Used Gradall Equipment For Sale
Shop used Gradall trucking equipment, including truck-mounted excavators with highway mobility, telescoping booms, and heavy-duty chassis.
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About Used Gradall Equipment
For most buyers, the main decision points are boom design, driveline layout, and hydraulic condition. Gradall machines are known for their telescoping, tilting boom arrangement, which gives them a different working envelope than a conventional truck excavator or wheeled excavator. On used units, pay close attention to boom pins and bushings, upper structure wear, swing performance, stabilizer function, and any seepage at the main boom or stabilizer cylinders. Many used Gradall truck excavators run the hydraulics off the truck engine, while some older units may use a separate rear engine. That makes engine hours, hydraulic response, and PTO or pump performance just as important as chassis miles.
Common specs in this category include diesel engines from Cummins, Mercedes, or similar medium-duty industrial platforms, manual transmissions such as 9-speed Fuller boxes, and heavy rear axles in the 23,000 to 50,000 lb range depending on model. Beam or solid suspensions, 172-inch wheelbases, wide front flotation tires, tandem rears, and operating weights from roughly 35,000 to 50,000 lbs are typical. Bucket size, edge style, and coupler setup matter because these machines are often bought for a specific task, not general excavation. A smooth-edge bucket may suit ditch shaping and cleanup, while tooth buckets are better for tougher digging conditions. On older used Gradall equipment, inspect frame condition, especially around the I-beam chassis, and confirm tire sizes, brake condition, steering components, and parts support for the exact serial range.
A good used Gradall can be a strong fit for contractors who need mobility and reach more than high-production mass excavation. The advantage is quick relocation, stable roadside operation, and precise boom control in confined or linear work areas. The tradeoff is that condition matters more than appearance. Service records, hour meter credibility, hydraulic leak history, and evidence of proper maintenance should carry more weight than paint or cosmetic cleanup. Buyers comparing listings should look closely at odometer miles versus engine and hydraulic hours, confirm all boom functions under load, and verify that the machine tracks straight and operates safely both on the road and on stabilizers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gradall trucking equipment typically used for?
Gradall trucking equipment is most often used for roadside excavation, ditching, culvert work, drainage maintenance, utility trenching, rail support, and municipal maintenance. A truck-mounted Gradall is designed for jobs that require frequent travel between locations and fast setup once on site. Its strength is mobility and reach in narrow or linear work zones rather than bulk earthmoving on large open sites.
What should I inspect first on a used Gradall truck-mounted excavator?
Start with the hydraulic system and boom structure. Check for cylinder seepage, weak hydraulic drive or swing functions, stabilizer issues, worn pins and bushings, and any cracking or repairs around the boom base or frame. After that, inspect the truck side of the machine, including engine condition, transmission operation, axle ratings, suspension, brakes, tires, and steering. A used Gradall has to perform as both a truck and an excavator, so neither side can be overlooked.
Are miles or hours more important on a used Gradall?
Both matter, but hours often tell the more important story. A truck-mounted Gradall may have relatively low road mileage and still show significant wear if it spent years running hydraulics and working from the shoulder. Compare odometer readings with engine hours, upper hours if available, and maintenance history. A machine with higher miles but documented service can be a better buy than a low-mile unit with weak hydraulics or neglected boom components.
What are common drivetrain and chassis specs on used Gradall equipment?
Many used Gradall units are built on heavy-duty purpose-built chassis with diesel engines from Cummins or Mercedes, Fuller manual transmissions, beam or solid suspensions, and heavy rear axles that often range from the mid-20,000-lb class up to 50,000 lbs. Front flotation tires and tandem rear tire setups are common. Exact specs vary by model and generation, so buyers should verify wheelbase, axle capacity, transmission model, and overall operating weight against the intended application and any local road regulations.
How is a Gradall different from a conventional excavator?
A Gradall truck excavator is different because it is designed to travel on the highway and uses a telescoping, tilting boom that gives it a unique working range. That makes it especially effective for ditch shaping, slope work, and jobs where the machine needs to reach out from the road shoulder. A conventional excavator usually offers higher production digging and simpler undercarriage design, but it typically requires trailer transport and more time to relocate between jobs.