Steven Gamsby "The Equipment Guy" - Lets Talk Heavy Equipment.

A used machine tells two stories. One is what you can see — paint, tyres, undercarriage, leaks. The other is in its history: service records, telematics, and repair invoices. Buyers who read both stories make far fewer expensive mistakes. Start with the service records Ask for records, not reassurance. A well-kept file shows oil and filter intervals, hydraulic service, coolant changes, and major component work with dates and hours that line up with the meter. Gaps matter. If a machine shows 8,000 hours but only two services on paper, either the work was done off the books or it wasn't done at all — and you should price that risk in. Look for patterns, not just stamps. Repeated hose failures, recurring electrical faults, or the same injector replaced twice can point to a root cause that was never fixed. A single major repair, done properly by a dealer with an invoice to prove it, is usually a better sign than a machine with no repair history at all. What telematics can — and can...

  A lot of sellers take their machines off the market in winter, assuming nobody buys until spring. That thinking leaves money on the table. Contractors who won winter work, snow and municipal crews, and buyers planning for spring are all shopping right now — and with fewer listings out there, a clean, well-presented machine stands out. Here is how to get a strong price when the yards slow down. Winter buyers are serious buyers Tire-kickers disappear in November. The people calling in winter usually have a job to fill, a breakdown to replace, or a spring plan they want locked in before prices climb. That means fewer time-wasters and more real offers — if your machine is ready to be looked at seriously. Price it on real market value, not on hope, and be ready to show records and answer questions quickly. A serious buyer who gets straight answers moves faster than one who has to chase you. Clean it, even in the cold A machine covered in last season's mud reads as neglected, no matter...

  Some of the best used machines in Canada are not in your province. A clean excavator in Alberta, a loader in Quebec, a dozer in the Maritimes — the right machine at the right price is often a few provinces away. Buying out of province can be a smart move, but only if you sort the transport, taxes, and paperwork before the money moves. Here is what to work through. Start with the machine, not the distance Distance does not change the basics. Verify the serial number, check service records, look at undercarriage and hydraulics, and confirm the seller actually owns the machine free and clear. A lien search matters even more when you cannot walk into the seller's yard easily. Get photos and video of a cold start, all functions working, and any leaks or damage — close up, not just wide shots. If the price justifies it, pay for an independent inspection in that province. It is far cheaper than discovering a problem after the truck has already delivered it. Transport is a real cost — ge...

The sticker price is only the first number. Ask any contractor who bought the cheapest machine on the lot and they'll tell you the same thing: the real cost of a used machine shows up after the deal is done. If you're budgeting for your next purchase, here's what to count beyond the price on the listing. Transport and Delivery A machine in Alberta doesn't do you much good in Ontario until it's on your site. Float trucking, permits for oversize loads, and loading and unloading all add up — often $2,000 to $5,000 or more depending on distance and machine size. Get the transport quote before you agree on a price, not after. The First Service Every used machine you buy should get a full service on day one: engine oil and filters, hydraulic oil and filters, fuel filters, coolant, and a grease job through every pin. Budget $1,000 to $2,500 for a mid-size excavator or loader, and more if the previous owner skipped services. It's cheap insurance against a much bigger re...

What Goes Into a Heavy Equipment Appraisal — and Why It Matters Before You Buy or Sell Whether you're buying your next machine, selling one that's been sitting in the yard, or sorting out financing, sooner or later someone is going to ask: what's it actually worth? That's what an equipment appraisal answers. Not a guess, not a listing price, and not what your neighbour got for his — a grounded, defensible number based on the machine in front of you and the market it's selling into. Here's what goes into one, and why it matters before money changes hands. It starts with the machine itself A proper appraisal starts on the ground, not on a computer. The appraiser walks the machine, checks the hour meter, and looks at the things that actually move value: undercarriage wear on a tracked machine, tire condition on a wheeled one, bucket and attachment wear, hydraulic leaks, and how it starts and runs cold. Service history matters as much as anything. A machine wi...

Equipment Guy has its own Facebook Page now, and that’s where everything is going. For a long time, the updates, the machines, and the buying advice lived on my personal profile. That worked fine when this was a smaller operation. But Equipment Guy has grown — 12 people, buyers and sellers across Canada — and the work needed a home of its own. So we built one: Steven Gamsby 'The Equipment Guy' on Facebook. What you'll find on the Page This is where the machines are. When a good excavator, loader, or other piece of heavy equipment comes available, the Page is where it shows up first. It’s also where the advice lives. What to check before you buy a used machine. How to read an appraisal. When financing beats paying cash, and when it doesn’t. The same straight talk we’ve always posted, in one place, easy to find. And it’s where the deals move. If you’re selling a machine, the Page is where buyers will see it. If you’re buying, it’s where you’ll see what’s coming availabl...