January, 2026 sales reported from 237 same-store tractor dealers according to Constellation Dealer Insights came in at down 15%, the fourth consecutive month of sales declines year over year.
oldnslo
Super Member
Muhammad,
Does that site break it down to different tractor manufacturers like Deere, Kubota, AGCO, etc. just curious on if effected companies making large ag tractors the same as companies more focused on CUT size.
Does that site break it down to different tractor manufacturers like Deere, Kubota, AGCO, etc. just curious on if effected companies making large ag tractors the same as companies more focused on CUT size.
Not surprised. Older machines go on forever, an older population is selling their inventory, newer machines appear to be to complicated and too 'electronic', plus population of potential new users/owners would probably prefer a better phone instead of doing 'peon' work. Some can't afford 'affordable housing' ! Many now get their food from a delivery service no matter what the cost.
dodge man
Super Star Member
I have no data on numbers or who buys what but I’m guessing the typical homeowner machines like the typical TBN person owns is a very small piece of the pie. I think the big money is in ag. That market isn’t going away and if sales are down people are getting by with what they have.
OP
AEM I believe reports MFG numbers but it's self-reported and we don't have access to that. This is a snapshot, I don't know exactly the size of the dealerships but I'm guessing they are mostly in the compact and utility market based on the sales dollar volume reported.
Thomas
Epic Contributor
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Maybe part of the decline you can get covid shot etc....check out Tractor Mike on youtube.
tacticalturnip
Super Member
That's where my thoughts were going; I would hope things are just stabilizing.
Shawn T. W.
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Look at the car/pickup lots ...
Back in October of 2021 I blew the engine in my 1989 pickup truck 100 miles from home, Friday evening ... I had cash in the bank looking to buy a house ... I had been toying with the idea of a newer truck, but couldn't justify the money they wanted, and I could use that for my new house ... Not much to pick from with my pre-chosen research, found 2 trucks in Tucson with the engine I wanted ... One was 2 WD, the other 4X4, I bought the 4X4 ... Neither had a 8' bed, or manual transmission ... !
A few months later I was moved to Missouri, couldn't find a contractor to call me back for my much needed driveway expansion, I was planning on a tractor for cutting the fields anyways, but decided to do the driveway myself ... Was looking for a pre-emissons 50-75 HP tractor, then decided I really needed one with a backhoe, all there was within 500 miles was ABused ones ...
So I started looking new, under 25 HP ... Out of the five area dealers, I had a choice of two (2!) tractors, both little overgrown lawnmowers (SCUT) I ended up buying the Massey Ferguson ...
My point is both the auto and tractor lots were pretty barren then ... I was told by a few dealers it could be 3-18 months (a year and a half!!) before they expected any new tractors!
Look at the lots now! Take your choice of any model.
While I did buy a new one in 2022, I also this past summer also bought a 2005 52HP Kubota ...
Back in October of 2021 I blew the engine in my 1989 pickup truck 100 miles from home, Friday evening ... I had cash in the bank looking to buy a house ... I had been toying with the idea of a newer truck, but couldn't justify the money they wanted, and I could use that for my new house ... Not much to pick from with my pre-chosen research, found 2 trucks in Tucson with the engine I wanted ... One was 2 WD, the other 4X4, I bought the 4X4 ... Neither had a 8' bed, or manual transmission ... !
A few months later I was moved to Missouri, couldn't find a contractor to call me back for my much needed driveway expansion, I was planning on a tractor for cutting the fields anyways, but decided to do the driveway myself ... Was looking for a pre-emissons 50-75 HP tractor, then decided I really needed one with a backhoe, all there was within 500 miles was ABused ones ...
So I started looking new, under 25 HP ... Out of the five area dealers, I had a choice of two (2!) tractors, both little overgrown lawnmowers (SCUT) I ended up buying the Massey Ferguson ...
My point is both the auto and tractor lots were pretty barren then ... I was told by a few dealers it could be 3-18 months (a year and a half!!) before they expected any new tractors!
Look at the lots now! Take your choice of any model.
While I did buy a new one in 2022, I also this past summer also bought a 2005 52HP Kubota ...
anomad
Gold Member
I bought my B2601 and KX-57 right after things went to Helena hand basket but before dealer inventory dried up and still at pre hand basket pricing. I rarely get lucky with things, but sure did on that and selling my house in the DC beltway around the same time.
My local Kubota guy didn't have hardly anything on the lot for ~2 years after that. I think he had lawn mowers pretty regular. But not tractors or heavy equipment. Now he's absolutely swimming in equipment. I go walk Ruby there on Sunday mornings sometimes just to kick tires and tempt myself with wild abandon - LOL.
rScotty
Super Member
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I'm not surprised. I'd enjoy a new tractor, but it's hard to see enough improvement to justify the time or expense.
The only functional change I see in today's tractors compared to a 25 year old machine are the emission controls and electronics. Are those really advantages?
Tractors still don't have 4 wheel brakes, good stability, suspension, or a 4wd front end designed for loader stresses. Engines and tranny design peaked decades ago. The 3pt hitch hasn't evolved in 50 years now. Even the seat is as uncomfortable today as it was when we were all kids.
Tractors already do all their jobs pretty well, they have done so for years now, and they last nearly forever. Interesting buyers in a new tractor requires it to offer something that the old ones don't have.
Instead of innovation, what we have is a lot of companies all copying each other. Progress has become a race to see who can build the same thing for less money.
My guess is that price by itself is not going to turn the declining sales trend around.
What would it take to make buying a new tractor more interesting?
rScotty
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