A recent dispersal sale at longstanding West Country dealership Mill Engineers, at Old Walls, Ablington, Bibury, in Gloucestershire, created plenty of interest - and suggested there may be light at the end of the tunnel for the second-hand machinery market.
The company - which is part of the Claas dealer network and has been running for more than 40 years - is moving to a brand new premises in nearby Cirencester.
Ahead of the relocation it held a dispersal sale, organised by East Anglian based machinery auctioneer Cheffins.
Scores of potential buyers turned out for the sale, which featured more than 500 lots including tractors, combines, forage harvesters, material handlers, implements and spares from manufacturers such as Claas, Krone, Richard Western and JCB.
There was interest from buyers in several European countries as well as those throughout the UK.
Top price of the day went to a 2009 Claas 960 forage harvester with 2,700 hours, sold to a West Country buyer for £64,000. In the tractor section it was two Case machines that led the way, with a 2010 Puma 210 at £27,000 and a 2008 Magnum 310 at £25,500.
A near total clearance of the Claas tractors saw top prices of £19,000 for a 2007 Arion 840, £18,600 for a 2008 Arion 640 and £17,800 for a 2009 Arion 540.
Other makes were also in demand with a 2009 DeutzFahr M260 topping out at £19,700, a 2011 Landini hitting £22,000 and a 2002 New Holland TS115 selling for £11,900.
Grassland equipment was in strong demand with farmers competing with the trade for a huge selection of rakes, tedders, mowers, balers and pick up headers.
Top price went to a 2010 Claas Quadrant 3200 baler at £25,500, closely followed by the £24,000 paid for a 2011 Claas 520 wholecrop header, both being sold to contractors
.
A large and varied selection of rakes and tedders included a 2009 Claas Volto 1320 at £6,000 and a 2011 Liner 3100 at £6,700. Mowers to suit all size of farms and pockets were headed by a 2010 Kverneland triple front and rear mower at £7,100
.
Cheffins auctioneer Oliver Godfrey said they were delighted with the result of the sale and that the prices achieved showed that demand for good quality, low houred kit was still high among farmers and dealers alike.
"We're delighted that we've been able to help Mill Engineers in its move to a new premises," he said.
