Beyond the Hood with Tractor Zoom

Tractor Zoom's Hank Mandsager on where dealerships really stand with AI — and why culture, not technology, is the real bottleneck to getting ready.  

RDO acquires True North. Horizon and Battle River merge in Canada. Zimmerer Kubota joins a larger group in Texas. Three deals in 30 days — and dealer profitability at a five-year low is the math underneath them all. Plus: the tariff cut that isn't moving prices, what 62 dealers named as their top concern, the "purpling" of CNH, and why this is looking like a K-shaped recovery.

VisorPro COO, John Schmeiser, joins Beyond the Hood to unpack how AI is easing the technician shortage and strengthening dealer service departments.

Dealers ranked combines their #1 concern on our June webinar poll — but the class 8 data doesn't fully back that up. Planter trade-ins just hit a three-year high. Utility tractors face an aging cliff this summer. And there's a new weakness forming in the $100K–$150K equipment range. Andy Campbell breaks down what we're seeing in the data vs. what we're hearing from the field.

Tyler Lowy has had more software conversations with equipment dealers than almost anyone in the industry. In this episode, he breaks down the Three Ps — People, Process, and Partnership — and what dealers most often get wrong before they ever sign a contract.

Deere beat estimates again, but large ag profits dropped 39%. Corn fell from $5 to $4.19 in five weeks. Tariffs on ag equipment dropped from 25% to 15%. Farmer sentiment is near lows. And grain carts are sitting on lots 35% longer. Andy Campbell covers the four stories dealers need to know heading into summer.

Brian Weaver, Director of Network Development North American Ag for CNH, pulls back the curtain on how CNH evaluates dealer health, what he's actually looking for the moment he walks into a store, and why the biggest operational gap at most dealerships has nothing to do with equipment.

Used equipment inventory is down 20% year over year, but sales velocity has dropped sharply in key categories. Andy Campbell breaks down what's moving, what's stuck, and where dealers should focus heading into summer.

Andy Campbell talks with Ryan Roossinck on what makes equipment listings stop the scroll, why storytelling sells tractors, and what dealers can learn from the way buyers actually shop today.

Grain cart days on lot are up 35%, 4WD drive values continue to weaken, and compact construction remains solid. Andy Campbell digs into the equipment data heading into summer 2026.

AgRevolution CEO Stacy Anthony shares how to lead change across dealership locations, build aligned partnerships, and use technology to close deals faster — on Beyond the Hood by Tractor Zoom.

CNH and AGCO just dropped Q1 earnings, and the contrast is striking. One saw profits collapse; the other beat the Street. Meanwhile, corn is flirting with $5, used equipment supply is tightening in key categories, and compact construction keeps emerging as a bright spot. Andy Campbell unpacks what it all means for dealers right now.

Tractor Zoom Product Manager Jeff Gutierrez joins Andy to discuss how Anvil Pro Quote was built, how the Product team works with customers, and what's coming next for equipment dealers.

Inventory is tighter and auction values are climbing, but low-hour tractors are sitting longer than ever. Andy Campbell breaks down what's really moving in the row crop tractor market this spring and what dealers should do about it.

Macroeconomic insights for dealers for April 2026. The big OEMs beat expectations, but the story underneath is more nuanced than the headlines suggest. Large ag continues grinding along the bottom while small ag and construction lead the recovery.   Visit our Podcast page for more episodes and insights.

Andy Campbell sits down with Wayne Brozek, founder of WB Global Services, to discuss what truly drives aftermarket performance inside equipment dealerships. Drawing on decades of leadership in parts and service, Wayne emphasizes that sustainable profitability starts with disciplined, repeatable processes. From early lessons in inventory management to today’s AI-driven predictive stocking tools, he explains how strong operational fundamentals separate high-performing dealerships from the rest.

Andy Campbell and Jake Bryce discuss the importance of warranty in the used equipment market, particularly focusing on how it affects auction prices and dealer strategies. They analyze data trends, the role of warranty in managing risk, and how it can help speed up sales. The discussion also touches on market conditions, the significance of building trust with customers, and strategies for dealers to improve absorption rates and manage aged inventory effectively.

In this May 2025 edition of Trends in 10, Andy Campbell breaks down what equipment dealers and ag professionals need to know right now. From tightening lending conditions and rising operating loan volumes to volatile corn market projections and policy developments affecting ethanol, this episode covers it all. Andy digs into updated data from the Kansas City Fed and Purdue, reviews shifts in used equipment values (especially in the HHP tractor and combine categories), and explores why 2025 might signal a return to a “new normal” in farm capital investment.

In this episode, the final in a series of three segments of the interview, Andy and George Keene discuss the critical aspects of change management within dealerships, emphasizing the importance of leadership commitment, the impact of tariffs, and the potential of AI in training and sales. They explore the tools necessary for success in the dealership environment and provide insights into the future of the farm equipment industry, highlighting the need for consolidation and proactive customer engagement.

In this episode, the second in a series of three interview videos, Andy Campbell and guest George Keene discuss strategies for equipment dealerships to leverage data for improved sales and inventory management. They explore the importance of understanding customer purchase cycles, critical performance metrics, and the challenges of managing aged inventory. The conversation also highlights cash flow management strategies, the significance of service departments, and the potential of rental opportunities in maximizing dealership profitability.