It is important that municipalities do their research to determine the best municipal equipment available to them. Municipalities face a number of unique challenges daily, and many of these challenges are ever-changing based on various conditions. Some years, our winters are harsher than others, and municipalities work overtime to clear snow and ice so that we can get back to business as usual as quickly as possible. Most recently, municipalities have experienced an unseasonably wet July, which can lead to other problems, such as damaged asphalt and concrete or an inability to mow saturated areas.

When it comes time to make these repairs while also managing regularly scheduled tasks, municipalities across North America need equipment that will last and allow them to get the job done as efficiently as possible. 

Common Challenges Faced by Municipalities

Budget Constraints

All municipalities and townships face their fair share of challenges. Budget constraints, for example, often dictate when and how certain needs may or may not be tackled. When funds are limited, municipalities are forced to prioritize certain tasks and seek the most effective solutions. This means that not all maintenance activities can be performed as frequently as needed, leading to deferred maintenance and potentially higher costs in the long run. Therefore, finding cost-effective and multi-functional equipment is essential to stretch limited budgets.

Above: Flooding can damage asphalt surfaces.

Weather Impacts

As stated, seasonal and weather-related impacts also play a big role in how municipalities tackle their tasks. Harsh or unexpected weather conditions can exacerbate wear and tear on various infrastructures. For example, heavy snowfall can damage roads and sidewalks, requiring prompt and effective snow removal to ensure safety and accessibility. Similarly, extreme heat can cause asphalt to crack and degrade, necessitating regular repairs. Equipment must be robust and adaptable to handle these varying conditions year-round.

Aging Infrastructure

Along with weather-related wear and tear, infrastructure ages with time and must be repaired to maintain safe and accessible conditions for community members. The older the infrastructure, the more frequently maintenance must be performed. Older roads, bridges, and public buildings often require more intensive and frequent maintenance efforts to ensure they remain safe and functional. This can place a significant burden on municipal resources, highlighting the need for efficient and durable maintenance solutions.

Community Safety

Safety is a priority for municipalities. Maintaining high standards for safety, accessibility, and cleanliness is crucial for community well-being. Performing maintenance as simple as mowing the lawn in a park regularly can increase community safety and accessibility, creating a more positive community impact and maintaining aesthetics. Well-maintained parks, roads, and public spaces not only enhance the quality of life for residents but also prevent accidents and injuries, reducing liability for the municipality.

Operational Efficiency

Finally, parks departments and municipalities are constantly considering how they can maximize their operational efficiencies. Many municipalities face limited staff and resources. Approaching tasks while prioritizing efficiency is the best way to tackle these challenges. This means utilizing equipment that can perform multiple functions, thereby reducing the need for a large fleet of specialized machines and the associated maintenance costs. Additionally, efficient equipment allows for quicker completion of tasks, freeing up staff to address other pressing needs.

By understanding and addressing these common challenges, municipalities can better plan and execute their maintenance strategies, ensuring that public spaces and infrastructure are kept in optimal condition. This not only enhances the quality of life for residents, but also ensures that the municipality operates within its budget and resource constraints.

What to Look for in Municipal Equipment

Not every piece of municipal equipment is created equal. When browsing options, keep the above challenges in mind. The goal is to spend funding dollars wisely and end up with equipment that can benefit your municipality for years to come.

Versatility is a must-have characteristic. Any piece of equipment purchased by a municipality should perform multiple tasks throughout the year to maximize utility and cost-effectiveness.

Durability is also at the top of the municipal equipment checklist. If a piece of equipment can’t withstand daily use, it’s likely not a good investment. Look for equipment that easily withstands a variety of harsh environmental conditions (wind, rain, heat, snow) and heavy use.

As mentioned above, municipalities need to prioritize efficiency. Search for high-performance equipment to complete tasks faster and more effectively while maintaining operator safety. Over time, the machine will help your municipality save both time and labor costs.

A piece of municipal equipment is not a worthwhile purchase if it is not easy to use. Municipalities should look for equipment that is user-friendly and prioritizes ease of use, which will ultimately reduce training time and operational errors.

