Machinery Cost Estimates (April 2005)
The following tables show machinery costs estimates for differing field, harvest, and forage operations. Clicking on an "Report" shows costs in HTML format. A pdf version is available by clicking the link in the "PDF column. By clicking a link in the "Online Tool" column, a user can change cost estimates to more accurately reflect their own situations.

Machinery FAST Tools (Excel Spreadsheets)
The Farm Analysis Solution Tools (FAST) are a series of Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets designed to aid farmers in their decision-making. There are three tools related to machinery management.

The Machinery Economics program provides three types of information: 1) Chance of completeing field operations within a certain time period, 2) Costs of tillage and planting operations, and 3) Cost of combining grain. Click here for a description of the program (pdf) or here to download the program

The Lease vs. Purchase program compares the present value of leasing an asset compared to purchasing an asset. Click here to download the program.

The Machinery Financing program calculates annualized cash flows for different manners of financing machinery acquisitions including purchases, leases, roll-over purchases, and rental arrangements. Click here to see a pdf file giving a description of the program. Click here to download the program.

Illinois Farm Economics: Facts and Opinions
The following University of Illinois publications address aspects of machiney management.

Custom Rates
Illinois does not conduct a survey of machinery custom hire rates. Some states around Illinois conduct custom rate surveys. The following links show results from custom rate surveys.

Iowa State Publications
Iowa State University has developed publication that address the following machinery management topics.

Kansas State
Kansas State maintains machinery management information. Click here for access.