Expect Strong 4WD Tractor Sales

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers has released its annual forecast for U.S. and Canadian agricultural machinery sales for 2009.

Tractor sales in the U.S. for 2009 are expected to be strongest for 4WD tractors (up 4.4%) and the 100+-hp 2WD tractors.

Combine sales are expected to increase 9.3% in the U.S. and gain 1% in Canada.

For other farm field equipment, 2009 U.S sales are predicted to be the strongest for planters, with a 9.3% increase, and for self-propelled sprayers, with a gain of 6.3%. Sales gains are also expected for field cultivators (up 2%) and chisel plows (up 1.7%).