Irish new-tractor registrations rose 6% to 2,033 units in the first nine months of 2026, but the September figure of 113 units matched September 2025 exactly, signalling that the year-on-year growth came from a first-quarter surge rather than fresh autumn demand.

The Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) September 2026 Statistics Service Report confirms the year-to-date rise against the same nine months of 2025. January alone delivered 577 new registrations, the largest monthly print of the year. Volumes then tracked as follows: 240 in February, 252 in March, 174 in April, 188 in May, 56 in June, 283 in July, 150 in August and 113 in September. The data shows clear seasonality: a January tax-window peak, a mid-summer dip in June and a steadier second-half run from July onwards. Used imports filled 2,184 first-time registrations across the same period, meaning dealers in Ireland are running two parallel supply pipelines and buyers continue to see used machines as a credible alternative to new.

How did power band and regional demand split in September?

Four counties tied at the top of September activity with eight new registrations each: Cork, Galway, Meath and Tipperary. The 101hp to 121hp category and the 161hp to 200hp category shared the leading power-band position, each capturing 21% of new tractor registrations for the month. Average tractor horsepower reached 145hp, with the largest individual units registered rated at 343hp. The spread suggests mid-horsepower mixed farms continue replacing tractors while larger dairy and tillage operators buy at the upper end of the range, where larger machines often carry primary workloads.

What is happening to used tractor imports?

Used imports slipped slightly. Ireland first-time-registered 236 used tractors in September 2026, five units fewer than in September 2025. The year-to-date used total reached 2,184 units, with monthly volumes clustering between 219 and 291 since February, outside a softer April at 190. The steady used pipeline provides a price reference for new buyers weighing trade-in deals and limits dealer pricing power on outgoing stock.

Why did telescopic loaders fall?

The telescopic loader market contracted 9% in September 2026 to 51 new units, with JCB and Manitou holding a combined 70% share of the year-to-date market. Weidemann led the second tier, ahead of Kramer and Merlo. Used telescopic loader imports halved to 42 units, down from 60 in September 2025, which suggests dealers already carry ample second-hand stock or buyers are delaying purchases until the new-year tax window or contract award dates.

Who's driving the wheeled loader rebound?

Wheeled loaders moved the other way. Nine new units were registered in September, a 17% increase on September 2025. Chinese-manufactured machines at the lower price end of the market captured 56% of new registrations, confirming the price-sensitive entry segment continues to attract new buyers and small contractors. Used wheeled loader imports rose to 13 units, from 10 a year earlier, a smaller absolute volume but a meaningful direction change for the category.

Are backhoes and UTVs heading in opposite directions?

Backhoe loaders recorded a 62% drop in September with three new machines registered, although the year-to-date figure remains 10% above the same point in 2025, pointing to a monthly rather than structural decline. Three used backhoes were registered in September against four a year earlier. Utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) showed the strongest growth in the smaller equipment categories: 25 new units in September 2026 versus 16 a year earlier, with used imports doubling to four units. UTV demand is running visibly ahead of every other smaller-line category in the September data.

What should buyers and dealers watch now?

The FTMTA Machinery Show 2026, already flagged as oversubscribed for exhibitor demand, will set the tone for Q4 order books and reveal any year-end discounting from the major brands. Watch the October and November FTMTA monthly releases closely, because whether September's flat 113-unit print was a one-month pause or the start of a cooler autumn is the swing factor for the full-year 2026 total. Upcoming Massey Ferguson and Steyr product announcements, including the Hytrac hydrogen research project, will feed dealer conversations into 2027 purchase decisions.