By Leah Justice

leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

After going back and forth on the purchase of a used backhoe, Tryon Town Council officially approved the purchase during its April 21 meeting.

Tryon at first considered purchasing a 2012 Caterpillar out of Charlotte, but some commissioners said they weren’t impressed with the price and wanted the town to look into other deals and costs to fix its 1996 backhoe. Tryon was considering keeping its 1996 model and selling it to Harmon Field.

But, during the April 21 meeting, Tryon Town Manager Joey Davis said public works director Gary Walker came to him saying he doesn’t think the 1996 model will last much longer.

Walker told council a caterpillar representative looked at the town’s old model and said there are issues with the brakes, which is causing a leak. The town has recently spent approximately $6,000 on other repairs to the older backhoe.

Walker said although he received a quote on fixing the brakes, he was advised not to put into more money into the backhoe.

The Caterpillar dealer in Charlotte offered $16,000 for the town to trade in its 1996 model. Council approved trading in the model and purchasing the 2012 model for $53,500.

The town plans to finance the purchase.