HomeMy WebLinkAboutHandout - Leaf MachinesCOMMUNITY SERVICES
DEPARTMENT
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: July 17, 2018
TO: Ed Prince, Council President
Members of Renton City Council
CC: Denis Law, Mayor
Robert Harrison, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Kelly Beymer, Community Services Administrator
STAFF CONTACT: Steve Brown, Parks and Trails Manager
SUBJECT: Purchase Improved Leaf Machines for Parks Staff
During the June 11, 2018 Council meeting it was recommended to Community Services to add
funding to purchase better leaf removal equipment for Parks employees.
As recently as 2015 the Parks team did a thorough review of leaf removal equipment available
in the maintenance industry. We were budgeted for a replacement for one of our older
sweepers and wanted to make sure we researched all available options. Through that process
we discovered that for all the advances in various turf maintenance equipment the leaf
equipment has not changed that much. We currently use a sweeper manufactured by Smithco
for picking up leaves in turf areas of our parks. The Smithco Sweeper performs well, is easily
transported between park sites, and is light enough to maneuver through our parks in wet
conditions without creating damage to the turf.
For removal of leaves on hard surfaces, our typical practice involves the use of a truck with a
hitch mounted vacuum that can pick up leaves and then discharge them into the back of the
truck. As with the Smithco Sweeper, we rely on this machines' portability and lighter weight to
reduce the possibility of damage to park assets.
In recent years we have purchased two Toro Pro Force Blowers to assist with the collection of
leaves. The Pro Force Blower is used in conjunction with one of our Gators and has significantly
reduced the amount of time and labor required to gather up the leaves.
It is anticipated that the 2019 — 2020 budget will include the replacement of an older model
Smithco Sweeper, (budget of course being subject to approvals), When researching options of
the latest equipment on the state bid to develop the budget request, and before submitting an
order in the next budget cycle, we will seek the most cost effective equipment on the market,
that meets the City's maintenance and field needs, and is also user friendly.
h:\02 deputy city clerk\agenda\agenda 2018\06 - june\june 11\additioanl info - leaf machines.docx