The 165USt five-axle crane, usually retailing around $185,000, is the first of its kind be featured in a lot by the Canadian industrial heavy equipment auctioneer.
As the public auction is unreserved, the Grove crane could sell for a fraction of its original price, along with several other cranes, including a 2006 Link-Belt RTC8065 series rough terrain crane and five Terex hydraulic truck cranes.
Bidders can also pick up forklifts, hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, crawler tractors, dump trucks, truck tractors, assorted trailers, pickups and utility vehicles at Thursday’s multi-million dollar event.
For the former owner of the 165USt Grove crane, LaGrange Crane Service, this is the third time they have entrusted Ritchie Brothers with company assets.
Explaining her motivation for selling the crane, LaGrange Crane Service junior vice-president, Judi Mooncotch, said: “[Ritchie Brothers] auctions have proven to be a great way to liquidate some of our assets in order to grow our business.
“We are going to miss our 2006 GMK5165”, she continues. “It’s a very versatile piece of equipment with a small footprint capable of operating in limited space, but we are looking forward to replacing it with another monster crane.”
More than 1,400 equipment items and trucks will be sold on auction day.
Ritchie Brothers regional manager, Kieron Holm, elaborates: “We have a large selection of heavy construction equipment and transportation items from more than 100 owners. We encourage anyone interested in purchasing the cranes and equipment to register to bid.
“Interested buyers can also come out to the Chicago auction yard to test and inspect equipment for themselves before and on auction day.”
The auction begins at 8am (CDT) at the Ritchie Brothers Chicago auction yard on Thursday 23 September 2010.