LISBON – The Town Council voted unanimously on Thursday to trade in two front-end loaders purchased last year for two brand-new models.

The trade will cost the town a total of $8,272 and will see its John Deere loaders replaced by new Caterpillar loaders with similar specifications. The town purchased both John Deere front-end loaders in June 2011.

Highway Superintendent Timothy G. Dow said he doesn’t expect the new vehicles to be delivered until early next year.

“I’m not interested in buying new equipment every two years,” said council member Alan D. Dailey.

Council Member Susan M. Duffy agreed, but said, “I’m not big on trading every two years, but it is a good deal.”

Town Supervisor James W. Armstrong said the deal will save the town money down the road.

“Any repair [on the old loaders] is basically going to cost $5,000 to 10,000,” Mr. Armstrong said.

Both loaders purchased by the town have actually added value in the last year and a half.

The John Deere 444K was purchased for $105,256 and was recently appraised at $110,000. The John Deere 624K was purchased for $113,600 and appraised at $131,500.

However, Mr. Dow said, the loaders would depreciate substantially even one year down the road. Both loaders currently owned by the town are classified by the federal government as having Tier 3 emission engines. As of January 2012, all loaders purchased by government entities must meet the stricter Tier 4 emission standards, said Mr. Dow. This would drive down their value. He said the new requirement has also raised the price of new loaders by at least $10,000.

The purchase of the new loaders was made through John Eisenhooth with Milton Cat Sales in Syracuse.

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