Old mowers and trucks keep getting repaired without anyone running the numbers. Short answer: use Claude (does cost-per-hour math from your repair records). Free option: ChatGPT. The workflow has 3 steps and 2 copy-paste prompt(s); expect a per-unit cost table, keep vs. replace comparison and a draft replacement plan. Main caution: AI arithmetic and unit conversions can be wrong; recheck every quantity and total.
The problem
Old mowers and trucks keep getting repaired without anyone running the numbers.
Recommended tools
ClaudeDoes cost-per-hour math from your repair records.
Free; Pro $20/mo ($17/mo annual); Max from $100/mo
ChatGPTEditorial opinion based on the vendor capabilities and prices listed in our tools directory. Not paid placements; prices as checked Oct 2026 and may change. Compare all use cases →
All tools mentioned
Step-by-step workflow
- Gather data per unit: age, hours/miles, purchase price, last 24 months of repair costs, downtime days, and replacement price quotes.
- Have AI calculate cost per hour and a simple repair-vs-replace comparison.
- Check numbers and discuss with your mechanic.
Copy-paste prompts
For each unit [paste: unit, age, hours, purchase price, repair costs by month, downtime days, replacement quote], calculate cost per operating hour over the last 24 months, total downtime cost at $[ ]/day lost revenue, and a 3-year comparison of keep vs. replace. Show the math and list assumptions.
Draft a one-page equipment replacement plan for next season with priorities and budget from this analysis: [paste].
What to expect
A per-unit cost table, keep vs. replace comparison and a draft replacement plan.
Limits & safety
- AI arithmetic and unit conversions can be wrong; recheck every quantity and total.
- Ask your accountant about tax effects of buying vs. leasing.
Source / inspired by
- SmartAsset — SmartAsset (vendor site). Vendor offering AI equipment tracking and repair-vs-replace insight; vendor claims. Summarized in our own words.