New guy with a few questions.

[jdr7919]

WOW thanks again for all the info guys.
I was able to get a good look at the property today and one site is closer to 100 acres and the other is about 65.

Some of the land around the buildings I will have to use my zeroturns but everything else is pretty open. The only thing Im not sure about is its pretty over grown right now; getting it up to par is going to be a large undertaking and a few weeks.

I was also wondering what type of vehicle are you guys using to pull your stuff around. What size trailer. I have a f250 4x4 with gooseneck hitch.

Can you guys give me anymore ideas on how to price this? Should I charge by the hour or the acre?

I will be checking out my local Kubota dealer here soon.
Thanks

 

[JoeinTX]

I was told long ago by a grizzly ol' dozer operator to never price by the acre on a job. I took it heart.

Somebody here on TBN, years ago, created a little program that allowed you to input property size, equipment size, ground speed, etc. and it would spit out the amount of time it would take to complete. I saved it, changed 'puters a few time since, and can't find it now. If anyone still has it please post it for us again. Muchos gracias in advance.


Close to 100 acres? Wow. Even with a 15'er that will take some time.....9am-5pm, minus lunch hour, running all out........I would expect a day and a half on that if everything goes right. No break downs, etc., and considering how fast you can cover it. I've never mowed 100 acres with a 15' shredder and a 70hp tractor but I have plowed a 50 acre field with a 12' disc and a 130hp tractor in the mid-ranges and it took me around 7 hours give or take. Just me doing some rough ciphering but somewhere around between 11-14 hours for the 100 acre job.

As for vehicle, if it's a Super Duty model -250 your are right on the very edge of what you want to move. If it's pre-SD ('98 or earlier) then don't push it. It's not so much the engine power or ability to get the load rolling as it is the ability to control and stop the load once in motion. Once could get that weight/load up to speed with an '06 F-150 but if things hit the fan you can't stop or steer what the load behind you decides to do.


Dang, all in all and in your spot, I'd probably price $100/hr considering the equipment and expect a 12 hour job to get that one done. Just me and I look forward to any who offer otherwise......

 

[JeffinNE]

Jon,
I have a neighbor who has some large commercial accounts as his side business and he uses a John Deere 1600. It's a mower only, so not good if you need a tractor for other uses. But if you're looking for a great finish mower for large jobs it mows an 11 foot swath and he flies along at 8 mph on ground that is not too rough.

This also solves your trailering issues as it's very easy to trailer. You could even end up using it on some of your smaller jobs to cut time there as well.

Just another option!