Going Orange-L3240HST

[bandit67]

If you don't mind me asking, what do you charge for plowing? I'm trying to figure out a fair rate.

I try to figure on about $60-70 per hour, but I give them a flat rate quote based on the time I figure it's going to take. It's pretty much a crap shoot until you actually get out and start plowing each drive before you know if you figured enough time.

In a bigger storm over 12", they pay the flat rate for the first plowing at 6-8", then an hourly rate of $50 for the additional runs. In a 12" storm, I can only plow for the flat rate, so I need to get it in one pass at the end. Over 12" kicks them into multiple trips.

It took a lot of brainstorming to come up with some numbers that I thought might work. I don't really know if I'll end up making any money this year, as it's my first year plowing in this neighborhood, but as long as it helps cover payments, I'll be happy.

I know a lot of the local guys start plowing at only 4", but they didn't want me to start until 6-7".

I do charge closer to the $50/hr rate for neighbors that are closer, or are better aquaintances. I also will do occasional plowing for folks that usually do their own drives, but can't handle the really big storms.

 

[brianidaho]

bandit, thanks for the information. I'm figuring I'd start around $50/hr this winter as well, and would bill from when I leave my property. Max 5 miles from home is what I have in mind. That's probably on the low side, but I'll be learning for a while, maybe next winter I'd increase price a bit as I become more efficient. Like you said, not a way to get rich, but maybe it will help with payments, and new attachments. Besides, it provides some more seat time, which (don't tell my wife) is the real goal.

I have a meeting with a Farm Bureau Insurance Monday, we'll see what insurance will run me...nothing like starting out in the hole!

BTW, we got a good 6" of snow last night, with more on the way. I'm heading out shortly to put the blade on the ATV one last time . On moderate snow and early in the season the quad does pretty good, you can go considerably faster than with a tractor, though I only have a 5' blade. I try to run 15+ to throw snow as far as possible. Once the berms build up it's pretty bad though. Besides, with the road I have (.4 miles) it's tough on a light machine like an ATV.

 

[brianidaho]

She's coming home tomorrow!!!! Dealer called today and we set up a delivery time, tonight is going to be like a kid at christmas, not a lot of sleep.

Too bad the weather report calls for highs around 10* for the next several days! I'll probably plow all the snow I can fine within a half mile of the house . How do you think the wife will react when I park her car outside so the 'bota can stay in the garage?

 

[EastTexFrank]

How do you think the wife will react when I park her car outside so the 'bota can stay in the garage?

Take my advice and don't try that one. A hospital bed is no place to spend the Christmas Holidays.

 

[Dawgfan3]

Congratulations, better park your truck outside. Leave your wife's car along.

 

[bandit67]

Yeah, you better get her something nice if her car is going to start being parked outside.

I was lucky enough to have a space for my truck when I got my tractor, so my truck now lives outside so the tractor can have a garage bay. My wife's car is pretty much always in the garage.

If you do need to displace her car due to a lack of garage space, you better promise to build at least one more bay come springtime.

 

[brianidaho]

I was kidding about parking the wife's car outside-I don't think that would go over too well. We have a carport off the side of the shop, the Kubota fits nicely...though the ROPS is closer than I realized, I looked at it after I got off the tractor...must have been real close.

I think the offset blade is going to work well for plowing, it lets me push snow off the edge of the road, down the hill without driving too close to the edge. We got a good dumping yesterday, and are supposed to see more today and over the weekend, should get plenty of seat time. Too bad my dealer forgot the skid shoes for the blade, I'll have them shipped. The only issue I had is that the pivot for the blade isn't vertical when plowing, so angling the blade makes one corner dig more than the other, unless I want to mess with the tilt adjustment all the time. I think I'll pull the pin on the blade tilt and see if it will float OK, I mght have to rig up some limits.

I have to say the HST Plus is nice, real easy to operate. I am already starting to think that more power would have been a good idea, it seemed to be working a bit coming up some gentle hills while plowing. I have been keeping the RPMs and throttle setting down to about 2200 rpm, things may be fine once it's broken in and I can work it harder. I understand power improves considerably with breakin anyway.

 

[SCtractorguy]

Brian,
congrats on bring home the new toy!

Yes I think the power will improve a bit as you get a few more hours. My 3240 hst is at 25 hours now. I am noticing a bit of an improvement in the fuel consumption too.


Have fun and Merry Christmas.