The world's largest industrial equipment auctioneer has staged its largest auction to date in Moerdjik, the Netherlands.

Ritchie Bros Auctioneers' four-day unreserved auction netted EUR51 million (USD67.7 million) in gross sales.

More than 1500 people from 65 countries registered to bid on almost 4500 pieces of equipment at the 62-acre (25-hectare) site last month.

Ritchie Bros European operations managing director Guylain Turgeon said the company had enjoyed a "sharp increase in participation from Eastern European customers".

"Thanks to the involvement of such a broad range of global buyers, we are able to reach beyond the regional, and even European markets," he said.

More than 40 per cent of purchases were made by non-European buyers - 18 per cent went to North American buyers, 12 per cent to African buyers, 11 per cent to Middle Eastern buyers and the balance to Australian and New Zealander buyers.

Turgeon said more than 450 sellers submitted equipment to the auction. Most of the machines were from the construction, quarry, agriculture, access and transport industries.

The previous largest Ritchie Bros auction was in Orlando, Florida, USA, in February.