Running condition
A machine that starts, tracks and swings well is worth far more than a dead one. A dead machine still has value in its engine, pumps, final drives and steel.
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Value guide
What Is My Excavator Worth? The Factors That Matter
Two machines with the same model number can be worth very different amounts. Here's what moves it.
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Get your excavator offer
About a minute. We call back with a number.
- No guesswork price tables
- What buyers check first
- Read your undercarriage
The big six
What decides most of the value
Size class
Operating weight sets the starting point.
Hours with age
6,000 hours reads differently at 3 years vs 10.
Undercarriage
Often the most expensive wear item.
Engine and hydraulics
Easy start, strong pump, no weeping.
Structure
Cracks or welds put buyers off fast.
Attachments
Thumb, coupler, buckets, breaker.
Check it yourself
A quick undercarriage look
- Sprocket teeth: hooked or pointed means wear.
- Track sag: low hang means stretch.
- Rollers: flat spots, leaks, or not turning.
- Grousers: how much bar is left.
- Rubber tracks: cracks or exposed cords.
Have an excavator to sell? Get a number in minutes.
Easy to forget
Other things that change the number
Emissions tier
Older tiers are harder to resell in Metro Vancouver.
Liens
Money owing gets paid out first.
Access
Hard-to-reach machines cost more to move.
Records
Service logs and invoices add confidence.
Three ways to sell
Private: most money, most time. Dealer or auction: simpler, takes a cut. Us: fast, no fees, any condition. How it works.
What helps
What raises the figure
- A machine that starts, tracks and swings
- Good undercarriage
- Attachments
- Paperwork ready on the day
Value in depth
Why excavator quotes vary
Two excavators of the same model can be worth very different amounts.
Undercarriage
Worn undercarriage is one of the biggest deductions. Tracks, rollers, idlers and sprockets are expensive, so their wear changes the figure a lot.
Hours and service
Lower hours help, but service history matters as much. A well-serviced high-hour machine can beat a neglected low-hour one.
Attachments
Buckets, thumbs and couplers add value. Extra buckets, a thumb or a coupler can each add a fair amount.
Emissions tier
In Metro Vancouver, older unregistered engines are worth less locally because of Bylaw 1329. Machines outside the region, or registered and compliant, aren't affected the same way.
Metal prices
For scrap machines, steel prices set the floor, and they move. That's one reason we don't publish prices; the figure reflects the market on the day we quote.
Where it sits
A machine in a paved yard is quicker to load than one in a wet field or on a slope. We explain any difference. A machine that has to be winched out of a field takes more time, and that's built into the figure.
Paperwork
Clear ownership makes a machine easier to sell. A lien or a lease slows things down but doesn't stop a sale. Tell us about any loan or lease when you call so nothing surprises anyone later.
Getting a firm figure
Photos and a short video usually get us there. If something was missed, we explain before loading, and you can still say no. That way the figure you agreed to is the figure you're paid, unless you choose otherwise.
Questions
Excavator value questions
Can you give me a number over the phone?
A rough idea, yes, if you know the make, model, hours and condition. A firm offer usually needs a few photos.
Why don't you post prices?
Because two machines with the same model number can be worth wildly different amounts. A posted range would be wrong for most people who read it.
Does a fresh repair raise the offer?
A documented recent repair, like a new undercarriage or a rebuilt pump, can help. Invoices make it count.
Is my excavator worth more as scrap or as a machine?
As long as anything on it works or can be rebuilt, it's usually worth more as a machine. Scrap is the floor, not the starting point.
Does undercarriage wear matter much?
Yes. It's one of the biggest deductions on any excavator, because tracks and rollers are costly.
Do you charge for pickup?
No. The pickup is built into the offer.
Is a mini worth less than a full-size machine?
Usually, because there's less machine and less steel. A clean, running mini with good tracks and a thumb can still bring a strong figure.