The 2025 Used Equipment Market: Analyzing Current Trends and Future Outlook

The 2025 used equipment market finds itself in a unique position. While there is clear interest from buyers, the momentum for actual purchases seems to be lacking. Industry experts Dave Mowitz and Andy Campbell describe it as a “flat” market, characterized by buyer hesitance and tight financials, which hinder immediate buying decisions.

Current Market Conditions

Traditionally, December auctions see inflated prices due to tax planning, attracting more bidders. However, this year presents a different scenario: auction volumes are down, demand is softer, and many year-end sales feature limited inventory. Notably, there are fewer large auctions, and dealers are actively adjusting their inventories. As a result, the best bargains in the coming months are expected to come from dealer lots rather than auctions.

Potential for Growth

Market sentiment could shift if soybean sales increase from China, which would bolster confidence in future trade commitments and encourage farmers to invest in long-term capital improvements.

Meet Andy Campbell

Andy Campbell serves as the director of insights at Tractor Zoom. With a diverse career as an engineer, professor, and entrepreneur, Campbell is dedicated to translating data into actionable insights for farmers, dealers, auctioneers, and ag lenders. He is also involved in managing his family farm in Iowa.

Founded in 2017, Tractor Zoom aims to empower farmers and decision-makers with real-time access to equipment values, helping them make informed choices regarding heavy machinery.

Meet Dave Mowitz

Dave Mowitz, who worked for Successful Farming from 1982 to 2022, specialized in equipment trends for the magazine, its television show, and the Ageless Iron Almanac. Although he is recently retired, Mowitz continues to contribute as an editor and podcast host. He has roots in agriculture, having grown up on a family farm in Nebraska, where he remains a co-owner.

Listen to the Podcast

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Episode Highlights

• High-horsepower, 4WD tractors, particularly those with 400+ hp under 2,000 hours, represent key opportunities. Supply has plateaued, leading dealers to price more aggressively on aged units.
• Class 7 combines currently face higher supply levels without corresponding demand, pushing dealers to offload these units before interest becomes a concern for the next harvest.
• Many older planters have undergone upgrades, significantly modernizing their technology. As a consequence, used planter listings have dropped by about a third, complicating the search for genuine bargains.

The 2025 used equipment market is evolving, and though challenges exist, opportunities abound for those willing to explore dealer lots and consider long-term investments based on market signals.

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