Executive Summary
The heavy equipment market recorded significant price volatility over the past 30 days, with guarantee and listing values diverging sharply across major categories. Link-Belt leads all movers with guarantee values climbing 87.6% ($48,040 to $90,147) and listing values up 81.4% ($69,298 to $125,704). Fruehauf guarantee values exploded 185.2% ($4,343 to $12,386), while Hyundai guarantee values rose 72.7% ($25,981 to $44,881).
On the decline, Chevrolet guarantee values dropped 29.5% ($13,713 to $9,668), Metso fell 30.1% ($126,072 to $88,155), and Elgin guarantee values collapsed 64.7% ($10,450 to $3,686). Valuation volume increased across most major brands, signaling heightened market activity.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Earth-Moving Equipment
Caterpillar leads volume with 1,237 current period valuations (up from 854). Guarantee values rose 9.1% ($40,229 to $43,881); listing values increased 9.7% ($52,586 to $57,666). Browse Excavators
John Deere posted similar strength: guarantee values up 9.2% ($45,763 to $49,978), listing values up 7.5% ($59,761 to $64,255). Valuations jumped to 603 from 401.
Komatsu guarantee values gained 4.7% ($35,356 to $37,024), with listing values surging 9.9% ($46,358 to $50,963). Volume reached 236 valuations versus 204 prior.
Volvo guarantee values climbed 9.6% ($31,076 to $34,057); listing values rose 7.9% ($40,765 to $43,966).
Case guarantee values increased 7.7% ($29,301 to $31,544), with listing values up 9.5% ($37,699 to $41,297).
Doosan bucked the trend: guarantee values fell 7.4% ($45,430 to $42,076), listing values down 8.0% ($63,096 to $58,024).
Hitachi guarantee values rose 3.9% ($40,692 to $42,275), with listing values up 8.1% ($55,960 to $60,474).
Cranes & Lifting Equipment
Link-Belt dominates this segment with the largest dollar and percentage gains. Guarantee values hit $90,147 (up 87.6% from $48,040); listing values reached $125,704 (up 81.4% from $69,298). Volume: 46 valuations versus 29 prior.
Liebherr guarantee values jumped 47.0% ($51,275 to $75,381); listing values surged 51.8% ($67,599 to $102,615). Volume more than doubled to 23 from 13.
Manitowoc moved opposite: guarantee values dropped 21.1% ($96,385 to $76,078), listing values down 17.6% ($133,708 to $110,211).
Grove guarantee values declined 6.4% ($15,711 to $14,699); listing values fell 6.2% ($23,199 to $21,768).
Trucks & Transportation
Ford guarantee values rose 12.2% ($10,651 to $11,951); listing values gained 11.7% ($15,920 to $17,783). Volume: 363 valuations versus 307 prior.
Freightliner guarantee values ticked up 1.2% ($20,153 to $20,386), but listing values accelerated 4.4% ($28,645 to $29,896).
International guarantee values gained 6.2% ($14,506 to $15,399); listing values up 3.6% ($20,318 to $21,043).
Kenworth guarantee values rose modestly 0.5% ($44,826 to $45,050), yet listing values jumped 7.6% ($61,443 to $66,084).
Peterbilt declined: guarantee values down 2.1% ($35,068 to $34,343), listing values down 2.7% ($47,997 to $46,697).
Mack guarantee values barely moved at +0.9% ($28,771 to $29,022), though listing values gained 2.6% ($38,057 to $39,065).
Isuzu cratered: guarantee values fell 22.9% ($16,148 to $12,450); listing values collapsed 31.4% ($24,251 to $16,633).
Autocar guarantee values surged 20.6% ($7,199 to $8,680); listing values up 16.2% ($10,358 to $12,036).
Trailers & Attachments
Wabash National guarantee values jumped 14.4% ($3,304 to $3,781); listing values rose 13.9% ($4,067 to $4,634).
Fruehauf guarantee values skyrocketed 185.2% ($4,343 to $12,386); listing values up 162.5% ($6,298 to $16,535).
Trail King guarantee values fell 13.1% ($21,321 to $18,525); listing values down 10.8% ($30,101 to $26,861). Notably, volume dropped to 30 from 47.
Talbert guarantee values declined 22.9% ($31,452 to $24,235); listing values down 21.8% ($42,588 to $33,289).
Kaufman guarantee values rose 21.1% ($11,630 to $14,081); listing values up 23.0% ($15,639 to $19,232).
Utility guarantee values dropped 11.2% ($7,447 to $6,615); listing values fell 19.6% ($10,531 to $8,471).
Material Handling & Aerial
Genie guarantee values gained 8.9% ($7,509 to $8,174); listing values up 8.1% ($10,197 to $11,027).
JLG guarantee values rose 0.7% ($19,718 to $19,863); listing values up 2.3% ($28,526 to $29,179).
Skyjack guarantee values fell 3.1% ($5,418 to $5,249); listing values down 8.6% ($8,283 to $7,573).
