November data from Sandhills Global’s U.S. Construction Market Reports shows continued downward pressure on pricing amid mixed inventory movement across equipment categories. Heavy- and medium-duty equipment inventories contracted month over month, while aerial lift supply posted a sixth consecutive monthly increase. Asking values declined across all three markets, and auction values mostly followed suit, highlighting a cooling environment for sellers and increased opportunity for buyers as the year comes to a close.
U.S. Used Heavy-Duty Construction Equipment
- Inventory levels in this market, which includes used crawler excavators, dozers, and wheel loaders, fell 1.86% M/M and 6.92% Y/Y in November and are trending downward. The largest inventory level drops were seen in the used wheel loader category, down 3.81% M/M, and the used crawler excavator category, down 8.74% Y/Y.
- Asking values dipped lower by 1.88% M/M and 1.98% Y/Y and are trending down. Used crawler dozers led other categories in M/M asking price decreases at 2.96%, while used wheel loaders led in Y/Y decreases at 3.76%.
- Auction values slipped 2.1% M/M in November but inched up by 1.09% Y/Y and are trending downward. The strongest M/M auction value drop was seen in the used crawler dozer category, down 3.82%. Used wheel loaders led in Y/Y auction value increases at 3.24%.
U.S. Used Medium-Duty Construction Equipment
- Inventory levels in this market, which includes used skid steers, loader backhoes, and mini excavators, fell 2.34% M/M and 6.34% Y/Y in November and are trending sideways. Used wheel skid steers accounted for the largest M/M inventory level decline at 3.24%, while the biggest annual decrease was seen in the used mini excavator category, down 14.03% Y/Y.
- Asking prices decreased by 0.81% M/M, continuing several consecutive months of decreases, and 1.55% Y/Y. Used wheel skid steers led other categories in M/M asking value decreases at 1.43%, while used loader backhoes led in Y/Y decreases at 3.47%.
- Auction values were down slightly in November, by 0.53% M/M, while remaining essentially flat Y/Y with a 0.02% change. This continued a downward trend. Used loader backhoe auction values decreased the most, down 2.37% M/M and 2.72% Y/Y.
U.S. Used Aerial Lifts
- Inventory levels in this market rose 1.46% M/M and 8.44% Y/Y, continuing a 6-month-long upward trend. Used articulating boom lifts accounted for the greatest M/M category increase, rising 3.02%, while the biggest Y/Y increase occurred in the used rough-terrain scissor lift category, up 16.17%.
- Used aerial lift asking values have been trending down for nine consecutive months. Asking values dipped lower in November by 0.29% M/M and 3.43% Y/Y. Despite the overall downward trend, the most notable M/M increase was observed in the used slab scissor lift category, with asking prices up 4.04%. The used rough-terrain scissor lift category led in Y/Y asking value decreases, down 8.77%.
- Auction values were down 0.9% M/M and 5.84% Y/Y, maintaining a downward trend. Contrary to the overall decline, used slab scissor lift auction values were up 2.15% M/M. The used telescopic boom lift category had the steepest Y/Y auction value drop at 9.34%.
