Bush Hogging Rates

Part Time Pete · Aug 3, 2018

I'm sure it's been asked before, but what would a fair rate per acre for bush hogging. It's only a couple acres, and mostly just weeds - not too much brush.
I'll only be using my D-14, so I figure a per acre rate would be more fair than an hourly rate
Thanks
Pete

FBH44 · Aug 3, 2018

A buddy asked me to bush-hog his few acres, so I drove over and started in. Began to hit huge rocks and boulders, hidden in the weeds. Really banging up the tractor and the blades. but I kept on. Thought I'd just be more careful, dodge the bigger ones hiding in the clumps. Finally I told my buddy, I had to quit, it was damaging my equipment, I could not keep on, I just could not do this job. He said "Yeah, nobody else can either ?." Some buddy....

Mike M · Aug 3, 2018

If you are going to do it make sure you get paperwork signed that field owner will pay for all damages from hidden rocks and such.

greg oliver · Aug 3, 2018

Pete, The last job I did on Sperry Hollow I came back to a flat front tire. I can't help on the rate as it was a Quid Pro Quo job! I saw the little Oliver at the farm yesterday!

Texasmark1 · Aug 3, 2018

I see adds for 40 bucks an hour. Not all that steep considering what he has invested in the equipment (including equipment to get to the location), what he/she has to do to get to actually get to and get ready to cut the patch, what "surprises" he has to deal with in the unknown field, and what is needed for his time.

Traditional Farmer · Aug 3, 2018

Good luck on that one,won't happen.

Andy C · Aug 3, 2018

Only by the Hr. Here in SE PA with a 10 ft machine and 65 HP tractor I charge $85/Hr. travel time included. There is a guy around that charges $75/hr with a 12 ft no travel time. He will probably not be around too long.

Part Time Pete · Aug 3, 2018

Thanks guys - I'm not crazy about doing it, but it's a friend of one of my sisters - I'll take a look at it tomorrow.
You were at the farm Greg? I think I'm going to like that little Oliver - it's a 1365, which the guys on here say is one of the good ones. I think it'll be just about right in front of a 6' bush hog. Now I just need to get a manual and some time to figure out the controls - the biggest mystery for me is the PTO.

RobCons · Aug 3, 2018

Around here most people with a 5/6 foot cutter charge around $50 per hour. Batwing mowers are $75 - 85 per hour. 2 -4 hour minimum.

greg oliver · Aug 3, 2018

Pete, We just drove by the farm. I did see your sister the other day when we had the road blocked. I'm so Oliver color blind I don't remember what tractor is parked next to it. lol

ss55 · Aug 3, 2018

A by the acre rate might work if you already know the fields, but quote an hourly rate for all new work. Quoting by the acre on new fields could stick you with a loss if the field is bad and your need to raise the mower and drive slowly to avoid hazards or damaging your equipment.

When you calculate a hourly rate add up you: labor; fuel; insurance; regular maintenance on your tractor and mower; mileage for your trailer and truck if towing; and an extra 25 percent to cover unexpected damages - that will happen.

Also never work for a cheapskate, you'll learn why.

kyhayman · Aug 3, 2018

$125 an hour 15 foot bat wing or $65 an acre, $250 per hour for the 15 foot Toro fairways and roughs finishing mower or $50 per acre, $150 for 6 foot demolition mower on a tracked skid steer, 4 hour minimum regardless, except the toro, I'll do 2 hours, clock starts when we leave the house and ends when we shut down on the job site as finished. As far as I'm concerned that's take it or leave it pricing. We're licensed in every jurisdiction we operate in, have liability insurance, and my operator has workers comp.

Part Time Pete · Aug 3, 2018

Thanks again guys
Greg - you should stop and look at it sometime. It was probably parked with the Ford 4000 and the DB 880 - it is the best of the bunch though..

greg oliver · Aug 3, 2018

Pete, Maybe you can help us. There is a meeting Monday to discuss purchasing a new plow truck. Bought a used one last year and have over $8500 in it. Still not dependable and we all had times we limped back to the town barn. Going to be hard to find drivers for these old trucks. Maryland spoiled me with a newer Mack when my truck crapped out while helping pave roads over there.

37chief · Aug 3, 2018

Depends the size of the house and what kind of car is parked in the garage. Not really folks, but I do charge friends, and neighbors less. I would rather not do their work, but I do. The rate, in my neck of the woods if someone asks is 115.00 an hour for my 71/2 ft flail, or 6 ft woods. Problem is no one ever wants me to do the job by the hour. They want a price up front. That's fine with me, because I usually make more. Then there's a few times on large fields I say to my self I can't believe I bid this so cheap. Unless something brakes I still make a profit. Stan

Part Time Pete · Aug 3, 2018

Greg,
I don't think it makes sense to buy a worn out truck to plow roads with - it's not an easy life. I'd say a newer Mack would be a good choice, but I'd go with a ten wheeler - Maryland has a lot of six wheelers, and I bet if you weighed them, loaded up with plow, sander and sand, you would be illegal
Pete

timcasbolt · Aug 3, 2018

(quoted from post at 18:45:21 08/03/18) Greg,
I don't think it makes sense to buy a worn out truck to plow roads with - it's not an easy life. I'd say a newer Mack would be a good choice, but I'd go with a ten wheeler - Maryland has a lot of six wheelers, and I bet if you weighed them, loaded up with plow, sander and sand, you would be illegal
Pete

unusual segue.

flying belgian · Aug 3, 2018

I charge $65/hour from the time I leave my shed to the time I get back to my shed. Do not-I repeat, do not charge by the acre. Try it once and if they think it is to high they can try and get someone cheaper. By the acre you will not get paid for time driving to the place, you will not get paid for opening the gate and closing it behind you so the horses don't get out, you will not get paid to pickup those tree limbs that blew down around the edge that he said he would have picked up but there not. Ask anyone of us that has done it and they will tell you I am right.

Eldon (WA) · Aug 3, 2018

(quoted from post at 04:37:36 08/03/18) I'm sure it's been asked before, but what would a fair rate per acre for bush hogging. It's only a couple acres, and mostly just weeds - not too much brush.
I'll only be using my D-14, so I figure a per acre rate would be more fair than an hourly rate
Thanks
Pete

I get $85 an hour, overhead is less than $10 an hour so I do alright and turn down work. That typically works out to $30-40 and acre depending on conditions. I run an 8' Bush Hog on 54 and 74 pto hp tractors, 16 years in the custom mowing business.

Bush Hogging Rates

Part Time Pete

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FBH44

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Mike M

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greg oliver

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Texasmark1

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Traditional Farmer

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Andy C

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Part Time Pete

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RobCons

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greg oliver

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ss55

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kyhayman

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Part Time Pete

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greg oliver

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37chief

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Part Time Pete

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timcasbolt

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flying belgian

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Eldon (WA)

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