Late-Model Farm Equipment Supply Is High and Prices Are Starting to Bend

A scan of Tractor Zoom listings tells a story: there is a lot of late-model iron for sale, including low-hour tractors and combines. Dave Mowitz and Andy Campbell unpack what the supply says about dealer behavior, why 2024 felt like a "bloodbath" while 2025 was more measured, and how the industry is still working through a post-COVID whiplash in the machinery supply chain.

They also chat about how equipment buying and selling has changed, including the move to online sales and faster digital transactions and noted that buyers are kicking tires longer because cash flow and profitability are harder to predict.

In the episode, Mowitz and Campbell also talk about where risk is building, especially with large combines that don't have as many downstream buyers. Where are there opportunities? Late-model tractor prices are softening and there are surprising deals to be found in the semi truck market.

Meet Andy Campbell

Andy Campbell is director of insights at Tractor Zoom. As a past engineer, professor, and entrepreneur, Campbell is passionate about bridging the gap between data and action for farmers, dealers, auctioneers, and ag lenders. He continues to help operate his family farm in Iowa.

Tractor Zoom was started in 2017 to help farmers and other decision makers have access to current equipment values and make data-driven decisions about heavy equipment.

Meet Dave Mowitz

Dave Mowitz worked at Successful Farming from 1982 to 2022, covering equipment trends for Successful Farming magazine, the Successful Farming TV show, and the Ageless Iron Almanac. Although recently retired, he continues to serve as a contributing editor and now podcast host.

Mowitz was raised on a family farm in Nebraska, of which he is now a part-owner.

Listen to the Podcast

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Episode Highlights

• Large combines (Class 9 and up) face a harsh resale reality: fewer second and third buyers can handle the logistics. This is pushing owners to longer replacement cycles.
• Semi trucks are in a down market. While that decline may mean fewer used options in the future, current auction prices look compelling.
• Late-model planters remain scarce as upgrade kits extend the working life of planters, changing replacement cycles.

“We’re seeing those retail prices of low-hour pieces soften up because those dealers are going to want to make those deals.”

— Andy Campbell