Know What Your Equipment Is Worth
Before you list, negotiate, or accept any offer, you need a realistic number. Equipment values swing wildly based on hours, year, brand, and what the market is doing right now. Here's what actually moves the needle.
The two biggest factors are operating hours and brand. A CAT or Deere will consistently fetch 20–40% more than a comparable Doosan or Volvo of the same vintage — not because the machines are inherently better, but because the buyer pool is deeper and parts are more available. CAT, Deere, and Komatsu have the best resale value across the board.
For specific model valuations, check the equipment pages: excavators, skid steers, bulldozers, and more include price ranges based on current market data.
Quick Reference
Your Selling Options
There are four realistic ways to sell heavy equipment. Each has a different fee structure, timeline, and effort requirement. Here's an honest breakdown — including what the platforms won't tell you upfront.
Auction (Ritchie Bros, IronPlanet)
Pros
- Competitive bidding can push prices up when demand is strong
- Established buyer pool — serious buyers with financing in place
- Handles photos, listings, and marketing for you
Cons
- Buyer premium of 10–15% comes off your net number
- Seller commission on top — combined fees often run 18–25% of sale price
- No guaranteed price — reserve not met means no sale
- Timeline: 4–12 weeks from consignment to check
- Transport to auction yard is typically your problem
Online Marketplace (MachineryTrader, Equipment Trader)
Pros
- Broad reach — buyers nationwide see your listing
- You control asking price and negotiation
- Good for uncommon or specialty equipment with niche buyers
Cons
- Monthly listing fees: $250–$3,000/mo depending on platform and placement
- You field every inquiry — tire kickers, lowballers, no-shows
- You arrange inspection, title transfer, and transport logistics
- Average days-on-market: 45–90 days for mid-range machines
Private Sale (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, word of mouth)
Pros
- No listing fees or commissions
- Direct negotiation with buyer
Cons
- Finding qualified buyers is entirely on you
- High scam exposure — wire fraud and shipping scams are common
- Lowball offers are the norm when buyers know you're motivated
- Title transfer, liens, and transport are your responsibility
Direct Buyer (HeavyDutyYard)
RecommendedPros
- Cash offer within 24 hours — firm number, not a range
- No fees, no commissions deducted from your offer
- Free pickup anywhere in the continental US
- We buy non-running, high-hour, and damaged equipment
- Payment issued on pickup day
Cons
- Offer may not reach peak auction price on a perfectly timed competitive sale
How to Sell to HeavyDutyYard
Three steps, no moving parts. Here's exactly what happens after you submit your equipment details. Full process details are on the how it works page.
Submit Your Equipment Details
Use the form on this page or the sell page. Provide make, model, year, hours, and condition. Add details about any known issues — accurate information leads to a more accurate offer. Photos are optional but helpful for high-value machines. Takes about 2 minutes.
Receive a Cash Offer Within 24 Hours
Our team reviews your submission against current auction results, dealer comps, and live market demand. You receive a firm cash offer — not an estimate, not a range. No obligation to accept. Same-business-day response in most cases.
Accept and Get Paid on Pickup Day
Say yes and we schedule pickup at your convenience. We coordinate all transport logistics — flatbed, lowboy, or whatever the machine requires. Free pickup anywhere in the continental US. Payment is issued on the day we load your equipment.
Important:We buy non-running, high-hour, and damaged equipment. Condition affects the offer amount — it does not disqualify your machine. If it ran last week but won't start today, submit it anyway.
What to Prepare Before Selling
You don't need to do much. But having these items ready before you submit speeds up the offer process and eliminates back-and-forth.
Title and Ownership Documents
Know where your title is. For most equipment transactions, a clear title simplifies closing significantly. If there's a lien, we can work around it — but let us know upfront.
Hours, Year, and Config
Pull the hour meter reading. Know the year and any configuration details — cab or no cab, 2WD or 4WD, specific bucket size, coupler type. The more specific you are, the more accurate your offer.
Photos (Optional but Valuable)
A few photos of the machine, undercarriage, cab interior, and any visible damage help us give you a more accurate offer faster — and reduce the chance of offer adjustments at pickup.
Maintenance Records
If you have dealer service records or maintenance logs, have them on hand. Documented service history consistently adds 10–15% to the final number.
What Affects Your Equipment's Value
Seven factors drive the final number. Understanding them helps you set realistic expectations — and spot where you might be leaving money on the table.
Operating Hours
The single biggest driver of depreciation. A CAT 320 at 3,000 hours is worth roughly 20–30% more than the same machine at 8,000 hours. Below 2,000 hours is the sweet spot for maximum value.
