Forklifts to Backhoes: Complete Heavy Equipment Price Guide
2025 Heavy Equipment Price Snapshot
Before diving into individual categories, it helps to take a look at where the market stands overall. A snapshot of 2025 auction and retail pricing highlights how different classes of machinery are performing at current:
TL;DR Auction Price Bands (Q2 2025)
- Forklifts: ≈ $10k–$63k
- Skid Steers: ≈ $35k–$50k
- Excavators: ≈ $150k–$500k
A heavy equipment price guide is more than a list of numbers. For procurement officers, operations managers, and business owners, it’s a decision-making framework that shows how market conditions, depreciation, and ownership costs shape the true value of heavy machinery. By analyzing auction data, financing rates, and depreciation schedules, companies can make informed investments that improve both short-term budgets and long-term ROI.
Market trends in 2025
Across the United States, the market remains dynamic. Auction values dipped slightly by 0.63% month-over-month but are still up 0.1% year-over-year as of June 2025 (Rouse Services). Construction-equipment inflation, supply-chain bottlenecks, and iron price volatility continue to play a role. According to Equipment Trader, categories such as forklifts and excavators are experiencing sustained demand that keeps prices stable despite broader inflation pressures. Seasonality also matters: December and January often bring lower hammer prices, offering buyers opportunities to save.
For broader insight into how these pricing trends affect procurement decisions, read our breakdown of Key Trends in Construction Equipment for 2025.
Forklift Pricing — Electric vs Diesel vs LP
Forklifts are often the first machines companies consider when expanding fleets because they’re indispensable across warehouses, distribution yards, and construction sites. Understanding how pricing shifts between electric, diesel, and LP models is essential for comparing options fairly.
2025 price ranges
Forklifts remain one of the most versatile equipment categories, and pricing reflects that diversity. Electric models start as low as $10,000 for compact, used warehouse units, while heavy-duty diesel and LP forklifts can exceed $60,000 for newer models with low operating hours.
Impact of fuel type, lift capacity, and mast height
Fuel type and lift specs create wide variations. A small 3,000-lb electric forklift averages $17,200, while a 10,000-lb pneumatic model averages $38,800 (Conger Industries). Lift height also drives cost, with tall-mast designs adding significant premiums. Battery replacement is a critical total cost of ownership (TCO) factor: lithium-ion systems may extend run-time but can cost upwards of $5,000 to replace.
Depreciation and value retention
Electric forklifts typically depreciate faster in the first three years due to battery considerations, while diesel models hold value longer in outdoor applications. Understanding the depreciation curve can help buyers decide between new or used units, as explained further in our Pros and Cons of Buying Used Construction Equipment guide.
Skid Steers & Compact Track Loaders
Among the most widely used machines in construction and landscaping, skid steers and compact track loaders are prized for their versatility and maneuverability. Because they serve both light and heavy-duty roles, their prices vary widely depending on condition, attachments, and undercarriage type.
Price bands and examples
- Budget: under $35k
- Mid-Range: $35k–$50k (e.g., new Bobcat S590 lists at $49,485)
- Premium: above $50k for specialty or low-hour units
Used skid steers averaged $39,205 in Q1 2025, down from $40,461 in Q4 2024. Compact track loaders (CTLs) command higher premiums due to their undercarriages, which are costlier to maintain but provide traction advantages.
New vs. used spread
The difference between a new and a used skid steer often becomes significant around the 1,000-hour mark. That said, buyers must weigh whether to invest upfront or accept higher maintenance costs sooner. Attachments—buckets, augers, brush cutters—also add thousands to the base price, which can shift a unit from budget to premium range.
Real-world pricing
Recent auction data showed a pair of Caterpillar 272D3 XE skid steers selling for $120,000, largely due to their excellent condition and under 500 hours of use. This illustrates how brand and low usage can push units well above typical price bands.
Excavators, Backhoes & Earth-Movers
Excavators remain a backbone of heavy construction projects, and pricing reflects both size and capability. Mini excavators under 6 tons generally sell for $40,000–$90,000 used and $75,000–$120,000 new. Mid-size units in the 20–35 ton range span $150,000–$500,000 used, while large-frame excavators often start around $400,000 and can exceed $1.5 million for top-tier models with advanced hydraulics. Other machines, such as the wheel loader, also carry significant price variation, with mid-size units often running between $100,000 and $300,000 depending on brand and hours.
Regional resale nuances
Backhoes remain particularly strong in resale markets across the Northeast. The backhoe loader, in particular, commands attention because of its versatility: it can dig, lift, and load in tight spaces where a full excavator or loader would be impractical. This multi-role capability contributes to higher resale prices in urban markets compared to rural areas where specialized equipment is more common.
Pros & cons for buyers
- Backhoes: Compact, versatile, and relatively affordable, with strong resale potential in dense regions; however, less efficient for large-scale excavation.
- Excavators: Ideal for heavy digging and large earth-moving, with higher acquisition and operating costs but superior long-term value retention.
