Winnipeg, MB – Seventeen newly-refurbished sand spreader trucks have saved Winnipeg taxpayers $1.9 million through Public Works and Winnipeg Fleet Management Agency's innovative approach to truck replacement.
The truck refurbishment included recycling and reconditioning nine-year-old aluminum and stainless steel sand spreader truck bodies and front snow plow attachments. The original aluminum and stainless steel bodies were purchased between 2004 and 2005, and instead of purchasing new truck bodies, the original bodies were reconditioned and remounted on new truck chassis which extended the overall lifecycle of the trucks for an additional nine years, resulting in a $1.9 million savings.
“Repurposing equipment is an innovative alternative to heavy equipment acquisition that yields a lot of benefits to the City of Winnipeg and to taxpayers,” said Dennis Konowich, Winnipeg Fleet Management Agency Chief Operating Officer. “Refurbishing the sand spreader trucks has resulted in substantial savings, has allowed us to be more efficient in our operations, and reduces environmental impact.”
The new truck chassis that the bodies were re-mounted onto have the most emission-compliant engines in the market. By using aluminum components on the chassis, the overall weight of the sand spreader trucks was further reduced. Lighter-weight trucks mean increased productivity, efficiency, and a reduction in fuel consumption.
The benefits of remounting the original truck bodies include:
- Reducing our carbon footprint by not purchasing newly manufactured truck bodies.
- Reusing lighter-weight aluminum bodies allows trucks to haul larger loads of sand, which reduces travel time during a sanding operation and extends sand coverage per load.
- Supporting the local economy, since the project was completed by City of Winnipeg staff with materials from Manitoba companies.
This creative approach to truck replacement supports the City’s Green Fleet Plan, Sustainable Procurement Initiative, and the Standing Policy Committee on Innovation. For more information on Winnipeg Fleet Management, please see winnipeg.ca/fleet. To view a video about the refurbished sand spreader trucks visit City of Winnipeg - Snow Clearing and Ice Control.