To be the first place farmers go to for information and help, farm equipment dealers need to keep up with the information needs of the customer. Many farmers are too busy working the land and fields to be able to gather a world of information on their own. Having one place to go to for all their information is helpful.

It is not difficult to keep up with farm equipment dealers in Tennessee news and trends. Magazines, newsletters, websites and communication from manufacturers offer pertinent industry information that keeps the agricultural and Tennessee tractor dealers informed. The best dealers, in turn, share that information with customers. Several ways that a dealer can stand out from all the others is to:

1. Know the most current information about farm equipment in Tennessee

2. Know the most information about farming

3. Share Tennessee tractor, farm equipment and industry knowledge openly with customers

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Keep up with the latest news on agricultural equipment in Tennessee

Equipment is ever changing and ever being improved. The newest innovations and models will grab farmers' attentions. Simply knowing current products and the benefits of the newer equipment will help the dealer be able to sell more new equipment. Get on manufacturers' mailing lists for the most up to date information on their products.

I recommend: H&S Manufacturing, manufacturer of innovative agriculture equipment, has several ways to sign up for information: telephone, fax, email, or online. On their homepage, they have a listing of their newest products. Customers can conveniently download the most current product information brochures. Anbo Manufacturing makes tractor attachments. Product literature and new product videos are available online. To get information immediately, dealers can sign up to receive Press Releases from larger manufacturers like Caterpillar.

Know the most industry information of all tractor dealers in TN

When people have a question, they want the right answer and they want it fast. Being knowledgeable about flaws in older equipment will help farm and tractor dealers in Tennessee fix and have more tractors for sale in Tennessee. Knowing about rules and regulations will make the dealer a go-to source for information - and sales. Dealers who answer customers' questions quickly and correctly will see the same faces coming back again and again.

I recommend: The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation has a listing of Tennessee agriculture links that are filled with industry information. The Farmland Information Center is another great resource for information that is a little more in-depth.

Talk Tennessee tractors and farming

Sharing this new information with the customers will instill in them the truth that the dealer is knowledgeable and approachable for anything. Find ways to share knowledge with customers. Dealers with websites can post information on the Internet. Dealers can also send out emails, create newsletters or add information bits to mailings. Most importantly, dealers should always be talking industry talk.

I recommend: Dealers without a website can get a template site from Template Monster and begin sharing information via the web. A website is also proven to help increase sales. Microsoft has Office Online for those who are daunted by the idea of creating a newsletter, flier or information sheet. There is a selection of downloadable templates to choose from to get started. West Hills Tractor puts their website online. Other places, like Lebanon Kubota, post manufacturers' newsletters for customers to have easy access.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Farmers can be a great source for information on farm equipment in TN. Listen to what they have to say too.

Some dealers have businesses throughout Tennessee, while others specialize in a single location. Each one supplies your agricultural equipment needs for commercial or private farming. The companies carry haymakers, implements, sprayers, tillers or tractors for sale in Tennessee, to name a few of the choices.

Some Tennessee tractor dealers offer servicing and replacement parts for the brands they carry. Brands include John Deere, Ford, Jubilee, Farmall, Kubota, Bush Hog and other great names.

Choose the type of farm equipment you need:

1. Find Tennessee tractor dealers selling new equipment.

2. Check out used farm equipment dealers for discount pricing.

3. Look for dealers carrying a wide range of farming equipment to fill special needs.

4. Consider renting or leasing specialty farm equipment in TN.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate Tennessee tractor dealers carrying new models

These companies carry the major models of tractors for sale in Tennessee. Their products cover both small and large farms and other land use.

I recommend: See Tennessee Tractor, LLC located in West Tennessee and specializing in John Deere tractors. Select a JCB tractor at MMS Equipment Sales. For New Holland or Mahindra tractors, click on the manufacturer’s icon at Chattanooga Tractor. See a full line of many brand names by clicking your choice of horsepower under “Tractors” at TractorHouse.com.

Find used tractors in Tennessee

Used tractors range from newer to vintage models. Check out the details to find the right Tennessee tractor fitting your needs.

I recommend: To see examples of current inventory click “We have Farmall, Ford, Kubota, and John Deere tractors for sale” at Young Parts and Equipment, Inc. For multiple classified ads, select your category for used equipment at ClassifiedAds.com. Click “Used Equipment” for the latest inventory of farm equipment TN at Watkins Equipment Service.

Look for farm equipment dealers with a range of products and models

These dealers carry everything you need from tractors and plows to spreaders, bedders, subsoilers and scrapers.

I recommend: Choose a Yetter product dealer near you at Yetter Farm Equipment. Go to TCFequipment for all major brand names of agricultural equipment in Tennessee.

Find specialty farm equipment dealers

Some companies specialize in brand names. These Tennessee tractor businesses offer choices for your budget and need.

I recommend: See C. C. Machinery, the largest Vermeer/Lely Hay equipment headquarters in the country; select from the list of “Products.” Get Caterpillar agricultural equipment in Tennessee at Thompson Machinery.

Consider renting equipment from tractor dealers in TN

Renting farm equipment remains a viable option for short-term periods of use.

