Does Tech Sell Tractors?

Today’s machinery technology requires specific hardware and software to make it all work together. The ability to use your preferred platform is nearly as important as price and condition when it comes to buying a new-to-you machine. 

“Changing over can be hard, and it’s one of the interesting dynamics that I’ve seen in the last few years people are choosing what equipment they buy based on what precision ag hardware works best in it,” said Nathan Faleide, creator of the Ag Uncensored podcast and newsletter. “If the machine is right for you in all the other ways but you want a certain system inside it, you have to figure out how to make that work. I’m seeing that if there are two identical tractors, but one has the buyer’s preferred technology, that tractor will sell for more money.”

For a short time, it was easier to make hardware work among manufacturers. But now, running a mixed fleet or just having a preference for one type of system has become the realm of third-party companies such as Ag Leader. 

“The beauty of a system like Ag Leader is that you own it, and if you trade in your tractor or switch colors, you can keep your Ag Leader system and not have to learn it all over again,” said Pete Youngblut, owner of Youngblut Ag in east-central Iowa. “It makes a big difference in user comfort when you already know something about how to use the technology.”

Going forward, Faleide said he believes farmers will need to “pick their poison” and commit to one system, whether that’s sticking with a single manufacturer or a third-party solution.

“With all the data that’s collected from machines today, and a desire to automate more and more agronomic decisions, these systems are becoming more proprietary and incapable of working with others,” he said. 

Recent Sales Data

Because most newer equipment comes equipped with monitors and other hardware, there isn’t a huge resale market. However, if you are looking for a cost-effective way to upgrade to newer technology, a new monitor may be a solution. 

“Some people think that when they buy a tractor, there’s no cost to all the precision stuff that came with it,” Youngblut said. “That’s not true; there’s a number there — you just may not have had that conversation with the dealer to know what it is. Putting a third-party on does have a cost, but then you have a physical item that you own and can keep.”

Data on tractorhouse.com for John Deere G5 monitors, one of the leading units sold,  showed 13 retail sales and nine auction sales. Retail prices ranged from $1,500–$9,207, with an average price of $6,392. Auction prices ranged from $1,050–$8,000, with an average price of $2,512. 

Looking at all brands of monitors from 2022–2025, there were 202 units sold, with an average price of $2,785. John Deere is the clear leader, with 175 sold, Case IH came in second, with 21, and the remainder were Raven, Trimble, New Holland, and Precision Planting systems. Of the 20 largest-selling monitors, Deere had 18. Precision Planting and Trimble were the other two.  

What to Watch For

When farmers consider purchasing used technology equipment, Youngblut said he first cautions them to understand where it’s coming from. 

“A lot of people will just put something on [Facebook] Marketplace and sell it that way; others are buying and selling in the used market; and then there are dealers like us,” he said. It can be reassuring to buy from a dealer who can also service the equipment if there are issues. 

While monitors are pretty straightforward, you should still inspect all the components, such as the touch screen and the battery, to make sure everything functions correctly. Youngblut said some customers ask about how many hours the hardware has been used, but that doesn’t indicate wear and tear as it does for machinery.

“We’re not going to overhaul a monitor at 5,000 hours, like an engine,” he said. “We’re more concerned about it becoming obsolete before it actually stops working.”

Consider a used hardware item’s serviceability. Even though it may be cheaper up front, it could come with a large service bill down the road if you need to purchase additional components or software to make it work. 

“The three biggest keys when looking at used precision equipment are obsolescence, quality, and support,” Youngblut said. “Just think about what could go wrong, and where you can go for help when you need it.”