reasonable price to Mow 12 acres???

[hazmat]

Originally Posted by Farmwithjunk

Let's see.... $100 to $150 an acre X 7 acres an hour with the batwing, $700 to $1050 an hour? I'm on the way. I'd drive the tractor all the way for that sort of money.

Yeah, but you won't actually find any fields to mow. Keep in mind that the vast majority of land w/i 50 miles of Boston is either suburbia or forest. Few farms and fewer "farmettes" Though the highway dept does use some batwings to mow the right of way...

[Farmwithjunk]

Originally Posted by hazmat

Yeah, but you won't actually find any fields to mow. Keep in mind that the vast majority of land w/i 50 miles of Boston is either suburbia or forest. Few farms and fewer "farmettes" Though the highway dept does use some batwings to mow the right of way...

I sorta figured that. It's been 25 years since I was last in Mass. (Near Boston) And it was somewhat over developed way back then (by rural Kentucky standards)

Things are starting to change around here. Not nearly as much open land. Everywhere you look, new subdivisions popping up. A great deal of the land I cut will end up being developed as the owners die off. The nature of MOST of my business has us mowing bigger tracts. The same firm I mow for has another contractor who mows most of their smaller tracts, as well as residential properties. They weren't equipped, nor did they want to take on the larger jobs. That's where I fell in to it.

None the less, there is no shortage of small operators around here that'll mow 1/2 acre lots all over the county @ $50 a pop. And they appear to be doing OK at it. Most use older, less expensive equipment, but local business licensing requires proof of insurance, a tax #, as well as legally licensed (commercial) tow vehicles.

Myself, I have a strong dislike for loading and unloading constantly. I'd rather do the bigger tracts. On one job I just priced last week, we'll be mowing for just over $27 an acre X 155 acres. In 3 days time, that should pay all expenses and stick almost $3000 in the bank. Not exactly chicken feed. I beat out the #2 bidder by $180. His rate figured to $28.50 per acre. 2 more bidders were with-in $400.

Point being, what makes money here might let you slowly starve to death somewhere else. What it takes to survive somewhere else would quickly run you out of business here.

[oliver28472]

Twelve acres? He just needs to buy a tractor and bush hog so he can keep all the fun to himself. And join TBN!

[VA Rebel]

FWJ, Just out of curiosity, is that 155 acres in some sort of program? I'm trying to figure why they arent haying or growing corn or beans on it.

[Farmwithjunk]

Originally Posted by VA Rebel

FWJ, Just out of curiosity, is that 155 acres in some sort of program? I'm trying to figure why they arent haying or growing corn or beans on it.

Owner has it sold, waiting closing. It will be developed into subdivision(s) It was supposed to be closed on 2 months earlier. Title issues. Surveys need to be shored up. That means mowing it. This is a one-time deal for me. It's bull thistle and canadian thistle mixed with Johnsongrass, all about 6' tall.

[LoneCowboy]

I had a new thing happen to me today
the weeds were over the cab!!!!!!!!!!!!
Never been that tall before.
Luckily I've mowed this place before and I knew approximately where I was and where the fence was and just went slow til I bumped into it.

Over the cab!!!

[schmism]

Originally Posted by LoneCowboy

I had a new thing happen to me today
the weeds were over the cab!!!!!!!!!!!!
Never been that tall before.
Luckily I've mowed this place before and I knew approximately where I was and where the fence was and just went slow til I bumped into it.

Over the cab!!!

of the TN?

does your <edit> newest<edit> TC have a cab?

[bluetc30]

50 an hour with a two hour minimum but you must remember most people think you have a toy and it is fun to use so you shoulnt chaRGE TO DO IT

[LoneCowboy]

Originally Posted by schmism

of the TN?

does your <edit> newest<edit> TC have a cab?

Both the TC and TN are both cabs and just under 8' in height. They both fit (barely) into my 8' garage door.

[Renovator]

I charge $80 an hour with starting when i leave the driveway that helps compensate for long drives and stoney brushy feilds. By doing by the hour Idont have to look at job ahead of time saving tim & gas. I have a 7 foot cutter and I loose some jobs to farmers with bigger equipment. There is fewer doing it because they dont have time and it isto hard on equipment. I dont try to under bid them. Reovator.