What is a fair rental price for my tractor?

[Farmwithjunk]

I just had some backhoe work done with a commercial sized rubber tire machine and it was $100 per hour which was all inclusive of mobilization, fuel and operator.

That's closer to reality. I charge $125 per hour for 95hp/15' batwing, w/ operator. $70 hr 45 hp/6', $80 hr 60hp/7' (Time from shop door to completed job) Legit business, taxed, licensed, insured, lean and profitable.

 

[tuolumne]

Wow, this surely got complicated. Again, I'm salary and will also be able to refuel at work...we have a lot of larger ag equipment, just nothing with a hoe. I feel like $10/hour would be fine to prevent any resentment/taking for granted and would save a bundle over renting a small track hoe. This is also a machine I am familiar with, which offers the added advantage of using it as an excercise in maintainence for the kids in the program. I'll speak with the director about the insurance issue.

 

[GCLnIndiana]

Sure seems like the lawyers and IRS make it awful complicated for you to help these people out. Sounds like youll be breaking some sort of law no matter what you do or else paying for a lawyer to make sure you don't. I think my Grandpa would have helped a whole lot fewer people if he had to calculate the liability of every situation he went into to help people out.

 

[Ductape]

GCL, how true. Sad what our country has become. How long until, as the neighbor , i have to pay taxes on the value of a little dirt work done for me by a neighbor for free??? And how long until every new tractor comes with a jump seat (and no doubt a really comfy one) for your attorney to sit on to supervise every move you make with your tractor. Or....... are we already there??

 

[LoneCowboy]

Look, if you volunteer and help out for free, you are a good samaritan and have pretty much zero liability unless you are negligent (just like working on your own property)

BUT

if you get paid, any amount
Then you are a commercial business with all the stuff that goes along with that, taxes, fees, insurance, liability, professional, etc

If you want to help someone out, then do it and just help out.
If you want to get paid for "helping out", then you are a business.

And personally I have found that many (not all, but many) church's want to "hire" you at rates way way way below someone trying to do business so they can "save' money. But, by doing so, then putting all the liability and conditions on you. And they won't hesitate to come after you as a contractor if you screw up. Just my experience.

simple

 

[Rara Avis]

GCL, how true. Sad what our country has become. How long until, as the neighbor , i have to pay taxes on the value of a little dirt work done for me by a neighbor for free??? And how long until every new tractor comes with a jump seat (and no doubt a really comfy one) for your attorney to sit on to supervise every move you make with your tractor. Or....... are we already there??

We're there...Tractor with Lawyer's Seat Installed!!!... (Thanks for the pic George...That's N80 to the rest of you...)

 

[AKfish]

I've been wrestling with this type of situation for the past couple of year's...

It's pretty amazing how many friends a guy has and the number of different chores they got for ya' when the word gets out that you've got a tractor and if it's got a backhoe --- whoa... multiply by 3!!

After reading all the "hard lessons learned" here on TBN --- I'm now declining most all requests.

I used to rent (7-8 different machines over the years) before I owned and I never asked to borrow or have a friend over who owned a tractor whenever I needed to get a project done.

Given that this arrangement is a long-term one and multiple occasions of tractor related work projects --- the odds are higher for a worm in the ointment, eventually.

Have the farm/nonprofit rent a machine and you can offer your operating services.

Assuming all the liability (if you accept a cut-rate) and responsibility for possible repairs is not a sensible course of action - IMO.

And I can sure tell you what my WIFE would have to say about that kind of arrangement!!!

AKfish

 

[robert23239]

"FARMWITHJUNK"

Would like to hear more about rental business
I need some ideas, I am close to rural and the city. Was thinking about short and ling term leasing of tractors and industrial equipment.

Thanx

Robert