The 7 most popular construction equipment items so far in 2022

Ritchie Bros. is the world’s largest seller of used construction equipment. Each year thousands of construction items are sold through various Ritchie Bros. sales channels, including live and online auctions, an online marketplace, and a listing site.

With that kind of sales volume, Ritchie Bros. is an industry leader on providing buyers with the most selection of used construction equipment. Here are 7 of the top sellers in the construction category and how many we have sold so far in 2022.

1. Excavators – 3,900+ sold

Excavators, referred to frequently as diggers, is the most used construction equipment thanks to their versatility. They are dominant on a construction site, as well as mining, landscaping, demolition, and more. The top manufacturers are Caterpillar, Komatsu, John Deere, and Volvo.

2. Compaction (walk behind) – 3,500+ sold 

Compaction machines come in various forms and functions. Tandem rollers, vibratory rollers, walk behind rollers, and compactors are among the top sellers. At Ritchie Bros., walk behind rollers were the most sold compaction machine in 2022. Compaction machines function to break down materials, reduce their size, and compact them.

3. Wheel Loaders – 3,400+ sold

While the similar-looking bulldozer does the work of pushing around dirt, rock, and soil, wheel loaders lift that pile onto trucks and dump trucks. They feature a massive shovel at the front which can scoop materials and transport around a job site.  

4. Dozers – 2,200+ sold

There is no better machine for pushing dirt than a bulldozer. Ideal for shallow areas, dozers can push dirt, soil, and other materials to clear a work site. There are two commonly used dozers – crawler tractors and wheel dozers. Crawlers feature a front blade designed to push large quantities of material.

5. Backhoes – 1,800+ sold

Backhoes are very similar to excavators and sometimes the two get confused. Also known as loader backhoes, these commonly used construction machines offer digging and pulling. Backhoes are much smaller than excavators. They have more in common with a compact tractor – with a loader in front (and a backhoe for digging in the back). 

6. Skid Steers – 1,370+ sold

Skid steers are a common site on construction sites, landscaping, and farms because they are compact, versatile, and highly maneuverable machines. The compact size and maneuverability make them ideal for jobs where a wheel loader wouldn’t fit or be able to operate effectively. Skid steers are often called “Bobcats” after the prominent manufacturer’s name.

7. Motor Graders – 1,000+ sold

When you’re driving and see a construction site on the side of the road, there’s a good chance you’ll spot a motor grader. Featuring a long blade at the base, called a moldboard, the prime function of a motor grader is to flatten surfaces during grading projects. The blade functions to finely grade rough surfaces.

Ritchie Bros. is the world’s largest provider of used heavy equipment, trucks, and other commercial assets. New used construction inventory is constantly being added from top manufacturers, including Caterpillar, Case, John Deere, Komatsu, JCB, Bobcat, and more.

See also

How to start a land clearing business: equipment, costs, and income potential