Milwaukee — December 2019 saw a return to positive overall results in U.S. sales of tractors and self-propelled combines, marking an upward end to a year that saw overall growth in the tractor and combine space. Total U.S. farm tractor sales for calendar 2019 grew 3.6% to 244,637 units, while self-propelled combines notched down 0.7% to 4,807, a decline of 32 units for the year.  December tractor sales climbed 1.1% compared to December of last year while combines fell by 12.3%, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). 

Total U.S. sales of 2-wheel-drive tractors were roughly flat in the month of December rising 0.7% compared to December last year: under 40 HP 2-wheel-drive tractors grew 5.2%, and sales of 40-100 HP tractors fell 8.7%, while sales of 100-plus HP tractors led the segment with 6.4% growth.  Total December U.S. 4-wheel drive tractor sales was a highlight with 27.8% sales growth to 322 units.

All sectors fell in Canada for 2019, with 4-wheel-drive tractors leading the decline falling 35.6% (from 885 to 570 units sold year-over-year) and self-propelled combine sales falling 19.4% to 1,695 units for the year. Two-wheel-drive tractor Canadian sales in 2019 were helped by the sub-40hp category (3.6% increase for under 40 HP, 8.2% decrease for 40-100 HP, and 18% decrease for 100-plus HP).

“While growth hit a bump toward the end of the year, ag tractor and combine sales overall for 2019 ended relatively flat,” said Curt Blades, senior vice president of Ag Services at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. “On top of that, from survey data we gathered along with the Equipment Dealers Association, majorities of both manufacturers and dealers agree inventory levels are sitting about right at the moment, which should put our members and the overall ag sector in a positive place for the near future.”