If you're just starting out with your own construction company and are looking to keep costs down, buy heavy construction equipment used. Used heavy construction equipment such as cranes, backhoes, bulldozers, loaders, graders and trucks can often offer a vast savings while providing you with years of good service.
Though the word "used" can sometimes conjure negative images, this is not always the case when it comes to used construction equipment. You can find well-known names in construction equipment, like Caterpillar and John Deere, when you shop for used construction equipment. If you know where to look, you can find used construction equipment that works almost like new. When it comes time to buy used heavy equipment:
1. Compare heavy construction equipment cost, condition and manufacturer.
2. Find auctions where you can name your price and get the used construction equipment you need.
3. Realize that one man's junk is another man's treasure.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Look for name-brand used construction equipment offered at reasonable prices
If you're hesitant about buying used heavy construction equipment, you might feel better knowing that many places offer familiar names in heavy equipment such as Caterpillar, John Deere and Hitachi. You can buy used construction equipment that works well for a fraction of what new construction equipment would cost.
I recommend: Machinery Trader lists a wide range of used heavy construction equipment, with several models of all types of equipment such as loaders/backhoes, scrapers, dozers and cranes with names like Caterpillar and Hitachi. You'll find plenty of used graders, dozers, backhoes, excavators, cranes and more offered at
Global Machinery Network, which highlights new listings in red.
Finney Corporation specializes in used earthmoving equipment such as tractors and dozers.
Attend used heavy construction equipment auctions
A great way to locate used heavy construction equipment is to attend auctions. Not only does a construction equipment auction allows you to control what you spend, but many construction equipment auctions offer a huge listing of tractors, loaders, dozers and backhoes from all of the major heavy construction manufacturers.
I recommend: IronPlanet is an online auction that lists new auctions for used heavy equipment every two weeks, and has hundred of pieces of used construction equipment listed. Preview upcoming used construction equipment up for auction at
Used Heavy Equipment For Sale.
Check out salvage yards specializing in heavy equipment
Construction equipment salvage has become big business. There are many salvage yards that specialize in used heavy construction equipment and parts. When it comes to used construction equipment, it's likely you can find almost anything you're looking for at salvage yards when it comes to used construction equipment.
I recommend: Southern Tractor Service & Salvage has many large and small tractors, dozers and cranes, with new arrivals listed on their website. Contact
Weller Tractor Salvage for equipment as well as an inventory of over 42,000 parts for used heavy equipment.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Keep in mind that used heavy construction equipment will likely need parts. Many places selling used construction equipment may also offer parts at cheaper prices. Salvage yards are also a good place to used heavy equipment parts.
The official source of Used Heavy Construction Equipment is
the Used Heavy Construction Equipment page at Business.com
Related Resources from Business.com
Comments
Is any content on this page inappropriate? To let us know, please 
