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RBAuction.com Vehicle Search Scraper: Extract Heavy Equipment & Vehicle Auction Data

Introduction

RBAuction.com, operated by Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, is the world's largest industrial auction company specializing in heavy equipment, trucks, and commercial vehicles. With thousands of auctions held annually across multiple countries, the platform hosts extensive listings of construction equipment, transportation vehicles, agricultural machinery, and industrial assets from various manufacturers.

For equipment dealers, fleet buyers, market analysts, and investment firms, accessing structured auction data from RBAuction.com is critical for pricing analysis, inventory sourcing, market trend identification, and competitive intelligence. However, manually tracking auctions, comparing equipment specifications, and analyzing pricing patterns across thousands of listings is impractical and time-consuming.

The RBAuction.com Vehicle Search Scraper automates the extraction of detailed auction data, enabling systematic collection of vehicle specifications, bidding information, location details, and asset metadata. Whether you're tracking specific equipment types, analyzing market pricing trends, or sourcing inventory for resale, this scraper provides the data infrastructure needed for informed decision-making in the heavy equipment auction market.

Scraper Overview

The RBAuction.com Vehicle Search Scraper is an advanced data extraction tool designed to systematically collect comprehensive auction listings from Ritchie Bros.' online platform. This scraper navigates through search results and extracts detailed vehicle and equipment data including specifications, auction details, location information, and asset metadata.

Key advantages include residential proxy support for reliable data collection, configurable retry mechanisms for network stability, flexible pagination controls for large datasets, and multiple sorting options for targeted data extraction. The tool is particularly valuable for equipment dealers sourcing inventory, market researchers analyzing pricing trends, fleet managers evaluating acquisition opportunities, and investment analysts tracking heavy equipment markets.

The scraper handles various search parameters including keyword-based queries, multiple sorting criteria (proximity, event date, usage hours, manufacture year), and custom pagination controls. It extracts over 80 data fields per listing, providing comprehensive information for pricing analysis, equipment valuation, market research, and inventory management workflows.

Input and Output Details

Example url 1: https://www.rbauction.com/search?freeText=truck&sortBy=manufacturers_asc

Example url 2: https://www.rbauction.com/cp/truck-tractors

Example url 3: https://www.rbauction.com/cp/balers-and-hay-equipment

Example Screenshot of vehicles list by query page:

Input Format

The scraper accepts JSON configuration with precise control over data extraction parameters.

Scrape with URLs:

{
  "proxy": {
    "useApifyProxy": false
  },
  "ignore_url_failures": true,
  "max_retries_per_url": 2,
  "max_items_per_url": 20,
  "urls": [
    "https://www.rbauction.com/search?freeText=truck&sortBy=proximity_asc",
    "https://www.rbauction.com/search?freeText=excavator&sortBy=eventDate_asc",
    "https://www.rbauction.com/cp/balers-and-hay-equipment"
  ]
}

The urls parameter: Add URLs of vehicle search result pages you want to scrape. Paste URLs individually or use Bulk edit for prepared lists. Ideal for specific search configurations with custom filters.

The ignore_url_failures parameter: If true, scraper continues running even if URLs fail after maximum retries. Ensures comprehensive data collection despite individual URL issues.

When providing URLs, all "Scrape with search filters" options are disabled.

Scrape with Search Filters:

{
  "keyword": "excavator",
  "sort_by": "eventDate_asc",
  "page": 1,
  "max_items_per_url": 50,
  "max_retries_per_url": 2,
  "proxy": {
    "useApifyProxy": true,
    "apifyProxyGroups": ["RESIDENTIAL"],
    "apifyProxyCountry": "US"
  }
}

The keyword parameter: Search term for equipment/vehicles (e.g., "truck", "excavator", "bulldozer", "crane", "forklift").

