Using tractor and loader as weekend income

[MX5000]

I accidently posted this in the buying forum. I figured I'd repost here, in the correct forum.

Hi,
I've been lurking here for quite awhile and enjoyed reading many of the posts. I traded in a BX1500 in Nov. 04 for a B7610. I traded up to a MX5000 a week ago. I moved from .39 hilly acres to 4.2 wooded acres. I was thinking of doing weekend loader work as a second income. Does anyone on this board do it? I've read some posts on insurance, but I believe most of the posts were residential. I did take the Kubota insurance to cover for fire and theft, but I'd like to hear a little about insurance for the weekend warrior. Also, how did you advertise? I was thinking about having some magnetic signs for my F-350 doors and tailgate made up. How much should I charge? Is it worth buying a brush hog or finish mower and doing that too? I think I remember reading a formula for charging customers that took into account your tractor PTO HP. Obviously, a larger more powerful tractor can pull a bigger implement, to get the job done faster (and in the process burn more gas than a smaller tractor). The MX5000 is 50HP and 44 PTO HP. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Howard

 

[jcollins]

We have had several custoemers do something like what you are wanting to do simply so they did not have to come out of thier own pocket to make the monthly note. They ended up turning down work there was so much of it. I know that several of them put up a flier in thier local feed store and recieved calls from that. We also keep a list of customers who do that type of work to pass on to those who call in looking for light tractor work to be done around theier house.

 

[Egon]

The first is insurance for the tractor, then the truck and trailer, then the truck will need commercial plates. For loader work you may have to have the means to remove or bring in dirt , gravel etc.

Advertize and see what responses and what type of work and how much before buying additional equipment.

And remember insurance. You may also need a license to operate in some areas. It may even be worh while to talk to an accountant knowledgable in this area.

The actual work is probably simple compared to getting ready to meet all the necessary legal requirements required. Also do not forget that some localities may require the home owner to have a permit for the work asked of you.

I would try something like that except for all the paper hazzle.

Best of luck in your endeavor. It's doable - just needs persitance and attention to details.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Highbeam]

It would seem that the guys doing side jobs to pay the note are doing it without any of the commercial insurance, business license, income tax, mumbo jumbo. Sure, they are not protected but what is the worst that can happen? (Famous last words)I would think that the worst case would be during transport since your automotive insurance won't cover you if you were heading to a job.

 

[Egon]

Yep and think of the resulting dollars a court may award.

Buried lines and fixing them, mower throwing a stone, cave in and the list goes on.

Egon : /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[catskillsman]

hay! i just got an l4310 used cpl. months ago came with the f.e.l. brush hog, york rake, grader,and i just got a bradco 509. not even lookin 4 work but every1s comin to me wantin stuff done. MOSTLY brush hogin then the rake u ll make money,i know i will! im lookkin 4 a 5 ton trailer ,and a 1 ton dump truck,used hopin they ll cost me 5 or 6 k. get a dump truck! ins. wise many states, ur trailered load cannot xceed 1 and a half times the weight of the truck ur towin with! i ll adv. in the local paper put my equip. on the front lawn, my friends the 1s that r contractors want me to get started, and want bus.cards.i ve got a dozen jobs waitin but i travel 4 a livin.but when i finally stay home i ll have a good cool fun job waitin 4 me and i ll charge 50 per hour minimum alot more 4 brushoggin. u ll b busy makin good money havin fun workin 4 urself will only open more doors 4 u! go 4 it thats a killer tractor u have my friend keeps tellin me what r u waitin 4 to start makin money good luc!

 

[MX5000]

Thanks for the replies. It makes for some interesting reading. I'll read them again in the morning when I'm not so tired (18hr work day).

Howard

 

[Egon]

Howard; if you have 18 hour work days on a regular basis consider how much abuse your body will take!

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MX5000]

Egon,
I don't get the 18hr. work days consistently, but I figure if I can do it for another 10-15 years and pay off my mortgage, new Ford F-350, and ATV, and maybe a backhoe if I can get enough tractor work to pay it off, maybe I can semi retire and do loader work to pay for the property taxes, food, and the other bills. That's why I'm starting to look into the loader work on the side (weekends for now) to see if I'm wasting my time (once you figure in commercial insurance on tractor, truck, health ins., maintenance on the equipment, non paying deadbeats, and all the stuff that goes along with it). Heading back to work, have a good day.

Howard

 

[MX5000]

Do you guys think I should replace the AG tires that came on the tractor with R4's? I'm concerned I'll do more damage than good. I'm planning on loading the tires and don't want to do it and then have to swap out the tires after. What's your thoughts?

Thanks,
Howard /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif