Firsthand frustration with understanding the value of farm equipment led Kyle McMahon to found Tractor Zoom in 2017. The West Des Moines, Iowa, business now is the leading platform for agricultural equipment listings, with more than 2,600 dealership locations and auction companies listing equipment on the site.
McMahon is a native of Fairfield, Iowa, third-generation entrepreneur and graduate of Iowa State University. He was the director of Acquisitions for Summit Agricultural Group where he led a team to buy and sell farmland across the Midwestern corn belt before founding Tractor Zoom. He shares why staying in Iowa was the right choice to build and grow a new business to serve farmers, dealers and lenders across the country.
1. What sparked the idea for Tractor Zoom and how has it evolved over the past seven years?
Working in the ag industry and focused on land investments, I knew that good data makes for good investment decisions. However, I quickly realized that good data wasn’t available on the value and availability of the corn planter I wanted to purchase. I started doing research and saw an opportunity to develop a “Kelly Blue Book” for the agricultural equipment industry.
Tractor Zoom now employs about 65 people, all working to help farmers value farm machinery and provide technology for dealers to sell more efficiently and understand pricing trends in the market.
2. How does the marketplace approach for equipment benefit farmers, dealers and others in the industry?
Our business has a suite of solutions, providing different value propositions to different people.
The public facing site at www.TractorZoom.com makes it easy for farmers to find the equipment they are looking for, with about 66% of ag machinery in the United States listed. It is the largest search engine for U.S. auction inventory. Farmers can set up alerts when something comes up for sale.
The subscription platforms for dealers, auctioneers, lenders and others provide real-time valuation and pricing data on the equipment market and are used by 6500 equipment sales people across the US. It allows them to stay ahead of market volatility, understand what is happening in the marketplaces, and operate their business more efficiently.
3. What advantages does Iowa provide to entrepreneurs starting or scaling a business in the agriculture sector?
The strong focus on agriculture across the state provides access to information and resources that you can’t find anywhere else. Our location in West Des Moines has allowed us to tap into a talent pool for both the technical software engineers and agricultural expertise that we need.
At every step, we’ve found opportunities to grow and scale the business in Iowa. From programs like Ag Startup Engine and Proof of Commercial Relevance (POCR) and state demonstration fund loans through Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa has an advantage over other states in supporting and encouraging innovation.
4. What advice do you have for someone considering a move or return to Iowa?
We have great resources to start a business and a really great talent pool of Midwesterners who really want to make an impact. The thing I appreciate most about our team is that they are focused on our mission, supporting agriculture, which is critical to building a strong, sustainable business.
5. Please share three recommendations of things to do or places to go in Iowa.
My favorite park is Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Keosauqua, Iowa. I grew up near there and there are lots of things to do in all seasons, and it is an incredible drive when it snows.
Attend a football or basketball game at Iowa State University to experience game day at Jack Trice Stadium or Hilton Magic for yourself.
Take a ride in a combine. Riding along with a farmer during harvest provides a firsthand view of what it takes to bring in a crop. The machine itself is fascinating, along with the monitors, sensors and technologies inside.
Published September 2024.