The sort_by parameter: Sort auction listings by specific criteria:

• "" - Recommended (default platform sorting)
• "proximity_asc" - Nearest location first
• "eventDate_asc" - Earliest auction date
• "usageHours_asc" - Lowest usage hours
• "usageMiles_asc" - Lowest mileage
• "manufactureYear_desc" - Newest equipment first
• "manufactureYear_asc" - Oldest equipment first
• "manufacturers_asc" - Alphabetically by manufacturer

The page parameter: Starting page number for scraping. Useful for resuming interrupted scrapes or targeting specific result ranges.

When using search filters, leave the urls field empty.

General Options:

The max_items_per_url parameter: Limit items per URL or search query. Default is 20. Adjust based on data volume needs and processing capacity.

The max_retries_per_url parameter: Maximum retry attempts for failed requests. Default is 2, balancing thoroughness with efficiency.

The proxy parameter: Proxy configuration for maintaining access and avoiding detection. Essential for large-scale extraction or frequent scraping operations.

Output Format

The scraper returns structured auction data with 80+ fields providing comprehensive equipment and auction information:

Core Identification:

• Item Number: Unique auction lot identifier. Essential for tracking specific equipment across auctions and databases.
• Listing ID: Platform listing identifier. Used for referencing items in RBAuction system.
• Asset GUID: Global unique identifier for the asset. Critical for cross-platform tracking and deduplication.

Equipment Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Equipment brand/maker. Primary filter for brand-specific sourcing and analysis.
• Manufacturer Localized: Localized manufacturer name. Provides region-appropriate brand naming.
• Model: Specific equipment model designation. Critical for exact equipment identification and comparison.
• Model Localized: Localized model name. Regional model variations and naming.
• Normalized Model Group: Standardized model grouping. Enables cross-model comparison and category analysis.
• Asset Type: Primary equipment classification. Essential for inventory categorization and market segmentation.
• Asset Type Localized: Localized asset type description. Region-specific classification terminology.
• Asset Description: Detailed equipment description. Comprehensive specifications and condition details.
• Manufacture Year: Production year. Critical for age-based valuation and depreciation analysis.
• Serial Number: Equipment serial number. Unique identifier for equipment history verification.

Usage Metrics:

• Usage Hours: Equipment operating hours. Primary wear indicator for valuation and condition assessment.
• Usage Miles: Distance traveled (vehicles). Critical metric for vehicle condition evaluation.
• Usage Kilometers: Metric distance measurement. International standard for usage tracking.
• Usage Default Distance Unit: Default measurement unit. Clarifies which distance metric is primary.

Auction Details:

• Sale Number: Auction sale identifier. Links items to specific auction events.
• Sale Event ID: Event identification number. System reference for auction event.
• Sale Event Name: Descriptive auction name. Human-readable auction identification.
• Event Advertised Name: Public-facing event name. Marketing name for auction event.
• Event Start Date Time: Auction commencement timestamp. Critical for bidding timeline planning.
• Event End Date Time: Auction conclusion timestamp. Deadline for bid submission.
• Event Start Date: Date-only auction start. Simplified date reference for scheduling.
• Date Of Event: Event date reference. Alternative date field for event tracking.
• Day Of Event: Day designation within event. Multi-day auction tracking.
• Bidding End Time: Specific bid deadline timestamp. Precise bidding window closure.
• Bidding End Date: Date-only bid deadline. Simplified deadline reference.
• Auction Total Days: Duration of auction event. Planning metric for auction participation.

Location Information:

• Item Site Name: Facility/yard name where item located. Specific location identification for inspection and pickup.
• Item Site ID: Unique site identifier. System reference for location tracking.
• Location Name: General location descriptor. Broader geographic reference.
• Location City: City where equipment located. Precise urban location for logistics planning.
• Location State: State/province location. Regional location classification.
• Location Region: Broader regional classification. Multi-state or national region grouping.
• Location Country: Country where equipment located. International location identification.
• Location Coordinates: Geographic coordinates (lat/long). Precise GPS location for mapping and distance calculation.
• Event Locality: Event-specific location details. Auction venue information.
• Event Region: Regional classification of auction. Broader geographic auction categorization.
• Event Country: Country hosting the auction. International auction location.
• In Yard: Boolean indicating if equipment in auction yard. Availability for physical inspection.

