Tractor and machinery sales delivered a mixed third quarter in 2025, with some segments showing surprising strength while others continued to struggle. From July to September, the agricultural equipment market demonstrated the unpredictable nature of farmer purchasing behaviour, with monthly results swinging between solid gains and sharp declines across different categories.
This report offers a detailed breakdown of tractor and machinery sales for Q3 2025, drawing on monthly data provided by the Tractor and Machinery Association (TMA) and compiled by Kynetec.
Quarterly Overview and Market Trends
Total tractor sales for Q3 2025 reached 2,076 units across the three months (July: 675, August: 640, September: 761). September delivered a near-flat result compared to September 2024, up just 0.8%, suggesting the market may be finding some stability after sustained weakness earlier in the year.
Year-to-date sales through September stand at 6,915 units, down 8.5% compared to 7,561 units sold in the first nine months of 2024. While this represents a significant decline, the easing of year-on-year drops from earlier quarters hints at a market that may be stabilising rather than continuing to deteriorate.
The quarter demonstrated considerable volatility across segments, with the 40-100 Hp category posting surprising strength while high-horsepower tractors showed mixed monthly results despite overall year-to-date weakness.
Tractor Sales Breakdown by Horsepower
0–40 Hp Tractors
Compact tractors faced challenges throughout Q3, with quarterly sales totalling 475 units across the three months (July: 152, August: 158, September: 165). September posted a 14.5% decline compared to September 2024, following modest gains in August.
Year-to-date sales stand at 1,633 units, down 7.4% from 1,763 units in the same period last year. This segment, which had shown resilience in Q2, appears to be softening as the year progresses, though the declines remain less severe than those seen in larger tractor categories.
40–100 Hp Tractors
The mid-range segment delivered the quarter’s most positive story, with strong results across all three months. Quarterly sales totalled 652 units (July: 200, August: 205, September: 247), with September posting a remarkable 19.9% year-on-year gain.
Year-to-date, this segment has sold 2,099 units, down just 1.1% from 2,122 units in the first nine months of 2024. This near-flat performance makes it the strongest-performing tractor category for the year, suggesting sustained demand from mid-sized operations and mixed farming enterprises.
100–200 Hp Tractors
This key commercial segment continued to struggle in Q3, with quarterly sales of 605 units (July: 214, August: 191, September: 200). All three months posted year-on-year declines, with August showing a particularly steep 17.3% drop.
Year-to-date sales total 1,987 units, down 12.5% from 2,271 units through September 2024. This segment, popular among medium-sized commercial farms, continues to reflect broader economic caution and reluctance to commit to significant capital expenditure.
200+ Hp Tractors
High-horsepower tractor sales showed considerable monthly volatility in Q3, with quarterly sales reaching 344 units (July: 109, August: 86, September: 149). While July and September posted gains (11.2% in both months), August suffered a 17.3% decline, highlighting the irregular purchasing patterns typical of this segment.
Despite the mixed monthly results, year-to-date sales stand at 1,196 units, down 14.9% from 1,405 units in the same period last year. The September improvement offers some hope that broadacre operators may be returning to the market as conditions stabilise.
Performance Across Other Key Machinery Categories
Combine Harvesters
Combine harvester sales delivered another strong quarter despite a weak September. Quarterly sales reached 174 units (July: 22, August: 41, September: 111), with the bulk of activity concentrated in September as farmers prepared for harvest. However, September’s 111 units represented a 26.5% decline from the exceptional 151 units sold in September 2024.
Year-to-date sales total 340 units, down 8.6% from 372 units through September last year. While showing an overall decline, the combine segment remains relatively healthy compared to other machinery categories.
Balers
Baler sales continued their disappointing run in Q3, with quarterly sales of just 137 units (July: 26, August: 34, September: 77). All three months posted year-on-year declines, with September down 18.9% despite being the strongest month of the quarter.
Year-to-date sales stand at 257 units, down 24.6% from 341 units in the first nine months of 2024. This represents one of the steepest declines across all machinery categories, reflecting limited investment in hay and fodder equipment.
Out Front Mowers
The mower category delivered weak results throughout Q3, with quarterly sales totalling 1,290 units (July: 359, August: 368, September: 563). September’s 6.5% year-on-year decline was the best monthly result of the quarter, following steeper drops in July and August.
Year-to-date sales total 4,604 units, down 23.3% from 5,999 units through September 2024. This substantial decline reflects reduced investment in grounds maintenance equipment across rural properties and commercial operations.
Seasonal and Economic Considerations
The Q3 2025 data reveals a market still searching for a clear direction. While total tractor sales showed marginal improvement in September, the year-to-date decline of 8.5% represents an easing from the steeper drops seen at mid-year, suggesting conditions may be stabilising.
The standout performance of the 40-100 Hp segment indicates that mid-range tractors suited to mixed farming operations continue to find buyers, even as larger investment decisions remain constrained. Meanwhile, the persistent weakness in balers and out front mowers points to ongoing capital discipline, with farmers prioritising essential productivity equipment over ancillary machinery.
Combine harvester sales, while down year-on-year, remained solid given the irregular purchasing patterns typical of this high-value category. The concentration of September sales aligns with normal harvest preparation timing.
As always, monthly comparisons should be treated with caution due to the highly seasonal nature of agricultural equipment purchasing. Individual monthly swings often reflect the timing of deliveries and seasonal planning rather than fundamental market shifts.
Trust Retain Media for Industry Insights
Q3 2025 delivered a complex picture for Australia’s agricultural machinery market, with pockets of strength in mid-range tractors offset by continued weakness in compact tractors, high-horsepower units, and ancillary equipment. The easing of year-to-date declines suggests the worst may be behind the industry, though sustained recovery remains uncertain heading into the final quarter.
We’ll continue to monitor these trends and provide timely updates throughout the year. For more insights, be sure to read our latest market reports, including the TIC T-Mark Q3 2025 Sales Summary, FCAI Q3 2025 Sales Summary, and our ongoing coverage of Australia’s automotive and equipment markets, including the caravan market, truck market, agricultural market, marine market, and more.
Retain Media provides this data “as is” for informational purposes only and accepts no liability for decisions made based on this reporting. Users are encouraged to use this data as one of multiple data points in their market analysis.
