$$ tilling gardens?

[bontai_Joe]

I used to do garden tilling with a Troy-Bilt Horse back in the 1980's for $30 a garden with the stipulation that the $30 covered the first hour. If the going rate currently is $50, then I can't see it as a money maker. Gas was under a dollar a gallon back then, with current fuel prices and current vehicle prices and insurance costs, I'd be wanting more than $50 a pop using a tractor, unless you can 2 or 3 jobs in the same neighborhood. To hook up a tiller on a tractor, load it on a trailer, drive 20 or 30 minutes to the job, do the job and then drive back and unload as mentioned above, is a lot of work for $50 since about half that is going for fuel. And as mentioned, any tilling customer at best is a twice a year customer (spring and fall), more likely one a year. Better to find mowing customers, firewood customers, even junk hauling customers (people that pay you to haul stuff away that you also make money on for scrap value) Nothing beats getting paid at both ends of a haul.

 

[greenfarmranchhome]

I have a john deere 660 pto tiller on my tractor and I wont unload it for less than 125. Thats the base charge. If they dont want to pay it then its no sweat off my back. Let em did it themselves. If you break something 125.00 still wont even come close to covering it but at 50 bucks your sure to come up with the dirty end of the stick if you know what I mean.

www.greenfarmranchhome.com

 

[Scotty370]

I did it years ago, along with mowing, snow-blowing etc. Guess I'm a better 'neighbor' than a businessman. I've 'withdrawn' drastically from my younger days! I just don't think that people appreciate the cost of equipment, repairs, fuel, as well as a little profit, as much as they should! ~Scotty

 

[timswi]

My brother in law was tilling for a friend and grabbed a concrete block...Needed to have the tractor split and a few gears replaced...$2000...Need to be careful, and have a PTO clutch.

 

[magicheater]

I charge $10 to get me there and $1 a minute, unchain-till-chain. I cut people some slack to encourage gardening and try to get a few in a trip to make it more productive for me. I usually double till and all so far have been happy. When people balk at the price I just tell them to enjoy the day with the rented walk behind! I do it more as a service than a get rich scheme.

 

[workmytractor]

I have been thinking about getting a pto tiller my my tractor and riding around the neiborhood. Right now is a great time to do it and I think you could probably get a full return on the tiller within two years at a minimum.

 

[Scotty370]

"You Go WMT" I'm not saying it can't be done, just that 'know what your signing up for' and get you rates right! We have a guy in the Buffalo area that has an old '32? vintage flatbed with an equally vintage tractor and PHD! The "Hole Digger" I think are his signs. Just a 'nitch' business that he seems to do alright with. I see his rig alot, obviously targeting the homeowners 'fence-builder'!! ~Scotty

 

[gilbertmsg]

I'd like to know were you can get a decent used tiller for $500.00 or so. Looked on craigslist numerous times. Even the used Japenese tillers are usually well over $500.00 when you see one.

Eddie

 

[Scotty370]

gilbert- Might want to re-read the OP's numbers. ~S

 

[gilbertmsg]

Scotty370 - I did, you might want to read the entire thread. I was referring to MESSMAKER quote reference a $500.00 tiller.

Eddie