Platform & Bidding:

• Buying Platform: Auction platform type. Identifies online vs. in-person bidding format.
• Buying Format: Purchase method (auction, buy now, etc.). Transaction type specification.
• Buying Format Facet Label: User-facing format description. Readable purchasing method label.
• Selling Method: How item is being sold. Detailed transaction methodology.
• Is Available For Online Bidding: Boolean for online bid capability. Remote bidding availability indicator.
• Event Online Bidding Enabled: Event-level online bidding status. Auction-wide online participation flag.
• Event Marketplace Enabled: Marketplace feature availability. Alternative buying options indicator.

Classification & Categories:

• Category: Primary equipment category. Top-level classification for browsing and filtering.
• Category Localized: Localized category name. Region-appropriate category labeling.
• Is Core Category: Boolean for main category designation. Primary vs. secondary classification indicator.
• Primary Industry: Main industry application. Sector-specific equipment usage classification.
• Primary Industry Localized: Localized industry name. Regional industry terminology.
• Industry: Detailed industry classification. Specific sector application details.
• Additional Classifications: Secondary category tags. Supplementary classification metadata.
• Event Primary Classification: Event's main equipment focus. Auction specialization indicator.

Status & Condition:

• Listing Status: Current item status (active, sold, etc.). Real-time availability information.
• Inspection Status: Inspection availability/status. Pre-bid examination opportunity indicator.
• Unused: Boolean indicating new/unused condition. New equipment designation for premium valuation.
• Inoperable: Boolean for non-functional status. Critical condition flag affecting value.
• Titled Asset: Boolean for titled vehicle status. Legal documentation availability indicator.
• Is Parts: Boolean indicating sold for parts only. Salvage vs. operational equipment flag.

Additional Metadata:

• Catalog Notes: Special notes about the item. Important details, restrictions, or conditions.
• Features: Special equipment features/options. Value-adding specifications and attachments.
• Has Photo: Boolean for image availability. Visual documentation indicator.
• Image URL: Link to equipment photo. Visual reference for condition assessment.
• Price Currency: Currency for pricing. Financial data interpretation reference.
• Extended Warranty Eligible: Warranty availability flag. Post-purchase coverage option indicator.
• Iron Clad Assurance: RBA guarantee program participation. Quality assurance program indicator.
• Ring Number: Physical auction ring/lane. In-person auction location reference.
• Brand ID: Manufacturer brand identifier. System reference for brand tracking.
• Is RBA: Boolean for Ritchie Bros. ownership. Equipment sourcing indicator.

System & Technical:

• First Time Indexed At: Initial database entry timestamp. Listing creation tracking.
• Indexed At: Current index timestamp. Latest data update reference.
• Minutes Till 3000: Time calculation field. System metric for time-based operations.
• Hours Till 3000: Hour-based time calculation. Alternative time metric.
• Seconds Till 3000: Precise time calculation. Granular timing reference.
• Auction Facet Text: Search facet text for filtering. System field for search functionality.
• Autosuggest Text Localized: Localized search suggestion text. Search optimization metadata.
• Event Scheduling Status: Event status in scheduling system. Auction timeline management indicator.
• Event Time Zone: Timezone for event times. Critical for accurate time interpretation across regions.
• Event Primary Site ID: Primary facility hosting event. Main location identifier for multi-site events.
• RBA Location Level One/Two/Three: Hierarchical location classification. Multi-tier geographic organization.
• New RBA Location Level One/Two/Three: Updated location hierarchy. Revised geographic classification system.

Each field supports equipment valuation, market analysis, inventory sourcing, competitive intelligence, and auction participation planning workflows.