JCB guarantee values increased 8.3% ($19,692 to $21,324); listing values up 5.6% ($27,458 to $29,002).
Compaction & Paving
Leeboy guarantee values rose 13.6% ($23,100 to $26,242); listing values up 11.8% ($32,737 to $36,585).
Bomag guarantee values fell 7.4% ($11,748 to $10,882); listing values down 7.9% ($14,858 to $13,677).
Hamm guarantee values dropped 10.0% ($30,512 to $27,447); listing values down 8.3% ($39,147 to $35,892). Volume doubled to 32 from 12, suggesting distressed inventory movement.
Specialized & Miscellaneous
Hyundai guarantee values surged 72.7% ($25,981 to $44,881); listing values up 60.3% ($36,990 to $59,308).
Metso guarantee values fell 30.1% ($126,072 to $88,155); listing values down 26.4% ($168,104 to $123,750).
Chevrolet guarantee values plummeted 29.5% ($13,713 to $9,668); listing values down 22.0% ($17,993 to $14,038).
GMC guarantee values dropped 15.0% ($7,252 to $6,167); listing values fell 11.8% ($10,764 to $9,497).
Market Drivers: What Is Moving Prices
Several factors explain this divergence:
Seasonal demand acceleration. The valuation volume surge—Caterpillar up 45%, John Deere up 50%—reflects contractors positioning equipment for spring construction starts. Earth-moving categories typically strengthen in Q1 as projects break ground.
Supply chain normalization in specific segments. Brands like Fruehauf and Wabash National show trailer market stabilization after years of component shortages. Fruehauf's 185.2% gain likely reflects mix shift toward higher-spec reefers and flatbeds entering the valuation pool.
Fleet modernization cycles. Link-Belt's 87.6% guarantee value increase and Liebherr's 47.0% gain suggest crane fleets are upgrading older units. The low prior-period volume (29 and 13 valuations respectively) indicates thin markets where a few premium transactions reset benchmarks.
Distressed truck segments. Chevrolet, GMC, and Isuzu declines reflect aging light- and medium-duty truck inventory facing replacement pressure. These units often lack DEF/aftertreatment compliance or telematics integration buyers now demand.
Regional construction mix. Hyundai's 72.7% gain may reflect Southeast and Gulf Coast infrastructure project concentration, where Hyundai excavators and wheel loaders have gained market share.
Actionable Advice for Buyers
Immediate opportunities exist in declining categories:
- Chevrolet trucks: Guarantee values at $9,668 (down 29.5%) present arbitrage for fleet operators needing light-duty work trucks. Browse Trucks
- Isuzu: Listing values collapsed 31.4% to $16,633—verify unit condition, but medium-duty box trucks and cabovers now trade at steep discounts.
- Metso: Guarantee values at $88,155 (down 30.1%) offer entry into crushing and screening equipment for aggregates producers.
- Trail King: At $18,525 guarantee (down 13.1%), lowboy and specialized trailers present value for heavy haul operators.
- Manitowoc: Guarantee values fell 21.1% to $76,078—crane contractors should evaluate late-model inventory before recovery.
Approach rising categories with caution:
- Link-Belt and Liebherr crane values have repriced aggressively. Buyers should verify hours, boom configuration, and recent inspection records before paying premium guarantees.
- Fruehauf at $12,386 guarantee represents a new price floor—ensure specifications match operational requirements.
Actionable Advice for Sellers
List now for maximum leverage:
- Caterpillar: With 1,237 valuations and 9.1% guarantee growth, earth-moving inventory moves fastest. List before March volume peaks saturate buyer attention.
- John Deere: Similar dynamics apply—list agricultural and construction crossover equipment while valuations hold above $49,978 guarantee.
- Ford: Light-duty and commercial trucks at $11,951 guarantee (up 12.2%) attract fleet replacement buyers. List within 14 days.
- Hyundai: At $44,881 guarantee (up 72.7%), this is a seller's market. Price aggressively and expect quick turns.
- Kaufman: Trailer values at $14,081 guarantee (up 21.1%) reflect tight supply. List specialty and equipment trailers immediately.
Hold or recondition declining inventory:
- Chevrolet/GMC light trucks: Consider reconditioning or parting out rather than accepting guarantee levels near $6,000-$9,000.
- Hamm and Bomag compaction: Volume expansion suggests oversupply. Store units or bundle with service contracts to differentiate.
30-Day Outlook
Expect continued volatility as Q1 construction activity accelerates. Earth-moving categories (Caterpillar, John Deere, Komatsu, Case) should sustain current price levels given volume trends. Crane markets remain bifurcated: Link-Belt and Liebherr premium units command premiums, while Manitowoc and Grove face headwinds.
Truck and trailer segments will likely see further divergence—commercial freight weakness pressures Isuzu and Chevrolet, while specialized trailers (Fruehauf, Wabash National, Kaufman) benefit from infrastructure project timing. Buyers should lock in declining-category purchases before April rebound; sellers in rising categories should list within 10-14 days to capture peak demand.