Equipment ROI
New equipment is a five- or six-figure decision. This tool models payback period, 10-year NPV, and breakeven acres using extension-published machinery economics — then compares ownership against the custom-hire rate so you can see the cheapest path on your acres.
Pick a piece of equipment and your acreage. We calculate annual savings (labor, chemical, fuel, yield), ownership cost, payback period, and 10-year NPV using extension-published machinery economics — then compare against custom-hire as the alternative.
Replaces hand transplanting for tomatoes, peppers, brassicas, sweet potatoes.
Capacity 200 ac/yr
Wage + FICA + workers' comp + housing.
Used for interest on average investment.
Your cost of capital / required return.
| Where the savings come from | $ / ac / yr | Annual @ 60 ac |
|---|---|---|
Labor displaced 6 hr/ac × $18/hr | +$106 | +$6,372 |
Chemical / crop protection Less herbicide, banded vs broadcast, fewer passes | $0 | $0 |
Fuel & lube Negative if the implement burns more diesel | -$2 | -$120 |
Yield / quality lift Revenue gain from better stand, water, or harvest timing | +$40 | +$2,400 |
| Total per-acre savings | +$144 | +$8,652 |
Less: annual ownership cost Depreciation $1,200 + interest $918 + ins/housing $270 | -$2,388 | |
| Net annual benefit (own vs status quo) | +$6,264 |
Net annual benefit of +$6,264 and 2.1-year payback. Custom-hire would run $5,100 per season — owning saves +$2,712 vs that route.
BAU's planning engine factors equipment capacity, labor savings, and cost-share opportunities into every rotation recommendation — so capital expense lines up with the crops that actually earn it back.