Kubota dealers aren’t optimistic about increasing sales of lawn tractors this year, either. More than 70% believe sales will stay

the same or decrease in 2010, and a quarter of them believe unit sales will fall 2% or more.

But the outlook for other equipment is much more positive – especially for utility vehicles, where 53% believe unit sales will increase 2% or more in 2010, and nearly 90% expect sales to be as good or better.

About 43% of dealers see sales of compact tractors going up 2% or more, and 48.5% say utility tractor unit sales will increase by the same level. The picture is nearly the same for zero-turn mowers.