Business Issues

By Mike Larson

Used Equipment

Crane buyers may choose a used unit instead of a new one for many reasons, such as lower purchase cost, immediate availability, brand preference or suitability for a particular application.

Crane Hot Line recently took the pulse of the used-crane market by asking a fleet owner, a dealer, an auctioneer and an equipment financier for their insights.

Those experts are John Anderson, president of NessCampbell Crane + Rigging; Jeff Swan, vice president of Exact Crane & Equipment Corp.; Bryan Carr, crane and heavy-transport specialist for Jeff Martin Auctioneers Inc.; and James H. Mayes Jr., executive vice president of M & T Equipment Finance Corporation.

State of the Market

“ Sales of used cranes have been relatively steady in North America, but well-maintained used machines are getting harder to find,” said Exact Crane’ s Swan.

“ The 2024 year-end rush has rolled strongly into the new year, beginning with a few machines going to steel guys and roofers,” Swan added.“ Although, working with so many industries, it’ s hard to pinpoint a hot machine; we move a range of all terrains, boom trucks, rough terrains, crawlers and now, even mini cranes.”

NessCampbell’ s Anderson notes that“ Rough-terrain cranes of all capacities and all-terrain cranes with capacities less than 300 U. S. tons are plentiful. Larger all-terrain

A 660-U. S.-ton capacity Liebherr LR 1600 / 2, bought used, has become one of the busiest rigs in NessCampbell Crane + Rigging’ s 100-crane fleet.

cranes, telecrawlers and higher-capacity lattice-boom crawler cranes are scarce.”

What’ s shaping the market for used cranes?

“ The current used-crane market is driven largely by the high cost of new cranes,” said Jeff Martin Auctioneers’ Carr.“ Also, many businesses are holding onto their older cranes longer, rather than investing in new equipment. That has increased demand for used cranes.“

Exact Crane’ s Swan likewise expects high demand to continue driving the market this year.

He says that many of his contacts have told him they expect 2025 to be busy.

“ Larger contractors, energy and foundation companies have backlogs across the U. S.,” he said.“ Infrastructure projects and data centers seem to be keeping plenty of equipment busy as well.”

Expert Advice

Jeff Martin’ s Carr advises crane buyers to either personally inspect the equipment or to hire a trusted advisor to do so.

“ A reliable inspection is critical to ensure confidence in the purchase and to avoid potential issues with unseen defects,” Carr said.

As for owners who want to sell equipment, Carr advises them to contact a

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February 2025 • www. cranehotline. com