Starting A Tractor Work Side Business with Ford 8N or 9N

[Sawyer Rob]

Around here, those old fords are called "cow chasers", as that's all they are considered to be good for. I don't think you could get anyone here, to hire you to do work with one anymore...

I had one for a while, but I never tried to hire out with it, because of their weak 3 point and weak hydraulics and other problems when they are used hard...

SR

 

[mike48130]

After I got my first tractor, Ford 1700 4WD with loader, I did the same thing you are looking to do. If you start a LLC, you can limit your liability, and also have the tax write offs. I had an LLC and no insurance. I only did one or 2 backhoe jobs and they weren't near anything important, but explained to the homeowner it was their job to call missdig or identify anything underground. Mostly did driveway grading and moving dirt and regrading.

If all you are going to do is brush hogging, light grading and maybe tilling gardens, then you can get away with a 8N or 9N. I used one for many years as my first tractor exposure. Pulled stumps and did all sorts of stuff. But, if you don't have a tractor now, buying something better is a much better option. More money, but you can do a lot more.

I see tilling and brush hogging signs all over the place, so a lot of competition for the easy crap where I am at. I've seen some prices, and not sure I would get out of bed for what they are charging.

What I found out, that by the time you go quote the job, trailer there and back and do the job, it just wasn't worth the money. My time was more valuable than the few $$. I have a IR P185 towable air compressor that I traded a guy for some tractor work. Got it running and did sprinkler blow outs for a couple years. I had the compressor and just had to pay for gas, but somehow these guys renting them charged so little money that it wasn't worth my time to compete with them.

At the end, I stopped doing it all and just did jobs for local neighbors here and there and spent my weekends doing my own projects. If you don't plan to make it a profession, then probably a waste of time unless you have nothing better to do.

 

[shaeff]

"ratcheting PTO adapter"........ is properly referred to as an....... "Over Running Clutch" (Steiner Tractor $65).
The OP absolutely should NOT use a bush hog type mower on an 8N or 9N without an over running clutch!
This is a safety issue!

Thank you, I was drawing a blank, could not think of the name!

 

[CobyRupert]

"ratcheting PTO adapter"........ is properly referred to as an....... "Over Running Clutch" (Steiner Tractor $65).
The OP absolutely should NOT use a bush hog type mower on an 8N or 9N without an over running clutch!
This is a safety issue!

Funny it's called an over running clutch. Seem like people without them would run more stuff over when they push in the clutch!

 

[mike48130]

Used a 9N for years without the overrun clutch. I didnt know they existed when I was 12. Just knew how long it took to stop and was always ready to pop it out of gear. Still alive. But the clutches are a good idea.

 

[Deere Dude]

I started a roto-tilling business in the early 70s. Trailered the GT and tiller into town and started on a garden. It was an established garden so it was easy; until I got stuck. It took an hour to finally get out, then I finished the garden. What took 2 hours should have only taken one hour.

I charged for only one hour which was fine but then he tried to finagle me down to see if I would take less, from what was already a low price.

Brought the tractor home, cleaned it up and never left again. Lesson learned.

 

[DerbyRunner]

After I got my first tractor, Ford 1700 4WD with loader, I did the same thing you are looking to do. If you start a LLC, you can limit your liability, and also have the tax write offs. I had an LLC and no insurance. I only did one or 2 backhoe jobs and they weren't near anything important, but explained to the homeowner it was their job to call missdig or identify anything underground. Mostly did driveway grading and moving dirt and regrading.

Before anyone relies on the above "limit your liability" statement, I would check with your attorney.

If you form an LLC for tractor work, great. If you default on your credit line at the dealer, then the dealer's only recourse is likely against the LLC, not you. But if you are the operator sitting on the tractor and doing the actual work, you (personally) just got into the chain of liability as well. I believe an LLC in that circumstance provides zero liability protection.

I would also never rely on the homeowner or customer to engage proper channels to identify underground utilities. As the operator of the equipment, also charging a fee, you will be looked at as also responsible for having done so if there is an accident or claim. Maybe a written agreement with the homeowner or client would help if you decide not to, I am not sure. But I would never start digging without having personally verified that.

 

[K5lwq]

We did a lot of cutting, raking, baling and hauling hay with a 8N. Used that 8N all the time on the farm. Definitely not as nice of a tractor as we have today but they can still do the same work they once did. I doubt anyone hiring someone to do a job cares how they do it as long it is done to their satisfaction.

That said, I don't think the tractor you start with is as important as having a business plan, doing your research and protecting yourself.

Like the responses though. Lol

 

[DerbyRunner]

That said, I don't think the tractor you start with is as important as having a business plan, doing your research and protecting yourself.

Agreed.

 

[mike48130]

Before anyone relies on the above "limit your liability" statement, I would check with your attorney.

If you form an LLC for tractor work, great. If you default on your credit line at the dealer, then the dealer's only recourse is likely against the LLC, not you. But if you are the operator sitting on the tractor and doing the actual work, you (personally) just got into the chain of liability as well. I believe an LLC in that circumstance provides zero liability protection.

I would also never rely on the homeowner or customer to engage proper channels to identify underground utilities. As the operator of the equipment, also charging a fee, you will be looked at as also responsible for having done so if there is an accident or claim. Maybe a written agreement with the homeowner or client would help if you decide not to, I am not sure. But I would never start digging without having personally verified that.

If you do business under the LLC, then you are not liable. You are an employee of the LLC. You have to sign a contract in the LLC name, that is who the person is hiring not you personally. If you just show up and just start working, then no, you are not protected. I had a contract form at the time they would sign saying what work was to be done, and their responsibility was on them to locate underground utilities. But I was also smart enough to know when not to dig if there was a remote chance of hitting anything important.

The LLC limits you to all the assets under the LLC. This is why a lot of business have multiple LLC's. This is very common with rental property. Each house should have it's own LLC, that way if something were to happen, then can not get all the houses, just the one.