Machinery Pete's Quarterly Used Values Index Report for the first quarter of 2017 is at 6.7, compared with 6.6 for the fourth quarter of 2016. Index levels for rural equipment categories were in the 7.0-8.4 range.

Over the past 5 years there has been nothing steady when it comes to the business levels for dealers selling outdoor power equipment (OPE). They’ve witnessed a swing in annual revenues of 31% on average between 2012-16 ($3.32 million vs. $4.34 million). But this wasn’t the worst of it. Between 2013-15 alone, total revenues, on average, fluctuated by more than half ($2.85 million vs. $4.34 million).

Rising employment levels are almost always a positive sign indicating a business is growing. That being the case, landscape contractors are on a roll — again. And this is also a positive sign for retailers, particularly outdoor power equipment dealers, who supply the equipment needs for those maintaining parks, corporate facilities and homeowners with turf services.

Landscape contractors, one of the prime market segments for rural lifestyle equipment dealers, continue to show strong growth potential in 2017.

The report also shows that year-to-date sales of 2WD 40-100 horsepower tractors were down 3.6%. For the month of March compared with March 2016, sales of 2WD 40 horsepower tractors were up 9.8% and sales of 2WD 40-100 horsepower tractors were up 1.6%.

Most Case IH dealers have a positive outlook about revenue in 2017, especially aftermarket revenue, and many will add tractors 40-100 horsepower and utility vehicles to their lineups.

John Deere dealers are very optimistic about 2017 and think tractors less than 40 horsepower will bring strong sales this year.

Massey Ferguson (AGCO) dealers are optimistic about 2017, even more so than North American dealers as a whole. They think tractors under 40 horsepower and UTVs will drive growth this year.

Information for U.S. dealers only is analyzed as part of the 2017 Dealer Business Trends & Outlook Report.