Used heavy equipment sales show mixed trends with declining inventory across multiple sectors

Sandhills Global, a leading information processing company, has released its latest market reports indicating a downturn in used heavy equipment sales cycles across various sectors in the U.S. The reports highlight significant changes in inventory levels, asking values, and auction values for a range of equipment, including tractors, construction machinery, and trucks.

According to Sandhills, inventory levels of used tractors, combine harvesters, heavy-duty trucks, and semi-trailers are trending downward. The company’s key metric, the Sandhills Equipment Value Index (EVI), which tracks market values for used assets, shows mixed trends. While some equipment categories saw slight increases in asking values, many others experienced declines.

In the U.S. used heavy-duty construction equipment market, inventory levels fell 2.56% month-over-month (M/M) and 10.45% year-over-year (Y/Y) in August. The largest M/M inventory change was observed in used crawler dozers, down 3.78%, while the largest Y/Y change was in used wheel loaders, down 11.94%. Asking values for this category saw a slight increase of 0.52% M/M, but decreased 1.55% Y/Y. Auction values remained almost flat, increasing 0.31% M/M but decreasing 1.29% Y/Y.

The used medium-duty construction equipment market also experienced a decrease in inventory levels, with a 0.71% M/M increase and a 11.41% Y/Y drop. The largest inventory change was seen in used loader backhoes, down 2.63% M/M and 23.52% Y/Y. Asking values and auction values in this category decreased 0.74% M/M and 0.22% Y/Y, respectively.

Used aerial lifts saw a 2.02% M/M decrease and a 3.75% Y/Y decrease in inventory levels. Asking values decreased 0.66% M/M, while auction values increased 0.27% M/M. The EVI spread, which measures the difference between asking and auction values, was 31% in August, down from 33% in July.

For used combines, inventory levels fell 3.86% M/M and 10.18% Y/Y, while asking values increased 2.34% M/M and 1.46% Y/Y. Despite the increase in asking values, auction values continued to trend downward, increasing 3.23% M/M and 4.66% Y/Y but remaining lower than earlier levels in 2026.

Other categories like used sprayers, planters, and compact and utility tractors also showed mixed trends. For example, used sprayers had an increase in asking values but a decrease in auction values, while used planters experienced a significant increase in both asking and auction values.

Notably, the used heavy-duty truck market saw a significant decrease in inventory levels, with a 6.16% M/M decrease and a 37.7% Y/Y decrease. Asking values for day cab and sleeper trucks increased 2.99% M/M and 2.2% Y/Y, respectively, while auction values rose 4.91% M/M and 3.03% Y/Y.

In the used semi-trailers market, inventory levels increased 0.7% M/M but decreased 31.38% Y/Y. Asking values for semi-trailers increased 5.88% Y/Y, while auction values for dry van and reefer semi-trailers also increased significantly.

Sandhills Global’s Sandhills Equipment Value Index (EVI) spread, which measures the gap between asking and auction values, was 31% in August, down from 33% in July.

SOURCE: Sandhills Global