Open access publications in the SLU publication database

Abstract

The JTI/SLU’s Farm Machinery Cost Estimator is a user-friendly computer program developed in Excel 2000 for Personal Computers in Swedish language. The program is able to estimate the cost for a single machine or/and total machinery costs (specific machinery + labour + timeliness costs) for a set. The program is composed of seven sheets of which two are hidden: o Start sheet: with general information on the programme. o Condition sheet: with basic data on the farm and other general parameters for the calculation. o Calculation sheet for estimating costs for one machine at a time. o Summary sheet where the results from the calculation sheet can be saved. o Timeliness sheet for timeliness cost estimation for the sowing and harvesting operations. o Machinery data sheet (hidden sheet): a database with basic information for the calculation on individual machines and machinery type. o A hidden sheet (PInfo) for temporary data saving during the programme running. The Estimator has nine different pop-up windows for helping estimating field machinery capacity and fuel consumption more accuracy according to the farm conditions. In addition, there is an optimisation module for estimating optimal width for some implement types and grain harvesters. In all visible sheets, there are information buttons and Comments on the most important data to be entered and the calculation methods used. The Estimator has been tested by researchers and farmers. In a series of tests, where labour and machinery costs were estimated for more than 30 farms, it showed to be easy to use and sound cost estimations were obtained. The program (Swedish language) is available free at this Internet address: http://www2.et.slu.se/maskinkalkyl/