Cookeville To Explore Other Ways To Haul Heavy Equipment

Cookeville will have to decide on a third party to help haul its heavy equipment.

Public Works Director Blake Mayo said public works employees trying to get their Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) were told they needed a truck approved by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. He said the city’s current surplus military truck was deemed not road worthy.

“The bumper was too tall and also the bushings and bearings on the back of the truck were in poor condition,” Mayo said. “So they told us to get it off of the road. So we have nothing to haul heavy equipment with at this time.”

Mayo said that heavy equipment includes things like track hoes and dozers. Mayo said after meeting with the city’s Safety Coordinator Michelle Young and getting the necessary insurance and legal requirements, they reached out to local construction groups to create a contract for aid. Mayo said both would use a rate of $150 per hour to haul the equipment.

Mayo said the current truck they have can be used in other ways. He said it is capable of moving around the mulch site and is useful there.

“In fact, we almost need it at the mulch site,” Mayo said. “It’s a six by six and then moving amongst all that mulch and then get everything around that property, it’s helpful.”

Cookeville City Council will consider taking the contracts and insurance agreements at its Thursday night meeting.