Cost to stack hay

[Lastkidpicked]

Looking for some advice on a (possible) ongoing hay situation:

One of the horse barn owners approached us and and asked if I could round up my son and some of his friends (older teenagers) to pick up small squares out of the field and load them into the barn.

She mentioned ninety cents per bale a couple of times, so that is what she must have paid in the past.

This sounded like a lot of money, so the boys were eager and four of us ran out there and did it for her.

Everything went just fine and everybody was happy, especially the barn owner. She offered to hire us again and even spread the word for us if we wanted to do more of this. They boys eagerly said yes, and I'm proud of them for that.

So here's the problem:

We picked up 348 small squares (four loads with a pickup and flatbed trailer)
Total pay was $ 313.20

If we took out gas money and wear and tear on the pickup and trailer of say $100, then that leaves us with $212.20, divided by 4 people is $ 53.05. Suddenly that seems like a lot of work for fifty bucks a piece.

And remember that everything went perfectly. It very easily could have been fraught with problems-- flat tires, overheating truck, kid steps in a hole and breaks his ankle. You know all the things that can go wrong.

My question to you all: Could the boys actually make money doing this, or are expenses so high that they could never make it work?

P.S. Please know that this was a WONDERFUL experience. I was really proud of the boys and I donated the use of my pickup and trailer so in this case, they made some good money. But I want them to go into these things eyes wide open so they don't accidentally work for free-- I already teach them how to do that by example!

 

[motownbrowne]

Well, you didn't say how long it took. 2 hours? 8 hours? 90 Cents a bale sounds pretty good to me. Was everyone working hard, or could the same job have been done with 3 kids?

I grew up loading hay, though not as much as some folks. When I lived out in WA state I loaded some hay with the couple I was living with. Me and her were stacking bales on the truck and he was driving. Flat, straight, long field. I was like "you have got to be kidding me" put the thing in 4low 1st gear and get you azz to work. Maybe it'd be different with teens, but the truck can drive itself most of the time.

 

[smstonypoint]

You didn't mention how much time the job took and the distances involved (to the job and between the hay field and the barn).

A useful business lesson for the boys would be to estimate the cost of the equipment used for the job. The IRS mileage allowance for business use is supposed to provide an estimate of the total (ownership + operating*) cost/mile for autos, vans, pickups and panel trucks. The allowance for 2014 is $0.56/mile. This allowance could be adjusted by an estimate of the cost of the trailer.

Getting a handle on equipment cost would allow the boys to get a handle on the returns to their labor (pre-tax). Do you plan to teach the boys about income and FICA taxes?

Steve

* Excludes driver labor.

 

[zzvyb6]

Well, realistically, the only real cost was the gas. If you are wearing out a truck by loading hay, you need another type of vehicle. You fill the tank before you start and fill it when you are done. So, for the situation of "job or no job (money or no money)", they got some money. Around here 400 bales is let's say 3-4 hours work for two strong men and/or women.

Next time pick the two best and let them take on the whole deal. Now what does the math tell you? And, what does it tell the two left behind? I wouldn't view the hours as important, just the pay. They would be just sitting around dreaming or texting anyways, right?

How ell can they say "You want fries with that ?"

 

[nc redneck]

If she is eager and very happy there is more money out there. Next job if it happens I would play additional expense of getting there how about 1.00 per bale. That being said it is very hard for young kids to get a job today. Not sure I would push it at this point.
My wife who is retired and does not need the money cleans houses for $ 15.00 a hour because employer also works my daughter at $ 10.00. She is 15 and underage at this point. $ 10.00 per hour for a young kid is a good deal in my opinion plus she is learning work is hard and a good education is important. Hopefully she will end up with a good work ethic.

 

[tlm720]

I sell hay out of my field. If it doesn't all sell and I have to pick some up and put it in the barn for later the price goes up 50 cents. 90 cents sounds more than fair.

 

[PoorPlowboy]

$0.90 per bale is very good money. If you burn $100 worth of gas and wear and tear putting up 348 small squares, you're paying for a new Denali and BigTex and need an older work truck more aligned to the task.

 

[Tx Jim]

$.90 per bale sounds fair to me. I think the pickup truck owner came out the best on the deal!!

 

[rtimgray]

I've hauled square bales of hay for myself and other people for the last 30 years. I do it for a little extra money, plus I enjoy the exercise and the misery that comes along with it (as silly as it sounds, I'm a glutton for punishment I guess).

One of the guys that I haul for used to run a hay hauling business (a long time ago) when there was enough square bales being put on the ground to support such an endeavor. Of course, that was the days of 5 cents per bale per person. He made money running the crew, and he took into account his expenses. I can assure you no money was spent on insurance or anything like that.

When I work for people anymore, it is all by the hour. I rake in the princely sum of $12/hour, when all I do is show up. If I have to bring a tractor/truck/trailer that is all additional, and it's been years since that's happened.

I would reckon that as long as the fellas are making enough money that they feel it's worth their while, I would continue to encourage it. Yes, there are some hazards associated with the job, but there's hazards going to Wal-Mart too.

Good luck and take care.

 

[tmac196]

Lest we not forget that there are intangible benefits beyond the pay which are experienced, sadly, by far fewer teens these days: Teamwork, pride in doing a job well, labor which hones the muscles and the mind, camaraderie, self-respect, developing a reputation as one who does the job well, dependability, satisfying the employer, confidence. These life lessons are, in my opinion, far more valuable and enduring than the $0.90 per bale compensation.