Should You Lease or Buy a Combine Harvester? A Cost-Benefit Analysis

When considering a combine lease versus purchase, farmers face a significant financial decision. With new combine harvesters costing between $300,000 and $800,000+, the investment rivals that of a luxury home in many areas.

How much do combines cost in different scenarios? While purchasing builds equity, leasing requires less upfront capital. Alternatively, renting at $180 per hour or custom hiring at $35-$45 per acre might better suit smaller operations. In fact, farmers in Illinois save approximately 30% by custom hiring versus ownership.

Depending on your operation size and harvest needs, the right equipment acquisition strategy can dramatically impact your bottom line. For instance, farmers need at least 2,200 acres annually to justify owning a used combine. Furthermore, with the combine harvester market projected to reach $62.89 billion by 2028, manufacturers continue developing more efficient—and expensive—models.

We’ll examine all acquisition options and help you determine whether buying, leasing, renting, or custom hiring makes the most financial sense for your specific farming operation.

How Much Do Combines Cost?

The financial investment required for combine harvesters varies significantly based on acquisition method. Understanding these costs helps determine the most economical approach for your specific farming operation.

New combine price range: $400,000 to $1,000,000+

Self-propelled combines represent a substantial capital investment, with 2025 prices typically starting at $400,000 and exceeding $1,000,000 for premium models. Brand and features significantly impact pricing. A 2024 John Deere S780 with fewer than 500 hours costs between $550,000 and $650,000, while the top-tier 2024 John Deere X9 1100 commands $850,000 to $950,000. Similarly, a 2023-2024 Case IH 9250 ranges from $700,000 to $800,000.

Used combine pricing based on age and hours

Used combines offer a more affordable alternative, with prices correlating directly to age and usage hours. For a 40-foot self-propelled combine suitable for 1,000 acres of dryland wheat, expect to pay approximately $350,000 to $400,000. Hours significantly affect valuation:

• 4,500+ hours: $10,000-$40,000

• 3,500-4,500 hours: $30,000-$80,000

Higher-end used models maintain substantial value—2021 John Deere S770 and S780 combines with under 500 hours typically sell for $440,000-$480,000.

Rental rates: $180–$225/hour or $20,000–$30,000/month

Renting presents a viable alternative to ownership, typically costing about $180 per hour. Monthly rates generally range from $20,000 to $30,000 depending on machine specifications. This approach can yield savings of 15% to 50% compared to ownership. Additionally, rental agreements often include maintenance coverage, minimizing unexpected repair expenses.

Custom hire rates: $35–$45 per acre

Custom harvesting services typically charge between $35 and $45 per acre, though rates vary by region and crop type. Recent surveys indicate rising costs—combining and binning corn jumped from $35.66 per acre in 2021 to $41.78 in 2023, nearly a 20% increase. Similarly, wheat combining costs increased from $26.85 to $35.27 during the same period—over 30% higher. Despite these increases, custom hiring remains economical for many operations, costing approximately $70 per acre compared to $90.60 for ownership in Illinois—a 30% savings.

Buying vs Leasing: Ownership vs Flexibility

Deciding between ownership and temporary rights to a combine harvester involves balancing immediate financial constraints against long-term objectives. Let’s examine the key differences between these acquisition methods.

Upfront cost vs long-term equity

Purchasing a combine typically requires a substantial down payment—typically 15-25% of the machine’s value (approximately $15,000-$25,000 per $100,000). Conversely, leasing demands minimal initial investment, often just the first and last payments (0-5% down). However, ownership builds equity over time, whereas leasing provides no ownership stake until potentially exercising an end-of-lease purchase option.

Tax benefits: depreciation vs lease deductions

The tax implications differ significantly between these options. With ownership, farmers can deduct:

• Interest payments on financing

• Depreciation (15% in year of purchase, 30% of remaining balance annually thereafter)

• Section 179 expensing for qualified purchases

Leasing, meanwhile, allows for 100% of lease payments to be deducted as business expenses, potentially accelerating tax benefits compared to the gradual depreciation schedule of ownership.

Upgrade cycles and obsolescence risk

Technology advancement presents a double-edged sword for equipment owners. Purchasing locks farmers into specific technology, potentially leaving them with outdated machinery before its useful life ends. Approximately 30% of Iowa farmers choose custom hiring partly to access cutting-edge technology without ownership commitment. Leasing facilitates regular upgrades, allowing access to the latest technological innovations without selling depreciated assets.

Cash flow impact and financing options

Monthly payments reveal another distinction—financing typically costs $1,600-$1,800 per $100,000 borrowed, while leasing runs higher at $2,000-$2,200 per $100,000 value. However, leasing offers flexible payment structures that can align with seasonal farm income—some arrangements permit annual or biannual payments rather than monthly obligations.

Ultimately, total five-year costs favor ownership ($116,000 for a $100,000 machine) over leasing ($132,000 plus any purchase option), though this calculation doesn’t account for maintenance responsibilities or technological obsolescence.

