HardRockNM
Well-Known Member
I'm wondering about the evidence of used equipment values on older non electronic machines rising. It might have been three to five years ago but I sure can't quantify that today. Do you have some reference that I can review to research the topic. I deal with nearly all the equipment dealers in my area and all say the trend is that used equipment that is available is too old and worn out to make any money with.
This is a very niche example, but it does illustrate the point: ten or fifteen years ago, small haul trucks for underground mines would sell for just a few thousand dollars. Now, you can't touch those same trucks in running condition for less than $20k on a good day, or often $40k with how some dealers price their wares. Bear in mind that these are simple machines that have seen hard service. I blame emissions, the price of gold, and the tendency of manufacturers to "gold-plate" their new machines.
In underground mining, no piece of equipment is too old to make money with, or so the mine operators seem to believe. The cost gap between well-maintained used iron from the 80s and a new machine is often an order of magnitude or more, so the same old equipment is continuously rebuilt and resold. Hell, some mine operators will actively seek out designs that haven't been built in 25 years.