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

[airbiscuit]

Same weight as an 8n, but has an 8 speed transmission. Full Specs here:
TractorData.com John Deere 85 tractor information
Is it 4wd? Does it start easy and run well? They were very well built by Yanmar.

I owned one and it was a very good, very reliable tractor.

 

[Jstpssng]

That 850 is a nice tractor, and light years ahead of the N series. If it's been taken care of and in good shape, you would be a lot better off with that machine. The fuel savings alone would save you money in the long run.

 

[airbiscuit]

The implements that come with it have at least this much value;

Finish Mower - $800
Rear Blade - $300

 

[shooterdon]

Before starting a company I founded, I learned that many people around me were opposed to it. Comments ranged from "Don't do it," to "you'll get sued," to "you will lose everything." I proceeded anyway.

Years later my business was thriving. So I have no regrets.

Seems to me the upside for you is a possible nice opportunity with only limited risk. As long as you become licensed and insured. If you try this and make a pile of money, great. If you try it and make only a little money and end with a broken tractor, you haven't lost much.

I lean this way.

Take on jobs you are confident you can handle. If you screw up, a bad reputation in a rural area will kill your business....if the tractor does not really kill you first. Be careful, these things are not toys. I hate PTO work and brush hogging an unknown field is filled with risks. Some have been used as dumps, some have large rocks, logs, wire, etc etc. Are you going to walk every field first?

For grading, adding a box blade and landscape rake should be a consideration.

Having an old tractor is not a deal killer. Charge accordingly and let people know if the tractor breaks it may take a while to get to them.

 

[John0829]

I "take care" of my neighborhood. 95% of the time for beer, friendship, and fuel. Couldn't do it without a loader, tiller, blade, brush mower and 4x4. My nephew is one that I do a lot for and he HAS one of those Ford parade tractors. Their time has come and gone decades ago.

Well don't tell me or my SIL's old Fords their time has come and gone since we both work their a__'s off each year and like a Timex they keep both keep on tickin. I have a 2017 JD with loader, hydro stat and most all the bells and whistles that many folks these days think they must have and it is a fine tractor (for the prices JD puts on their stuff it had better be) but more times than not I will be on the old Ford. We are both old and just fit together, plus we get the job done which comes from experience and comfort with the tractors and the proper equipment

 

[searcyfarms]

if you are going to be doing this form an llc........you can do it online here for a small fee - next get ins then you are protected not only for accidents but from suing you from your home/personal finances by having the llc.

jobs/equipment will dictate themselves depending on the time you have to work for the customers you choose to work for.

I personally wouldnt take on jobs like that from my experience with the N units and rely on them to sustain a viable business unless you have a backup tractor.

My neighbor cuts lots in the city limits for lot owners - he charges $95/acre - my buddy gets the going GOV'T rate for farm ground at $20/acre for mowing CRP ground - you cannot run a tractor for $20/acre and come out on it even with a batwing!!!

 

[coobie]

I did this quite awhile ago and found it to be more of a pain in the rear then it was worth. I was charging $50 an hour, or basing my estimate on that rate and how long it would take to do the task. Most of it was bush hogging rural houses for sale that realtors would hire me to do. Payment was always from the owner of the property, and would usually take a week or a few weeks to get paid. People living out of state with their place for sale seem to take forever to pay for that work when the house doesn't sell quickly. But slow payment wasn't why I quit doing it, I just didn't feel it was worth my time for that amount of money, and when I looked into what others where charging for something similar, there where plenty who where doing it for a lot less.

After my first significant break down, and wasting the day making the repairs, and then having to finish the job for what we agreed to, I was done. It's one thing to run a tractor at home, it's a totally different thing to haul it somewhere, do the work on property that you don't know, and then deal with a breakdown that requires you to leave your tractor sitting while you run around getting parts and tools to fix it there, and then still have to finish the job, haul the tractor back home, and deal with your regular job.

Good advice here.Been in the same boat..

 

[crashz]

I do side work each year and find it rewarding. First off, I live in an area that has a bunch of small horse farms, owned by people with money. I advertise on CL and primarily cut small fields. I do this on weekends and have been very busy. I have liability insurance and but this year am filing for an LLC.

I say go for it. Cover yourself with insurance and don't over promise. Like it was mentioned above, doing work on your own property is not like working for other people. I'm blessed now with return customers who basically leave me to it, but have had a few with nightmare properties that watch like hawks. That can be weird. It will also sap your confidence which can lead you to making a mistake. Meanwhile, you are battling poison ivy, nests of hornets, hidden rocks that destroy your brush mower and a million other objects.

The 650 - 850 JD tractors are great. I had a 770 (gave it to my father) and it is reliable as a stone.

I mentioned that it can be rewarding. I have met some great people and have helped people that really need my help. To run my machine, make a little money, and help people is rewarding. But do not expect to get rich. Going into year three, I might make money this year.

 

[Big Barn]

Wow. Lots of good advice. I will make mine the briefest.

Good Luck!

 

[Big Barn]

I

Having an old tractor is not a deal killer. Charge accordingly and let people know if the tractor breaks it may take a while to get to them.

I agree with the charge accordingly part.

Leave the part about IF THE TRACTOR BREAKS out. It doesn’t inspire customer confidence.

Deal with that scenario IF and when it happens.

New equipment has been known to occasionally break down also.