Brush Hog Work Rate

[SkyPup]

I charge $50 an hour to friends and $60 and hour to people I do not know and have commerical insurance to cover all liability in a contract off our property.

Working someone elses property is much more hazardous than your own, you do NOT know all the stumps, rock outcroppings, old wells, slopes, etc. until AFTER your job is completed, that is rough on equipment, machinery and quite possibly your own health as well.....

 

[SkyPup]

I charge $50 an hour to friends and $60 and hour to people I do not know and have commerical insurance to cover all liability in a contract off our property.

Working someone elses property is much more hazardous than your own, you do NOT know all the stumps, rock outcroppings, old wells, slopes, etc. until AFTER your job is completed, that is rough on equipment, machinery and quite possibly your own health as well.....

 

[Farmwithjunk]

When calculating "cost" or "profit" from bush hogging (or ANY tractor chores) be sure to consider replacement of equipment somewhere down the line. You can pay for fuel, cover the obvious cost, make a few pesos for yourself, and MAYBE even pay for insurance. But 10 years down the road, when that tractor is worn out, have you made enough to cover repairs or replacement.

I've owned a tractor or three at any point in my life since leaving high school. There's always someone wanting a field mowed, or a garden plowed. I used to jump at the chance. After adding 150 or 200 hours a year on a favorite tractor for 10 years in a row, I began to realize that these people need to be paying more for my services.

IF... I can get what I want, I'll do some side work. But in general, they can usually find someone else to do it cheaper.

I'd stay upwards of $60 for any tractor. Bigger, higher horsepower (heavy fuel users) go upwards from there.

Just yesterday, I priced mowing 25 acres of pasture to someone. Last year, that would have figured up to something like $400 to $450. This year, they'll be paying $600(+) or I'm not their guy. (And yes, I got the job I priced out,.....$600. About 7 hrs counting hauling time)

 

[Farmwithjunk]

When calculating "cost" or "profit" from bush hogging (or ANY tractor chores) be sure to consider replacement of equipment somewhere down the line. You can pay for fuel, cover the obvious cost, make a few pesos for yourself, and MAYBE even pay for insurance. But 10 years down the road, when that tractor is worn out, have you made enough to cover repairs or replacement.

I've owned a tractor or three at any point in my life since leaving high school. There's always someone wanting a field mowed, or a garden plowed. I used to jump at the chance. After adding 150 or 200 hours a year on a favorite tractor for 10 years in a row, I began to realize that these people need to be paying more for my services.

IF... I can get what I want, I'll do some side work. But in general, they can usually find someone else to do it cheaper.

I'd stay upwards of $60 for any tractor. Bigger, higher horsepower (heavy fuel users) go upwards from there.

Just yesterday, I priced mowing 25 acres of pasture to someone. Last year, that would have figured up to something like $400 to $450. This year, they'll be paying $600(+) or I'm not their guy. (And yes, I got the job I priced out,.....$600. About 7 hrs counting hauling time)

 

[Highbeam]

Also watch out for the professional tractor guy that just got underbid by an unlicensed, uninsured, illegal tractor owner. His livelihood is at risk and he may try and cause you trouble.

I've done mow jobs on the side, I really enjoy them. I look for minimal risk. Things like not mowing near any houses, near any livestock, children, cars, or roads. I want the easy pastures out in the middle of nowhere. Most of the risk is because of the ability of the rotary cutter to pitch projectiles. If you had or could justify a flail mower then your risk and liability exposure shrinks substantially. Even consider trailering or roading your tractor to the field. While your towing to a job, your regular liability insurance is voided, huge exposure there.

After the first mowing of that field, the rest should be a beeze. It is the unknowns that could hurt your machine.

 

[Highbeam]

Also watch out for the professional tractor guy that just got underbid by an unlicensed, uninsured, illegal tractor owner. His livelihood is at risk and he may try and cause you trouble.

I've done mow jobs on the side, I really enjoy them. I look for minimal risk. Things like not mowing near any houses, near any livestock, children, cars, or roads. I want the easy pastures out in the middle of nowhere. Most of the risk is because of the ability of the rotary cutter to pitch projectiles. If you had or could justify a flail mower then your risk and liability exposure shrinks substantially. Even consider trailering or roading your tractor to the field. While your towing to a job, your regular liability insurance is voided, huge exposure there.

After the first mowing of that field, the rest should be a beeze. It is the unknowns that could hurt your machine.

 

[Redneck_Randy]

Ok, here's the deal. The neighbor is a friend of mine and his horses over grazed the field so he had to reseed last year. The weeds are over taking the growing grass he had seeded. He's very happy with the price and we have agreeded on it. He's also going to fill the tank with diesel when it empty. He owns a trucking company so has a big diesel tank at his place. He gave me a key to the lock on the tank and said help myself when I need diesel. I'm only going to mow it now for maybe 2 months in a row and when the rains hit later this year and it starts growing more I'm to start mowing every other month till winter.

FYI: I made sure I got good insurance that would cover any damage when working. Better be for $489 a year. LOL

Thanks everyone for the input!
Randy

 

[Redneck_Randy]

Ok, here's the deal. The neighbor is a friend of mine and his horses over grazed the field so he had to reseed last year. The weeds are over taking the growing grass he had seeded. He's very happy with the price and we have agreeded on it. He's also going to fill the tank with diesel when it empty. He owns a trucking company so has a big diesel tank at his place. He gave me a key to the lock on the tank and said help myself when I need diesel. I'm only going to mow it now for maybe 2 months in a row and when the rains hit later this year and it starts growing more I'm to start mowing every other month till winter.

FYI: I made sure I got good insurance that would cover any damage when working. Better be for $489 a year. LOL

Thanks everyone for the input!
Randy

 

[NoMo]

Hmmm... 18 acres with a 5' cutter (plus all your tasks)
Recommend you get a canopy/shade for the tractor to reduce sun exposure with all the seat time you are going to be getting. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[NoMo]

Hmmm... 18 acres with a 5' cutter (plus all your tasks)
Recommend you get a canopy/shade for the tractor to reduce sun exposure with all the seat time you are going to be getting. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif