The following data charts illustrate Motor Grader auction activity in North America from June 1, 2002 to May 1, 2003. Articulated graders make up the bulk of total sales but a good number of the old rigid frame models are still being sold. (Figure 1.) Ninety percent of the rigid frame machines sold were more than 20 years old. The 145 to 169 horsepower category saw the most activity with popular models such as the Caterpillar 140, Champion 720 and the Deere 770 series making up about 80 percent of sales in that size class.

The popular 145 to 160 horsepower size class was detailed to examine the years of manufacture for the equipment being sold and the characteristics of the value curve over time. Even though the graph was limited to articulated machines in an effort to keep the data current, the data still shows activity over a 30-year period. It is interesting to note the shape of the value curve which declines as expected over the first 10 years, but then levels out for the next 20.