Hourly Rates - $9/ft of Cut Width ?

rbargeron · Oct 31, 2001

Mowing with the bucket down acting as a feeler is exactly how I did that lot (now 2 weeks ago) - also used it to uproot the bigger clumps of trees and push them to the edges. I'm sure I could do the lot in 2 hours or less now the big stuff is gone and I know where most of the rocks & obstacles are. Buck's idea of charging by the hour for the first mowing and then by fixed price later makes sense - provided the lot is cut at least once a year.

Robert_in_NY · Nov 2, 2001

John, what model of tractor do you run? It is nice when the fields are flat and you can cruise thru them, I run between 6-7 mph on most of my fields because of how smooth they are. I spent the first couple years removing rocks and other obstructions and now have nothing in the way except for a few trees.

Robert Turk Jr.
Whitetail Splendor Deer Farms
Silver Creek, NY

Anonymous Poster · Nov 3, 2001

...what model of tractor do you run?...I run between 6-7 mph...

Hi Robert,

I've got a few tractors, but now mostly use the new JD5205. Especially after just getting a new 7' hog that makes my Massey 165 way too light in the front end {no weights}. So I guess the MF165 will be the next to go...

{What is that old saying... Never ever get attached to women, cars...and tractors...}/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Man...7 mph... that's really hauling with a hog... are your fields a golf course? /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

Robert_in_NY · Nov 3, 2001

No, use to be grape fields and brush fields, planted corn in them for a couple years and now have them planted to a clover alfalfa mix. I only run a 6 footer behind a TN 65 so it doesn't work it too hard but I mow it when it gets around 18"-24". Where abouts are you from? If you want to sell the 165 let me know, I am looking at getting one next week at an auction for a secondary tractor of like hp. I have a 135 but that is no use for the equipment I have now.

Robert Turk Jr.
Whitetail Splendor Deer Farms
Silver Creek, NY

Anonymous Poster · Nov 3, 2001

Robert,

I just sold my MF135 about 3 months ago. Now I'm looking for a clean MF150.

My MF165 is a row crop and it's actually been "presold" for almost 2 years and it will command top dollar... {This guy stops by every couple months to drool over it and keeps bugging me to sell it to him... OK, he twisted my arm enough.../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif}

I kick myself...a few weeks ago, saw a MF175 that was so so at an auction... I was in a different row looking at something else and they sold it...$2400. Did I say KICK myself... 62 PTO HP running tractor for $2400. {I just knew it was going for $4.5-5K... the way prices had been running}

They had a 9N or 2N {didn't look at it that close} that went for $925... probably should of bid for that "yuppie tractor"...to resell it.../w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Well, there's always that next auction...

Robert_in_NY · Nov 4, 2001

I would have gladly paid that for a 175, the 165 bring around $5k at auctions if they are in good condition, the one coming up next week has 1800 hrs on it so I am hoping to get that and a 10' disc there. Do you have many 10' disc around you, I have only found a couple here and they are either beat beyond repair of the owner wants a couple thousand for it.

It is amazing what people pay for those little Fords, I went to my dealer and they would give around $2500 for them on trade or you can set it in front of you house and get $3500 with a fresh coat of paint.

I traded my old 4000 for the TN and had to force my dealer to give me 3500 and it had a loader and started better than any used tractor I have seen. The old MF's are a lot of fun though. Where abouts are you from and how come you never registered on this board? Just thought I'd ask. Later

Robert Turk Jr.
Whitetail Splendor Deer Farms
Silver Creek, NY

JohnMiller3 · Nov 5, 2001

...Where abouts are you from and how come you never registered on this board?...

Robert,

I "r" registered.../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif but use customer computer's while testing/servicing units most of the time... and I'm from East Greenbush, NY...

Here's my Massey 135 I sold recently... everybody laughed at the "trip-loader"... but it's better than their shovel... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

"You are what you eat, drink, think, say and do..."

PitbullMidwest · Nov 5, 2001

but it's better than their shovel... 

JohnMiller3,

My father-in-law has a 1950 IH Model C with a 3 ft wide "trip loader". I've been laughed at lots of times but I've also moved a lot of dirt with that tractor! The worst part is that the controls are on the hydraulic pump which is mounted to the rear pto and requires you to reach behind you to raise or lower the loader. But as you have already said, it beats their shovel!

Robert_in_NY · Nov 5, 2001

It looks like you have replaced the nose cone on the 135. That is something I have to do, my grandfather put the backhoe into it and made a nice dent. Mine is an old plastic one and I bought a steel one from a 135 diesel to replace it.

The trip loaders were a lot better than a shovel and was a welcome addition for a lot of farms. I will post a pic of mine one of these days. Later.

Robert Turk Jr.
Whitetail Splendor Deer Farms
Silver Creek, NY