Dougster

I am talking about disposal of used state or municipal-owned construction equipment. Turns out that contrary to my long-held belief, most government entities are apparently still buying their equipment and not leasing as I had thought.

But finding out how they dispose of retired equipment is quite the mystery. I suppose some trade their equipment in on new equipment while others auction it or somehow sell it outright. In particular, I've been trying to find out how the City of Boston (and other New England municipalities) disposes of its retired backhoes, but no one seems to know. It appears it might be the best kept secret in all of government! Even the insiders don't seem to know... or know and won't tell me.

Anyone have any clues or advice they can give me in this regard? Someone must know something!

Dougster

Edster

Not too sure how they do it in Beantown Doug, but I will ask around. I know up home they State has an auction about once a month. Could be anything from plow trucks to welding machines. I do know that you might want to stay away from small town equipment auctions though. Up home allot of the smaller towns will purchase their equipment sometimes from the State. So buy the time you get it it has been used and abused so much it's not worth looking at.
Boston might used sealed bid auctions. There might be a bidder list, and only those people are notified when equipment is being disposed of. Like I said though I'll talk to some dirt-work guys down town.

Ed

Dougster

Thanks Ed! Anything you can find out (about Boston in particular) would be most appreciated. I know they use JCB hoes and that the contract for new machines is put out fairly routinely. I have it on pretty good authority that Boston's backhoes are disposed of in relatively good shape after 5-7 years of use and without excessive operating hours either. This would make them prime candidates for the biz... if only I can find out when, how and where they dispose of them. I am getting the sense that the disposal process (whatever it is) is kind of an inside job if you know what I mean.

Dougster

JDFANATIC

Edster,

Welcome to the forum! I would think with FOI issues/implications you should be able to find this out pretty easily . . . of course, government often doesn't work that way.

Cheers

JDFANATIC

JD2210, 62C MMM, 210 FEL w/53" Bucket, Heated Cab, 46" Single-Stage Snowthrower, PTO Spreader, Folding ROPS, FEMCO Sprayer, JD Plug Aerator and assorted other attachments.

Dougster

I would have hoped that it wouldn't have to go that far... but this is the City of Boston after all... in the People's Republic of Taxachusetts no less!!! No business is done with the City unless you are "connected"... somehow, someway. The fastest way to get the information would probably be to make a political contribution (cash please, if possible) to Mayor Thomas "Mumbles" Menino.

Funny thing is that I thought I had identified a good inside man... but even he can't seem to bring himself to reveal the disposal process. He said something about how he could tell me... but that then he'd have to kill me.

Dougster

Edster

Doug,
I'll bet Whitey knows how to do it.

Dougster

Oh, Whitey and Billy Bulger know for sure! Heck, they probably used City of Boston backhoes to bury half their victims.

But neither one is talking and neither are their leftover cronies.

Dougster

PaulChristenson

Most of the stuff auctioned off by the Communities and State of Vermont are pretty well junked by the time they go to auction, because they place excess equipment on an available surplus list for the next-tier community before it goes to public auction...similar to the way the DOD operated...

Paul in VT

I used to own an ant farm but had to give it up. I couldn't find tractors small enough to fit it.
-- Steven Wright

Dougster

Makes sense... and something like that may be what's happening here. These machines can't just be disappearing... but they never seem to show up in auctions or on dealer lots as used equipment or anywhere else.

And yes, I imagine that most government-owned equipment is pretty well shot by the time the public gets a crack at it. But I was assured by someone who is in a position to know that the City of Boston machines get retired long before they are junk. Don't ask me why or who said it... but that's what I was told.

Dougster

PaulChristenson

Oh...that must be the stuff the MOB gets and ships overseas...

Paul in VT

I used to own an ant farm but had to give it up. I couldn't find tractors small enough to fit it.
-- Steven Wright