Irish Machinery Auctions

Irish Machinery Auctions describes itself as Ireland's largest auction for plant, machinery, agricultural equipment, tractors, heavy commercials and construction and quarry equipment, and as the country's only dedicated machinery auctioneer. Sales run from a purpose-built five-acre auction complex just off Junction 10 of the M7 outside Naas in County Kildare, and the firm also takes a mobile auction facility to sites elsewhere in the country — which is how on-site clearances and government body disposals get sold where the machines already are.

What you can buy

• Plant and machinery: the monthly timed sale, covering excavators, loaders, dumpers and site equipment.
• Agricultural machinery: tractors and farm equipment in dedicated agricultural auctions.
• Commercial vehicles: a separate timed online commercial vehicle auction.
• Tools and equipment: a monthly timed tool and equipment sale for smaller lots.
• Quarry and construction: heavier crushing, screening and earthmoving kit.
• Government body disposals: unreserved sales of public-sector surplus.

How the bidding works

Sales are timed online auctions with published start and end times — plant and machinery, tools and equipment, and commercial vehicles each run on their own monthly cycle, so the calendar is worth checking rather than the homepage. Register to bid before the sale you want; lots close at the advertised time. Some auctions are advertised as unreserved, which means the lot sells to the highest bid whatever it is.

What to check before you bid

Machinery is sold as it stands, and the viewing at the Naas complex is where you check hours, hydraulics and wear — the specialists the firm employs are working for the seller, not for you. For lots sold through the mobile facility at a third-party site, confirm where the machine actually is and what the removal deadline is before bidding, because collection from a working quarry or farm is not the same as collection from an auction yard. If you are buying from outside Ireland, arrange transport and, for post-Brexit movements through Great Britain, the customs paperwork in advance.