CIGR Handbook of Agricultural Engineering, Volume III Plant Production Engineering, Chapter 2 Mechanization Systems, Part 2.4 Field Machinery Management

First paragraph: Good management of farm field machines is a substantial portion of a farm’s economic success. Good machinery management includes understanding the mechanical principles and limitations of each machine, efficient operations in the field, appropriate machine maintenance, timely repair and replacement, and selection of a machine system. Good machinery management requires an economic analysis of the actual or proposed management activities. This section presents simplified mathematical and economic concepts designed to be applied by on-farm managers to the problems in machinery management.