Renting vs Custom Hiring: Short-Term Solutions

For farmers seeking flexibility without long-term commitments, short-term equipment solutions offer compelling alternatives to ownership or leasing.

When renting makes sense for small farms

Renting a combine typically costs around $180 per hour or $1,000-$3,000 per day depending on the model and location. This approach delivers significant financial advantages, with potential savings of 15-50% compared to ownership costs. Smaller operations benefit most, especially those harvesting fewer than 500 acres. Notably, renting eliminates maintenance headaches and provides access to newer, more efficient machines without overwhelming purchase costs.

Custom hire for labor-limited operations

Custom harvesting services handle approximately 30% of crop acres in Iowa, primarily because these operators bring both equipment and skilled labor. This combination is particularly valuable for operations with limited workforce. Custom operators typically travel throughout the growing season, starting in Texas and moving northward as crops mature. Most importantly, farmers can focus on hauling and unloading grain while the custom crew handles harvesting, maximizing efficiency without hiring additional help.

Availability issues during peak harvest

Finding available equipment during harvest can be challenging. Custom operators create priority schedules in advance, but weather delays can disrupt timing. As one experienced farmer noted, “Four out of five years [a neighbor] hired me to finish the job because parts were too far away or took too long to get here from the factory”. This highlights the reliability advantage of professional harvest crews during critical periods.

Cost per acre vs cost per hour comparison

Custom harvesting typically costs $35-$45 per acre, varying by region and crop type. Consequently, Illinois farmers save approximately 30% through custom hiring ($70/acre) versus ownership ($90.60/acre). Hourly rental rates ($180-$225) make sense for smaller jobs, whereas per-acre custom rates provide predictability for larger operations. Indeed, the most economical choice depends on farm size, equipment utilization potential, and labor availability.

Making the Right Choice for Your Farm

Selecting the optimal combine acquisition method hinges on multiple interrelated factors specific to your operation. Initially, a thorough assessment of your unique farming situation must guide this significant decision.

Farm size and crop type considerations

The scale of your operation directly determines equipment needs. Small farms (under 500 acres) often benefit economically from custom hiring or renting. Conversely, large commercial operations with 1,500+ acres typically justify combine ownership through greater efficiency and reduced labor costs. Crop diversity also affects equipment selection—different harvester configurations suit specific crops like wheat, corn, or rice. Essentially, the machine’s processor and gathering capabilities must align with your primary crops to maximize efficiency.

Usage frequency and harvest timing

Harvest scheduling dramatically impacts both yield quality and equipment utilization. Northern regions typically require 3-4 annual harvests, while southern areas may demand 8-11 harvests annually. Above all, timing windows remain critical—early harvests generally produce higher quality but lower yields. A combine lease provides flexibility when usage is irregular, whereas ownership becomes more cost-effective at approximately 1,500 acres annually.

Access to skilled labor and equipment

Labor availability significantly influences equipment decisions. Custom hiring brings both machinery and experienced operators—especially valuable for labor-limited farms. Combine operators require proficiency with advanced technology including GPS guidance systems, auto-steer functionality, and yield monitoring sensors. Self-operated equipment demands continuous technical training as automation and data management capabilities evolve.

Long-term financial planning and ROI

Complete financial analysis must examine both immediate costs and long-term returns. Total ownership costs include not only purchase price ($400,000-$1,000,000+) but also ongoing expenses for fuel ($20-$50/hour) and maintenance ($5,000-$10,000 annually). Economic breakeven typically requires 10-12 years for most farm machinery and 15 years for tractors. Coupled with these considerations, tax implications vary significantly between ownership (depreciation benefits) and leasing (operational expense deductions).

Comparison Table

Conclusion

Ultimately, choosing between buying, leasing, renting, or custom hiring a combine harvester depends significantly on your specific farming operation. Farm size stands out as perhaps the most critical factor in this decision-making process. Small operations with fewer than 500 acres will likely find custom hiring or renting more economical, whereas large commercial farms exceeding 1,500 acres can generally justify the substantial investment of ownership.

Financial considerations certainly extend beyond the initial purchase price. Though buying requires considerable upfront capital, it builds equity over time and offers valuable tax advantages through depreciation. Conversely, leasing demands minimal initial investment while providing flexibility to upgrade as technology advances. Meanwhile, custom hiring eliminates both equipment and labor concerns, potentially saving farmers approximately 30% compared to ownership costs.

Additionally, your operation’s specific needs regarding harvest timing, labor availability, and technological requirements should heavily influence this decision. Farmers with tight harvest windows or specialized crop requirements might benefit from ownership despite higher costs. Those with limited access to skilled operators, however, might find custom hiring particularly advantageous despite potential scheduling challenges during peak season.

Before making this significant financial decision, farmers should conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis specific to their operation. At the current price point of $400,000 to $1,000,000+ for new combines, the financial implications remain substantial regardless of acquisition method. Careful consideration of farm size, crop diversity, labor resources, and long-term objectives will undoubtedly lead to the most economical choice for your specific situation.