Orange help

tpevoto · May 25, 2007

Good Morning,
First, I'm really impressed with all of the help that members of this board pass along and share with everybody. That's why I think y'all are going to be able to help me out.
I currently own and operate a L2800 Kubota HST 4x4 w/ FEL, BB and 5' rough cut mower. I originally bought this for use around my place when I was building my house. We're on roughly 5 acres and I had a lot of dirt work to do while prepping the site during the construction phase. The tractor has done everything I've wanted and has been great mechanically speaking.
Originally, I was hoping to land a few mowing jobs to help pay for the tractor. Needless to say this made it a more justifyable purchase in my wife's eyes. Well, now I've got more than a few mowing jobs and the dirt work seems to keep piling up, now pun intended.
I really want to turn a bigger mower and I would like a little extra muscle when doing dirt work. The question is how much bigger should I go? I'm leaning toward the 45-55 hp range. I don't want to not go big enough but I'd also like a managable monthly payment. I'm doing this work on the side, and I'm starting to feel like all my off time is spent on the tractor. This isn't a complaint and it's a **** good problem to have but I'm starting to hear it from my blushing bride.
My biggest mowing job now is 12 acres. Everything around here is flat, some of the mowing puts a lot of strain on my current tractor. I've been trying to get pricing on the Kioti 45 hst model, Kobota 4740 & 5240. I really like the HST trans. I've been spoiled, It's great for dirt work.
Again, I'm just putting my feelers out. Thanks for any advice and a apologize for the length of this entry.
Thanks again

Oleozz · May 25, 2007

Welcome tpevoto---The 45 is more "brutish" than nimble so if you are looking for something manuverable in tight spots I might go with a 35 or 40 Kioti. My 45 excells in ground engaging work like plowing, discing, using the FEL to move lots of dirt, things of that nature. I do mow about 45 acres with it and I'm sure it would pull a 7 ft mower but this is all field mowing without a lot of turns.

joe48 · May 25, 2007

My biggest mowing job now is 12 acres. Everything around here is flat, some of the mowing puts a lot of strain on my current tractor.

I'm bidding on some mowing jobs and want to be competitive asa well as fair to myself and the cutomer.
What do you base your bids on, per acre or by the hour? And what are you charging? Where in the country are you.?

tpevoto · May 29, 2007

Thanks Oleozz,
It sounds like we're talking the same language. I'm not all that concerned about mobility in tight areas. So far, most of my work on the mowing side is out in the open some trees but not that much of a problem. The dirt work side is basically the same story. I haven't had to many jobs where me getting into an area would be a problem with a bigger tractor. Not to say that it won't at some point but I'd rather have a little more muscle than I'm currently getting. Is your 45 in HST?

Joe48,
I bid by the acre/job, never by the hour. How much I bid depends on how big the job is and how much other work I may have from that specific property owner. Do they intend to have me maintain the property? My price range is between 45-75 per/acre. I'm south of Houston.

Thanks again,
Toby

tpevoto · May 29, 2007

Oleozz,
How big a mower do you run on that 45 acres?
Tpevoto

Oleozz · May 29, 2007

Hi Toby---My 45 is not a hst. but I do like the looks of the 45 hst. I am pulling a 5 ft bush hog and that's only because I had used it with my 28 hp JD. The Bush Hog Squealer is 24 yrs old and still runs fine but if it ever wears out I will move up to a 6 or 7 footer but with the hills I have I think the 6 ft would be the best. It takes me forever to mow now and most of my ground is so rough that I have to mow in 3rd gear.

tpevoto · May 30, 2007

Oleozz,
Thanks for the info, I'll bet it does take a while with a 5 footer. I'm still shopping for now.
TPevoto

BTDT · Jun 8, 2007

If you upgrade to a larger tractor/mower, is your current truck/trailer big enough to haul it? Good luck with your search. South of Houston, that would be the Gulf of Mexico wouldn't it?

tpevoto · Jun 12, 2007

BTDT,
I have gone with the Kubota 4240 4X4, 854 FEL, 6' Bushhog shredder and 6' Bushhog BB. So far it's been very nice. It's like a Cadillac coming from my L2800. As far as the trailer / truck question. The guy who bought my L2800 had a bigger trailer. We just swapped my 16' for his 18'. The truck isn't a problem I'm running a F250 Powerstroke. Y'all have a good one, and you're correct, we're right on the Gulf of Mexico.
Toby