ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Everything from a nice leather chair, to a scissors lift to heavy industrial equipment had to be sold, and on their way, within the span of two weeks.

That was the court order. And with that, Carrie and Curtis Kaye of C.B. Kaye & Associates, were putting the “final touches” on an early March auction.

Curtis, a second generation auctioneer with 45 years, is accustomed to working under such deadlines. C.B. Kaye & Associates have long found its niche working with industrial and court-ordered equipment liquidation auctions.

Although it was a reserve auction with unique requirements ordered by the court, the Kayes had all in order for the sale of the 91 items.

Titles for the trucks and trailers were onsite for the winning bidders. All items, except one single consignment, were from the same source, a mechanical contractor. As this was a specialized auction almost all of the bidders were involved in commercial activities as noted by their Carhartt coats emblazoned with business logos.

Carrie Kaye put the first two items of this cataloged sale, a desk and leather office chair, to use for bidder registration. A catalog was available listing the items presented, with each item carried a corresponding tag. The progression was from office furniture, hand tools, power tools and the heavy equipment including fork-lifts, trailers and motor vehicles.

A 1989 Ford Model F800 boom/crane truck generated the most excitement. It had been driven to the auction yard powered by the diesel engine under the hood and the boom/crane was working. While it was 24 years old it had only 81,017 miles on it, considered minimal for a diesel engine. There also was a winch mounted on the bed. With all these good features the bidding was active, right up to the final bid of $9,600.

A bright blue 1974 Kenworth tandem axle semi-tractor was parked next to the Ford boom truck. The tractor had not been started in some time. It was powered by a Detroit Diesel, hooked up to a 13-speed transmission, with the odometer read 277,254 miles at 3,800 hours. After such use, it did not look like a 39-year-old truck. It did need some repairs to the cab, the frame needed some attention and new mud flaps would be required. The tires were noted to have great tread on them all around. The call of ’sold’ came at $3,200.

A 1997 Ford 15-foot cube van had been used as a workshop truck and included bins for parts and supplies. While the cube did show its use as a workstation the cab appeared clean. The mileage was nearly 173,000 miles with a V-10 gas engine and automatic transmission. The truck started right up for all interested parties and helped drive the winning bid to $1,800.

Trailers that would be used with the heavy duty trucks included a 20-foot 1991 Haulette tandem axle with ramps and pintle hitch sold at $1,000. The Demco 24-foot gooseneck trailer with air brakes and manual ramp went a bit higher at $1,500. A 1980 Daco hydraulic drop-deck trailer - a 31-foot flat bed with an 11-foot deck and air brakes - hauled in the high bid of $3,700.

Related cargo hauling accessories included a group of assorted chains and binders at $100; and the lot of 15 heavy duty tie down straps sold for $170.

Three fork-lifts were presented with the largest being the gasoline-powered tow-motor with a lifting capacity of 9,000 pounds that sparked bidders’ interests. The two-motor featured a side shift and a 110-inch height which helped hoist the bid to $1,500. A Clark propane powered forklift with side shift was a bit more at $2,000 and the Yale gas powered forklift brought $600. Selling separately were a set of fork extensions for $100 and a telescoping boom attachment at $500.

A scissor lift, which is like a 4-foot by 8-foot platform that takes workers, materials and supplies straight up in the air, provided some fun as it was controlled by a joystick. Capable of lifting 750 pounds, it did need some work on the electrical controls, but was hooked up for people to test and rose to an $800 winning bid.

Three pallet lifts offered included the Magnum and Multiton, each rated at 5,000 pounds, selling at $120 and $130 respectively. The orange one, which was made in China, carried a $170 winning bid.

The Ridgid Model 1224 pipe threading machine - which could accommodate most any galvanized, black gas, stainless steel and solid rod pipe - and powered by a 1.5 hp electric motor brought $2,600. A second Ridgid threading machine was the Model 535, which is powered by a half-horse motor sold at $1,200.

A manually-powered Central Forge 10-piece pipe threading set sold for $70, while Ridgid brand aluminum pipe wrenches sold from $12.50 to $100 each. A pair of cast iron pipe stands sold as a set at $40.

Additional power tools noted throughout the day included a Stihl Model T5350 gas powered saw, which can cut metal or concrete depending on the cutting blade, sold for $100. An impact wrench from DeWalt crossed the block at $50. Several electric drills were offered including a Milwaukee ’Hole Hawg’ half-inch drill sold at $45 and a Black & Decker Professional ’Macho 1’ hammer drill, with case, bits and a capacity to a 7/8-inch bit sold for $35.

The Lincoln ’Weldanpower 225’ is a gasoline engine-powered ARC welder and generator which provides 5,000 watts. The one available generated some electrifying bidding charging up to $900. Another Lincoln AC250 welder, with leads and helmets, was claimed at $150. Four assorted oxy-acetylene torch hoses with cutting heads was called sold for $100 with the related box lot of assorted torch gauges bringing $20.

The one item added to the auction that was from a separate consignor was the Skyroad ’Dozall’ utility tractor that featured a front grading blade, back dump box - all powered upon rubber ’tank’ tracks. It started right up and was driven to its place on the auction line where it sold for $2,200.

Contact: (586) 285-1615

www.cbkaye.com website