Selling Heavy Equipment: How to Get the Best Price for Your Used Crusher or Screener
How to sell your used crusher, screener, or grinder for top dollar. Preparation tips, pricing strategy, and where to list for maximum exposure.
Maximizing Your Equipment's Resale Value
Whether you're upgrading, downsizing, or exiting a business, how you sell your used equipment matters. The difference between a well-prepared sale and a rushed liquidation can be 20-40% of the machine's value.
Step 1: Determine Fair Market Value
Before listing, research what similar equipment is selling for — not listed for, but actually selling for. List prices are aspirational. Sale prices are reality.
Where to check:
- Machinery Trader — search by make, model, and year to see current listings
- Ritchie Bros auction results — actual hammer prices from recent auctions
- RPG Equipment marketplace — we can provide a free valuation based on current market data
Pricing rules of thumb:
| Machine Age/Hours | Expected Value (% of new) |
|---|---|
| 1-2 years, <1,000 hours | 70-85% |
| 3-5 years, 1,000-3,000 hours | 50-70% |
| 5-8 years, 3,000-6,000 hours | 30-50% |
| 8+ years, 6,000+ hours | 15-35% |
Step 2: Prepare the Machine
First impressions matter — even on a 50-ton crusher. These steps cost relatively little but significantly impact buyer perception and sale price:
- Clean it thoroughly — Pressure wash the entire machine. Remove built-up material from conveyors, hoppers, and frame. A clean machine looks maintained.
- Fix minor issues — Replace burned-out lights, fix minor hydraulic leaks, and address any low-cost repairs. Spending $2,000 on small fixes can add $20,000 to the sale price.
- Service it — Change oil and filters. A fresh service sticker tells buyers the machine is maintained.
- Gather documentation — Compile all service records, the original purchase invoice, and any repair history. Documented maintenance history adds 10-15% to used equipment value.
Step 3: Professional Photos
Equipment listings with quality photos sell 3x faster than those without. Take at minimum:
- Four-corner walk-around photos (front-left, front-right, rear-left, rear-right)
- Engine compartment
- Operator station/cab interior
- Hour meter closeup
- Serial number plate
- Wear components (jaw plates, screen media, blow bars, tracks)
- Any damage or issues — transparency builds trust
Step 4: Choose Your Selling Channel
| Channel | Commission/Fees | Time to Sell | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment broker (like RPG) | 10-15% | 2-8 weeks | Getting maximum price with minimal effort |
| Machinery Trader listing | $100-$300/month | 1-6 months | Sellers who want control over negotiations |
| Auction (Ritchie Bros, etc.) | 10-15% buyer premium + seller fees | Set date | Quick, guaranteed sale at market price |
| Private sale | $0 | Varies widely | Known buyers, trade-ins |
Step 5: Negotiate Smart
- Price slightly above target — List at 10-15% above your minimum. Every buyer expects to negotiate.
- Know your walk-away number — Decide your minimum before talking to buyers. Emotion-driven negotiations lose money.
- Offer financing assistance — Pointing buyers to equipment financing sources removes a common deal-killer.
- Consider trade-ins — Dealers may offer a higher total value on a trade-in than a straight cash purchase.
Sell Through RPG Equipment
We help equipment owners sell faster by marketing to our buyer network across the East Coast. Professional photos, market-competitive pricing, and exposure on our website and partner platforms. List your equipment with RPG.
RPG Equipment is a heavy equipment brokerage based in Worcester, MA specializing in grinders, crushers, screeners, and material processing equipment. Contact us to buy or sell equipment, or browse more articles.