Tips & Advice Posts

Drill pipes are one of the most essential materials on an oilfield. It's a product that is exposed to harsh conditions like extreme depth and temperature, and subjected to large amounts of force. Drill pipe is made out of hollow, thin-walled steel or aluminum alloy piping which is very durable and can easily be reused if still in good condition.The physical condition of a drill pipe, new or used, in terms of dimension, surface damage, or corrosion, is measured with a spherometer, which assesses the radius of a curve of a curved surface like a pipe or sphere. Based on this assessment, drill pipe is given a class and marked with a colored band (or two). This system was designed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and is known as API Spec 5D.According to API Spec 5D, drill pipe can fall into one of five classes: New, Premium, Class 2, Class 3, or scrap.Each class has a color-coordinated band painted on a pipe. A brand-new pipe will have one white band, whereas a band classified “Premium” will have two white stripes. While new pipe is of course the strongest, Premium-class pipe has become the standard in the drilling industry.Drill pipes are very carefully evaluated after use. Pipes are checked using a spherometer, which measures the radius of a pipe or sphere. The market for used drill pipe has expanded over the last several years as prices for new pipe have risen. Premium and Class 2 pipe have much of the original strength of a drill pipe, and lots of useful life left in them, at a much lower cost than new pipe. Premium pipes have 80% or more of the original wall thickness remaining. Premium pipe is not only a more economical purchase versus N-class, but in most cases just as efficient.

Buy and Sell Used Drill Pipe with Eiffel Trading

Eiffel Trading helps customers used steel pipe, as well as other types of steel like used steel plates, used sheet pile, and more. We also help customers purchase equipment, like drill rigs and concrete formwork.All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing.Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

Last week, we gave tips for sellers on how to approach pricing their listings for used equipment (see 4 Things to Consider When Pricing Used Construction Equipment). But there’s more to completing a sale than just price.While price is the biggest factor most buyers will take into consideration, it’s certainly not the only one.Now that you’ve priced your listing to move, it’s time to fill in a few other blanks that will help put yourself in the mind of a buyer, and get your material on the move.

Include All Relevant Details

Does your construction equipment have a low number of hours? Maybe it’s got a heated cab, maybe you just replaced the tires. Is your sheet pile like-new? Maybe you’ve only used your H-Pile once. These are details that can really drive up the value of a product. Put yourself in a buyer’s mindset – anything that positively sets your used equipment or materials apart from your competition’s product is a good thing.

Lots of Pictures

Take lots of pictures. We don’t just mean from every angle – though that’s important too – but of every part of the product. Photograph your construction equipment’s tires, tracks, controls…everything! Again, think like a buyer – what would you really want to see before you made a large purchase like used construction equipment or materials? Photographic evidence helps prove that your product really is worth the asking price.

Have Records Readily Available

Having access to maintenance and repair records for used construction equipment may make the difference for a buyer. Records of this sort tell a potential buyer that the equipment has been well taken care of. Additionally, these types of record (along with a previous bill of sale or other proof of purchase) help prove ownership, which assures your buyer they’re not being taken advantage of.

Partner Up

There are several options for selling used construction equipment and material. Of course, you could choose to take on the task alone. However, arranging a private sale can be time-consuming and costly for a seller, no matter the product.Auction houses can be a nice option, and may do some of the heavy work for you, but sellers should always be aware of any policies, requirements and fees the company may demand from the sale. Each company is different, so sellers choosing to utilize auction houses should be sure to research each option carefully. Sellers also run the risk of the used construction equipment not selling in a timely fashion, and may need to list a machine multiple times before finding the right buyer, at the right price.Auction houses also don’t deal with things like sheet pile, steel pipes, barrier walls, or other used construction materials. Private sale of these types of materials are also complicated, often time-consuming processes.

Buy and Sell with Eiffel Trading

At Eiffel Trading, our experts are available to help you price, quote, and move your product by connecting sellers and buyers in our online marketplace. Partner with us and get your used construction equipment and material on the move.From used excavators and used dozers to used sheet pile and used wide flange beams, our online marketplace has it all.All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

According to the American Institute of Architects, nonresidential construction is projected to grow 4.7% by year-end, and another 4.0% in 2019. Both of these estimates are an increase from the 4.0% and 3.9% 2018 and 2019 forecasts, respectively, at the beginning of the year. These numbers look promising, right?Consider that, as we wrote in August, the prices of structural steel rose significantly from 2017 to 2018. The World Steel Association predicts that the demand for finished steel will grow “at 1.4% globally” and 1.0% in the U.S. in 2019.