Year and Emissions Tier
Tier 4 Final machines (generally 2014+) command a premium because many job sites and ports restrict Tier 3 and older equipment. A 2016 machine in the same hours bracket as a 2010 will fetch meaningfully more.
Mechanical Condition
Cosmetic wear is priced in but rarely kills a deal. Mechanical issues — bad hydraulics, blown turbo, cracked undercarriage — have a direct dollar impact. A pre-sale inspection report helps if the machine is clean.
Brand and Model
CAT, Deere, Komatsu, and Volvo hold value best because parts are available and resale demand is deep. Off-brand or discontinued models trade at a steep discount. A CAT 336 will consistently sell for more than a comparable Doosan or Hyundai at the same hours.
Attachments
Coupler packages, thumbs, and multiple buckets add real value — sometimes $5,000–$20,000 depending on attachment quality and machine size. List everything you have. Attachments that fit a specific machine are worth more than orphaned buckets.
Maintenance Records
Documented service history (oil changes, filter records, dealer maintenance logs) consistently adds 10–15% to offers and sale prices. If you've serviced it at a dealer, request the service history printout before you sell.
Market Timing
Construction equipment sees seasonality. Demand is highest February–May as contractors gear up for the build season. Selling in November or December means competing with slower buyer activity. Not always avoidable, but worth knowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions we hear from contractors and fleet managers before they sell.
How much is my heavy equipment worth?
Value depends on make, model, year, hours, condition, and current market demand. As a rough benchmark: a CAT 320 excavator with 4,000–6,000 hours in good condition typically trades between $90,000–$140,000. A Bobcat S650 skid steer in similar shape runs $25,000–$45,000. The best way to get an accurate number is to submit your machine's details — we evaluate against current auction results and dealer comps and give you a firm offer within 24 hours.
What's the fastest way to sell heavy equipment?
A direct cash buyer is the fastest path. With HeavyDutyYard, you submit your equipment details today, get a cash offer within 24 hours, and can have the machine picked up within the week. Auctions take 4–12 weeks from consignment to check. Marketplace listings average 45–90 days on market. If speed matters, the direct buyer route isn't close.
Do I need to transport the equipment to the buyer?
Not when selling to us. HeavyDutyYard coordinates and pays for all transport — flatbed, lowboy, or whatever the machine requires. Pickup is free anywhere in the continental US. If you're selling at auction, most consignment contracts require you to deliver the machine to the auction yard, which can add $500–$3,000 in transport costs depending on distance.
Can I sell equipment that isn't running?
Yes. We buy non-operational equipment regularly. The condition affects the offer amount, but it does not disqualify the machine. A non-running CAT D6 dozer is still worth more parted out or repaired than most sellers realize. Be upfront about the issue — we'd rather know going in than after the pickup.
What paperwork do I need to sell heavy equipment?
For most transactions, you'll need a clear title showing you as the owner. If the machine has a lien, you'll need to coordinate with your lender to provide a lien release at closing, or structure the sale so proceeds pay off the lien. Some equipment — particularly older machines and attachments — may have no title, which is common and workable. Contact us before submitting if you're unsure about your title situation.
How do auction fees compare to selling to a direct buyer?
Auction fees are significant and often underestimated. A $100,000 sale at Ritchie Bros typically nets the seller $78,000–$85,000 after buyer premium (paid by buyer but reduces what buyers will bid), seller commission (3–6%), and any transport or prep fees. A direct buyer like HeavyDutyYard charges zero fees — the offer you receive is what you get paid. The tradeoff is that peak auction pricing on a hot machine can exceed a direct offer, but you're also taking on timing risk and paying those fees either way.
Should I fix my equipment before selling?
Usually no — unless you can complete repairs for well under what they'd add to the sale price. A $2,000 repair that adds $5,000 in value makes sense. But most major mechanical repairs cost more to fix than they recover in price. An honest disclosure of known issues typically serves you better than spending money on repairs that buyers will inspect and verify anyway. We buy equipment in any condition and price accordingly.
How do hours affect equipment value?
Hours are the most important single factor in heavy equipment valuation — more so than age. A 2010 machine with 2,500 hours will often sell for more than a 2015 machine with 9,000 hours. Under 2,000 hours is considered low for most equipment classes. 2,000–5,000 is the mid-range where most machines trade. Above 8,000–10,000 hours, values drop steeply and buyers factor in imminent major repairs (engine overhaul, undercarriage replacement). The exact threshold varies by equipment type and brand.