North America Tractor Production
80,800 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Ag Tractors expected to be produced in North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico) during 2026.
This product information comes from industry interviews and from two proprietary databases maintained by Power Systems Research: EnginLink™ , which provides information on engines, and OE Link™, a database of equipment manufacturers.
2-Wheel Drive Tractors are farm tractors that have a drive train that allows two wheels to receive power from the engine simultaneously. Normally, the rear axle is powered by the engine.
4WD Articulated Ag Tractors are farm tractors built with an articulated chassis very similar to the design used for articulated wheel loaders. Each element of the articulated chassis has a rigid drive axle, and the front and rear elements are connected by a pivoting/ articulating joint. This design uses rigid (i.e. non-steering) drive axles and is typically used for large, high-HP tractors.
MFWD Tractors (Mechanical Front Wheel Drive) are farm tractors which feature a rigid chassis with steerable front-drive axles. This designation applies to both full-time 4WD and front-assist-drive configuration tractors across a broad HP range. Both configurations are produced in significantly greater volume than the 4WD Articulated type tractors.
Tracked Ag Tractors are steerable multitrack tractors with powered rubber tracks instead of wheels to move the vehicle. The crawler-type tracks are flexible and reinforced with steel. They are usually powered by hydrostatic or completely hydraulic driving mechanisms. They can be articulated or nonarticulated.
Trends. In 2025, production of Ag Tractors in North America decreased 6.2%. Production is expected to drop by nearly 6% in 2026.
Prior declines in 2020 were attributed to COVID-19 related issues which included unusually high orders for materials and parts. Inventory levels are at the lowest level in decades and have left the supply chain a mess, according to leading tractor manufacturers and AEM.
Production of machinery and components needed to build equipment has been halted. This negatively affected demand for farm machinery and contributed to overall lower sales and profits for agricultural equipment operations.
New tractors have become very expensive and have weakened demand. Reduced demand also has been linked to lower commodity prices.
The peak of Ag Tractor production was in 2013. Expect production to remain flat with a potential 10% decline by 2035. PSR
Carol Turner is Senior Analyst, Global Operations, for Power Systems Research
