Last updated: March 2026
Yes, We Buy Non-Running Equipment
Most equipment buyers want running, low-hour machines in good condition. We're not most buyers. HeavyDutyYard purchases non-running, high-hour, damaged, and as-is equipment as a regular part of our business — not as a favor.
The reason is simple: even a machine that won't start has value. The parts market for heavy equipment is substantial. Rebuilders, overseas buyers, and salvage operations pay real money for machines that have no path to running again. A non-running CAT D6 dozer might be worth $20,000–$40,000 in parts alone. A flooded excavator might yield $15,000–$30,000 from the undercarriage, hydraulic cylinders, and drivetrain.
What we need from you is accurate information — not a repaired machine. Tell us exactly what's wrong, and we'll give you a fair number based on current market demand for that machine's components.
One rule:Don't repair before you call us. Most repairs on non-running machines cost more than they recover in sale price. We'll give you the honest math before you spend a dollar.
What Conditions We Accept
If your machine fits any of these descriptions, submit it. We've bought all of these.
Non-Running / Won't Start
Engine won't turn over, hydraulics failed, electrical issues preventing operation. Doesn't matter if it stopped running yesterday or three years ago.
High Hours
10,000+ hours, well past typical service life. High-hour machines still have parts value, scrap value, and rebuild potential — often more than sellers expect.
Fire Damage
Cab fires, engine fires, electrical fires. Even heavily burned machines have salvageable components — undercarriage, buckets, hydraulic pumps, and the base structure.
Flood / Water Damage
Flood-submerged or water-damaged equipment. Electrical systems and engines may be compromised, but mechanical components often survive and have value.
Rollover / Structural Damage
Rolled-over machines, cab crush, bent boom or stick. Structural damage typically totals the rebuild cost but doesn't eliminate parts and scrap value.
Missing Components
No bucket, missing cab glass, stripped attachments, removed engine components. Incomplete machines are still evaluated on what remains.
How Non-Running Equipment Is Valued
Three factors drive the value of distressed equipment. Understanding them helps you interpret any offer you receive — from us or anyone else.
Parts Market Value
The most important factor for non-running machines. Heavy equipment parts are expensive new — a CAT C9 reman engine runs $25,000–$40,000. Buyers who need that engine will pay real money for your core, even if the rest of the machine is unsalvageable. Parts demand varies by brand and model: CAT, Deere, and Komatsu parts command premium prices because the installed base is large.
Scrap / Steel Value
The floor under any equipment value. A 30-ton excavator has 50,000–80,000 lbs of steel. At scrap prices, that's a meaningful number. Scrap value sets the absolute minimum — the machine is always worth at least its weight in steel, regardless of condition.
Rebuild Potential
Some non-running machines are worth buying for rebuild — particularly low-hour machines with a single repairable failure, or models with strong market demand. Overseas buyers (South America, Middle East, Southeast Asia) have different cost structures and will rebuild machines that aren't economical to fix domestically. This adds a buyer pool that many sellers don't know exists.
Example Value Ranges (Non-Running) — Q1 2026 Market Data
| Machine | Running Value | Non-Running Range |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 320 Excavator (6,000 hrs) | $80,000–$110,000 | $18,000–$38,000 |
| John Deere 850 Dozer (8,000 hrs) | $55,000–$75,000 | $14,000–$28,000 |
| Bobcat S650 Skid Steer (5,000 hrs) | $22,000–$32,000 | $4,000–$9,000 |
| Komatsu PC200 Excavator (9,000 hrs) | $45,000–$65,000 | $12,000–$25,000 |
Ranges are illustrative. Actual offers depend on specific failure type, location, and current parts demand.
Why Equipment Stops Running — and Why It's Still Worth Money
The most common failure modes, and an honest look at how each affects value.
Engine Failure
Common Examples
- Seized engine
- Blown turbo
- Overheated and cracked block
- Rod knock / bearing failure
Value Impact
Engine failure is common and well-priced in the parts market. A CAT C7 or C9 engine — even seized — has real core value. Buyers regularly source used and remanufactured engines from machines like yours.
Hydraulic System Failure
Common Examples
- Main pump failure
- Blown hydraulic cylinder seals
- Control valve failure
- Hydraulic line rupture and subsequent contamination
Value Impact
Hydraulic components are among the highest-value parts on an excavator or dozer. A failed main pump doesn't trash the machine — it just changes who buys it and why.
Electrical / ECM Failure
Common Examples
- ECM / computer failure
- Wiring harness damage
- Sensor failures causing limp mode
- Alternator or starter failure
Value Impact
Electrical issues can make a machine feel totaled when it isn't. Many ECM and harness issues are repairable at low cost. Even if not worth repairing, the rest of the machine retains value.
Transmission / Final Drive
Common Examples
- Transmission failure
- Final drive failure
- Travel motor failure (excavators)
- Broken drive chain or sprocket
Value Impact
Final drives and travel motors are expensive to replace but highly sought after in the used parts market. A machine with a bad final drive is often worth more parted out than repaired.
Undercarriage Wear
Common Examples
- Worn tracks
- Broken track links
- Worn sprockets and idlers
- Roller failure
Value Impact
Undercarriage wear is the most common reason high-hour machines are retired. Full undercarriage replacement on a mid-size excavator runs $15,000–$35,000 — often more than the machine's running value. We factor this in honestly.
What Info We Need to Make an Offer
You don't need to diagnose the machine or prepare anything. We just need enough information to evaluate it accurately. Here's what helps:
Make and Model
Brand and model number. Year if known.
What's Wrong
Your best description of the issue. Don't guess — just tell us what you know. 'Won't start,' 'hydraulics dead,' 'fire damage to cab' is enough.
Operating Hours
Hour meter reading if accessible. If the machine won't start and you can't get to the display, estimate or say unknown.
Photos
Optional but helpful for damaged equipment. Overall shot, the specific damage, and any visible component issues. A few photos typically leads to a more accurate offer and fewer follow-up questions.
Location
Where the machine is sitting. We coordinate pickup logistics — we just need to know what state and general area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell equipment that doesn't start?
Yes. Non-starting equipment is something we buy regularly. Whether it's a dead battery, a seized engine, or a failed ECM, we evaluate the machine on its actual value — which includes parts, scrap, and rebuild potential. Submit your equipment details and we'll give you a firm number within 24 hours.
How much is non-running equipment worth?
It depends on the machine, the failure type, and current parts market demand. A non-running CAT 320 excavator with a blown engine might be worth $18,000–$35,000 depending on hours and overall condition — significantly less than a running machine, but far from zero. A non-running Bobcat skid steer with electrical issues might be worth $4,000–$9,000. The parts market drives most of the floor value on non-running machines.
Do you pick up non-running equipment?
Yes. All pickups are free regardless of condition. We coordinate flatbed or lowboy transport depending on machine size and location. If the machine can't be driven or winched, we handle the rigging. We pick up anywhere in the continental US.
Does fire or flood damage completely eliminate equipment value?
Rarely. Fire damage eliminates the value of burned components — wiring, hydraulic hoses, cab interior — but the structural steel, undercarriage, engine block, and hydraulic cylinders often survive. Flood damage can be more insidious, but mechanical components below the waterline often have intact cores. We've bought heavily damaged machines that yield $15,000–$40,000 in recoverable parts value.
Should I disclose all the problems with my equipment?
Yes — and it's in your interest to do so. An accurate upfront description leads to an accurate offer. If we discover undisclosed issues at pickup, the offer gets adjusted downward. Being specific about what's wrong prevents that adjustment. We've heard every possible issue — there's nothing that ends the conversation.