Manhattan Board Approves Purchase of New Plow Truck Chassis Following Engine Failure

Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees Meeting | January 6, 2026

Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board unanimously approved the purchase of a new 2027 International truck chassis to replace a 2015 model that recently suffered a catastrophic engine failure. By reusing the plow and salt spreading equipment from the broken vehicle, officials aim to save significant funds compared to buying a fully outfitted new truck.

Village of Manhattan Key Points:

• Emergency Replacement: Truck #1912, a 2015 International 7400, became inoperable due to engine issues that would cost up to $75,000 to repair.

• Cost Efficiency: The board approved $109,132.17 for the new chassis; the village will transfer the existing plow and salt spreader to the new unit for an estimated additional $50,000.

• Vendor: The vehicle is being purchased from Rush Truck Centers using a State of Illinois BidBuy Contract.

The Manhattan Village Board on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, voted unanimously to authorize the purchase of a 2027 International HV507 SFA chassis to maintain the Department of Public Works’ snow removal capabilities.

The decision follows the mechanical failure of Truck #1912, a 2015 International 7400 plow truck. According to a memo from Superintendent of Public Works John Tyk, the vehicle recently had to be towed to Rush Truck Center, where diagnostic tests revealed it required a new or rebuilt engine. The estimated cost for repairs ranged between $60,000 and $75,000.

“It’s got a lot of rust on it. Low miles, but a lot of rust,” Mayor Mike Adrieansen said during the meeting. “This is a chance to pick up a new chassis and then upfit it with all the old dump bed and everything and a salt spreader.”

Superintendent Tyk stated in his memo that while the chassis and engine were no longer cost-effective to repair, the plow and related equipment mounted on the truck remain in excellent condition. Kankakee Truck provided a verbal quote of approximately $50,000 to move the existing equipment to the new chassis.

“This way we can keep the fleet going,” Mayor Adrieansen noted. “He just got a new one and one breaks down. So it’s one of those things.”

The board approved the resolution authorizing the purchase from Rush Truck Centers for $109,132.17. The funding for the equipment transfer will be part of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.