When compared to the same month in 2009, sales of self-propelled combines are up 12.6 percent. Meanwhile, farm tractor sales increased 5.6 percent, the AEM said.
The greatest advance, from a percentage standpoint, was in sales for two-wheel-drive tractors with under 40 horsepower, which increased 14.1 percent. In all, 11,428 of these machines were sold during the fourth month of the year.
While those with under 40 horsepower did well, machines with between that and 100 horsepower saw sales decline 8.2 percent to 5,018 units. Machines with more than 100 horsepower saw sales rise a small amount, 0.4 percent.
Overall, two-wheel-drive tractor sales were up 5.4 percent, increasing to 19,111. On a year-to-date basis, 50,816 farm tractors have been sold, which is up 3.7 percent from the 48,992 sold during the same time last year.
As tractor sales continue to improve, the Obama administration is making efforts to try and encourage American exports, including agricultural products. The president said he wants to doulbe exports over the next five years.
