More than 2000 buyers and sellers were in attendance at Thainstone’s collective sale of plant, machinery and equipment, which saw 3180 lots forward and in excess of 80% of all items changing hands either on-site or online.

Mark Barrack, head of specialist auctions at Thainstone, said: “The May sale is traditionally one of our largest auctions of the year and we again had a good crowd of buyers in attendance bidding on a strong selection of lots.

“The tractor and plant section, in particular, saw notable entries and met a strong demand from private and trade buyers looking to purchase good quality equipment which is becoming increasingly harder to source."

One of the highlights was a 1984 Muir-Hill Crane that achieved £29,000 which is one of the top prices paid for this kind of machinery in Scotland.

The highest-selling item was a 2017 Doosan DX140 LCR excavator in the tractor and plant section which realised £45,200. Other top prices included a 2015 Volvo FH 750 6X2 tractor unit in the heavy commercials category which made £43,800 and a 2018 Toyota Hi-Lux Invincible-X D4-D auto d/cab pick-up at £19,200 in the light commercials and 4x4s section.

A King low loader made £5700 and the implements section saw a Claas 3100 TC mower realise £9400.

LEADING prices

Tractor and plant machinery – 2017 Doosan DX140 LCR excavator, £45,200; 1984 Muir-Hill 171 c/w crane, £29,000; 1994 New Holland TX66 combine, £27,000; 2007 JCB 3CX digger, £24,000.

Light commercial and 4 x 4s – 2018 Toyota Hi-Lux Invincible-X D4-D auto D/cab pick-up, £19,200; 2011 Land Rover Discovery HSE SDV6 auto, £12,500; 2016 Ford Ranger XLT TDCi D/cab pick up, £12,500; 2015 BMW X3 2.0D X-line, £12,100.

Heavy commercials – 2015 Volvo FH 16 750 6x2 tractor unit, £43,800; 2013 Scania R470 6x4 tipper, £30,000; 2004 Volvo FM 12 6x4 tipper,£9800; 2010 Volvo FH460 6x2 tractor unit, £8000.

Trailers and containers – King low loader, £5700; Nene combine trailer, £5200; Eldiss Avante six berth caravan, £4700; double decker artic trailer, £4000.

Implements – Claas 3100 TC mower £9400; 2013 Marshall BC28 trailer with float, £8900; Tuff Mac dump trailer, £7000; Multec PD5-8 super contractor post driver, £7000.