Example Output:

[
  {
  "item_number": "14450413",
  "event_marketplace_enabled": false,
  "event_end_date_time": 1770768000000,
  "rba_location_level_two": "CA-CEN",
  "new_rba_location_level_two": "CA-CEN",
  "item_site_id": null,
  "is_core_category": true,
  "sale_number": 2026433,
  "catalog_notes": "PROPERTY MAY BE VIEWED WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT. Visit rbauction.com/realestate for more information. Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the exact current acres, property lines and fence locations, building sizes, taxes, and assessments, zoning and permitted uses & surface lease revenue details. Property titles are available upon request. The information provided is a guide only. ",
  "features": "Don't miss this rare opportunity to purchase 116.76± acres of highly fertile tiled farmland near Minto, ON. The 110± cultivated and tiled acres - with potential for more - have benefited from regular manure applications to maintain the soil health longevity. Previous crop rotations yielded corn, wheat, beans and hay. This parcel has independent access off Wellington Road and is within minutes of a variety of amenities available in the nearby towns of Clifford, Harrison and Mount Forest. 2025 taxes $2637.87. As in R00661633 W of 61R8144, Save and Except PT PL 61R20639, PID 71018-0106 (LT).  This real estate is being sold by Ritchie Bros. on behalf of Dykstra Farmland., This property is being sold on behalf of Kurtis & Brianna Dykstra.",
  "buying_platform": "Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers",
  "rba_location_level_three": "CA-ON",
  "location_country": "CAN",
  "item_site_name": null,
  "is_parts": false,
  "event_locality": "Minto",
  "model": "CF951BB7-0AA3-3681-84AD-5F59247CBEC3",
  "location_coordinates": [
    -136.83333,
    62.583332
  ],
  "in_yard": false,
  "location_state": "ON",
  "sale_event_id": null,
  "new_rba_location_level_three": "CA-ON",
  "event_primary_site_id": "840414B0-C4A0-40A4-9040-70C4101440D0",
  "asset_type_localized": "Farmland",
  "manufacturer_localized": null,
  "event_start_date_time": 1770728400000,
  "rba_location_level_one": "CAN",
  "serial_number": "PARCEL1",
  "asset_guid": null,
  "bidding_end_time": 1770735600000,
  "event_country": "CAN",
  "asset_description": "Minto, ON Welling Rd 2 Con 17 PT Lot 27 & 28 116.76 +/- Acres on Title Farmland",
  "listing_id": "DB96CADC-FA37-3FEB-ABC5-5C0085DD86B8",
  "event_advertised_name": "Dykstra Farmland Unreserved Auction - Feb 10, 2026",
  "model_localized": "Welling Rd 2 Con 17 PT Lot 27 & 28",
  "new_rba_location_level_one": "CAN",
  "asset_type": "3188775B-575D-3335-9306-ACE1DD7FEED7",
  "event_scheduling_status": "PUBLISHED",
  "minutes_till_3000": null,
  "price_currency": "CAD",
  "inspection_status": "INSPECTION_COMPLETED",
  "has_photo": true,
  "brand_id": 307,
  "event_time_zone": "America/New_York",
  "unused": false,
  "first_time_indexed_at": "2025-11-25T19:17:05.450906807Z",
  "auction_facet_text": "F6B52E5D-B711-41FF-995B-02DD3CBA4462##Dykstra Farmland Unreserved Auction##2026-02-10T13:00:00.000+00:00##2026-02-11T00:00:00.000+00:00",
  "location_city": "Minto",
  "event_start_date": 1770735600000,
  "titled_asset": false,
  "autosuggest_text_localized": "Real Estate Agricultural Real Estate Farmland null Welling Rd 2 Con 17 PT Lot 27 & 28 Farmlands",
  "buying_format": "Live Auction",
  "primary_industry": "1AAA6B4E-6EEA-3F75-9109-E270BF2DCC6D",
  "category_localized": "Agricultural Real Estate",
  "industry": [
    "1AAA6B4E-6EEA-3F75-9109-E270BF2DCC6D"
  ],
  "bidding_end_date": [
    2026,
    2,
    10
  ],
  "manufacturer": null,
  "buying_format_facet_label": "Timed Auction",
  "sale_event_name": "Dykstra Farmland Unreserved Auction - Feb 10, 2026",
  "date_of_event": 1770735600000,
  "image_url": "https://cdn.ironpla.net/i/20910/791/b28daf4e-4963-4c28-9580-001ae4162ac1.jpg",
  "usage_miles": null,
  "listing_status": "New",
  "location_region": "Canada",
  "selling_method": "TAL",
  "is_rba": true,
  "usage_kilometers": null,
  "hours_till_3000": null,
  "indexed_at": "2026-01-13T16:54:03.779803444Z",
  "location_name": "Minto, ON",
  "day_of_event": 1,
  "iron_clad_assurance": false,
  "seconds_till_3000": null,
  "additional_classifications": [
    "REAL_ESTATE"
  ],
  "event_primary_classification": "INDUSTRIAL",
  "usage_default_distance_unit": null,
  "primary_industry_localized": "Real Estate",
  "event_online_bidding_enabled": false,
  "event_region": "ON",
  "normalized_model_group": "welling rd 2 con 17 pt lot 27 & 28",
  "category": "C817B843-012C-30C1-9E72-1F07D87A1D3D",
  "is_available_for_online_bidding": false,
  "inoperable": false,
  "manufacture_year": null,
  "extended_warranty_eligible": false,
  "ring_number": 1,
  "auction_total_days": 1,
  "from_url": "https://www.rbauction.com/search"
}
]

