American farmers bought fewer tractors and combines in August than a year earlier, according to dealer sales data compiled by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Total US farm tractor sales came to 14,571 units, down 8% from 15,843 a year earlier, while self-propelled combine sales fell 4% to 387 from 403.

The slide runs through the whole year. AEM counted 119,889 farm tractors sold in the United States from January to August, a 12.4% drop from the same period of 2025, and 2,063 combines, down 9.1% from 2,269. Tractor inventory stood at 95,179 units at the start of August and combine inventory at 987.

Canada was weaker still. Combine sales there fell 42.6% to 101 units from 176 in August 2025, and tractor sales dropped 10.9% to 1,367 from 1,534.

Every horsepower class in the US market lost ground. Sales of two-wheel-drive tractors under 40 horsepower, the biggest segment, fell 7.7% to 8,829 for the month and 14.1% year to date. The 40–100 hp class slipped 6.2% to 4,465. Row-crop-sized two-wheel-drive tractors above 100 hp fell hardest, down 17.2% to 1,111 for the month and 15.8% for the year, while four-wheel-drive tractors fell 2.9% to 166 in August and are down 24.4% year to date at 1,209.

Curt Blades, senior vice president at AEM, said the equipment market continued to reflect the difficult environment facing farmers. "Unresolved trade questions are adding another layer of uncertainty at a time when producers are preparing for harvest and making important decisions about their operations, equipment needs, and long-term competitiveness," he said.

The numbers arrive as US growers head into a harvest with high fuel and fertiliser costs and a corn crop that USDA has just trimmed, which leaves less room in farm budgets for big machinery purchases. Reporting by Curt Bennink.

Source: Successful Farming