Theft Rates for Heavy Equipment Rise, They Apply to Used Too!

Heavy equipment sitting out in a field or a construction lot is a tempting target for thieves.  The market for stolen used heavy equipment is more precise and detailed than stealing cars, these groups know exactly what pieces of equipment they need and how to get them to the nearest port for export.

These are organize crime rings, not just some teenagers playing a prank (although that can happen of course).  Below is a list of tips to help secure your used heavy equipment from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB):

• Render equipment immobile or difficult to move after hours or on weekends by:
• not leaving equipment, such as backhoes, on trailers when unattended;
• clustering equipment in a “wagon circle” with more easily transported equipment, such as compressors, in the middle, surrounded by larger pieces of equipment.
• Maintain a log listing all equipment serial or product identification numbers in a central location. If possible, include photos and other identifying information.
• Use hydro locks to fix articulated equipment in a curved position, preventing them from traveling in a straight line.
• Use sleeve locks to fix backhoe pads in an extended position, keeping wheels off the ground.
• Install a system that disables the equipment’s electrical or ignition system if universal keys are used.
• Install a tracking transmitter system in each unit designed for construction and heavy duty equipment.

Doesn’t Everyone Call Before They Dig Now?

It seems there are still construction companies that may be falling short on complying with the ‘call before you dig’ requirement and causing a lot of damage to people and property.  Last summer the Florida news ripped in to a company for what looks to be rooted in this issue.  I’m writing as a public reminder of it’s importance.

It isn’t always a construction company that buys heavy equipment, and sometimes these individuals just forget about their responsibility because after all it’s their yard!  This service is not meant to keep people from digging on their property it is to protect them from what they don’t know may be sitting just a few feet below the service … a gas line for instance.

I get that it will probably push off your project by a few days, but in this case the payoff of safety is HUGE!  So please, call before you dig!

A New Twist on Used Heavy Equipment Usage

Sometimes we just do a blog post because it’s fun and relates to the industry of used heavy equipment.  Today I was scouring the Internet and ran across a story about a company in Las Vegas that put their used heavy equipment to use during the heart of the recession.

Building had come to a standstill, but there were a lot of contractors sitting on large equipment that they knew they would need when the economy turned back around … so they found a way to put it to work using a new segment of users: the tourists.

What comes to mind when you have a huge construction site and a bunch of earth movers?  Well one company decided to make an adult level playground (not that kind of adult playground!).  They filled in the construction area with tons of sand, old tires and large rocks.  Then created a short 10 minute public training class and for $750 anyone could come in and play construction crew for a while.

Who doesn’t dream of sitting in the drivers seat of a huge earth mover every time we drive by them? (ok maybe a lot of people)  But there are even more that just want the experience and these guys made it happen, it just hit me as a great way to think outside the box!

The ‘carfax’ Report For Used Heavy Equipment

The sheer amount of used heavy equipment is growing every day, as new equipment hits the market adding technological advancements to make projects more efficient.  As the purchaser of the used heavy equipment there is a company that has been collecting data on almost every piece of equipment sold since 1958.

EquipmentWatch has a serial number search feature where you can verify build date on used construction equipment and lift trucks.  The data is obtained directly from the manufacturer creating an accurate database.

They also have cost guides to help you with calculating the exact cost of owning your equipment as well as rental reimbursement rates. These guys have put 45 years of experience in to this calculator and worked with 47 different DOT’s to create the most accurate and detailed guide.

When buying used equipment we always suggest you do your due diligence in pulling together the best snapshot of the history before making an offer.  A tool like EquipmentWatch can help fill in some of the gaps.

Off to NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis!

Yep we’re making the trip to see what’s new in the industry, visit with manufacturers that our parent company MCT works with and stay on top of our game.

In a previous blog post we talked about how it’s important to know what is coming out new in the heavy equipment market to know what equipment is performing well for when it’s time to make that used heavy equipment purchase.  We’re doing some of that work for you!

The big deal this year was companies that are making the most progress towards manufacturing more ‘green’ equipment with talk of propane cranes and hybrid powertrains.  It won’t be long until we get to start seeing these pieces in the used market as well.

Ford exhibited their biggest hybrid vehicle yet with a PHEV F-750 with an added Odyne System to make it on heck of a monstrous work truck!

Leggett & Platte featured a dedicated CNG cargo van, GMC and Chrysler released its plan for bi-fuel trucks … lots of a great new technology to look forward to in the used market.

Do Used Heavy Equipment Auctions Work?

If works means units get sold, then the answer is yes, but that seems to negate the fact that only 23% of the units sold at a widely attended used heavy equipment auction in California in early August.  I don’t call that ‘working’ at all.  If you’ve ever sold a piece of equipment at an auction you know it’s an expensive endeavor due to all the fees and then getting to the auction.

Selling you’re used equipment online is a far better option (I know there is a bias there, but still), if you look at the amount of time you save by not traveling, no fees or commissions and paying only a flat fee for the listing … it’s a no brainer!

Looking for Used Farm Equipment?

We are always looking for quality used farm equipment, but are farmers?  ABSOLUTELY!  I just ran across a farmer story in Michigan that sold all of his great farm equipment as he migrates to working for his son, he just didn’t need his own equipment any more.

If you know of  a farmer wanting to sell or buy used farm equipment let us know, we can help from both ends (and we don’t take a commission!).  The purpose of Heavy Hog is to provide a platform for people to list and /or buy used equipment without the overhead of auctions or sales commissions … one flat rate!  That’s it.