Usage Guide

Option 1: Scraping with URLs

Navigate to RBAuction.com, perform searches using platform filters (equipment type, location, manufacturer, year), then copy resulting URLs. This method works well for complex filter combinations or saved searches.

Best practices:

• Test individual URLs before batch processing
• Monitor for session timeouts on long-running scrapes
• Use proxies for large URL lists to avoid rate limiting
• Verify URL structure hasn't changed after platform updates

Common issues:

• Invalid URLs: Verify complete URL including all parameters
• Expired search results: Some searches may have time-based expiration
• Access restrictions: Use appropriate proxies if encountering blocks

Option 2: Scraping with Search Filters

Search Configuration

Step 1: Define Keyword Use equipment-specific terms:

• Heavy equipment: "excavator", "bulldozer", "loader", "grader", "crane"
• Trucks: "dump truck", "semi truck", "delivery truck", "pickup truck"
• Agriculture: "tractor", "combine", "harvester", "planter"
• Material handling: "forklift", "telehandler", "pallet jack"
• Specialized: "generator", "compressor", "welder"

Step 2: Select Sorting Method Choose sorting based on research goals:

• Proximity: Find equipment nearest to your location for reduced transportation costs
• Event Date: Track upcoming auctions chronologically for bidding planning
• Usage Hours/Miles: Identify low-usage equipment for better condition and value
• Manufacture Year (New to Old): Target newer equipment for modern features and less wear
• Manufacture Year (Old to New): Find older equipment for budget-conscious purchases
• Equipment: Browse alphabetically by manufacturer

Step 3: Configure Pagination Set page parameter to start from specific results or resume interrupted scrapes. Combine with max_items_per_url for precise data extraction control.

