Numerous machines affected by the floods have been sold at auctions in recent months.

The machines were auctioned with full disclosure of the risk from flood damage and subsequent loss of warranty.

However, some machines have since appeared on the used equipment market, but without reference to the flood damage risk and loss of warranty coverage.

JCB Construction Equipment Australia national used equipment manager Gary Silcock said operators considering purchasing late-model construction equipment with low hours at attractive prices on the used market should check whether it had recently been sold at advertised flood-affected auctions and was covered by manufacturer warranty.

“If operators are looking to buy and it seems like a really good deal, they need to check,” Silcock said.

“They can do this by getting the serial number and checking with the manufacturer or distributor.”

JCB Construction Equipment Australia recently sold machines affected by the Brisbane floods at an open auction.

“The JCB Construction Equipment Australia team did a very good job and the machines looked new – it was almost impossible to tell that they were flood damaged,’’ Silcock said.

JCB Construction Equipment Australia has added a page to its used equipment website, www.ceaused.com, listing the serial numbers of the water-damaged machines sold at the recent auction.

Silcock said operators could also check serial numbers of machines with the company’s service and parts staff.