Market Notes
Used-equipment market movements
Timely observations about machine availability, demand shifts, pricing signals, and the models buyers are asking about.
Blog
Stories and updates from the machinery trade
The Blog is the home for timely articles, market observations, machine stories, and export updates. Evergreen buying tools and step-by-step guides remain in Buyer Tools.
Latest articles
Used Wheel Loader Buyer Guide
Wheel Loader Bucket Capacity: Heaped Volume, Density and Payload
Read wheel loader bucket capacity by heaped-volume rows, material-density charts and the actual bucket configuration before comparing a used-machine offer.
Used Excavator Buyer Guide
Excavator Bucket Size: Match Capacity, Weight and Material
Compare excavator bucket width, rated capacity, attachment weight and material evidence before requesting a machine quote. Use a practical offer checklist.
Attachment configuration
Manual vs Hydraulic Excavator Quick Couplers: What to Verify Before Buying
Compare manual and hydraulic excavator quick couplers by attachment changes, model evidence, interface records and installed quote scope before buying.
Import paperwork checklist
What Documents Do You Need to Import a Used Excavator? A Buyer's Paperwork Checklist
What to get from the seller, what a US customs broker files (ISF, entry, bond, EPA Form 3520-21) and why soil or a missing engine label can hold a used excavator.
Estimating guide
How to Price an Excavation Job: A Step-by-Step Estimating Guide
Price an excavation job line by line: bank yards, swell, machine hours, truck loads, dump fees, locates, contingency and change-order terms. Worked example included.
Excavator Recovery Safety Guide
Excavator Stuck in a Ditch: Safe Recovery Decision Guide
Understand what a recovery video cannot prove, prepare an incident record for qualified assistance, and organize inspection questions before return to service.
Backhoe Loader Cost Guide
How Much Does a Backhoe Loader Cost? Build the Delivered-and-Ready Budget
Compare new, used and direct-import backhoe loader costs with the same configuration, delivery, attachments, inspection, setup and support scope.
Bucket and Attachment Guide
Hardened Concrete in an Excavator Bucket: Safe Removal Steps
Learn how to assess hardened concrete in an excavator bucket, choose a removal method, use a compatible hydraulic breaker, and inspect the bucket afterward.
First Machine Selection Guide
Buying Your First Mini Excavator: A 9-Point Owner-Operator Selection Scorecard
Choose the best mini excavator for starting a business with a nine-point score for jobs, access, lift, transport, attachments and support evidence.
Freight Data Guide
What Does an Excavator Really Weigh for Shipping? Fluids, Bucket, Counterweight and Removed Parts
Build an excavator freight weight record that reconciles operating, shipping and actual scale weight with fluids, bucket, coupler, counterweight and removed parts.
Used Machine Evidence Guide
Is a High-Hour Excavator Worth Buying? A Remote Buyer’s Evidence Checklist
Judge a high-hour used excavator with meter, ECM, service, rebuild, wear, fluid and working evidence before deciding whether to inspect or reject it.
Remote Inspection Protocol
Used Excavator Cold-Start Test: 8 Engine and Hydraulic Red Flags to Catch Before You Buy
Use one continuous used excavator cold-start test video to check eight engine and hydraulic red flags, then decide what evidence or inspection comes next.
Remote Inspection Protocol
Used Excavator Cold-Start Test: 8 Engine and Hydraulic Red Flags to Catch Before You Buy
Use one continuous used excavator cold-start test video to check eight engine and hydraulic red flags, then decide what evidence or inspection comes next.
Pricing Guide
How Much Should You Charge for Mini Excavator Work?
Learn how much to charge for mini excavator work using your hourly cost, mobilization, minimum charge, local market, and target profit margin.
Business Planning
8 Most Profitable Mini Excavator Jobs for Owner-Operators
Compare profitable mini excavator jobs by demand, hauling, risk, attachments, and margin potential before choosing services for your small business today.
Business Planning
How to Start a Small Excavation Business and How Much Can You Make in the USA?
Learn how to start a small excavation business in the USA, choose equipment, price jobs, find customers, and estimate costs, profit, and owner income.
Editorial coverage
Machine Stories
Machines, yards, and inspection findings
Field notes from real equipment, including condition details, configuration differences, and lessons from inspection work.
Export Updates
Shipping and sourcing developments
Current developments affecting sourcing from China, export preparation, loading decisions, and international buyers.