Best Practices for Filter-Based Scraping

Keyword Strategy:

• Use specific model numbers when targeting exact equipment
• Combine manufacturer with type (e.g., "Caterpillar excavator")
• Try variations: "backhoe" vs "excavator", "dozer" vs "bulldozer"
• Search by category terms visible on RBAuction.com

Sorting Selection:

• Use event date sorting for auction calendar planning
• Use usage metrics sorting for condition-based sourcing
• Use proximity sorting when transportation costs are critical
• Use year sorting for age-specific inventory needs

Pagination Planning:

• Start with low max_items_per_url to test configuration
• Increase limits for comprehensive market research
• Use page parameter to divide large extractions across runs
• Monitor total results to plan complete coverage

Data Validation

Verify extracted data:

• Equipment specifications match search criteria
• Location data is complete with coordinates
• Auction dates are current and valid
• Usage metrics are present for operational equipment
• Images are accessible via provided URLs

Common Issues

Search Returning No Results:

• Broaden keywords (use equipment category vs. specific model)
• Check spelling of technical equipment terms
• Verify equipment type exists on platform
• Try alternative terminology

Missing Data Fields:

• Some fields may be empty for specific equipment types
• Usage hours may not apply to all asset types
• Certain auctions may not have all metadata populated
• Verify field requirements for your use case

Sorting Issues:

• Not all sort options work with all search types
• Verify sort parameter matches available platform options
• Test sorting on website before automating

Advanced Techniques

Market Research:

• Scrape multiple equipment types with consistent sorting
• Track pricing trends across auctions over time
• Analyze usage metrics by manufacturer and model
• Compare auction formats (online vs. in-person)

Inventory Sourcing:

• Focus on proximity sorting for local acquisition
• Filter by condition indicators (unused, operational)
• Track specific manufacturers and models
• Monitor auction dates for bidding preparation

Competitive Analysis:

• Scrape competitor equipment types and pricing
• Analyze market supply by equipment category
• Track auction participation and selling methods
• Identify market gaps and opportunities

Price Analysis:

• Collect historical auction data for price trending
• Correlate usage hours with final sale prices
• Compare pricing across regions and seasons
• Analyze premium for newer vs. older equipment

Proxy Configuration

Use residential proxies for optimal results with RBAuction.com. US-based proxies recommended for accessing North American auctions. Rotate proxies for high-volume extractions to maintain reliable access.

Benefits and Applications

The RBAuction.com scraper transforms manual auction monitoring into automated intelligence gathering, reducing hours of research into minutes of extraction.

Primary Applications:

Equipment Dealer Inventory Sourcing: Systematically identify acquisition opportunities, track specific equipment types across auctions, monitor pricing for purchase decisions, and build supplier relationships based on location data.

Market Research & Pricing Analysis: Analyze equipment value trends, track depreciation rates by manufacturer and model, identify seasonal pricing patterns, and benchmark equipment valuations for appraisal services.

Fleet Management & Procurement: Monitor available equipment for fleet additions, compare pricing across regions and auction formats, track specific manufacturers or models, and plan equipment replacement cycles based on market availability.

Investment & Asset Analysis: Evaluate heavy equipment market conditions, track auction volume and participation trends, analyze equipment supply dynamics, and identify investment opportunities in equipment categories.

Competitive Intelligence: Monitor competitor equipment acquisitions, track industry equipment preferences, analyze regional market dynamics, and identify market entry opportunities.

Advantages:

• Access to 80+ data fields per listing for comprehensive analysis
• Multiple sorting options for targeted research
• Complete location data for logistics planning
• Usage metrics for condition-based valuation
• Auction timeline data for bidding strategy
• Manufacturer and model details for precise equipment identification

Extracted data integrates with inventory management systems, pricing databases, CRM platforms, and business intelligence tools for immediate operational use.

Conclusion

The RBAuction.com Vehicle Search Scraper automates heavy equipment and vehicle auction data extraction, providing systematic access to thousands of equipment listings with comprehensive specifications, auction details, and market metadata. Whether sourcing inventory, conducting market research, or analyzing equipment values, this scraper delivers the structured data needed for informed decision-making in the heavy equipment auction market.

Transform manual auction monitoring into automated intelligence gathering and accelerate your equipment sourcing, market analysis, and pricing research workflows.

Your feedback

We are always working to improve Actors' performance. So, if you have any technical feedback about rbauction.com vehicles Search Scraper or simply found a bug, please create an issue on the Actor's Issues tab in Apify Console.