How much is it worth to brushhog 10 ac?

Gatorboy · Jul 14, 2005

( If memory serves, people generally charge $35 - $50 per hour for man and machine ) 

Alot of it depends on the equipment used. I could cut those 10 acres in less than 2 hours -- I certainly wouldn't do it for $70 or $100.

$150 is about the right price for having 10 acres mowed (it may be more in some areas) -- it's up to the person doing the work to know if they have the equipment that can do the job and still make a profit. I certainly wouldn't accept a job like that with a 21" push mower.

Indydirtfarmer · Jul 14, 2005

( I certainly wouldn't accept a job like that with a 21" push mower.

)

Ah, but there was a time in my life...... (And why do they call 'em "the good ol' days"?????)

RalphVa · Jul 14, 2005

My neighbor asked me about brush hogging her 20 acres next door to mine. I worked it out and turned her down.

I've also a 4' hog. At maximum speed in low range and assuming NO overlap, it takes about 30 minutes/acre. This is IF you can go full speed all over (you can't on new territory) and have NO overlap. Someone mentioned 5 hours to do 10 acres with his 5' hog. Sounds like a 6 hour or more job to me.

Just replaced the shear bolt on my brush hog for the 1st time. It you did this even once, it'll add another possible 30 minutes to your time.

At $200, you'll be making around $30/hour and have to put in probably about 3 gallons of diesel.

Consider also your insurance. You're likely not covered by your home owners policy doing work on someone else's property for hire.

Ralph

DmansPadge · Jul 14, 2005

Thanks Ralph. I've never tackled so much at one time.. so I guess I'll just see how it goes. I might be kicking myself in the butt when I'm done. The land has been cleared and mowed several times since then. They are planning on sub-dividing it and selling lots. They want it low for the surveyors to come out... atleast that is what I'm told. It might be a far cry from that when I go look at it Friday. If it fits the profile they tell me... it'll be $200. If it's worse... it'll be more. If it's bad... I'll tell them I'm not interested.

Thanks

Soundguy · Jul 15, 2005

( I've also a 4' hog. At maximum speed in low range and assuming NO overlap, it takes about 30 minutes/acre. This is IF you can go full speed all over (you can't on new territory) and have NO overlap. Someone mentioned 5 hours to do 10 acres with his 5' hog. Sounds like a 6 hour or more job to me )

I occasionally did it in 5 hrs.. sometimes was a little more.. rarely took 6 hrs.

I used a 5' hog and a NH 1920 in 3rd range, 3rd gear ( haulin but' )

I mow it in about 2hrs and 45 minutes now.. course.. I'm using a 10' mower too.

Soundguy

Cityboyfarmer · Jul 15, 2005

I'm amazed at some of the prices I see quoted for bush-hogging here. Most tractor operators I know that do it for a living charge a $200 minimum just to "unload" the tractor for 3 hours or less and depending on how far they have to drive, they may add a trip charge. There is a lot of work, risk and liability involved in strapping your machine down to a trailer, transporting it to the job site, unloading the machine and implements, doing the job, re-loading the machine and transporting it back home. If you can't make a reasonable profit, why go through all that?

Indydirtfarmer · Jul 15, 2005

( I'm amazed at some of the prices I see quoted for bush-hogging here. Most tractor operators I know that do it for a living charge a $200 minimum just to "unload" the tractor for 3 hours or less and depending on how far they have to drive, they may add a trip charge. There is a lot of work, risk and liability involved in strapping your machine down to a trailer, transporting it to the job site, unloading the machine and implements, doing the job, re-loading the machine and transporting it back home. If you can't make a reasonable profit, why go through all that? )

My feelings exactly.... I do take SOME smaller jobs though. I use them for "fill-ins" to make a short day into a full day. At times, we set out on an entire day of small jobs. I turn away a good many smaller jobs nowdays for reasons that include the risk involved in moving 20 miles for a couple hours of work....

I'm trying to accumulate names and numbers of others doing small mowing jobs to refer interested parties to. I hate to say no....

smoothie17 · Jul 15, 2005

Assuming you'll average an acre per hour, it'll require 10 hours. If it was a good friend that you always traded favors with I'd charge about $100 ($10 per hour) just to cover costs. If it was just an acquaintance, I'd charge at least $400 ($40 per hour) and probably $50 just to put it on the trailer.

Gatorboy · Jul 15, 2005

( If it was just an acquaintance, I'd charge at least $400 ($40 per hour) and probably $50 just to put it on the trailer. ) 

Most likely you would not get the job if you charged that much.

RalphVa · Jul 15, 2005

Forgot to mention. For a while our church in NJ was hiring the mowing done on its 4-5 acres there. The charge was $200-250 each time (forgot exact amount; it was in this league). This was regular grass, only about 6" high, with some trees to mow around. This was also back in about 1980.

I took on the job for about 5 years after they agreed to let me buy a commercial ZTR mower (a Scag). Could do it in 3 hours and 15 minutes using top speed on the Scag, up on 2 out of the 3 wheels at times going around the trees.

Ralph