Used equipment auctions provide an ideal place for sellers to list their items and for buyers to purchase equipment that fits their needs. From excavators and cranes to dozers and trucks, used equipment auctions offer a wide selection of items at an arguably better value than new equipment.

For specific tips on buying used trucks, read this Construction Business Owner article from Paul Hendrix, IronPlanet's equipment pricing analyst.

With colder and more hazardous weather right around the corner, Canadian equipment owners have some serious decisions to make about which items to keep in their fleets and which to sell.

In the Aug. 19 issue of Equipment Journal, Sue McGregor, IronPlanet's Managing Director of Canada, explains how online used equipment auctions can help owners of road-building equipment during the off-season. Check out "Never Out of Season: Road-building and Paving Equipment" here.

Keeping unused or rarely used heavy equipment in the yard is like sitting on a potentially large pile of cash that’s off limits for spending. However, before you auction items, it’s best to understand how to maximize resale value to get the most out of your equipment listing.

Paul Hendrix, IronPlanet's equipment pricing analyst, talks preventative maintenance tips and how to get the best return on equipment in the July 29 issue of Equipment Journal. Download the article here: Ready for Resale

“Telehandlers have a fairly robust hydraulic system,” says Paul Hendrix, IronPlanet's equipment pricing analyst. “One group of cylinders telescopes the boom, while load leveling cylinders change the angle of the machine. You need to visually inspect all areas for damage, wear and leaks.”

Need more tips for inspecting a telehandler? Hendrix breaks it down in his interview with Tara Ninmann for Equipment Today. Check out the full article here.

"It's important to inspect equipment thoroughly and touch upon five different points,"

says Paul Hendrix, IronPlanet's equipment pricing analyst.

Before you buy used equipment, check the following areas:

• Mechanical
• Structural
• Cosmetic
• Features/Options
• Tires

Hendrix discusses ways to do this, as well as the state of
the rental industry and used equipment market, with Lindsey Anderson of Access, Lift and Handlers in "Going, going, gone!" Download the July/August 2013 issue here (p. 37-39)

"Many sellers try to sell machines with problems unbeknownst to buyers in order to get rid of lemons," says Paul Hendrix, IronPlanet's equipment pricing analyst.

Want to make sure you're not bidding on a lemon tractor? There are a few strategies you can follow. To learn more, read Paul's interview with TractorLife.com here.

Managing fleets requires ongoing diligence to ensure that underutilized equipment can be easily and quickly replaced with different items. When developing a fleet management strategy, understanding the benefits of online used equipment auctions can help fleet managers better maximize value. Maintaining equipment with its eventual sale in mind and knowing its present market value are variables that can help yield higher profits when it’s time to rotate the fleet.

To read more about the benefits of using online used equipment auctions and developing a fleet maintenance strategy, check out our Rental Management article from Paul Hendrix, equipment pricing analyst for IronPlanet.

As 2012 draws to a close, many construction companies are looking to 2013 with hope. The industry has improved markedly in the past year. For example, construction spending in October surpassed projections of a 0.5 percent increase, instead growing an impressive 1.4 percent month-over-month, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. This drove the annual rate of spending up to about $872 billion, marking the highest level since September 2009. Experts are projecting the growth will continue gradually in 2013, making the new year a good time to buy and sell used construction equipment.

The construction industry has seen marked improvements since the recession, with more new housing starts and other projects being reported every month. While this is a boon for construction companies, many businesses may still be looking for ways to maximize profits while they rebuild. Businesses in need of equipment such as forklifts, cranes, excavators and backhoes, or replacement parts to keep the machinery they already have in working order, may want to consider checking out the used market at IronPlanet.

As a leading online marketplace for used heavy equipment, IronPlanet has a unique perspective on forklifts as they pertain to fleet management. After a brief drop in production from U.S. manufacturers beginning in 2008, demand for this equipment has picked back up and IronPlanet is seeing impressive competition in the resale market for late model lifts. With increased demand comes higher selling prices and more competitive bidding, so those considering adding forklifts to their fleet may want to start searching for the equipment they need soon.