The newest Sandhills Global market reports, which cover October data for used trucks and equipment on TruckPaper.com,TractorHouse.com, MachineryTrader.com, and other Sandhills platforms, underscore inventory declines across most market segments. Inventory dropped lower than year-ago levels in every market except for aerial lifts and forklifts. Year-over-year inventory decreases were sharpest among used heavy-duty trucks, semi-trailers, and medium-duty trucks.

“Although inventory remains low, prices are solid,” says Truck Paper manager Scott Lubischer. “There is higher demand for lower-mileage units, which are performing well compared to higher-mileage trucks. On the trailer front, demand is picking up and trailer inventory is getting some much-needed attention.” Auction values for used semi-trailers were up 3.18% month-over-month and 19.64% Y/Y in October, led by used dry van and refrigerated trailers.

Used aerial lifts and forklifts showed the opposite pattern. Compared to year-ago figures, inventory levels in these markets were up and values were down. In the used farm equipment market, inventory levels for high-horsepower tractors were down 12% from the previous year, continuing a 17-month downward trend despite a slight monthly increase.

The key metric in all of Sandhills’ market reports is the Sandhills Equipment Value Index (EVI). Buyers and sellers can use the information in the Sandhills EVI to monitor equipment markets and maximize returns on acquisition, liquidation, and related business decisions. The Sandhills EVI data include equipment available in auction and retail markets and model-year equipment actively in use. EVI spread measures the percentage difference between asking and auction values.

Market Report Details

Sandhills market reports highlight the most significant changes in Sandhills’ used heavy-duty truck, semi-trailer, farm machinery, and construction equipment markets. Key points from the current reports are listed below. Full reports are available upon request. 

U.S. Used Heavy-Duty Trucks

• Inventory levels of used day cab and sleeper trucks decreased 0.83% M/M and 37.25% Y/Y in October and are trending down for the 11th consecutive month. Used day cab trucks had the largest M/M inventory change, down 8.39%, while used sleeper trucks had the largest Y/Y decline of 39.22%.
• Asking values dipped 0.24% M/M but increased 2.12% Y/Y and are trending up. Used sleeper trucks had the largest asking value changes, down 1.16% M/M and up 2.28% Y/Y.
• Auction values slipped 0.16% M/M but rose 6.09% Y/Y and are trending sideways. Used day cab trucks had the largest M/M auction value increase at 1.46%, while used sleeper trucks posted the largest Y/Y gain of 6.72%.

U.S. Used Semi-Trailers

• Inventory levels of used semi-trailers decreased 3.85% M/M and 33.92% Y/Y in October and are trending down for the 15th consecutive month. Used dry van trailers had the largest M/M inventory decrease at 9.16%, while used reefer trailers experienced the steepest Y/Y decline of 45.05%.
• Asking values rose 1.46% M/M and 9.46% Y/Y and are trending up. Used reefer trailers had the largest asking value increases, climbing 2.86% M/M and 17.04% Y/Y.
• Auction values increased 3.18% M/M and jumped 19.64% Y/Y and are trending up. Used dry van trailers had the largest M/M auction value gain of 10.94%, while used reefer trailers posted the strongest Y/Y increase at 29.44%.

U.S. Used Medium-Duty Trucks

• Inventory levels of used medium-duty trucks dipped 0.19% M/M and dropped 29.42% Y/Y in October and are trending down for the 14th month in a row.
• Asking values increased marginally by 0.2% M/M but decreased 3.52% Y/Y, continuing a six-month-long downward trend.
• Auction values declined 1.57% M/M and 4.81% Y/Y and are also trending down for the sixth consecutive month.

U.S. Used Tractors 100 Horsepower and Greater

• Inventory levels in the used high-HP tractor market increased 1.38% M/M in October but decreased 12.28% Y/Y and are trending down for the 17th month in a row. Used 100- to 174-HP tractors had the largest inventory changes, up 5.23% M/M and down 12.88% Y/Y.
• Asking values edged up 0.15% M/M and increased 1.07% Y/Y and are trending sideways. Used 100- to 174-HP tractors had the largest M/M asking value increase at 0.31%, while used 175- to 299-HP tractors posted the strongest Y/Y gain of 3.57%.
• Auction values dipped 0.81% M/M but rose 4.43% Y/Y and are trending sideways. Used tractors with 300 HP and greater had the largest M/M auction value change, down 1.38%, while used 175- to 299-HP tractors had the largest Y/Y increase at 6.7%.
• The EVI spread, which measures the percentage difference between asking and auction values, was 32% in October, a one-percentage-point increase from September.

U.S. Used Heavy-Duty Construction Equipment

• Inventory levels in this market increased 0.73% M/M but decreased 9.62% Y/Y in October and are trending down. Used crawler dozers had the largest M/M inventory change, up 1.55%, while used wheel loaders posted the largest Y/Y decline of 12.27%.
• Asking values decreased 0.95% M/M and 3.64% Y/Y and are trending down for the sixth consecutive month. Used crawler excavators had the largest asking value changes, down 2.62% M/M and 6.29% Y/Y.
• Auction values fell 2.04% M/M and 4.95% Y/Y and are trending down for the fifth month in a row. Used crawler excavators posted the largest auction value decreases, dropping 4.05% M/M and 6.31% Y/Y.

U.S. Used Medium-Duty Construction Equipment

• Inventory levels of used medium-duty construction equipment increased 3.04% M/M but decreased 10.23% Y/Y in October and are trending sideways. Used mini excavators had the largest M/M inventory increase at 5.65%, while used loader backhoes posted the steepest Y/Y decline of 23.18%.
• Asking values fell 0.56% M/M and 1.18% Y/Y and are trending down. Used loader backhoes had the largest M/M asking value decrease at 1.01%, while used mini excavators had the largest Y/Y decline of 3.17%.
• Auction values decreased 1.16% M/M and 1.09% Y/Y and are trending down. Used mini excavators had the largest auction value changes, down 2.89% M/M and 3.58% Y/Y.