Compare prices in the 2021 Tractor Buying Guide
The Weekly Times’ annual list includes specs for more than 840 models available in Australia.
“CRAZY.” That is how most tractor dealers describe the past 12 months of sales, when tax incentives, low interest rates and a great harvest season triggered a tractor buying spree across the nation.
More than 15,700 new tractors sold across Australia in the past 12 months – a figure unmatched since 1984.
“We have shifted a lot of machinery,” said sales manager Derek Reid of Emmetts Horsham, a John Deere dealership. “Quite often things are selling before they land. If we have another six to eight months like the last 12 months have been, there will be machinery shortages across the board.”
The Weekly Times has released its annual Tractor Buying Guide today, listing more than 840 models from more than 20 manufacturers. The recommended retail base-model prices are correct as of June 9, 2021, but dealers and manufacturers warn of increases to come.
Increasing steel prices, parts shortages and escalating shipping fees were contributing to the hikes, they said, and could cause longer wait times for deliveries in the future.
“Now with worldwide supply constraints on componentry – especially technology – we are seeing a really big lag time on factory orders,” Mr Reid said. “What would have been a six-month wait is now 12 months.”
Thankfully, the short supply of new machines also means farmers can expect higher trade-in valuations on their existing machines, which are up in value by as much as 10 per cent on a year ago.
“With the recent upward movement in new pricing and the general demand outweighing supply for good second-hand machinery, sales have been very good and forcing a rise in value,” Mr Reid said
TRADE-IN VALUE
IN THE Wimmera, machines with the best re-sale value are 250-400hp, with tracks or mechanical front wheel drive, suitable for spraying, spreading and sowing thousands of hectares.
Mr Reid said three to five years was the common turnaround time from buying to trading. “Five years quite often is too long,” he said, explaining that ever-increasing property sizes pushed up hours spent in the cab, and meant many machines hit 2000 hours after three years.
General condition and hours of operation will affect re-sale value, with best prices paid for tractors with less than 4000 hours on the clock.
Owners shouldn’t discount the importance of cosmetic upkeep, either, Mr Reid said.
“Visual appearance would have to be at least 50 per cent of the ‘saleability’ of a trade,” he said. “Obviously age and hours are the biggest value points, but even a low-hour machine that has not been looked after will be a lot harder to sell and potentially have a value penalty.”
To maximise trade-in returns, he suggested storing tractors in a shed if possible, cleaning the cab regularly and avoiding damage to paint jobs and interiors by keeping maintenance up to date.
Tyre condition is another deal-sealer.
“A lot of people think, oh, the tyres have no tread left, I will trade it instead of replacing the tyres. But the dealer will take into account they will probably have to replace the tyres,” he said. “You are not really winning.”
LOADERS, LIGHTS, LINKAGE THE BEST EXTRAS
SERVICE records and functional add-ons were also vital for re-sale value, said dealer principal Christian Barnett, of Deutz-Fahr and Kioti dealership Goulburn Valley Ag.
“If our customers are re-trading all the time and we have done all the service and maintenance work on that tractor, we definitely offer premium trade values. I think most other dealers would be similar,” he said.
Mr Barnett said re-sale prices had increased by 5-7 per cent in central Victoria, while new machine prices had gone up 10 per cent in the past year.
“We find in our region that a tractor between about 80hp through to 200hp, if it is purchased with a front-end loader, definitely in the trade market you see a premium.”
Emmetts’ Mr Reid said most buyers in the Wimmera chose options with their own operation in mind, but for those who upgraded tractors frequently, re-sale value should be a factor when deciding on functionality.
“While a lot of people didn’t see it as necessary 15 years ago, things like linkage, suspension and good light packages on tractors are now considered normal,” Mr Reid said.
Precision ag software – with all the latest updates installed – would also boost trade valuations, he said.
AUSTRALIA’S DEERE 9 SERIES ON PAR WITH THE US
ORDERS have been brisk for the new-look 9 Series tractor range from John Deere, due to arrive in Australian dealers’ yards early next year.
Aimed primarily at the broadacre and earthmoving markets, the 2022 model 9 Series line-up includes the wheeled 9R, two-track 9RT and four-track 9RX, bringing more power, more technology, a larger cab and the choice of a Tier 3 or Tier 4 engine.
The all-new PowerTech 13.6-litre diesel engine drives models with 390-590hp (286-433kW), while the larger 9R 640 and 9RX 640 take a Cummins 15-litre power plant.
John Deere production systems manager, production and precision ag, Ben Kelly, said orders for 9 Series machines opened in March and had met with strong demand.
“Australia will be offered all 12 models in the range, just as in the US, with first stock expected here in February-March just in time for the new seeding season,” Mr Kelly
said.
“We do have five 9 Series tractors on the ground already doing demonstrations with dealers in a mix of wheeled and four-track machines and will have one on display for the first time at FarmFest in Toowoomba this week.
“Farmers can see the new 9 Series at most major shows during the year. The wheeled model is familiar due to its versatility, the two-track will be most suitable for straight-line pulling in open country and the articulated four-track model will be popular on hilly country for greater traction and manoeuvrability.
“The engine is a key selling point for the 9 Series with an increase of 20hp across the range and higher torque range, while the larger cab offers new comfort features.
“Then there’s integrated technology, which sees the machines constantly connected to the cloud. The 9 Series machines are the highest-horsepower tractors we produce as four-wheel-drive, articulated and tracked machines – the only manufacturer in the market to offer all three versions.
“On select models, a new hydraulic Intelligent Power Management system means owners can unlock an extra 50hp if needed – for example, putting out extra power when climbing a hill during air seeding – while the machines’ ‘brains’ stem from their full connectivity, integrated receiver and Gen4 display.”
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