Compliance and operating hours
Machines built to meet Tier 4-Final emissions standards typically sell at a premium. Hydraulic-hour readings, while often overlooked, reveal the true wear on critical systems and strongly influence price beyond engine hours alone.
For buyers considering whether resale potential justifies higher upfront cost, our guide on Understanding Heavy Equipment Appraisals explains how condition, age, and compliance affect value assessments.
Trucks & Trailers — Mileage, Model Year & Price
No heavy equipment fleet is complete without trucks and trailers to keep projects moving. These assets carry their own pricing patterns that differ from traditional construction machinery.
Mileage and depreciation
Heavy trucks, including dump trucks and lowboys, lose significant value as mileage climbs. On average, Class 8 dump trucks see a 5–7% drop in price for every additional 10,000 miles, particularly after crossing the 100,000-mile mark.
Corrosion and region-specific impact
Units from Rust Belt states often sell for 10–15% less due to corrosion risks, while southern or western trucks with cleaner frames retain higher values. Buyers should carefully inspect undercarriages and frames for salt damage before bidding.
Engine overhaul and title considerations
Engines nearing major overhaul thresholds (typically 400,000–500,000 miles) lower resale value. Clean-title trucks command significantly higher prices than those with rebuilt or salvage titles, since buyers weigh long-term DOT compliance and financing eligibility.
Trailers and auxiliary costs
Trailers follow similar patterns. A 2018 53-ft flatbed might list for $28,000, but rust, tire wear, and suspension age could drop the actual auction results closer to $20,000. Factoring in trailer replacement cycles is crucial to grasp the total cost of hauling operations.
Auction vs. Dealer vs. Private-Sale Price Gaps
Where you buy equipment can be just as important as what you buy—the same excavator, truck, or forklift might sell for very different amounts.
Auction savings
Buyers typically save 15–30% at auction, compared to dealer pricing. However, auction purchases require adding premiums and transport costs, which can erode some of those savings. For urgent procurement—like when a contractor lands a last-minute project—auctions provide speed but carry more moving parts.
Dealer and private-sale dynamics
Dealers charge more but offer warranties and reconditioning, which reduce long-term maintenance surprises. Private sales sit between the two: they allow room for negotiation, but condition verification becomes the buyer’s responsibility. Negotiating skills and inspection diligence often determine whether the “savings” translate into true value.
Off-lease opportunities
Another channel worth noting is off-lease equipment, often sourced through dealers. These units combine lower upfront cost with known service histories, making them attractive for risk-averse buyers.
Valuing Equipment at Auction — Step-by-Step
Buying at auction can deliver substantial savings, but only if buyers prepare carefully:
- Research past-sale comparables from platforms like Bid Equip to set realistic bid ceilings.
- Inspect before bidding: engine-oil sampling (≈$50) can prevent thousands in repair costs.
- Check telematics logs to verify usage hours and maintenance intervals.
- Calculate true acquisition cost: hammer price + buyer’s premium (often 10%) + transportation fees.
- Secure financing pre-approval so you can bid confidently without overextending.
These steps, when followed consistently, help avoid overpaying in competitive auction environments.
Financing, Depreciation & Total Cost of Ownership
Even when purchase prices look attractive, financing terms, depreciation schedules, and ongoing expenses often determine whether equipment becomes a smart investment or a budget strain.
Financing trends in 2025
Used-equipment loans range between 6% and 10% interest depending on creditworthiness and loan length. Leasing rates are often lower but lack the ownership benefits of capex purchases.
Depreciation strategies
Straight-line depreciation gives consistent expense recognition, while Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) allows faster upfront write-offs. Section 179 deductions allow up to $1,250,000 in qualifying purchases in 2025, a powerful advantage for small and mid-size contractors.
Insurance and maintenance reserves
Insurance premiums vary widely, but buyers should be sure to budget at least 3–5% of heavy equipment value annually. Building a maintenance reserve into financial planning ensures unexpected repair costs don’t derail cash flow.
Ownership vs. leasing
Leasing may reduce short-term expenses, but it also eliminates long-term equity. Ownership builds asset value that can later be recaptured through resale or trade-ins. For the best of both worlds, balancing those trade-offs requires analyzing utilization rates and capital availability.
Quick-Reference FAQ — Heavy-Equipment Prices
How much does a 5,000-lb forklift cost used?
Typically under $30,000, depending on condition and hours. Warehouse units with clean service records fall closer to $20,000, while outdoor pneumatics push toward the upper end (Conger Industries, Q2 2025).
What’s the cheapest skid-steer brand?
Frequently Bobcat or Gehl, with many used units available under $35,000. Buyers should check engine hours closely, since maintenance intervals strongly affect real cost (Triangle Equipment Group, 2025).
When do auction prices bottom out yearly?
Historically December through January, when contractors slow work and offload inventory. Sandhills reports consistent year-end dips across multiple categories, highlighting winter as a prime time to buy.
