As we move into summer, the auction market continues to show strength in key areas—particularly forestry equipment and specialized machinery—while older and more common assets still require realistic expectations. A series of auctions held from May 27 through June 3 gave us a solid read on current buying appetite across different segments of the industry.

IronRing | May 27 – Forestry Strength & Heavy Haul Demand

The May 27 IronRing auction served as another confirmation that well-maintained forestry machines remain in high demand. Two standouts included the 2020 John Deere 648L grapple skidder, which brought $87,000, and the 2013 Deere 753J feller buncher, which brought in $93,000. Both machines generated strong bidding from contractors and dealers alike, reinforcing the ongoing value in late-model, ready-to-work forestry equipment.

Specialized heavy haul trucks were another bright spot. Buyers competed actively for lowboy setups, tri-axle tractors, and other configurations equipped to handle oversize loads. Meanwhile, standard over-the-road trucks continue to lag behind. Freight rates remain soft in many areas, and that’s reflected in less aggressive bidding for basic day cabs and sleeper trucks without specialty use.

Creekside | May 28 – Big Crowd, Big Interest in Mill Equipment

The Creekside auction saw one of the biggest turnouts in recent weeks, both onsite and online. Several mill items attracted notable interest. The Cleereman Mill entirety system changed hands at $21,000—a solid result for that line. The entirety of the Morbark grinder system brought $27,000, a fair price for the group considering condition and setup.

Two highlights were the Detroit-powered hydraulic unit entirety at a strong $23,000, and the Keystone stacker reached that same $23,000 mark, thanks to a bidding duel between two determined buyers. Both pieces demonstrated how quality auxiliary components continue to bring premium prices when presented right and promoted well.

Lake Erie | May 30 – Steady, but Quiet

The May 30 Lake Erie auction didn’t feature any massive ticket items, but one standout was the 2019 Kuiet Kut grinder, which brought $18,000. This auction leaned more toward smaller items and support equipment, and while it didn’t produce many bell ringers, it did serve its purpose. In markets like this, it’s often about liquidity—getting machines moved—and that was achieved.

MEA Factory Direct | June 3 – Tariffs No Match for Demand

The MEA Factory Direct auction was closely watched by many in the industry, particularly in light of recent tariff discussions. The concern has been that new import restrictions could choke the pipeline for entry-level or value-priced machinery. So far, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Prices held firm across the board, and bidding activity suggests that the demand for new factory-direct equipment continues to outpace the fear of rising costs. Whether this trend holds through Q3 remains to be seen, but for now, it's clear that import volume and buyer interest remain steady.

Takeaway: Forestry Strong, Mill Equipment Mixed, Trucks Split

Overall, this series of auctions shows a market still defined by selectivity. Buyers continue to reward quality, late-model equipment—particularly in the forestry and specialty truck categories. Mill equipment is hit-or-miss, heavily dependent on setup and condition. Meanwhile, standard road trucks will need to be priced to with current market conditions to move at auction.

As we head into July—a traditionally slower month for auctions—we’re still seeing a steady flow of private consignments and full sawmill liquidations. While auction volume may ease up slightly, the right equipment continues to bring strong interest. With our marketing already dialed in to reach serious buyers, summer remains a solid window for sellers looking to move equipment before the fall rush.

See more auction results here

Sold! We'll see you at the next auction!

Eugene Hochstetler / Lead Equipment Specialist / Bright Star Auctions