Welcome to the Rouse Market Trends Report, where we dig deep into equipment industry price trajectories and historical comparisons. In this July edition, we’re taking a broad view of construction equipment and transportation sales in the second quarter of 2026, drawing on the industry’s best data.
We’ll look at pricing and volume trends for most major construction and transportation equipment categories, combining Ritchie Bros. auction data with Rouse retail insights, so you can keep a finger on the pulse of the equipment market.
Ritchie Bros. Mixed Adjusted Price Indexes
In Q2 2026, construction and transportation prices in the U.S. remained about the same compared to the previous quarter (Q1 2026) — a period of relative stability.
It was a different story north of the border. Construction equipment prices in Canada jumped roughly 11% compared to Q1 2026, a notable spike. Transportation prices in Canada, meanwhile, stayed about flat quarter-over-quarter.
Ritchie Bros. Auction Trends
United States
Auction pricing results in the U.S. were mixed across categories when comparing median prices from Q2 2026 to Q2 2025.
Most earthmoving equipment categories showed improved pricing, with two notable exceptions:
- Dozers — median price down
- Motor graders — flat pricing
Aerial equipment, telehandlers, and forklifts all declined in price compared to Q2 2025, continuing a trend that first emerged in Q1.
Canada
Pricing in Canada showed more weakness compared to the U.S., with mixed results across both earthmoving and general construction equipment categories.
Category Highlights
Earthmoving equipment (U.S.): Articulated dump trucks, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, and multi-terrain loaders all posted price increases — even as average age and usage profiles trended flat to higher. That’s a meaningful signal, since older, more heavily used equipment would typically be expected to sell for less.
Truck tractors: U.S. pricing improved despite a similar average age and higher average usage. Canada told a different story, with truck tractor pricing declining alongside lower sales volume.
Boom lifts: In the U.S., boom lift pricing declined despite a similar age profile and lower usage. In Canada, the opposite occurred — boom lift pricing increased even as average usage declined.
Scissor lifts: Pricing held flat despite lower volume and lower usage.
The Bigger Picture
Generally, sales volumes increased in the U.S. but declined in Canada — a divergence that suggests further pricing weakness in Canada relative to the U.S. going forward.
The average age and usage of equipment sold in the U.S. tended to run higher than in Q2 2025 overall. In Canada, age and usage differences were more mixed across categories, with several categories showing notable shifts. These changes in age and usage are important context when interpreting price movements.
Retail Used Equipment Market from Rouse
Retail construction equipment prices in the U.S. held about steady compared to the previous quarter (Q1 2026). Retail transportation prices, on the other hand, dipped about 1% compared to last quarter.
Looking at the longer-term trend: U.S. construction equipment prices remain elevated relative to “pre-pandemic” (2019) levels, while transportation values, on balance, sit below where they stood before the pandemic.
This report is based on Ritchie Bros. auction data and Rouse retail insights. For more detailed equipment valuations and market analysis, reach out to Rouse Services at info@rouseservices.com.
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