Combine sales up, tractor sales continue downward trend in October

Combine harvest sales show double-digit gains in October in the United States, while tractor sales continue to fall from last month, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

Total agricultural equipment sales remain up over the five-year average in October. While sales in nearly all tractor segments saw increases compared to last year, the sub-40 hp. segment is down yet again.

“With all the new technology available, we’re happy to see farmers being able to take advantage of the technology on modern harvesters and tractors,” says Curt Blades, senior vice president, industry sectors and product leadership for AEM. “The drop in the U.S. sub-40 hp. segment continues the trend we’ve been expecting given the significant growth in that segment driven by consumer spending changes during the pandemic. Despite the year over year reduction in sales to days, the small tractor sales remain above the five-year average.”

Photo credit: AEM

Tractor sales

Total farm tractor sales for October 2022 were down 10.8% from 2021, with 26,695 tractors sold in October 2022 compared to 29,923 sold in October 2021. Year to date, AEM reports 237,169 total farm tractors were sold this year, down from 275,731 this time last year. 

Tractor sales for October 2022 are broken down by horsepower range as follows:

Sales for 2WD sub-40 hp. tractors were down 23.6% from 2021, with 14,190 sales this year, and 18,583 last year. Year to date, AEM reports 154,941 tractors have been sold in this category, down from 189,298 at the same time last year. 

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Sales for 2WD 40-100 hp. tractors were up 3.2%, with 7,567 sales this year, and 7,329 last year. Year to date, AEM reports 57,025 tractors have been sold in this category, down from 63,775 at the same time last year. 

In a positive direction, sales for 2WD 100+ hp. tractors continue to grow from last month, up 25.2%, with 4,289 sales this year, and 3,418 last year. Year to date, AEM reports 22,419 tractors have been sold in this category, up from 19,675 at the same time last year. 

Sales for 4WD tractors are up 9.4%, with 649 sales this year, and 593 last year. Year to date, AEM reports 2,784 tractors have been sold in this category, down from 2,983 at the same time last year. 

Combine Sales

Sales for self-propelled combines saw growth in October, up 77.4% with 1,678 sales this year compared to 946 last year. Year to date, AEM reports 6,221 combines have been sold, up from 5,356 at the same time last year.