Tractor, Combine Sales Mixed

By DTN Staff

Tractor and combine sales in February were mostly down in all categories, with a couple of exceptions.

According to the latest sales numbers from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), U.S. sales of agricultural tractors declined across most horsepower categories in February compared to the same month last year.

"Farmers remain focused on managing input costs while maximizing productivity," Curt Blades, senior vice president of industry sectors and product leadership at AEM, said in a release. "While equipment purchases tend to follow broader farm income cycles, the long-term outlook for modernizing fleets and adopting advanced technologies remains strong."

In the U.S., agricultural tractor sales declined compared to February 2025, with the most significant declines occurring in the under-100 horsepower categories. Higher horsepower tractors also experienced softer demand.

Total farm tractor sales in the United States declined 12.2% in February, with 9,804 units sold compared to 11,167 units in February 2025.

Here's the summary by category:

-- Sales of under 40 HP tractors declined 11.5% in February, compared to a year ago. Manufacturers sold 6,014 units last month compared to 6,792 units same month last year.

-- Sales of 40- to 100-horsepower tractors declined 9.5%. In February, 2,738 tractors in this reporting category were sold compared to 3,024 units in February 2025.

-- The industry sold 904 100-plus-horsepower tractors in February, compared to 1,218 tractors in February 2025.

-- Sales of four-wheel-drive tractors rose 11.3%, but actual numbers were small. Manufacturers sold 148 four-wheel-drive tractors in February compared to 133 in February last year.

Year-to-date U.S. tractor sales -- all types -- totaled 18,587 units in January and February. That's an 8.7% decline compared to 20,365 units sold during the first two months of 2025.

Combine sales in the United States declined 12.6% in February, with 159 units sold compared to 182 units last year in February. However, year-to-date 2026 combine sales are up 15.4%, reaching 322 units compared to 279 units during the same, two-month period in 2025. AEM believes the number reflects demand for harvesting efficiency and advanced technology.

In Canada, total farm tractor sales declined 14.4% in February, with 1,217 units sold compared to 1,421 units in February 2025. Year-to-date tractor sales are down 3.3% in Canada, with 2,639 units sold through February compared to 2,730 units during the same period in 2025.

Breaking down the Canadian tractor market by horsepower:

-- Sales of under-40-horsepower tractors declined 17.0% in February with 689 units sold.

-- 40- to 100-horsepower tractor sales decreased 3.0% with 258 units sold.

-- 100-plus-horsepower tractor sales declined 10.0% with 180 units sold.

Sales of four-wheel drive tractors in Canada declined 28.0% in February, with 90 units sold compared to 125 units during the same month last year.

Combine sales in Canada remained steady in February with 89 units sold, matching February 2025 totals. Year-to-date combine sales are 204 units, representing an 85.5% increase compared to 110 units sold through February last year.

While equipment sales fluctuate with farm income cycles, AEM reports that the agriculture industry continues to invest in technologies that improve efficiency, sustainability, and operational productivity. Advanced harvesting technologies remain key drivers of equipment modernization.

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