Long Story Short…Prices Are Going to Rise

The law of demand tells us that as the demand goes up, so does its price (and vice versa). Add up the projected growths in construction and demand for steel, plus the tariffs enacted on steel earlier this year, and the answer becomes clearer: The cost of steel is going to rise in 2019.This all may be starting to sound scary, but you can still take advantage of the growth in construction projects and keep costs down.

Benefits of Buying Used Structural Steel

Take a look at the chart below. Depending on which type of steel you’re looking for, you can save more than 40% buying from sellers using Eiffel Trading’s marketplace versus buying new:2018 average pricesIn addition to the huge monetary savings, there’s also an environmental benefit to buying used material: purchasing used or surplus materials keeps it out of landfills. Beams and pipes often can be reused as-is, which saves energy and other resources by avoiding the recycling process.

Get Started Today

Eiffel Trading has one simple solution: buy used and surplus materials. Read how we saved one contractor over $200,000 on materials alone, and over $2 million on their entire project in just two months!

Buy and Sell with Eiffel Trading

From used excavators and used dozers to used sheet pile and used wide flange beams, our online marketplace has it all.All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

Buying and selling used heavy equipment may sound as simple as purchasing a used car, but there are many more factors to consider when making pricing decisions. Year, make and model are still important, but those are not the only factors that buyers consider when investing in their equipment. Just like a car, heavy equipment is an investment – one that benefits both a buyer and a seller when using a marketplace like Eiffel Trading.Read our tips for helping determine the quality of your equipment, so you can get the best price for your product.

Condition

Heavy equipment that has been well cared for and maintained will command higher prices, especially if the equipment has been repaired (and you have the records and history to prove it), cleaned or even repainted.Be sure to take lots of pictures. The more pictures you can provide, the better. Get all angles of the machine, serial numbers, inside the cab – anything you’d want to see before you made a decision. Think about it from your customer’s perspective!

Manufacturer and Model

Some brands will grab buyer’s attention more than others. Like car buyers, brand loyalty is consideration for a lot of customers in today’s construction equipment market. If your equipment performs just as well as one of the top brands, let buyers know. Don’t be afraid to get into the details.

Features

Features may not vary widely from year-to-year with construction equipment, but that doesn’t mean they are not worth listing. Things like capacity, new tires, or air-conditioned cabs can all make a difference in how much your equipment is worth.Make sure you take into consideration fuel efficiency. Does your equipment meet emissions standards? Does it have an auto-idle or auto-shutdown function to prevent wasting fuel? Buyers will take things like fuel consumption into consideration when estimating the long-term costs of their investments.

Age

One of the first questions a buyer will ask is “How old is it?”. Older equipment may have many of the features of newer machinery, but older equipment may need more maintenance over time, which adds to the buyer’s financial consideration.Model year isn’t the only age consideration – buyers will want to know how many hours are on the machine. Heavy equipment that’s well-kept and with low hours can boost your selling price.

Do Your Homework

What are similar pieces of construction equipment going for? Check used equipment value books and price guides, or check our other listings for reference.We at Eiffel Trading help buyers and sellers work around markets that may be oversaturated, or where demand exceeds local supply. Economic conditions and factors like seasonal work cycles (forestry, for example) are out of control of both buyers and sellers, but our always-online marketplace helps give you the best opportunity to connect with the right buyers.

Buy and Sell with Eiffel Trading

Buy and Sell with Eiffel Trading

From used excavators and used dozers to used sheet pile and used wide flange beams, our online marketplace has it all.All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

2018 is rapidly coming to an end and with it the proverbial question for any business owner “what can I do to reduce my taxes?” starts nagging away. Well, you might already be well aware of this particular tax feature but it’s worth bringing it up again.Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year. That means that if you buy a piece of qualifying equipment, you can deduct the FULL purchase price from your gross income. It’s an incentive created by the U.S. government to encourage businesses to buy equipment and invest in themselves. Now, don’t take our word as the gospel—check with your accountant before going on a giant shopping spree!

Section 179 at a Glance for 2018

• 2018 Deduction Limit = $1,000,000
• 2018 Spending Cap on Equipment Purchases = $2,500,000
• Bonus Depreciation is 100%

Check out this Section 179 example:

What equipment and vehicles qualify for a Section 179 tax deduction?

