Pothole machine in Sudbury offers high-quality repairs, but low production

The city’s Python 5000 does a great job repairing potholes, but it’s a high-maintenance machine that depends on weather and replacement parts to operate successfully.

The city’s Python 5000 does a great job repairing potholes, but it’s a high-maintenance machine that depends on weather and replacement parts to operate successfully.

That’s the conclusion of a staff analysis of the machine, which the city bought in late 2021 and began using in 2022. The goal is to make a dent in the number of potholes that emerge each year. The city repairs about 100,000 potholes every year, with more than 161,000 repairs in 2018-2019 alone.

Unlike traditional repair methods, the Python 5000 can be operated by one person and the repairs last far longer than other methods.

However, it’s a complicated machine to operate and having someone properly trained to operate it is key.

“However, operator longevity on the (Python) has been somewhat inconsistent, partly due to few employees being comfortable operating the unit in live traffic while using sophisticated controls,” the staff report said.

“Operation … by less experienced operators has led to improper patching (ex. creation of bumps and excess material being left on road), reduced productivity and equipment downtime due to improper cleaning and operation of the equipment.”