MILWAUKEE – The  Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers is reporting that U.S. sales of farm tractors and combines in February were mixed. The bright spot was 4WD and 100-plus horsepower tractors which showed healthy gains year-over-year, however, overall tractor and combine sales fell during the month.

U.S. total farm tractor sales decreased 7.5% in February compared to last year while U.S. February self-propelled combine sales fell 21.1%. More specifically, a 6.2% gain in tractors above 100 horsepower to 946 units and a 7.3% rise in 4WD units to 177 sold.

Total U.S. sales of 2WD tractors fell in February 7.5% year-over-year. Sales of under 40 horsepower tractors were down 9.7%, and sales of 40-100 horsepower tractors dropped 5.6%.

For Canada, February 4WD tractor sales gained 43.5% (from 23 to 33 units sold year-over-year) and self-propelled combine sales fell 46.3%. February 2WD tractor sales in Canada were down by 18.7%, with the sub-40 horsepower segment falling 20.2% while the 40-100 horsepower segment fell 10.3%. The 100-plus horsepower segment fell 29.4%.

“What we’re seeing in tractor and combine unit sales is in line with expectations,” said Curt Blades, senior vice president of Ag Services for AEM. “A lot of uncertainty in overall global markets is being reflected in agricultural goods markets. This ultimately is reflected in the capital expenditure decisions, like major equipment purchases, that farmers make.”

The full reports can be found in the Market Data section of the AEM website under Ag Tractor and Combine Reports.

U.S.:  www.aem.org/market-data/statistics/us-ag-tractor-and-combine-reports/

Canada: www.aem.org/market-data/statistics/canadian-ag-tractor-combine-reports/