Vehicles and equipment can be new or used (“new to you” is the key). The vehicle must be acquired in an “arms-length” transaction, financed with certain qualified leases and loans, and titled in the company name (not in the company owner’s name).

• Most heavy construction equipment, including excavators, cranes, dozers, and loaders, qualify.
• Typical “over-the-road” Tractor Trailers will qualify.
• Vehicles that can seat nine-plus passengers behind the driver’s seat (i.e.: Hotel / Airport shuttle vans, etc.).
• Vehicles with: (1) a fully-enclosed driver’s compartment / cargo area, (2) no seating at all behind the driver’s seat, and (3) no body section protruding more than 30 inches ahead of the leading edge of the windshield. In other words, a classic cargo van.

How does Section 179 work?

In years past, when your business bought qualifying equipment, it typically wrote it off a little at a time through depreciation. In other words, if your company spends $50,000 on a machine, it gets to write off (say) $10,000 a year for five years (these numbers are only meant to give you an example).Now, while it’s true that this is better than no write-off at all, most business owners would really prefer to write off the entire equipment purchase price for the year they buy it.And that’s exactly what Section 179 does – it allows your business to write off the entire purchase price of qualifying equipment for the current tax year.This has made a big difference for many companies (and the economy in general.) Businesses have used Section 179 to purchase needed equipment right now, instead of waiting. For most small businesses, the entire cost of qualifying equipment can be written-off on the 2018 tax return (up to $1,000,000).Learn more about Section 179 here.

What’s on your shopping list?

If you’re looking for used heavy equipment, you’ve certainly come to the right place! Here at Eiffel Trading, we can outfit you for almost any type of heavy construction project. For example, check out these liquidation lists, loaded with equipment ideal for a bridge project or a road construction project.

Midwest Fleet Reduction

This list has 90+ items still available, including:

• Poseidon P2 Barges
• 2017 Tadano GR-350XL Crane
• 2016 BUMA Grab Bucket
• 2016 BUMA Casing Oscillator
• 2002 Manitowoc 999 Crane
• 2011 Inland Boat Works 2514

Midwest Liquidation

This list has lots of yellow iron, all suitable for bridge or road work, including:

• 2013 John Deere 850K Pipelayer
• 2005 CAT 312CL
• 2001 John Deere 410G
• 2013 APE D36-26 Hydraulic Impact Hammer

Send us a quick email at sales@eiffeltrading.com and we'll get the complete lists over to you.

According to Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, construction material prices rose another 0.8% in June, 2018, and are 9.6% higher than they were at the same time one year ago. For iron and steel, that number is closer to 14%. And for softwood lumber, it’s a staggering 23%. Economists fear tariffs and rapidly rising materials prices are unsustainable for the construction industry.Stuck in the midst of these pricing increases are thousands of project managers scrambling to keep costs down and to stay within their projected budgets.As an online marketplace helping contractors buy and sell used heavy construction material and equipment, we’ve have a very simple strategy on how you can stay within your project budget – simply buy used versus new. Here are some of the most frequent questions we have gotten over the years around buying used vs. new.Q: How much can I really save on used construction material?A: It depends. For used steel material such as beams we have seen savings as high as 30% and up over new beams. Used construction material prices fluctuate to some degree due to current market prices so while we have seen a slight increase in the cost of used beams, sheet pile, pipe, etc., the savings are huge. Other factors influencing the cost are condition, availability, and sometimes location as you’ll need to factor in freight into your final cost.Material condition and other factors will determine actual sales price. Savings displayed are average numbers and subject to change.Q: What do I need to consider when buying used equipment vs new?A: At Eiffel Trading we like to consider these three things when you look to buy a used piece of heavy equipment.

1. Cost of buying new.

While new equipment prices gone up recently, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the equipment has changed that much. Heavy equipment is built to last and while some features and technology might change over the years, an excavator from five years ago still gets the job done as well as a new one. If you don’t need the latest bells and whistles, buying used will without a doubt save you a ton of money.

1. Getting your money’s worth.

Where a new piece of heavy equipment depreciates between 20 percent and 40 percent in the first year of ownership, a 5-year old piece of equipment can be valued the same five years later. Why is this important? Because if you buy a used piece of equipment for a particular project and decide that you no longer need it after the project is completed, you could end up selling it for the same amount as you paid for it a couple of years ago. That’s a return on investment (ROI), a new piece of equipment can never deliver! At Eiffel Trading, we’re offering a SMART (De)mobilization program, which allows you to first acquire and upon project completion sell a particular piece of equipment seamlessly by leveraging our online marketplace and dedicated equipment team.

