September tractor and combine sales fall as farm equipment slump continues
U.S. tractor sales dropped 16.4 percent and combine sales fell 10.9 percent in September compared with a year earlier, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Every tractor horsepower category declined, with four-wheel-drive models down 20.2 percent. Through the first nine months of 2026, tractor sales were down about 12.6 percent.
AEM data show U.S. dealerships sold 15,024 tractors in September, down from 17,979 the prior September. Combine purchases totaled 369, compared with 414. Declines occurred in every tractor horsepower class, including a 20.2% drop for four-wheel-drive models, which amounted to 233 units.
For the year through September, U.S. tractor sales reached 135,325, versus 154,869 a year earlier. Canadian sales also weakened: tractors decreased 15.1% to 1,626, while combines decreased 37.6% to 78. These figures suggest North American equipment demand remains subdued.
Continued weakness in equipment purchases could affect farmers, dealers, manufacturers, and rural communities. Farmers may delay replacing aging machinery, potentially raising repair costs or affecting harvest efficiency. Dealers and manufacturers could face slower inventory turnover and reduced revenue, which may ripple into jobs and local business activity. Lower sales might also create buying opportunities for operations with stronger finances, though broader farm economic uncertainty may keep many producers cautious.