Making the most of farm equipment dealers in Illinois requires that you know what equipment your farm will need. The most common equipment that farmers purchase from farm equipment dealers is harvesting machinery, tillers and tractors. Other essential equipment may include grain storage and handling equipment, hay equipment, irrigation equipment, milking equipment and equipment to feed and handle livestock.

Farm equipment dealers in IL provide sales, parts and services for their equipment, and large dealerships may have a manager for each department. They may also visit a farm to assess the farmer's needs and recommend a particular piece of equipment. Farm equipment dealers frequently take a trade-in on a transaction and may also make credit arrangements with customers. There are three things that the best farm equipment dealer should do:

1. Offer the most competitive prices on new IL farm equipment dealers. Farm equipment has become more specialized as farms have gotten larger.
2. Sell used equipment. Farmers can realize a substantial savings if they don't need the latest equipment.
3. Have an excellent service department. The service department should also have current product information and other news on farm equipment.

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

Locate farm equipment dealerships in Illinois that offer specific brands for your farm

There are many farm equipment dealers that sell only specific brands. These dealerships may also provide other useful information such as dealership locations and equipment specialties.

I recommend: Lorenzo's Ag Links displays farm equipment dealers in Illinois along with the brands that they deal with. GrainFarmer.com provides farm equipment dealers by brand of equipment and lists them by state.

Buy and sell used farm equipment in Illinois online

You can save money by posting your buy and sell notices in a farm equipment forum. These forums may also have valuable information on using and servicing equipment.

I recommend: U.S. Farmer has "wanted to buy" ads that you can search by location and also hosts a forum for farmers. Hartland Ag-Business Group offers buy/sell services and also host various resources on farm equipment.

Get helpful information from local Illinois farm equipment dealers

Local dealers are more likely to specialize in the most common farming equipment for your area. They may also provide additional information on farming equipment such as current specials or the latest product news.

I recommend: Dawn Equipment Company is based in Sycamore and offers product manuals and user guides. New Holland Agriculture is based in Millstadt and offers magazines and newsletters of interest to farmers and ranchers in Illinois.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Rely on Illinois farm equipment dealers for all of your repair needs. They should have the greatest expertise in servicing the advanced equipment now being used in precision farming. This type of farming uses site-specific technology such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), yield monitors and variable rate applicators to increase the crop yields of small plots of land.

Illinois agricultural supply dealers in Illinois know that farm equipment for sale is a crucial commodity in Illinois farm communities. Illinois farm equipment dealers work hard to keep inventory high and prices low.

Finding farm equipment in Illinois means working with the right dealers or individuals with farm equipment for sale. Specially trained farm equipment dealers in Illinois know just what their customers need for tobacco farming, cotton farming or other agricultural land use.

Illinois agriculture equipment dealers keep farmers working through their long growing seasons with high quality service and repair options on both lease and purchase equipment. Using the right agricultural dealers in Illinois means less field days lost due to equipment failure. Farm equipment dealerships in Illinois will:

1. Keep the best equipment available at the best price.

2. Operate a high quality service department for farm equipment, IA.

3. Keep farmers updated on the newest products and services.

4. Offer both new and used farm equipment in Illinois.

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

Find IL farm equipment dealers that specialize in corn and soybean farming equipment

Since corn and soybeans are the largest cash crops in Illinois, farmers need equipment designed to make tobacco farming efficient and cost effective. Corn and soybean farmers need farm equipment dealerships in Illinois that meet all their equipment needs.

I recommend: ELS Equipment Locator Service and US Farmer help connect Iowa farmers with both equipment and dealerships in their area.

Work with farm equipment dealers in IL that provide both on site and garage service

Illinois farm equipment is big! Farmers need equipment dealers that really deliver in the area of service. One tractor out of commission means field days lost, so it's important to work with a company where great service is the top priority.

I recommend: Dawn Equipment Company of Sycamore and W.G. Leffelman and Sons, Inc. of Amboy offer the best in parts and on site service to Illinois farmers.

Develop a relationship with Illinois farm equipment dealers that offer both new and used equipment

Not only is farm equipment big, it's expensive! Getting quality, used equipment with good service guarantees saves farmers time and money.

I recommend: Jim Hodel Inc. of Roanoke and Rothwell Ag-Products Inc. of Davis Junction provides farmers with a great selection of quality used farm equipment for Illinois farmers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Buy used tractors and farm equipment from tractor dealers in Illinois instead of from individuals whenever possible. Trade-ins at tractor dealers get a thorough inspection and necessary repairs prior to resale.
• •  Have your tractor dealership keep you informed of any good used equipment that comes in on a regular basis. Working closely with a dealership that knows your farm and your needs is the best way to get quality used equipment.

Illinois farm equipment dealers are essential to sustaining the agricultural industry in the Midwest. Whether for harvesting, plowing or providing food for animals, having the best training and education can give you an edge against others in your line of work.

Since Midwest-based farmers deal with an oftentimes harsh winter, it's vital for Illinois farm equipment dealers to know how to operate the machinery. Dealers should also know the national laws when it comes to selling agricultural equipment. To help accomplish this, consider the following when investigating farm equipment dealers in Illinois education and training:

1. Find training manuals for Illinois farm equipment.

2. Ask a specific Illinois farm equipment dealer if it offers a training program.

3. Sign up with organizations and associations affiliated with farm equipment dealerships in Illinois.

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

Discover Illinois farm equipment manuals from online sites

Sometimes going straight to the source can be beneficial when obtaining training. Most of the time you can locate farm equipment manuals online if the IL farm equipment dealers don't have them on-hand. Fortunately, the majority of Illinois farm equipment, as well as any manual for that piece of equipment, is the same or similar to those used in other states.

I recommend: Manuals.us offers numerous farm equipment manuals that you can peruse. Farm Equipment Manual.com is another resourceful site where you can find that elusive farm equipment manual.

Locate farm equipment dealers in IL and ask about their training programs

If you're looking to own a dealership at some point and want more training, then contact a farm equipment dealer in IL to see what it has to offer. Staying on top of any changes in the technology can be vital when trying to operate a successful company.

I recommend: John Deere is a leader in worldwide agricultural sales, not just in Illinois. It offers a John Deere University, where you can learn about training and tips through an online course. Caterpillar is another machinery leader, and it has an agriculture division. Check out information regarding their equipment.

Find associations or organizations to maximize your knowledge on Illinois farm equipment

Talking to fellow agriculture members can help you get the inside track for farm equipment training. You can ask members where they received their training and what tips they suggest. You may find that you're not the first person to have questions like this; others may have wondered the exact same questions.

I recommend: The Midwest Equipment Dealers Association was formed in 1991 and hosts the Midwest Ag Expo. This annual event brings together numerous dealers, which would be a great time to network with other Illinois farm equipment dealers. The Illinois Farm Bureau is another helpful association that can link you with others who sell farm equipment in IL.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Subscribe to national publications to stay current with any changes to training and education requirements. Sometimes the agricultural branch of the government makes mandated changes, and you need to be aware of these if you want to be a farm equipment dealer in Illinois.