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Jefferson County weighs new loader purchases and favors Craig dealer over Hinky
Summary
Commissioners and public‑works staff reviewed competing quotes for two replacement loaders and snow‑plow attachments, favoring Craig for reliability and loaner/warranty terms; final award was deferred until a returning commissioner and staff can confirm apples‑to‑apples pricing and warranty hours.
Jefferson County commissioners spent a large portion of their Oct. 7 meeting examining bids for two replacement loaders and compatible snow‑plow attachments, with staff urging caution and an extra week to confirm pricing, warranty terms and trade‑in options.
Public‑works staff presented quotes from multiple dealers and recommended the Craig dealer for plow attachments, citing repeated problems with a competitor, Hinky. “They've been a a wreck for the last several years. It's just absolute joke to deal with,” said an operations supervisor (Unidentified Commissioner, S3), describing long delivery delays and unexpected charges on prior orders. Staff noted Craig’s machines are produced in several U.S. facilities (mostly Michigan) and that dealer representatives have measured county machines to match existing adapters so attachments will fit the county’s fleet.
Key technical differences centered on compatibility and warranty. Staff said the adapters in current machines (JRB standard) allow plows to be used across Cat, Case and John Deere loaders; payload‑scale systems and automatic lubrication were highlighted as useful options. Commissioners pressed for “apples‑to‑apples” comparisons: one commissioner (Unidentified Speaker S1) pointed out that warranty hour limits differ between dealers (one quote showed 5 years/5,000 hours, another 5 years/3,000 hours) and that the county should weigh the higher upfront price of extended‑hour warranties against anticipated annual use (staff estimated roughly 800 hours per year per loader).
Delivery timing and spare equipment also factored into the discussion. Staff said the Craig dealer estimated six to eight weeks for attachments, with an optimistic mid‑December in‑county delivery window if orders move forward quickly. Dealers reported loaner programs that could provide temporary machines during breakdowns; staff described past instances where loaner support kept snow‑plowing operations going during heavy winter conditions.
Commissioners agreed to delay a final award until Commissioner Roger (absent) could participate and directed staff to return with clarified quotes that standardize warranty terms, accessories (auto‑lube, payload scales), and trade‑in values. If ordered promptly, staff said, the county could receive equipment in time for the winter season.
