2022 06 21 City Council

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PUBLIC WORKS

TO: C. Seth Sumner, City Manager
Mike Keith, Finance Director

FROM: Ben Burchfield, Public Works Director
DATE: May 19, 2022
SUBJECT: Significant Hydraulic Repairs to 4359 Cat Mini Excavator

Public Works had a catastrophic hydraulic pump failure on our 2016 Caterpillar mini excavator in
March 2022. The time required for such an extensive diagnostic process, necessitated sending
the equipment it to Stowers for assessment. We were initially hopeful the failure was limited in
damage to the rest of the unit, and expected a cost around $20-30k to replace the pump
assembly, flush, inspect lines, connections, etc. As Stowers assessed the unit they discerned that
debris from the internal pump failure was distributed throughout the hydraulic system resulting
in an extensive process of replacing virtually every component in the system in order to prevent
future damage to the unit from residual debris lodged in the system.

All told, the bill was significant. It totaled $51,505.43 for parts and labor, far exceeding the
budgeted equipment R&M line item for street construction, which will necessitate a budget
amendment. Unfortunately, repair of the unit was the only proper recourse to get a functional
unit back in service, as anew replacement unit would be backordered as well as being even more
costly — a comparable unit would cost approximately $140,000 today. There is a warranty on the
new hydraulic system since repairs were completed by Stowers. It is the Departments intent to
keep this unit in service beyond its original anticipated 10-year useful life in consideration of the
costly repairs.

If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact me to discuss.

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