1. Where are you shopping for your used equipment?

There are more places to buy used equipment today than ever. But be cautious. It is estimated that construction equipment stolen each year is somewhere between $300 million to $1 billion of which less than 25% is recovered. Our recommendation is to purchase from third-party vendors only, such as online marketplaces, dealerships, etc., who verify ownership of equipment.Of course, you’ll want to inspect the equipment you’re considering purchasing to ensure the quality of it. When you work with Eiffel Trading, we’ll help with quotes, logistics, inspections, freight, and any other detail needed.In 2018 so far, Eiffel Trading customers have saved anywhere from 20% to over 30% simply by buying used vs new construction material, including used sheet pile, steel beams, barrier walls, h-pile, pipe, trestle and steel plates. These savings have allowed contractors to win a bid by keeping cost down or to stay within a project budget in the year of unexpected tariffs. What’s your reason for wanting to save money?

With the new tariffs in the steel industry, the steel market has been extremely volatile. New steel prices have steadily risen over the past several months. This is directly affecting the construction industry, especially on projects that were bid based on pre-tariff steel pricing. We have a solution for you to help get your costs back in line – Eiffel Trading!Eiffel Trading has an inventory of used steel beams, h-pile, used surplus pipe, plate, sheet pile and trestle (crane access trestle). Over the past several years we have helped contractors save substantially by helping them locate used and surplus steel. Our customers have saved up to 40% or more by buying used and surplus steel through Eiffel Trading, compared to new steel pricing.We work with contractors throughout the bid process helping them figure out the availability of used and surplus steel, up until the time they submit their bids. By establishing an open communication channel with one of our customer’s chief estimators, we were able to help them win the project with used and surplus steel. In addition, the total project savings was north of $2 million dollars once buy-out was complete. You can read more on this story here.Our business was founded by a former project manager with the focus on helping project managers. By partnering with Eiffel Trading, we will not only help you win projects and save money, we will help you liquidate your project specific assets – saving you demobilization costs and increasing profits.To learn more about working with Eiffel Trading, you can visit our website. If you have a specific project you are bidding and would like to work with us to find the best solutions so you can win the bid, email us at sales@eiffeltrading.com. If you want to be the first to know about new Liquidations, you can sign up for the mailing list here!Cheers,Andrew

You may have heard that there is a difference between prime steel and secondary steel. Prime steel is steel that passes all manufacturing inspection tests in manufacturing and is available on the “primary” raw materials market. Anything that doesn’t fall into that category is on the secondary market.Secondary steel can be classified into two main categories: used and surplus. In this post, we’ll look at the differences between primary and secondary used steel pipe, including surplus steel pipe.

Primary Steel Pipe

Steel mills produce prime steel in the form of sheets, pile, pipe, beams, and more. Primary – prime – steel has been produced from iron ore and passes all manufacturing inspection tests. Primary steel is sold on the “primary” raw materials market and must meet rigorous standards.

Secondary Steel Pipe

Secondary steel is steel that does not meet “prime” standards and can typically be categorized one of two ways: used or surplus. Several states have strict standards on what can be sold as prime steel, so in many cases secondary pipe is simply rejected at the mill because it did not meet primary steel pipe specifications. Some mills also produce secondary steel pipe that is made from recycled or scrap steel.

Used Steel Pipe

Used steel pipe has been used in an actual building project. It could be retired pipeline from oil and gas wells, casing tubing, or building structures. Depending on what the steel was used for and how well it was maintained, it could be in good condition to be reused for another project. Used steel pipe can also be tested for strength and durability and reconditioned to suit your project. Selling your used steel pipe can also help you increase your bottom line on a project by improving overall ROI.

Surplus Steel Pipe

Surplus steel pipe was purchased for a particular project, but never actually put to use. It may have been purchased by a company that canceled the construction project, purchased too much material, or liquidated its inventory. Surplus steel is widely used in the construction industry because it can be found in every grade and type (surplus pipe, used wide-flange, used H-pile, sheet pile, etc.).Surplus could also refer to pipe directly from a mill that was never sold to a construction company. Steel pipe is sometimes rejected in original manufacturing inspections. This is usually due to minor issues that occur during manufacturing, which could result in the cut of the steel being a few inches too short or the durability being slightly off.This means that surplus steel can be nearly prime quality and straight from the manufacturer, but it cannot be sold on the primary market. Surplus steel pipe represents a great opportunity for saving money on construction projects, since you can always recut or recondition the steel to match the needs of your construction job.

