After more than three decades serving the Central Valley, Fresno-based Bill Nelson General Engineering Construction Inc. is closing its doors as owner Bill Nelson retires, with the company’s fleet of heavy construction equipment scheduled to be sold at auction Oct. 30.
Bar None Auction will conduct the online retirement sale, featuring excavators, wheel loaders, backhoes, trucks and other equipment used by the longtime general engineering contractor.
The auction marks the end of more than 30 years in business for the company, which has specialized in underground utilities, water and sewer systems, excavation, drainage and other infrastructure projects.
Throughout its history, Bill Nelson General Engineering has worked on infrastructure projects for municipalities and public agencies across the Central Valley.
The company’s closure comes as Nelson prepares to retire from the construction industry. The sale will make equipment previously used in the company’s operations available to contractors, agricultural businesses and other heavy-equipment operators.
Jeff Huber, marketing director for Bar None Auction, said retirement sales give buyers an opportunity to purchase equipment directly from established contractors.
“Retirement auctions like this are special because buyers have an opportunity to acquire equipment directly from an established working contractor who relied on that equipment to run their business,” Huber said.
“Mr. Nelson built a respected company over many years, and we’re honored that he has entrusted Bar None Auction with conducting his retirement sale and finding the next owners for this equipment.”
The auction is expected to attract interest from general engineering contractors, utility companies, grading and excavation businesses, municipalities and agricultural operations throughout California and the western United States, according to Bar None Auction.
What’s for sale
The auction features late-model Caterpillar construction equipment, commercial trucks and a variety of attachments and support machinery.
Among the equipment available are:
- 2025 Caterpillar 420 loader backhoe
- 2023 Caterpillar 325 hydraulic excavator
- 2023 Caterpillar 930M wheel loader
- 2022 Caterpillar 279D3 skid steer loader
- Additional Caterpillar 325-series excavators
- Additional Caterpillar 930M wheel loaders
- Multiple Caterpillar 420-series loader backhoes
- Freightliner trucks, water trucks and trailers
- Towable air compressors and compaction equipment
- Asphalt Zipper machines
- Caterpillar buckets, compaction wheels and other attachments
Auction and inspection details
The online auction is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 30, with the first lots beginning to close at 8:30 a.m. Pacific time.
Prospective buyers will have two opportunities to inspect the equipment before bidding.
Equipment previews are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 28, and Thursday, Oct. 29, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the company’s facility at 2741 E. Malaga Ave. in Fresno.
Bidding will take place online, allowing buyers outside the region to participate.
Bar None Auction, founded in 1993 and headquartered in Sacramento, specializes in heavy equipment, commercial trucks, vehicles and industrial equipment. The company operates auction facilities in Fresno, Sacramento, Fontana and Woodburn, Oregon.
The complete auction catalog, equipment photographs and bidding information are available at BarNoneAuction.com/Bill-Nelson.
