Looking to make some extra cash with my tractor

[LD1]

Just depends on the area I guess.

There aren't too many big jobs to be had around me. 10+ acres is a rare occurrence. And even them are clipping horse pastures that the larger machines won't fit through the gates. The large stuff gets farmed. And the only people around here with big equip is farmers doing sodways and they typically don't do side jobs.

Most of my stuff is 3-5 acres. Horse pastures, vacant lots that are overgrown and finally sold to someone wanting to build a house, lawnmower broke and yard not mowed for two months, a 5 acre plot set aside for deer and wildlife but mowed once a year to keep under control, etc.

Perfect jobs for a 30-50hp tractor. Not really a "grey" area around me at all

 

[EddieWalker]

...Most of my stuff is 3-5 acres...

I'm surprised by this. Didn't you mention that you bid for $60 an hour and that you can mow over 2 acres per hour? How do you make any money on such small jobs? I was at $100 an hour when I did it and felt it wasn't profitable enough to continue doing it.

 

[LD1]

I'm surprised by this. Didn't you mention that you bid for $60 an hour and that you can mow over 2 acres per hour? How do you make any money on such small jobs? I was at $100 an hour when I did it and felt it wasn't profitable enough to continue doing it.

I dont bid jobs by the hour. $60/hr is my target but that is counting travel BOTH ways. But I have a $175 minimum charge. Anything less is not worthwhile for a side job if you know what I mean.

Example.....I just mowed 3.5-4 acres of pasture this morning. I allotted 2 hours to mow, and it was 30 minute drive + load and unload. I bid $200.

From the time I headed to the shop to load tractor on the trailer til the time I was home was spot on 3 hours. So...I made $66/hr on that one.

I mowed 8 acres of horse pasture yesterday as well as about 45 minutes of pushing horse manure piles up. (she dumps out of a wheelbarrow next to the pile all winter long, then has me shove it up into a big pile come spring). This job is 50 minutes from home. And I have been taking care of her for the last 3 years. I left my house at 7 am, and was home at 2pm. 7 hours. $450.....$64/hr

Just did less than 1/2 acre after my first job this morning. Took about 30 minutes. (around the house....mower broke.....lots of stuff to go around and be careful). 1 hour total drive time including loading and unloading. So only 1.5hr total.....$175 min charge. If I bid that at $60/hr ($90), Just aint worth it.

So far this year, my jobs have measured 2.25 acres, 2, 7, 1, 2, 2, 3.3, 5, 8, 2.25, 4, 0.5. For an average of ~3.3acres per job.

Like I said, the only big jobs around here are inside horse pastures. Anything else that is sizable, is being farmed or baled.

 

[LD1]

$100/hr is what guys around here charge for 15-ton construction equipment. D3 dozers, PC120 or 315 cat excavators, etc.

The guys I dont understand how make any money are the ones that advertize mowing for $35/hr...two hour minimum. See lots of those ads. I often wonder why the people that hire me.....dont hire them instead? Have never asked? Maybe they dont answer the phone? or call back? Or only can mow 3/4-1 acre per hour in ideal conditions?

 

[Sprinklerman]

prices are definatly regional . I am in Maryland , suburbs of DC and Balto . I am $ 100 an hour for a little BX 24 and $ 175 for my 35 hp New holland . I generally flat price and beat my hourly 99% of the time