Buying Advice anyone looked at how much per hour it costs to own a cut?

[ModMech]

In the analysis I have done, the number is different if you compare a new to used purchase. The methodology is the same, but you can do much better in terms of CPH with a used machine.

We bought our B2410 for around $4k with mower deck @ 650 hrs, it now has 890 hrs and is worth about what we gave for it. No major repairs other than the PS re-route fix and the fuel strainer that I replaced after smashing it with a stick Therefore our CPH is fuel + maintenance only, so:

Approximate cost over last 240 hrs= (240 x 0.6 GPH x $3.49/g) + ($35 x 2 oil changes) = $502.56 + $70 = $572.56, or $2.39/hr.

I cannot hire ANYONE to do the work that tractor does, to save my old worn-out back, for even $10/hr and even at that they would take much longer to accomplish the same tasks.

For me it is much more important to have the tractor for the heavy work to save my body and for the convenience than any other reason.

 

[ovrszd]

In the analysis I have done, the number is different if you compare a new to used purchase. The methodology is the same, but you can do much better in terms of CPH with a used machine.

We bought our B2410 for around $4k with mower deck @ 650 hrs, it now has 890 hrs and is worth about what we gave for it. No major repairs other than the PS re-route fix and the fuel strainer that I replaced after smashing it with a stick Therefore our CPH is fuel + maintenance only, so:

Approximate cost over last 240 hrs= (240 x 0.6 GPH x $3.49/g) + ($35 x 2 oil changes) = $502.56 + $70 = $572.56, or $2.39/hr.

I cannot hire ANYONE to do the work that tractor does, to save my old worn-out back, for even $10/hr and even at that they would take much longer to accomplish the same tasks.

For me it is much more important to have the tractor for the heavy work to save my body and for the convenience than any other reason.

I agree with all you said. Especially about having the tractor onhand when needed.

But actually your cost per hour has to include the cost of the tractor. You only get that back if you sell it. So you've currently got $16.67 per hr in purchase cost alone. Now add in your $2.39 and you are at $19.06. But it's getting cheaper with every hour that ticks by.

My farmer Dad always said "Farmers are asset rich and cash poor". He was referring to the fact that the value of your paid for equipment doesn't count until you sell it. My $43K tractor is a boat anchor to my finances and totally destroys my cost per hour until I sell it.

 

[wmonroe]

I have a spreadsheet on my work computer that I track all maintenance, fuel, hours, blah, blah and it calculates a cost per hour. I can put in my initial purchase price and it should give me an overall cost per hour for the tractor. I don't have any plans to sell or trade it in so I'm not really concerned about what the residual value would do to my cost per hour. I'll post back later.

 

[ovrszd]

I don't have any plans to sell or trade it in so I'm not really concerned about what the residual value would do to my cost per hour. I'll post back later.

Yep, I agree. But if doing a true cost analysis, purchase price has to be included.

For example, if not included, I could honestly say that fuel, maintenance, insurance, taxes, blah,blah,blah would accurately total up to my out of pocket costs of owning/operating a tractor. That would be a false illusion because it would miss the high initial investment to get started. Might lead the unknowing to believe owning my tractor is cheap. It ain't.

 

[Guesseral]

I just don't care! Momma is happy because my tractor does things for her horses, lets not put a price on it and leave it at that!

 

[ovrszd]

I just don't care! Momma is happy because my tractor does things for her horses, lets not put a price on it and leave it at that!

Everybody that reads this thread cares. Some just don't wanna know.

 

[fatnfur]

seems like it would be very important to know for those buying tractors to offer a service, in other words I wish it didn't matter to me

 

[wmonroe]

With every penny I've spent so far including purchase price, aftermarket lights, switches, wiring, fuel, etc etc my per hour cost is $162. Where it will be interesting to me is in another five years or so when I'm approaching 1000 hours, I expect that number to have dropped significantly.

 

[California]

Related question - How many hours is typical before needing to replace tires. 4x4 with R-1's, ag tread. I assume the rears last much longer than fronts - ?.

 

[smstonypoint]

Related question - How many hours is typical before needing to replace tires. 4x4 with R-1's, ag tread. I assume the rears last much longer than fronts - ?.

I defer to the experts, but I think the answer depends on the use. I have seen pictures of tires on TBN that were often operated on hard surfaces (concrete, asphalt) and were in need of replacement at 400 hours. The tires on my tractor show minimal wear after 300+ hours, but my use is confined to grassy areas. I suspect that I will have to replace them due to dry-rot rather than wear.

Steve