Overall farm tractor unit sales continued their growth across North America in October 2020 despite a small pause in larger units in Canada according to the latest data from the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

U.S. total farm tractor sales rose 18.1% in October compared to 2019 while U.S. self-propelled combine sales grew 14.8%. U.S. 4WD units grew for the third month in a row in October, up 22.8% to 635 units, putting year-to-date segment sales in the black for the first time this year, now up 1%. Unit sales for 100+ horsepower also grew in October, up 9.7%, finally bringing big units barely into positive territory, now up 0.2% year-to-date. Total year-to-date farm tractors out the door are up 15.1% in 2020, while combines are now up 5.5% on the year.

For Canada, October tractor sales saw major growth in the sub-40 horsepower range, carrying overall tractor sales to a 12.8% growth for the month and 9.6% year-to-date, while 40-100 horsepower and 100+ horsepower units had small declines of 1% and 3.3%, respectively. Four-wheel-drive units stayed flat for the month. Self-propelled combines grew 3.1% for the month, while year-to-date unit sales remain 7%  behind their 2019 pace.

“We’re glad to see aggregate North American tractor and combine sales stay above the 5-year trend line,” said Curt Blades, Senior Vice President of Ag Services at the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers. “These latest numbers, combined with the recent bump in commodity prices, point to the potential for a strong finish to equipment sales for 2020.”