December 2012 Archive for Machinery Journal

 From high-horsepower to the utility tractor geared for farm chores, this tool helps locate and compare all tractor models.

Click here. 

When you click on the "Compare" tab, you can narrow your search by tractor classification, brand, transmission, and more. With those results, you can sort the tractor by price, horsepower, or hydraulic capacity.

When you click on the "Buying Guide" tab, it gives a summary report of the attributes reported in this table.

If you have any questions or comment, e-mail me, mfischer@farmjournal.com

 In June, AGCO moved production of its Massey Ferguson 8600 Series and Challenger MT600D Series high-horsepower row-crop tractors to its Jackson, Minn., factory. Previously, the models sold for the North American market were made in France.

And the first tractor off the new factory line was a Massey Ferguson 8680 sold to Tony Peters. He operates a 500 acre farm and custom manure application business in Sherburn, Minn. Click here for the full story as it appears in Farm Life magazine. 

The factory expansion doubles the plant’s production capability, from 1,000 tractors per year to 2,000 or more. AGCO also opened its Intivity Center, a 17,000-sq.-ft. visitor center, to highlight the Massey Ferguson, Challenger, RoGator and TerraGator brands. Learn more about the Intivity Center here. 

And to see the current Farm Journal listing of where manufacturers makes what machinery models in the U.S. click here for the 2013 Machinery Guide story, "Who Makes What Where." 

 In the latest issue of AgriMarketing, CEO of Iron Solutions Darwin Melnyk gives his report on the "hot" used equipment market. Used values are standing on the firm foundation of the past few years having reported "on fire" machinery sales. On top of that, equipment is getting more sophisticated and more powerful. All adding up to more valuable.  

On of the most interesting insights provided by Melnyk was that from 2001 to 2011, used four-wheel-drive tractors jumped form a average of $60,000 to $120,000.

Another significant shift in the past 10 years has been from 75% of used combine sales being in the Class 4 and Class 5 market to accounting for less than 34% in 2011.

 As 2012 comes to a close, the folks at Machine Finder worked with Machinery Pete to report what used John Deere tractors brought the most at auction. After I read through the info, I felt I had to share this month-by-month recap. Click here to read.