The Clarksdale Board of Mayor and Commissioners is putting the knuckleboom on rubbish.
The city purchased two new knuckleboom trucks that began picking up rubbish around town just before the Christmas holidays.
“This purchase will give us five trucks with each ward getting a truck designated to work their streets,” said Mayor Chuck Espy. “We have been having trouble with the trucks we had. Maintenance costs had climbed and it was time to do this.”
Jay Callaway, of Truckworx, of Richland, said the two 2020 T370 Kenworths should easily last 10-years with proper maintenance and staying within the capacity of the boom.
“The boom has a 3,200-pound lift capacity and a 20-foot reach,” said Callaway. “These trucks also have a 24-cubit-yard bed. The truck can be driven and operated by one person and that cuts down on labor costs.”
The city purchased the two new diesel trucks with booms for $147,000 each.
Joe Moss, who delivered the truck to Clarkdale on Monday, said Truckworx’s first sale of a knuckleboom to a Mississippi municipality was Clarkdale in 1998.
“We have a history with Clarksdale and they know we sell a good product and are ready to help if they have problems,” said Moss. “We’ve got trucks that we sold 15 years ago that are still in service. It all depends on how they are used and maintained.”
Ward 1 Commissioner Bo Plunk said the truck will improve the city’s appearance and provide neighborhoods with a needed service.
“One of the top complaints I get is people put something at the curb and it stays there too long,” said Plunk. “They don’t want to hear we’ve had mechanical problems and the truck is broke, they just want their stuff picked up.”
The knucklebooms will run regular routes and taxpayers can always call the city with a special request. Residents are reminded that rubbish is not garbage and rubbish should not be placed in the street for pickup.
Espy said the five trucks will put a truck in each ward and one in reserve should something break.
“This should make pickup faster and easier,” said Espy. “This is all part of making Clarksdale a cleaner, prettier and better place to live and do business.”
