By delivering first-class solutions, Pickles remains one of the leaders in the secondhand crane market.
In the midst of a changing market and competitive demand for new equipment, Australian businesses are finding unexpected value in the secondhand market. This is especially evident in the current crane marketplace, where household names like Pickles continue to provide effective solutions for vendors, and access to reliable equipment for buyers.
Since 1964, Pickles has stood strong as a fixture in the crane market by staying adaptable to the ever-changing needs of customers. As Australia’s leading auction house and used asset marketplace, Pickles is renowned for steering businesses with confidence toward the best result for them.
By remaining a pillar throughout this rollercoaster decade, Pickles has continued to unlock value for vendors to alleviate challenges while providing powerful purchasing experiences for buyers.
For James Chauncy, Pickles’ National Sales Manager, Trucks and Machinery, choosing to invest in the secondhand market can be a key play for a business navigating short turnarounds.
“What’s becoming evident in 2025 is the continued benefits of getting access to used cranes in the current market,” James explained. “Whilst buying new will always have its place, buying used allows flexibility. Take, for example, a situation where a business needs assets fast for a newly-won job. A used crane can be acquired in the interim so that you can start and finish the job even faster. If a job requires very low utilisation and has a high potential for downtime, we have assets available to cater to this too. We’re here to find solutions.
“But not only that, the crane operators, riggers and technicians on the ground want quality, reliable equipment quickly; and we’re here to give them that peace of mind. With a used unit, the purchase process can be completed more rapidly, which reduces wait times and provides a suitable solution.”
Backed by a specialist team of crane experts ready to handle the hard parts, Pickles is diligent about its online listings and meticulous in sourcing all of the details needed for buyers to make informed purchases from an online auction. Selling cranes can involve complex compliance, transport, and market timing issues, but by providing transparent processes, financing options, accurate valuations, and fully compliant transactions, Pickles prioritises its customers’ needs.
Reducing risk for both buyers and sellers is why many have remained loyal to Pickles through the years. Pre-owned cranes can come with extensive service records, offering a clear picture of previous operational results. Knowing that a crane has performed under real conditions, and will continue to function, gives buyers the relief of reliable performance.
For businesses looking into the used market, it’s as simple as having a conversation with a Pickles sales executive. With experience in securing value on everything from high-value gear, to premium assets, and even guiding retirement and business closure sales, businesses find it easy to offload with the experts.
James attributes Pickles’ longevity to its customer-first emphasis on the details and sharp understanding of the domestic and global market.
“It’s not just about the early conversation – we see the sale through to the end. We come together across the company, from our industrial team to the financial and marketing side of the equation, to move quickly to ensure maximum sales results and ultimate convenience for the vendor. Finance makes sure that all details and funds are organised so that the vendor can be paid as quickly as possible, and the marketing team will create a huge pre-sale campaign to reach a wide audience of potential buyers,” James said.
“We are conscious of the fact our bidders are based all over the world and may not be able to inspect the equipment before the auction. Whether bidders are based on the other side of the country in Perth or overseas in the Middle East, wider Asia or Africa, our long-standing customer relationships protect vendor outcomes and give buyers confidence in their purchases.”
Pickles has proudly built lasting relationships with many local and global crane providers, largely because it is proficient in finding buyers for the equipment being auctioned. By providing the right advice based on extensive experience and delivering on the best return for the vendor, Pickles is duly regarded as having built a trustworthy marketplace.
Pickles’ connection to domestic and global industries is why many choose to acquire their used cranes there. Secondhand cranes offer businesses a cost-effective way to boost efficiency, productivity, and safety, and give the assurance of proven performance. This is essential to fast-moving industries such as construction, engineering, manufacturing (especially steel fabrication and automotive), and maritime transport industries where cranes are needed the most.
At Pickles, customers gain access to a secure online marketplace and an exclusive database of active buyers with thousands of sales conducted monthly. This is supported by a team of expert data scientists and analytic solutions specialists, which ensures that Pickles stays on top of current crane market trends – from model demand shifts to regional pricing insights – to navigate these trends for their customers, positioning themselves as the informed, reliable partner vendors can trust in a changing market. By seeking to innovate daily, Pickles has carved out a distinct lane as a business capable of guiding the everyday needs of a broad range of customers based around the world.
As the backbone of Australia’s booming construction, mining and renewable industries, cranes are an essential part of how Australia builds its cities and communities. By drawing on decades of auction experience and a proven sales process to deliver results for crane owners and buyers, Pickles has a deep knowledge and understanding of the industry’s impact.
At Pickles, a crane auction is just the start. By combining valuation expertise, targeted marketing, and a nationwide buyer network, across multiple industries where cranes are utilised, Pickles can maximise asset value from listing to final sale. With the largest connected network of buyers across construction, infrastructure, and resources, Pickles moves cranes into the hands of serious buyers faster. As James explains, having the expertise to deal with the challenges of an evolving industry is what enables these rapid results.
“Supply and demand naturally drives what used cranes are available on the market. Pricing of assets is ultimately dependent upon the projects currently happening or in the pipeline for the industry,” he said. “In a market which naturally undergoes fluctuation each year, our ambition is always to adjust on the fly to meet the changing needs of our customers.”
If you’re ready to let Pickles do the heavy lifting, discover a thriving online marketplace at pickles.com.au.