Farmtrac stops production

Farmtrac, of Tarboro, North Carolina, has stopped production and given no indication if, or when, they might reopen. Farmtrac informed its approximately 180 employees on January 17 that operations were being shut down. The layoff was characterized by management as temporary, although no specifics were provided to employees. A group of 30 to 40 employees volunteered to work for free, staffing the telephones and parts warehouse.

Most Farmtrac dealers use Textron Financial Corporation for their floor plan financing. Some dealers report being contacted by Textron to remind them of their loan obligations for equipment. At least one dealer has listed new Farmtrac inventory on eBay, selling the tractor "as-is" without warranty.

Farmtrac tractors are built by Escorts, LS, and Same-Deutz. These tractors are also sold under other brand names, including Montana, making it likely that parts will be available if Farmtrac closes permenantly.

Farmtrac's history can be traced to the Long tractor brand which imported UTB tractors to the United States. Long Agribusiness was purchased by Escorts Group of India in 1998 and the name was changed from Long to Farmtrac. In 2006, Montana Tractors took a minority stake in Farmtrac via a holding company.