According to sales data collected by Agriview for the Tractor and Machinery Association, there were 2802 tractors delivered to March 31, up almost five per cent on the first quarter of 2016.

Agriview’s Alan Kirsten said the first quarter result followed on from a near record sales year in 2016.

“The early signs are quite positive for machinery sales as dealers are still reporting good orders for this year,” Kirsten said.

“The larger horsepower market segment in particular is travelling quite well.”

Large horsepower (200hp or 150kW) tractor sales were up 6.7% for the first quarter with 540 units delivered while 100-200hp (75-150kW) sales were steady at 741 tractors sold.

Kirsten added second-hand machinery inventory levels were quite low, which further strengthens the market.

Small tractors (to 40hp) accounted for almost one quarter of the market with 676 units sold, a rise of 13% on the first quarter in 2016.

There were almost 11,500 tractors sold in 2016, the best result in 30 years in Australia.

The new tractor market includes a couple of recent additions from John Deere with its top-of-the-range six cylinder tractors in the 200-300hp (149kW-224kW) bracket.

The tractors form part of the 6R series and are denoted by the model numbers 6230R (rated 230hp or 171kW) and 6250R (186kW or 250hp).

An engine boost of 37.2kW (50hp) through Deere’s Intelligent Power Management (IPM) provides the flagship 6250R with up to 223kW (300hp) when required.

Both models weigh 9300kg in their standard form but both tractors can be ballasted up to 15 tonnes.

More details on the John Deere 6250R and 6230R can be found in the May edition of the Farming Ahead magazine.