If you're starting up your own construction business or adding to your existing inventory of equipment, a great way to keep your budget down is to buy used heavy construction equipment. Considering that larger pieces of construction equipment can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, finding used construction equipment for sale is an attractive and affordable option.

You'll generally find that used heavy construction equipment costs a fraction of the price of new equipment. To get great deals on the used equipment you need, look to a construction equipment auction, a construction equipment salvage or to vendors that specialize in used construction equipment for sale. When weighing the pricing and costs of used heavy construction equipment, consider the following:

1. Locate large heavy construction equipment used and save tens of thousands of dollars.

2. Find smaller used construction equipment, such as tractors and mini-excavators, for under $50,000.

3. Shop for used construction equipment parts that you'll likely need.

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Buy used heavy equipment, such as cranes or excavators, for much less than new

If you need large pieces of equipment to take on big jobs, you'll need to turn to cranes, excavators and bulldozers. Luckily, you can find many of these and other used construction equipment readily available from many vendors. In some cases, you'll find that some of this used heavy construction equipment is only a few years old.

I recommend: BuyerZone offers a price comparison of new and used backhoe loaders in an article that lets you see the potential savings you'll enjoy by exploring used heavy construction equipment. Hoss Equipment has a long list of used excavators for sale, from names such as Caterpillar and Hitachi, some for under $100,000 and many for well under $200,000.

Look to smaller pieces of used construction equipment if your needs and your budget are small

You might not be in the market for large cranes or backhoes, or possibly your budget doesn't match up to those huge machines. If you're planning on taking on smaller jobs that need only tractors or mini-excavators, then you can also find plenty of these types of used heavy equipment for sale.

I recommend: Find smaller backhoes, scrapers and sweepers, most for under $30,000, at Cross Timbers Equipment. Choose from a list of Bobcat excavators and attachments for between $5,000 and $20,000 from Williams Equipment & Supply. Texana Machinery offers some smaller skid steers, wheel loaders and excavators for under $50,000.

Add in the costs of used heavy equipment parts

Even if you find used heavy construction equipment in excellent condition, chances are you'll need parts for whatever machines you buy. It's best to figure in the cost of parts in the pricing and costs of used heavy construction equipment. Even if you don't need used construction equipment parts right away, you'll undoubtedly need them at some point down the road.

I recommend: Select from a huge inventory of used heavy equipment tires for between $2,000 and $20,000, depending on the size and how many you need, from FindConstructionEquipment.com. Find engine parts, attachment parts and more, ranging from a few hundred dollars up to $15,000 depending on what you're looking for, from C.N. Wood.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Name your price for used heavy construction equipment at a construction equipment auction. Auctions are a great way to stick to a firm budget and possibly get some good used construction equipment for even less than what you were planning on spending.

If you're just starting out with your own construction company and are looking to keep costs down, buy heavy construction equipment used. Used heavy construction equipment such as cranes, backhoes, bulldozers, loaders, graders and trucks can often offer a vast savings while providing you with years of good service.

Though the word "used" can sometimes conjure negative images, this is not always the case when it comes to used construction equipment. You can find well-known names in construction equipment, like Caterpillar and John Deere, when you shop for used construction equipment. If you know where to look, you can find used construction equipment that works almost like new. When it comes time to buy used heavy equipment:

1. Compare heavy construction equipment cost, condition and manufacturer.

2. Find auctions where you can name your price and get the used construction equipment you need.

3. Realize that one man's junk is another man's treasure.

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Look for name-brand used construction equipment offered at reasonable prices

If you're hesitant about buying used heavy construction equipment, you might feel better knowing that many places offer familiar names in heavy equipment such as Caterpillar, John Deere and Hitachi. You can buy used construction equipment that works well for a fraction of what new construction equipment would cost.

I recommend: Machinery Trader lists a wide range of used heavy construction equipment, with several models of all types of equipment such as loaders/backhoes, scrapers, dozers and cranes with names like Caterpillar and Hitachi. You'll find plenty of used graders, dozers, backhoes, excavators, cranes and more offered at Global Machinery Network, which highlights new listings in red. Finney Corporation specializes in used earthmoving equipment such as tractors and dozers.

Attend used heavy construction equipment auctions

A great way to locate used heavy construction equipment is to attend auctions. Not only does a construction equipment auction allows you to control what you spend, but many construction equipment auctions offer a huge listing of tractors, loaders, dozers and backhoes from all of the major heavy construction manufacturers.

I recommend: IronPlanet is an online auction that lists new auctions for used heavy equipment every two weeks, and has hundred of pieces of used construction equipment listed. Preview upcoming used construction equipment up for auction at Used Heavy Equipment For Sale.

Check out salvage yards specializing in heavy equipment

Construction equipment salvage has become big business. There are many salvage yards that specialize in used heavy construction equipment and parts. When it comes to used construction equipment, it's likely you can find almost anything you're looking for at salvage yards when it comes to used construction equipment.

