Total Cost of Operating A Tratcor

[mopardude318]

Hi Mopardude,

No, I didn't miss a decimal, and the cost I quoted above was for a 35 - 40 hp tractor, not a 100 hp tractor. Each one will be different, depending on what you paid for it, the list proce, how much money you borrowed, etc.

I think he was talking about fuel burn. Most 35-40 hp tractors have 8-12 gallon tanks. If they are burning 5 gph that 2.5 hrs or less on a tank. That's not happening. .5 gallon per hour is more realistic up to 1 gph. That's what he was talking about by agreeing with me. If you show me a 35-40hp tractor that burns 5 gph, I'll be showing you a machine that's out of production

Brett

Hi Greg. I wasn't disagreeing with you on the burn rate of fuel...I was in agreement with the second part of what rustyshakelford mentioned. I think there are just too many variables on calculating and determining a consistency on how much fuel a tractor burns for a given task...

This statement here, is also what I agree with:

I need the tractor for my stuff. Any mowing on the side is just cash in the safe. When it's time for maintenance, it gets done and I go on about my life.

A tractor is for me and my needs. Which, if I were to do a side job with my equipment, the money made, will go into a jar or be put away for something else. Tractors will always need something whether ya broke a pin, blew a hydraulic line, God forbid a wheel busted off, LOL! or an oil change & filter. I'd just do the repair and go on with my life

I don't like to, and would not want to sit down and figure out how much the tractor is costing me an hour.

With all that said, I am excited to purchase a new tractor soon! Just waiting for my amputated finger on my right hand to heal!! (work related accident)

 

[oldpilgrim]

If I bought everything based on what I could sell it for, I'd never buy anything. I buy stuff for my use not what I can sell it for.

 

[DieselBound]

If I bought everything based on what I could sell it for, I'd never buy anything. I buy stuff for my use not what I can sell it for.

I agree. There is, however, a point at which one has to be cautious about over-buying- it's a fine line. Seems that there have been plenty of discussions on value based on "resale value;" many with more expensive equipment point this out only to be countered, correctly, that the equipment SHOULD command a higher price because it cost more to begin with (real difference is what is the number between initial purchase price and eventual resale price). I don't consider resale price all that much because my aim is usually to have something up until the bitter end: I buy stuff to USE (up).

 

[GregP27]

Actually. I don't buy for payback, either. But I ALWAYS figure it out.

That comes from flying light airplanes. The direct cost of flying a plane (operating it only) is pretty cheap! I can fly a small plane on only some 5.5 - 7.5 gallons per hour direct operating cost for fuel and a few bucks for oil. No problemo. But if I don't put the rest of the actual costs away in an account every time I fly off hours, when the costs come due, the money may not BE there.

By way of example, a typical 180 HP Lycoming engine costs some $22,000 for a remanufactured engine and it can last from 1200 - 2000 hours. Figure 1500 hours. That engine costs me $14.67 per hour to operate for replacement cost. If I don't bank that, when the TBO (time between overhaul) is up, I am done flying if I don't have an extra $22k lying around. Same for a propeller and annual inspections and "typical" maintenance for light aircraft. Taken together, the make up the total fixed and variable operating costs and include insurance, hangar space, etc. If you don't feed the account used for flying, the account used for flying doesn't generally suffice to fund the flying.

A tractor is the same. If you are going to replace it when necessary because you want or need one anyway, and you HAVE the money, there's no problem. But if you want to be SURE you have the money, you better plan for it and make it happen because money doesn't save itself without direct help from YOU.

That's all I mean by total operating cost ... the ability to operate, maintain and replace the unit and continue with another one when it comes due.

If that is not a problem for you; then lucky you. If I don't save for it, I usually don't manage to make it happen.

Knowing your activity cost is NOT necessary; but it helps to plan for staying in the activity.