I recommend: See the photos, then contact Garr’s Rental & Feed, Inc for rental fees. Co-Op in Rogersville carries rentals by reservation; see their current list and terms.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Read the official Tenn. Code Ann. 67-6-207 for the latest exemptions for farm equipment in Tennessee at Tennessee.gov.

Almost 40% of Tennessee's land area is farmland. Farmers need top shape equipment to cover that much land area efficiently. Tennessee has over 79,000 farms and those farms rely on farm equipment dealers to provide the machinery to keep the farm running. To support the farmers, Tennessee tractor dealers and other farm equipment dealers are easy to find.

Dealers do more than just sell tractors. They become a trusted source for information and provider of necessities as relationships are built. A Tennessee tractor dealer or equipment dealer can help you with:

1. Parts and service for Tennessee used farm equipment

2. New and used agricultural equipment in Tennessee

3. Financing farm equipment in TN

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get parts and service for your Tennessee tractors

When farm equipment breaks down, fast service is imperative. Equipment that is not running means you have a farm that is not running. A trusted dealer can supply you with the parts and service you need to get the wheels rolling again.

I recommend: At Advantage Tractor you can order parts online. Here, you can look up parts by brand and model or find the parts diagrams you need. Arnett Tractor and Equipment provides the service you need on your Ford, New Holland and Bush Hog tractors. They have a selection of aftermarket parts available for Ford tractors and they ship anywhere in the U.S.

Find new or used tractors for sale in Tennessee

Dealers often work directly with manufacturers to provide you the best products and service. Often, a manufacturer can recommend a dealer in your area. Sometimes the dealer is the manufacturer. Most dealers who sell tractors also sell parts for them.

I recommend: Tennessee Tractor is a John Deere dealer, offering new and used equipment at four Tennessee locations: Alamo, Brownsville, Jackson and Trenton. Their list of used tractors in Tennessee has several search options to make it very easy to find what you need. Highland Rim Tractor, centrally located in Middle Tennessee, is a Dixon, Mahindra and Massey Dealer. They show photographs of their used tractors in stock. Pricing is visible.

Finance your farm equipment in Tennessee

Keeping your farm outfitted with equipment is expensive. Dealers can be a one-stop asset for busy farmers, offering the equipment and financing for it all in one place. Dealer financing can be more flexible with your needs than a bank because they are more familiar with agriculture equipment.

I recommend: Ditch Witch Equipment of Tennessee's financing of your equipment and parts gives you choices so you can finance the way that works best for your farm. Choose between automatic payments, credit accounts, customizable leases and payment options. Sometimes the dealers will point you to the manufacturer's finance offerings. New Holland refers you to CNH Capital America for your equipment financing, revolving account and insurance needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Build a trusted relationship with farm equipment dealers by being a repeat customer.

Tennessee is home to many different types of farms and crops. Tennessee farmers take part in growing corn, soybeans, cotton and tobacco, as well as raising cattle and other livestock. Because of the large variety of farming that takes place in Tennessee, its farm equipment dealers must possess a large farm equipment vocabulary. In addition, Tennessee farm equipment dealers must know key terms for government programs intended to help farmers purchase equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

GreenStar precision farming

John Deere's GreenStar precision farming components help farmers manage differences within fields, as well as maintain equipment to increase efficiency and effectiveness of equipment.

I recommend: Southwest Farm Press discusses tillage tools that work with the Greenstar precision farming system.

TAEP (Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program)

The TAEP, or Tennessee Agricultural Grant Enhancement Program, has operated since 2005 to help Tennessee farmers. The program shares the cost of farming and livestock operation. Those participating in the program can receive refunds on new farm equipment purchases.

I recommend: View the requirements and regulations of the TAEP from the state of Tennessee website.

Agricultural Official Guide

The Agricultural Official Guide is a quarterly published handbook used by farm equipment dealers. The guide offers information about the farm equipment market, including advertised, retail and trade prices. The guide covers all of North America but is divided into regions to accommodate Tennessee dealers and others. This guide is considered the official guide of the farm equipment industry.

I recommend: View more about the Agricultural Official Guide from the SouthEastern Equipment Dealers Association.

Uniform Commercial Code brochure

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) brochure is published by NAEDA. The brochure offers information about quick liens and the UCC law. It helps farm equipment dealers prevent bad transactions with customers. The brochure offers specific details about liens on certain types of equipment.

I recommend: Learn more about the Uniform Commercial Code brochure from the SouthEast Farm Press.

FCS program

The FCS (Farm Credit Services) program is a program piloted by farm equipment dealers in 11 states, including Tennessee. The program leases tractors and farm equipment to farmers through the farm dealerships.

I recommend: Find out more about the FCS program from an article at All Business.

Agricultural Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Exemption

An Agricultural Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Exemption is a certificate presented to Tennessee farm equipment dealers in order for farmers to be exempt from paying sales tax. The state mails the certificate to known qualifying farmers. Others apply for the certificate from the state of Tennessee.

I recommend: View information about an Agricultural Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Exemption from the state of Tennessee government website.