I recommend: Southern Tractor Service & Salvage has many large and small tractors, dozers and cranes, with new arrivals listed on their website. Contact Weller Tractor Salvage for equipment as well as an inventory of over 42,000 parts for used heavy equipment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep in mind that used heavy construction equipment will likely need parts. Many places selling used construction equipment may also offer parts at cheaper prices. Salvage yards are also a good place to used heavy equipment parts.

When looking for used heavy equipment parts and used heavy equipment for sale, you not only have to be diligent about what equipment you are purchasing, but you also have to be cost efficient to make sure that you are getting the most gear for your money. If you purchase a lemon of a piece of equipment because you didn't invest an inspection, or you didn't thoroughly look it over yourself, you are better of to have not bought the equipment in the first place.

Cost savings on purchasing construction equipment, heavy and used, starts with knowing what to look for in terms on quality in the gear that you want to buy. Walk into the situation knowledgeable as to what you are looking for in a piece of equipment. Next, know the best places to find great deals and used construction equipment sales.

Learn other ways of saving money on used heavy construction equipment:

1. Know what to look for when buying construction equipment. Heavy used machinery comes in a variety of conditions and quality.

2. Save at a heavy construction equipment auction online.

3. Find used construction equipment for sale by cutting out the middleman.

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Brush up on industry advice on buying used heavy equipment for sale

Stay abreast on the tips and tricks to purchasing construction equipment, heavy and used. Read online publications and advice sites to help you know what to look for to make a wise purchasing decision.

I recommend: Learn about used construction equipment sales and auctions from Machinery & Equipment Access. Subscribe to their publication to run a detailed search, post free listings, look for equipment dealers, find used heavy equipment parts dealers, find auction companies and more. Find more tips and tricks on buying construction equipment in heavy, used varieties from BuyerZone.

Save money buy purchasing your used heavy construction equipment via online auction

Catch the best prices by buying your next piece of used heavy equipment for sale at an online auction, or via a used heavy equipment for sale classified ad.

I recommend: Visit IronPlanet, the online auction site that hosts used construction equipment auctions every two weeks. Their site offers photos, details as well as guaranteed inspection reports on most items. Used Heavy Equipment For Sale specializes in auctions and classified ads to help you buy used construction equipment.

Cut out the middleman when it comes to used construction equipment

When a seller can offer the equipment direct, you will save considerably because of the lack of markup on the gear.

I recommend: Yantis Company is one company that has no dealer costs because you are buying directly from the owner. Buy used heavy equipment by browsing classified adds placed on HeavyEquipmentForSale.com. Look at manufacturer, Model, year, hours used, condition, location, price as well as additional information on each piece.

In the world of heavy equipment, there are a variety of terms and machine names to learn. Often, businesses and operators specialize in equipment used for specific types of construction. Whether you are purchasing new or used heavy equipment, the terminology you'll encounter is the same. With that in mind, here are some commonly seen terms used to describe heavy equipment used for creating roads. Keep in mind many of these machines have uses outside that niche.

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Aggregate feeders

Aggregate feeders, sometimes called 'cold aggregate feeders' or simply 'feeders,' make aggregate materials like gravel, sand, slag, crushed stone or recycled crushed concrete. The machines then dispense the mixture at the work site.

I recommend: AsphaltPlants pictures and describes a cold aggregate feeder.

Air curtain destructor

An air curtain destructor clears debris or waste like tree stumps or bushes from an area of land. This machine burns materials using very little smoke and is often more cost effective than other road-clearing machines.

I recommend: Concept Products explains the pros of using an air curtain destructor and offers information on how you can best use such machines.

Crawler carrier

A crawler carrier is a small machine, usually holding around eight cubic yards with a rubber track undercarriage and an upper shovel, like an excavator. Workers use these machines when they need to move smaller amounts of material or they are working in small spaces with tight maneuvering. This helps avoid problems caused by larger machines.

I recommend: Equipment World compares crawler carriers with other forms of heavy equipment, including wheel loaders and dump trucks.

Gantry crane

A gantry crane is a type of crane that lifts objects by means of a hoist fitted in a trolley. It moves horizontally on a rail.

I recommend: Washington Crane & Hoist pictures and describes its gantry cranes.

Pugmill

Pugmills, sometimes called 'pug mills' or 'pugs,' are machines that both grind and mix materials. Pugmills create bricks, cement, concrete and asphalt.

I recommend: Read more about pugmills at Pugmill Systems, Inc.

Trommel

A trommel is a cylinder-shaped machine that separates materials according to size. Workers often use it for separating biodegradable materials from municipal waste or for sorting various sizes of crushed rock.

I recommend: Andela Products describes and pictures its glass aggregate trommel.