Oregon Public Broadcasting

Sales of big tractors are way up this year, according to a manufacturing industry group. It's one sign the Northwest rural economy is improving.

But dealers say some farmers are simply trying to upgrade before new federal emissions rules take effect next year. Doug Nadvornick reports from the lot of one Spokane tractor dealer.

Doug: "Can I crawl up here and see what it feels like?"

I'm up in the drivers' seat of a new tractor. Joe Wheat from Columbia Tractor is showing me how to operate it.

Joe Wheat: "So you've got a clutch on that side and you've got a standard gear shift here."

It's a scene being repeated across the Northwest this year, especially for big tractors. Farmers are looking for good deals before strict new federal emissions limits are phased in over the next few years for off-road diesel vehicles like this one.

Next year, the rules change for the largest of tractors, those that many Northwest wheat farmers drive.

A Columbia Tractors' salesman in Tekoa, Washington says some farmers are buying new or slightly-used machines now, before the pricier new cleaner-burning tractors hit the showrooms.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers says sales of the big four-wheel-drive tractors are up 23-percent nationwide this year. That doesn't include smaller tractors.

Overall, tractor sales are up just two-percent.