Tractoring $ rate

[RobertN]

Around here, a CUT will go $35-45/hr. A good skidsteer operator will do $55-65hr. A backhoe, like a Case 480, about $75-90/hr.

Most have at least a 3hr minimum. If I take my Kubota out, I run $45/hr, 3hr min. I don't do it very often. If I have two people who want work done, that are very near each other, I will drop the minimum(if I can easily drive the tractor between the two).

Get insurance if you do ANY work for anyone else.

 

[JSUnlimited]

HRS,

I charge depending on what I am doing.

Backhoe - $50/hour. 1 hour min.
Brush hogging - Flat rate, no less than $100 to begin.
Garden tilling - Flat rate, $30 for the average homeowner garden.

Other general tractor work (loader work, drive grading, post-hole digging,etc) - $25/hour. 1 hour min.

The accountant depreciates the tractor and truck for IRS purposes. Parts, maintenance, insurace, etc., are all deductable.

I usually look at what the local rental yards price out thier equipment and try and stay under them a bit. Around here its not hard to beat them as they think they are renting out showcase machines. Most of the stuff is junk.

Realizing that this tractor is nothing big, I have no problem telling someone that they may be better off getting someone else in with a bigger machine that could do it in less time. Generally this comes into play with the backhoe. Most of the time around here, it's the average Joe homeowner who has something to big to do by hand, but too small to justify to the wife to rent something. I'm usually the happy medium.

Hope it helps you out.

 

[RonR]

I've run into an issue that I think I've resolved. Most of the people I do small jobs for are my friends. But I also run a small side biz with the tractor.

So what happens if I charge my buddy $100 (which is generally my flat rate for friends, if I have to haul to get there), and they tell their friends, who choke when I give them an estimate of $300-400?

What I started doing is giving a true estimate to my buddies, then give them "the discount for being a friend", getting back to $100.

I don't like the barter system, as I would think I'd been had a lot. If you want to join, join and pay the dues. If they want your services, I mean, they charge DUES, they can pay the regular rate.

ron

 

[LoneCowboy]

right up my alley
Don't ever barter your time away, you always get hosed. it's easier for them to pay you and you to pay them.

All prices are local, so I won't give you my prices, but this should give you an idea how to do it.

A. how much are you worth an hour? (don't forget, you have to pay taxes on both sides, etc)

B. how much is the tractor worth an hour? ((cost + maint costs)/expected lifetime

C. How much other costs do you have to cover? (insurance, truck, trailer, etc)

D. how much profit should you make?

Add it up, you have your price.
the rental yard price is only B & C
You would have to pay an operator (A) anyway, D is your return on all your money spent in there.

I'ts not going to be cheap, but it shouldn't be. Anyone doing it for less than that is either working for free or losing money.
I can get paid nothing sitting in front of the TV, I don't need to work hard to do it.
HTH

 

[Soundguy]

Call a couple landscapers, a couple 'tractor service' places, and a couple feed co-op's that offer similar (seed) services.. get an estimate of the cost for the described jobs as if you were hireing them out. Now line all the estimates up apples to apples as much as possible.. then take the low offer and beat it enough to be 'sporting'.. I don't think anyone could fault you for that number...

Soundguy

Hello everyone. I've been working hard on my garden for this year. Pictures coming soon. It's turning out really good.

On to topic. I recently received a job offer. Some guys want me to use my gardening tools to help them put in their spring wildlife food plots. I'm "somewhat" interested. I don't mind helping out others. Acutally think it would be a fun opportunity to build some new relationships, but here is the rub. They are interested in bartering a membership to their club for my help. So I'm thinking that this could get messy in a hurry. I'd have to keep very accurate records on any money I've spent on materials and time to hopefully prevent any feeling from getting hurt due to misunderstandings. So here is the big question. How much $ an hour should I calculate for my operating my TC30 tractor in seed bed preperation. That would include tilling, spreading, fertilizing.

Their wildlife food plots are small but numerous. If I get into this, I need to let them know up front that this does not mean that they have unlimited access to my services. That's why I'd keep records, etc.

Has anyone tried this before and had success, or is it ingredients for disaster.

Thanks for your input.

 

[HRS]

Thanks for all of your responses. So I did go out and work on a few plots with them. They were funny. Actually they were amazed to see what I could do. I guess they've never seen anyone who could truely work a tractor. Did not know anything about how to plant, what to plant, etc. etc. All-in-all, it was a fun experience. I really just worked a few spots one of the guys was interested in. He has been an awesome friend and done a few very nice things for me. So I made it know that my involvement was my way of saying thanks. After a good deal of consideration, decided that I do not have any interest in joining their club. I just don't hunt enough. He knows this. They do have a tractor. Now after seeing what I used and how I did it, they should be able to easily continue. Really all they need is a drag and they've got it. They have an old piece of a harrow to go with the tractor, and one of those spreaders for 4wheelers. So they are almost there. My friend kept all my formulas for calculating the amount of fertilizer and lime to put down on the little plots. Also, he is just itching to buy a tractor. He wants one just like mine. This is encouraged. Every man should have his tractor. But I did tell him about the other makes in the TC30 range.