Just under £39m changed hands at Euro Auctions' four-day sale at their 'flag ship' site in Leeds, when more than 4600 lots of used construction and agricultural machinery went under the hammer.

Well attended throughout with the largest physical crowd since pre-Covid, the event saw 30% of all successful bids from buyers on the floor, with the remaining 70% of sales coming from internet bids from registrations in 97 countries.

Hunger of the home markets was however most evident with 60% of all successful bids coming from the UK and the Republic of Ireland, and 96% of all successful sales from the UK and Europe alone.

In a market depleted of good new stock, buyers were eager to purchase good late, low hours equipment, and multiple compliments of new to 48-month-old machines were evident and in high demand, creating a real buzz with bidders at this sale.

Outwith the UK which acquired 48% of the sales, Europe was just behind on 47.9% followed by the Middle East on 1.58%, South America, 0.29%; Africa, 0.66% and the rest of the world, 1.57%.

Chris Osborne, Euro Auctions sales manager said: "This sale was very different to any of the Covid sales we have conducted in the last 18 months for a number of reasons. Prices were strong, with the same number of lots going over the ramp as in January 2021, however at this sale the hammer was £39m, an increase of more than £10m on the January sale in 2021.

"Prices achieved for telehandlers and mini-diggers were literally on-fire, with 17 and 18 plate machines making close to new money. With good stock on offer in the 2018 to 2021 bracket there were more than 123 excavators and 22 telehandlers less than four years old. With OEMs passing three price increases to their dealers over the last 18 months this has had a startling effect on the price of used machinery," he said.

LEADING prices

Excavators – £197,500, 2017 CAT D6T LGP; £19,000, 2021 CAT 301.5 mini; £47,000, 2019 Kubota KX080-4 6t; £89,000, 2017 Kobelco SK350LC-10 20t; £70,000, 2017 CAT 320FL 20t.

Dumpers – £37,500, 2019 Thwaites 9t; £105,000, 2014 Volvo A30G 6x6; £62,000, 2009 Volvo A25E 6x6.

Loaders – £44,000, 2019 JCB 3CX P21 ECO Backhoe.

Telehandlers – £52,000, 2018 Manitou MT1840 Easy Turbo; £42,000, 2018 JCB 535-95 Turbo Powershift; £46,000, 2017 JCB 540-140 Hi Viz Turbo Powershift; £48,000, 2016 JCB 540-170 Turbo Powershift

Tractors – £48,000, 2015 Valtra T234 4wd with loader; £36,000, 2014 John Deere 6190R 4wd; £37,000, 2014 John Deere 6150R 4wd; £31,000, 2014, John Deere 6125M 4wd; £29,000, 2016 John Deere 6110M 4wd; £15,000, 2010 Claas 640 arion 4wd; £19,000, 2012 Claas Axos 340 4wd; £21,500, 2008 New Holland T6030 SLE 4wd with Quicke Q65 front loader; £17,500, 2009 New Holland T5060 4wd with Quicke Q40 front loader; £8500, 2007 New Holland T3020 4wd; £19,500, 0584, Fendt 716 Vario 4wd; £30,000, 2007 John Deere 6620 4wd; £17,000, 2014 Case Farmall 95A 4wd with Quicke Q41 loader; £17,500, 2012 Case 85 4wd; £9000, 2007 Massey Ferguson 3425 4wd; £6750, 2013, JPM 14t tipping trailer; £5250, JPM 14TDT 14t dump trailer; £9750, 2014 Richard Western SF14HS 20t silage/dump trailer; £4500, Botex 5055 bar log trailer with hydraulic crane and log grab; £7000, 2010 Agrimac flat bed trailer.