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Public works asks board to approve early $300,000 MowerMax purchase to replace aging tractor setup
Summary
Public works staff told commissioners the county should buy a MowerMax mowing system now instead of waiting two years, citing repeated maintenance and boom failures on a converted John Deere; staff asked to use reserves to cover an estimated $290,000 price and requested $300,000 to cover shipping and taxes.
COWLITZ COUNTY — County public-works staff asked the board to approve an early replacement of an aging tractor-mounted mowing system with a MowerMax attachment, presenting maintenance history and budget implications.
Public Services staff said the existing John Deere tractors and long-reach boom heads have required frequent repairs and replacements and that recent repair estimates make buying a new MowerMax more economical than continuing to repair converted equipment. Staff described the MowerMax as “built for that” work and noted other jurisdictions' adoption of the system.
Staff requested $300,000 from reserves to cover the new units (staff quoted a $290,000 base price including shipping and taxes and asked for a $10,000 contingency). County staff said the mower pool reserves total about $400,000, and the request would be an early withdrawal from that reserve rather than a budgeted replacement this year.
Why it matters: Purchasing the MowerMax would aim to reduce ongoing maintenance costs and equipment downtime for right-of-way and roadside vegetation management. Staff also suggested surplusing older tractors to provide reduced-cost equipment to the fairgrounds and other county partners.
Board members generally signaled openness to the approach but did not vote at the meeting; staff said they would provide additional cost details and the board would consider the request in a future budget or consent item.
