Paradise approves costly loader repairs

By Mark Squibb / June 29, 2023

Paradise council last week approved extensive repairs to two of the town’s front-end loaders.

Councillor Patrick Martin explained that both loaders were recently brought to the dealership for a full assessment before the winter season. On the first loader, both drive shifts and steering pins needed to be replaced, in addition to some electrical work that needed to be done. For the second, the main centre pins and steering pins, parking brake, and various tubes and injectors needed to be replaced, and a leak repaired.

Martin said the repairs were extensive and will require numerous labour hours, and the Town is not equipped to tackle the repairs inhouse. He added the Town has two new front-end loaders on order that should be delivered by October.

Repairs to the first loader will cost some $17,239, HST included, while repairs to the second loader will cost $24,300, HST included.

“This is actually maintenance spread over two years,” added Martin. “The estimated cost of a new front-end loader is about $400,000, and like I said, in October we’re expecting two new additional loaders to add to our fleet. So, these are (repairs) essentially before we start the winter season.”

Mayor Dan Bobbett said that while not insignificant, the price of the repairs is minor compared to the price of buying a new loader.

Councillor Larry Vaters asked how much has been budgeted for vehicle repairs, and how much will be remaining in that budget once these repair costs have been taken into account.

Martin said the maintenance budget is $787,000, and that so far the department has chewed through about 65 percent of that budget, which he said is normal for this time of year.