Hours and use
How the machine was used matters. Light utility work and heavy rock work wear a machine very differently. Tell us roughly what the machine did for most of its life, and whether it worked in salt, rock or demolition.
Home / Used, working excavators
Working machines welcome
Used Excavator Buyers for Running, Working Machines
Plenty of what we buy still runs. Sell a working excavator without listing it or waiting on buyers.
Running or notFree pickup on most machines
Free offer · No obligation
Get your excavator offer
About a minute. We call back with a number.
- Running, working excavators
- Job sites, yards and farms
- Honest about private-sale value
When it makes sense
A working machine, no time to sell it
- You need it gone for space, cash or certainty.
- No listing hassle: calls, no-shows and low-ballers.
- No test digs by strangers on your site.
- Want to list it first? Our number is a useful floor.
For runners
What we check
- Cold start and smoke once warm
- Hydraulics under load, and drift with the engine off
- Swing and travel: smooth, strong, straight
- Undercarriage percentage left
- Pins and bushings at the bucket and boom foot
- Cab: glass, monitor, A/C
A two-minute video of it starting, swinging and tracking answers most of this.
Have an excavator to sell? Get a number in minutes.
Who we buy from
Working excavators come from
Excavation companies
Fleet turnover or a slow season.
Owner-operators
Retiring or downsizing.
Farms and acreages
Drainage done, machine idle.
Municipal surplus
Rotated out on schedule.
Money still owing?
The lender gets paid out as part of the sale. See selling an excavator in BC.
What helps
What raises the figure on a working machine
- Service records
- Recent undercarriage or pump work
- Working emissions systems
- Attachments that come with it
Working machines in depth
Selling an excavator that still works
Running machines can bring good money. Here's what buyers look at.
Service records
Oil changes, filter changes and repairs on file help prove the machine was looked after. Rough notes, invoices from a shop or a dealer's service printout all help.
Recent work
New tracks, a rebuilt final drive or a new pump add value. Keep the receipts. Undercarriage work and pump rebuilds are big costs, so receipts for them help the figure.
Emissions systems
Newer machines have DPF and other emissions parts. Tell us if they're working or if there are warning codes. A working emissions system matters to buyers, because a failed one is a costly repair.
Private sale or us
A working excavator can sometimes sell for more privately. We'll tell you if we think yours is one. If a dealer or a private buyer would pay much more, we'd rather you know.
Fast and simple
If you'd rather skip listings and showings, we'll make one offer and pick it up. One offer, one pickup and a bill of sale on the day keeps it simple.
Keep working until pickup
If you need the machine for a last job, that's fine. Tell us the date it'll be free, and we'll book the pickup for after.
Liens and leases
A machine with a loan or a lease can still be sold once the lender or leasing company is paid out or agrees in writing.
A walkaround before you decide
For a working machine, photos and a short video usually get us to a firm number. If the machine is large or unusual, we may ask to see it first.
Questions
Common questions
Do you only buy broken excavators?
No. A good share of what we buy still runs and works. Owners sell working machines to us when they want it gone quickly or don't want to deal with a private sale.
Will you come look at the machine before making an offer?
Photos and a short video of it running usually do the job. For bigger machines we may want to see it in person, and we'll say so.
Can I keep using it until pickup?
Yes, as long as it ends up in the same shape we priced. If something breaks in the meantime, just tell us.
Do you buy machines with liens on them?
We can, but the lender has to be paid out as part of the sale so the machine comes to us clear. We'll walk you through it.
Does the emissions tier matter?
It can. Newer Tier 4 machines are simpler to sell on in Metro Vancouver. Older tiers aren't a problem for us, but they do affect what a machine is worth to the next owner.
Do you buy late-model excavators?
Yes, though a late-model machine that works well is often worth more sold privately or through a dealer. We'll say so.