Uses for Secondary Steel Pipe

Secondary steel pipe – used or surplus – can bought, sold, and used for things like pipelines, used piling and casing strings, as well as in smaller projects like fence posts, poles for signage, or flagpoles. This type of pipe can be welded, painted, or otherwise reconditioned to fit the specifications of your next project.Secondary steel pipe that is no longer suitable for construction projects can be recycled. It’s estimated that 80% of steel products are recycled in the U.S. alone, and recycled steel can be produced into secondary pipe again and again.

Buy and Sell Used and Surplus Steel Pipe with Eiffel Trading

In addition to a wide variety of used steel pipe for sale our online marketplace also has a large selection of used loaders, used dozers, used sheet pile, used wide flange beams, and much more for sale.All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.Ready to sell your used equipment or material? <a href= "https://www.eiffeltrading.com/login" target="_blank">List your products today</a> for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

Have you ever considered purchasing steel pipe that has already been used? Some people think steel pipe is worth scrap value after it is used. However, used steel pipe has a great resale value, much higher than scrap. Used steel pipe has an incredible variety of applications, from providing structural support in excavations to foundation casings for drilled shafts. Here are some of the most common applications of used steel pipe:TEMPORARY PIPE PILINGSteel pipe piling, which is when steel pipes are used in foundations, is one of the most typical applications for used steel pipe. Steel Pipe Piles are driven deep into the ground to provide a stable foundation to build. Steel pipe piling is useful for structures like Crane Access Trestle that are constructed in waterways such as oceans, canals, rivers, and bays.CASINGUsed steel pipe is also useful for creating casings around pipelines in order to keep them secure and to seal in moisture. There are several types of casing applications using used steel pipe. Road bore casings secure pipes located underneath roadways. Steel pipe is also used as casing for drilled shafts, which prevents any soil from caving in during drilling operations. Used steel pipe can also be used as surface casing during oil drilling operations, which helps prevent oil leaks into groundwater.TRANSPORTThe most common transport application for used steel pipe are culverts and discharge lines from dewatering operations. However, if the used pipe passes durability and pressure tests, it can also be used as pipeline for oil or gas.These are three of the most common applications of used steel pipe. We have a used and surplus pipe inventory from different manufacturing methods and grades for sale. If you have any used or surplus pipe you are looking to sell, click here to create a free listing, or email the inventory to sales@eiffeltrading.com. If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-541-7998.Cheers,Andrew

If you are browsing on Eiffel Trading and you can’t find exactly what you need – there’s got to be someone that has it, right? That’s where creating a wanted listing comes into play. When you fill out a Wanted Listing on Eiffel Trading’s website you are exposing yourself to thousands of people that may have what you’re looking for.What can I find using Eiffel Trading’s wanted listings?Construction Equipment

• Concrete Formwork
• Cranes (Crawler, Hydraulic, All Terrain, Tower, etc.)
• Foundation Equipment (Vibratory Hammers/Extractors, Drill Rigs, Piling Rigs, etc.)
• Yellow Iron (Excavators, Loaders, Dozers, etc.)
• And any other construction related equipment

Construction Material

• Access Trestle for Cranes and Equipment
• Barrier Wall (Any DOT Spec)
• Crane Mats
• H-Pile
• Pipe (HDPE and Steel Pipe)
• Sheet Pile
• Steel Plate
• Wide Flange Beams
• And any other construction related material

Marine Equipment

• Barges (Accommodation Barges, Deck Barges, Spud Barges, etc.)
• Push and Tug Boats (inland or open water)
• Sectional Barges (Flexifloat, Poseidon, Shugarts, etc.)
• Work Boats (crew boats, landing vessels, etc.)
• And any other marine support vessel

The best part about Eiffel Trading’s wanted listings – they are FREE!Eiffel Trading wants to help you find the exact asset when and where you need it, at a price you can afford. You can create a wanted listing here. You can also give us a call at 1-800-541-7998 or shoot us an email at sales@eiffeltrading.com.Cheers,AndrewAndrew Norman is one of the co-founders of Eiffel Trading. His background is in Heavy-Civil and Marine Construction in Project Management and Procurement. Eiffel Trading was founded to help streamline the equipment and material marketplaces.