Compact Tractor sales Off 31%

[HayDR]

The sky is not falling for everyone. The industry inventories are high for the sales volume. There will be some manufacturers in trouble with their cash flow. We could also have some more FarmTrac type situations coming if sales do not pickup soon. There will be some attractive deals coming from all the manufacturers.

AEM | Industry Trends - U.S. Ag Flash Reports: March 2008 Flash Report<br />U.S. Unit Retail Sales

 

[putt_putt_green]

I also notice this says 2 wheel drive. Who sells 2 wheel drive compacts under 40HP?

Some may be attributed to the weather. Winter stayed here longer in southern Michigan. I had snow on the ground every day in March. I would think most people get the itch once Spring hits. Of course, this doesn't apply to whole country.

 

[SESS]

I also notice this says 2 wheel drive. Who sells 2 wheel drive compacts under 40HP?

People in the South that use the tractors in nurseries to pull their tree carts around. We have no hills so its just flat! They also use them to pull mowers, don't need 4x4. That is our big seller.

 

[JerryG]

All tractors with smaller front tires are listed as two wheel drive even if they have front wheel assist. 4WDs are the big tractors with all the wheels the same size.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Things sure as heck are not off for us. Spring has sprung, a bit earlier than normal.

 

[lawn_king]

Things sure as heck are not off for us. Spring has sprung, a bit earlier than normal.

Same thing here. Spring madness is in full fury. My salesmen has promised me he will do everything he can to have my new kubota (GL 3540 HSDC ) ready for pick up by 4 23. He has so many new tractors to prepare for next weeks pick ups, he's pulling his hair out.

 

[RWolf]

Not for my dealer either. He can't keep enough stock. His business is primarily commercial and goverment.

 

[tjkadar]

Our local Kubota dealer is going out of business. I don't think it is because Kubota doesn't sell well in our area, but more because they are not a very good dealer. The dealership was set up by one of our local car sales conglomerate. The owner's son was burned out selling cars so he moved to tractors. Problem was he didn't know tractors.

Its tough to instill confidence in your customers when it is very apparent you don't know your own equipment.

 

[krackerjack9]

My Kubota dealer here seems pretty busy, they sold my old L3400 2 days latter, my nieghbor wanted to buy it but it was already gone.
Now the Manindrah dealer is very busy. I can remember when they only had a few tractors now its about 40 of them. Just in my little area where I live the Manidrah guy has brought out 14 tractors in the area, so my Kubota is a minority here along with a John Deere.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Locally, we have a John Deere dealer with 5 outlets throughout the state. They seem to be thriving. Approx. 50% of their total sales is AG. MF dealers are doing well. Local NH dealer isn't the best. I'd hesitate to judge NH's status based on this dealer alone. Kubota dealers (2) in the area look to be holding steady. Kioti dealer shut his doors and dissapeared 3 months ago. He sold cheap (well under list) and had next to no service available. I'd say this was a dealer related failure as opposed to low market. FarmTrac dealer just south of here WAS thriving. Last I heard, he was about to go under.

USED tractor market is stronger than ever from what I've seen in this area. Auction prices are strong as is private individual sales.

Spring time has always been a good time to be selling tractors around here. Sales numbers are steady NOW, but with the over-all economy and fuel prices being what they are, I'd look for a rough summer. Values on rural real estate are dropping here. Lots of foreclosures in the newspaper. Gas prices have many scrambling to get back closer to their jobs. That can't HELP tractor sales I'd think.

Just a guess on my part, but this should kill off a lot of the weaker dealers, which in turn, should HELP the stronger dealers.