Sales of farm tractors and other big equipment continue to race past last year’s pace, according to the Canadian Farm and Industrial Equipment Institute.
For the first three quarters of the year, tractor sales by institute members are up 19 percent, with the strongest increase in the four-wheel drive class.
To the end of September, 11,652 tractors of all types have been sold, compared to 9,763 in the same period last year. Four-wheel drive tractors make up more than 50 percent with 1,842 sold.
Combine sales are also seeing a strong year with 2,336 units sold, up almost 19 percent over the same period last year.
Round balers sales are up 13 percent, while rectangular balers held their own.
Self-propelled swathers are up eight percent, but pull-type swather sales dropped 11 percent.
Mower conditioners are up five percent.
The Equipment Manufacturers Institute in the United States reports that to the end of September, tractor sales there are up 12 percent and self-propelled combines are up 10 percent.
