EquipmentFacts and Proxibid Auction Buyers: Your Equipment Shipping Guide

Understanding Your Pickup Obligations as an Auction Buyer

When you win a bid on EquipmentFacts or Proxibid, you take on full responsibility for removing the equipment from the auction site. These platforms act as bidding intermediaries — they do not arrange transport, provide loading equipment, or extend pickup deadlines. Key obligations every buyer must understand:

• Pickup deadlines: Most auctions enforce removal windows of 7–10 business days after the auction closes. Missing this deadline typically results in daily storage fees ($25–$100+ per day depending on the auction house) and, in some cases, forfeiture of the equipment.
• As-is condition: Equipment is sold as-is. If the machine is non-running or has damage that affects loading, you need to arrange appropriate transport (flatbed with winch, lowboy with ramps, etc.) before pickup.
• Loading assistance: Some auction sites provide a forklift or crane for loading; others do not. Confirm loading assistance availability before scheduling your carrier — if the site can't load, your carrier needs to bring the right equipment.
• Site access: Many auction sites have specific gate hours and require advance notice for carrier arrivals. Coordinate pickup scheduling with the auction house before dispatching your carrier.

Pre-Bid Freight Planning: The Right Approach

The most common mistake auction buyers make is winning a bid without knowing what transport will cost. By the time you factor in the hammer price, buyer's premium (often 10–15%), and freight, the total acquisition cost can be significantly higher than expected. The right approach:

• Get a freight quote before you bid — not after. IronHaul can provide a quote based on the equipment type, auction location, and your delivery address.
• Factor in the total cost stack: hammer price + buyer's premium + freight + any loading fees = true acquisition cost
• For equipment over 80,000 lbs GVW or over 8.5 ft wide, factor in permit costs ($50–$500+ depending on states crossed)
• For non-running equipment, add a winch or crane loading surcharge ($150–$500 depending on machine size)

Equipment Types Commonly Sold on EquipmentFacts and Proxibid

These platforms host a wide variety of equipment auctions, including:

• Municipal and government surplus: GovDeals and Municibid auctions often appear on Proxibid — expect older equipment in varying condition, often non-running
• Construction equipment: Excavators, dozers, loaders, compactors, and graders from contractor liquidations and fleet sales
• Agricultural equipment: Tractors, combines, and implements from farm estate sales
• Industrial equipment: Forklifts, generators, compressors, and material handling equipment from plant closures
• Transportation equipment: Trucks, trailers, and specialty vehicles from fleet liquidations

Trailer Selection by Equipment Type

The right trailer depends on what you bought and its condition:

• Flatbed (48–53 ft): For equipment under 8.5 ft wide and under 48,500 lbs payload that can be driven or forklift-loaded
• Step-Deck: For equipment 10–11.5 ft tall — telehandlers, compact track loaders, mid-size forklifts
• Lowboy: For excavators, dozers, and compactors in the 20–50 ton range
• RGN: For large equipment requiring front-loading or machines over 80,000 lbs
• Flatbed with winch: For non-running equipment that cannot be driven onto the trailer

Coordinating Pickup with the Auction Site

Once you've booked your carrier, coordinate the following with the auction house:

• Confirm gate hours and whether advance notice is required for carrier arrival
• Confirm whether the site provides loading equipment (forklift, crane) or if your carrier needs to bring it
• Get the exact address and any access instructions (gate codes, contact names)
• Confirm the lot number and equipment location within the yard
• Get written confirmation of the pickup deadline to share with your carrier

IronHaul Logistics specializes in auction equipment pickups from EquipmentFacts, Proxibid, and dozens of other platforms nationwide. We know how auction yards operate and how to coordinate pickups efficiently. Call (208) 495-2260, email [email protected], or fill out our online quote form before your next bid.