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Tracy Bennett |
February 7, 2007 • Florida in February is the place to be if you are in the market for used equipment. There is at least one multi-day auction per week and lifting equipment is on the sale list in large numbers.
The obvious draw to Florida this time of year is the weather. As I write this it is 71 degrees and sunny in Orlando. Although this winter brought milder temperatures in many parts of the country, traditionally by February, weather-related delays have slowed construction. By March both the thermostat and work has begun heating up again, making February the perfect time for contractors to take stock of their equipment needs for the year.
Alex Lyon and Son will conclude its 14th annual Florida sale on February 11 in Kissimee after eight days. The event is advertised to include equipment from 14 large national rental fleets, including Hertz, Neff, RSC, NationsRent, United Rentals, NES and Sunbelt. Hundreds of late model boom lifts, scissor lifts and telehandlers have been advertised.
Next up is Florida auction veteran Yoder & Frey, which has been conducting auctions like this in the state for more than 30 years. According to the company's website, more than 10,000 pieces of construction equipment will be auctioned between February 12-20 at its permanent facility in Kissimee. The majority of lifting equipment is reserved for the auctioneer's “Crane Day” on February 16 when more than 50 aerial lifts and a variety of boom trucks, RT cranes, truck cranes and crawler cranes will be sold.
Then Ritchie Bros. wraps things up February 20-24 in Orlando. While the auctioneer will offer more than 20 cranes, including one tower crane, the real volume is in aerials and telehandlers. More than 200 telehandlers, 246 boom lifts, and more than 300 scissor lifts will be offered the last week of the month.
One buyer headed to Florida this month calls these combined efforts the biggest auctions of the year. He says what happens in Florida in February is a good indication of what the used equipment market will be like for the months ahead. He's just one faithful buyer making an annual pilgrimage to the state.
For those who choose not to travel to Florida this month, all three auction houses offer online bidding options. Whether you buy in person or over the internet, we would like to know if you participated in one of these auctions. Please e-mail me at tbennett@liftandaccess.com to tell me about your experience.
For more information on these auctions, visit their respective websites at:
www.lyonauction.com
www.yoderandfrey.com
www.rbauction.com
