Thorsby is ready to sell its old backhoe (left), which was purchased in 1995. A new one was leased earlier this year.

With a new backhoe recently put to work, the town of Thorsby is trying to sell its old backhoe.

The backhoe is one of the most important pieces of the town’s capital. The Public Works Department uses the machine, which is a tractor-like vehicle for excavating with a hydraulic digging bucket, during water and sewer work.

The town council approved the lease of a Caterpillar 420F at its Jan. 22 meeting. The town is paying $1,581.60 a month for five years, at which point the town could purchase the backhoe for $1.

The listed price of the machine was about $89,000.

Public Works Director Terry Jackson said the town needed a bigger backhoe and one that featured four-wheel drive capability.

Thorsby’s council decided to sell the old backhoe for a minimum of $10,000 at its Feb. 4 meeting. Jackson reported to the council that backhoes similar to the town’s New Holland 555D were going for $9,000–$12,000.

Jackson estimated the machine, which was purchased in 1995 for about $50,000, has seen about 5,000 hours worth of use.

“I’ve had mechanics come in and look at it, and they couldn’t believe it was in as good of shape as it was,” he said.

Anyone interested in the machine must submit a sealed bid to Town Clerk Crystal Smith by 4 p.m. on March 1. Town Hall is located at 21060 Highway 31 in Thorsby. For more information about the backhoe, call Jackson via town hall, 646-3575.