service has roughly 400,000 miles and is showing wear. He described problems with a recently acquired Trail King trailer — cracks in gates and main frame attributed to a manufacturer design change that lightened the trailer’s steel. Trail King’s warranty remedy was to weld reinforcement plates over cracks; staff said that fix could permit subsequent cracking adjacent to welds and expressed concern about durability.
Knapp compared three quotes and noted shipping costs. A trailer available in Rapid City required no additional freight and was priced at $59,773; alternative delivery locations would add roughly $1,000–$1,800 in freight. Knapp recommended buying the triple‑axle unit from the Rapid City dealer (Lloyd’s/Floyd’s) because it is a heavier build and lower total cost once freight is accounted for. Commissioners approved the purchase by voice vote; staff said the purchase falls within the department’s $65,000 budget allocation.
On gravel production, Knapp reported the crusher at Kennedy Pit had produced about 10,000 of an originally scheduled 60,000 cubic yards. Because the crusher is already mobilized and the material tests well, staff proposed extending the contract to 100,000 cubic yards (an additional 40,000) at the same per‑yard price. The board approved the extension by voice vote. Staff discussed the tons‑to‑cubic‑yards conversion used on contracts (0.77 multiplier) and said they will prepare the contract amendment for signature.
Knapp also described quality-testing practices (sieve analysis, LA abrasion/degradation testing) and noted pits exhibit different densities and rock hardness; he recommended testing and sample sieves to ensure product conforms to job specifications. The board directed staff to prepare the purchase order and the crushing contract amendment.
