MILWAUKEE, Wis. (RFD News) — U.S. farm equipment sales weakened again in August as producers remained cautious about major purchases amid tight margins and uncertainty heading into harvest, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
Total tractor sales fell 8% from August 2025 to 14,571 units. Year-to-date tractor sales reached 119,889 units, down 12.4% from the same period last year. Sales of self-propelled combines declined 4% for the month and 9.1% year to date.
Weakness extended across most tractor categories. Sales of tractors above 100 horsepower dropped 17.2% in August, while smaller tractors under 40 horsepower declined 7.7%. Four-wheel-drive tractor sales slipped 2.9%.
The slowdown reflects continued caution surrounding capital purchases as farmers manage elevated production costs and tighter cash flow. Equipment demand often weakens when producers delay replacement decisions or conserve working capital.
AEM says the market remains challenging as farmers prepare for harvest and evaluate equipment needs. August beginning inventories totaled more than 95,000 tractors and 987 combines.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Softer equipment sales suggest producers remain cautious about major capital spending despite approaching harvest needs.