Finally, municipalities need a machine that is easy to maintain and has good after-sale support. Reliable support from a manufacturer or dealer can greatly minimize downtime and enhance a piece of equipment’s effectiveness.

How Trackless Vehicles Fulfills These Needs

Trackless Vehicles has developed the Trackless MT7 and its various attachments specifically to meet the diverse and demanding needs of municipalities.

Above: The Trackless MT7.

Here’s how the Trackless MT7 addresses key priorities for municipalities:

Versatility

The MT7 is designed to handle a wide range of tasks, from snow removal and street sweeping to grass cutting and sidewalk maintenance. Its attachments can be changed in minutes on the go, allowing quick transitions between tasks, making it an all-in-one solution for year-round municipal maintenance. Trackless offers over 30 different attachments:

This versatility enables municipalities to use a single machine for multiple applications, reducing the need for a large fleet of specialized equipment.

Durability

The Trackless MT7 relies on heavy-duty steel construction to withstand whatever challenges are thrown its way, ensuring durability and longevity. The MT7’s robust design ensures long-term reliability and minimizes downtime. Weighing in at 6,900 pounds with a 12,000-pound capacity per axle, this machine was built to be put to work 365 days a year. 

The Trackless MT7 was designed to withstand various challenging environments, ensuring that it can perform consistently and effectively in real-world conditions. That’s why municipalities, airports, military bases, university campuses and beyond trust the Trackless MT7 to get stuff done.

Efficiency

The MT7 is a high-performance machine. Its John Deere model 4045 stage V engine and advanced hydraulics provide the performance needed to complete tasks quickly and efficiently. This high level of efficiency helps municipalities maximize their productivity and reduce labour costs.

Ease of Use

The MT7 features an ergonomic design with intuitive controls, making it easy for operators to use. Cab controls, sound level, visibility, overall comfort and ease of operation contribute to higher productivity and a happy, comfortable operator. The joystick’s intuitive design is easy for new operators to use; it is extremely smooth and programs itself automatically to the attachment fitted to the MT. Overall ease of use reduces training time and helps prevent operational errors, ensuring that tasks are completed accurately and safely. 

Above: The user-friendly interior of the Trackless MT7 cab.

Serviceability

Trackless designed the MT7 with ease of serviceability and repair in mind. The MT7 features quick-release steel panels and a lift-assisted steel hood for easy maintenance access, including hinged side doors for daily checks and a removable side cab panel. Operators can remove or open all components without tools.

Authorized Trackless Vehicles dealers collaborate with the Trackless service team to quickly resolve equipment issues. Trackless also provides a free, in-depth service school for technicians, allowing municipalities to continually enhance their staff’s expertise.

Trackless ensures fast and reliable parts service, shipping orders received by 1:30 pm on the same day. For engine parts, John Deere’s network of over 4,800 locations worldwide (2,950 in North America) offers next-day delivery for online orders through its website.

Trackless Vehicles has launched Municipal Tractor University, a free online service platform for Trackless MT owners, operators, and service providers. The MTU platform features manuals, parts catalogs, how-to videos, tractor and attachment tutorials, and more. This online platform is available 24/7, enhancing the machine’s serviceability and ease of use.

Trackless was Built to be the Solution

To tackle their daily challenges most effectively, municipalities need equipment that is versatile, durable, efficient, easy to use, and easy to maintain. Trackless Vehicles provides top-of-the-line solutions that meet these needs, ensuring that municipalities can maintain their infrastructure and public spaces with ease and efficiency. By choosing Trackless Vehicles, municipalities can enhance their operations, save costs, and better serve their communities.

If you’re looking to add a Trackless MT to your municipality’s fleet, contact your local dealer or reach out to the Trackless Vehicles sales team.

If you already own a Trackless Vehicles product, share your four-season success stories with the Trackless community online – inspire other municipalities and show them the true potential of their MTs! Click here to subscribe to our YouTube channel and ensure you don’t miss out on any new Trackless content! And don’t forget: Trackless is social! You can find us on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and LinkedIn.