Summit Tractor, based in Atlanta, Ga., is the latest compact tractor company to enter the market, according to a video on Good Works Tractors YouTube channel. The tractor and loader are made by ITL in India. ITL is owned 30% by Yanmar Japan, which injected a lot of technology into the design and manufacturing. Summit plans to add a backhoe in 2023 that will be made by Amerequip in Kiel, Wis., Amerequip manufactures backhoes for John Deere and a number of other OEMs.
Also in 2023, Summit plans to add a 60-inch mid-mower. The company says, “it is our view that this tractor, at 3,400 pounds with the loader and tire ballast is heavy for lawn mowing. The tractor is a compact class, not a sub-compact like a Deere 1025R or Kubota BX. There are many frame sizes in the 24 horsepower class, and this is a large frame 24 horsepower and it can do a lot of work.”
Summit Tractors will be sold exclusively at major farm supply retailers. At this time, Atwoods Ranch & Home will offer Summit Tractors at 9 locations beginning in early August, with broader expansion going forward, the company says. This fall, at least one additional farm supply retailer will begin offering Summit Tractors, and again, on a small scale to start, and then expand broadly in 2023. “We purposely begin on a small scale to ensure that we get this right, but have every intention to expand nationwide going forward,” they say.
Doug Rehor is the founder and CEO of the new company, who has nearly 30 years of experience in product development, engineering, product management and business performance leadership roles at both CNH Industrial and AGCO. He also served as the CEO for McCormick Tractor from 2010-2012. He later formed a compact tractor-focused consulting company in 2012 and developed compact tractor businesses within the major retail outdoor and farm supply arena. Combining those experiences from the traditional OEM/dealer and the major retail sales channels for tractors, he later formed Summit Tractors in 2020 to offer compact tractor enthusiasts a new way to research, buy, finance, and obtain quality parts & service support.
Daniel Patterson serves at Summit’s Chief Operating Officer and has 32 years’ experience as a parts & service, customer support and sales executive in the ag equipment, high-end automobile, and electric vehicle industries. His many leadership roles include that of Director of Southeast Service Operations for John Deere’s Turf Division, Director of Parts & Service for one of the nation’s largest auto dealership groups, leading the servicing there for brands such as Porsche, Lexus, Jaguar, Land Rover, Cadillac, Toyota, Oldsmobile, Volvo, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia. Before joining Summit, he was Vice President of Customer Service for Proterra, a leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer of buses.
