Tractor sales were down in June.
Sales of all tractors in the U.S. fell by 18.8 percent in June versus sales levels in June 2008 and year-to-date sales were down nearly 22 percent, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).
Sales of four-wheel-drive tractors fell by 4.4 percent from last June. Sales of self-propelled combines rose by 20 percent from last June. But two-wheel-drive tractor sales plunged 19 percent from last June's figures.
Meanwhile, AEM said it continues to push with other organizations to urge Congress to move ahead quickly on reauthorization of surface transportation legislation to help the construction and construction equipment sectors.
As housing construction continues to decline and private construction spending falls, industry is looking to public funding to keep contractors going.
AEM President Dennis Slater, in a July 8 appearance on NBC Nightly News, said the federal stimulus spending has been disappointing for the heavy equipment industry. Overall, only a small portion of the $787 billion stimulus package is being spent on equipment, he said.
Slater said more focus on infrastructure spending would have yielded better results and infrastructure funding and transportation reauthorization legislation is needed now.
