TRACTOR PARTS Allis Chalmers Case & David Brown Farmall & International Ferguson Ford & New Holland John Deere Massey Ferguson Massey Harris Minneapolis Moline Oliver & Cockshutt Kubota / Yanmar

TRACTOR MANUALS

Allis Chalmers	Case	Farmall IH	Ford 8N,9N,2N	Ford
Ferguson	John Deere	Massey Ferguson	Minn. Moline	Oliver

Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Mower For Hire Question

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register

Author

KWMn

07-13-2005 04:53:54

Report to Moderator

I have been asked to do some roadside trimming along gravel roads for the Township. Have any of you folks done this and what is the going rate for performing this service? I would be doing about 3 miles(both sides 6 miles total) with a 7 foot sickle mower.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

fred Martin

07-14-2005 01:38:00

Report to Moderator

Re: Mower For Hire Question in reply to KWMn, 07-13-2005 04:53:54

My brother told me once he was watching a fellow mowing along a road and he run over something and tore up his equipment. When he walked over to see what it was...there was a transmission out of a car laying there. Fred OH

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Ray

07-13-2005 13:40:23

Report to Moderator

Re: Mower For Hire Question in reply to KWMn, 07-13-2005 04:53:54

You need special insurance,your farm insurance
won't cover you if some drunk runs into you or
your mower throws a stone or something into someones car.That's not farm related and if you
get paid it's considered commercial.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

havvey

07-13-2005 13:17:11

Report to Moderator

Re: Mower For Hire Question in reply to KWMn, 07-13-2005 04:53:54

i too have done this and all are correct a disc mower works better but is more $$ to repair when you do hit an object in the north the sandy burm from winter snow plowing is deadly on gear i would add a few dollars to cover repair costs. Around here the towns pay less or bid it out so its not to profitable.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

RayP(MI)

07-13-2005 10:16:31

Report to Moderator

Re: Mower For Hire Question in reply to KWMn, 07-13-2005 04:53:54

Years ago I drove a county tractor doing this very job. I was exploding empty beer bottles under the tires constantly - maybe one every six to ten feet. Two of us were cutting together as a team - we had a good day if we survived the day without a flat. Sickle bar mowers are poor tools to use on roadsides, always clogging on fine grass, tangled weeds, etc. Prone to damage from raodside hazards, like rocks, stumps, litter and trash, car parts, old tires. BACK AWAY FROM THIS ONE - LET SOMEONE ELSE BATTER UP HIS EQUIPMENT!!!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

KWMn

07-13-2005 10:13:35

Report to Moderator

Re: Mower For Hire Question in reply to KWMn, 07-13-2005 04:53:54

Thanks Guys, I will consider all suggestions mentioned. Take Care!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Midwest redneck

07-13-2005 08:41:02

Report to Moderator

Re: Mower For Hire Question in reply to KWMn, 07-13-2005 04:53:54

I wouldnt do it unless you really needed the money, the insurance will eat up a lot of money and you will likely tear up the mower on debris from cars, plus your tires, fuel, etc.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Mark - IN.

07-13-2005 16:26:18

Report to Moderator

Re: Mower For Hire Question in reply to Midwest redneck, 07-13-2005 08:41:02

Not to mention those hidden gullies, ravines, and other stuff Mark mentioned that can make one and his/her tractor at least disappear. I've got a section of woods along the road by my house that looks kind've level from the road, that goes in about 2', then drops 3' to 4' real quick. Stuff like that can ruin one's day, at least.

Good luck in such a decision.

Mark

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

hay

07-13-2005 07:53:17

Report to Moderator

Re: Mower For Hire Question in reply to KWMn, 07-13-2005 04:53:54

been there, done that....never again. seems like towns don't want to pay much for contract services. be sure to have lots of liability insurance and be prepared to hit all kinds of junk and make repairs outta your own pocket. one flat tire can cost your profit, so be prepared.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Indydirtfarmer

07-13-2005 07:08:25

Report to Moderator

Re: Mower For Hire Question in reply to KWMn, 07-13-2005 04:53:54

I contract with a couple small towns around here for bush hogging. In all likelyhood, they'll require you to have sufficient insurance. That can soak up the $$$$$$$$ in a hurry.

Try to estimate your cost per hour to operate. Then determine what YOU want for your pocket. Add it all together, estimate the hours involved, then do the math.

If they don't like the price, just move on. If you can't make a fair profit, you're better off not risking equipment (or greater) for what is a reasonabley dangerous way to make a living.

I get $60 an hour for a 60 HP tractor and 7' mower with "individuals". Doing work for a city/town/county government, that goes to $95 for the same service. And I make LESS profit....

I do some sickle bar mowing, I use the same "formula" for that.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

07-13-2005 06:09:12

Report to Moderator

Re: Mower For Hire Question in reply to KWMn, 07-13-2005 04:53:54

most people I know get about $75.00-$100.00 per hour from start to finish to do rough cut mowing. That includes transportation to and from the work site.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

txgrn

07-13-2005 05:57:06

Report to Moderator

Re: Mower For Hire Question in reply to KWMn, 07-13-2005 04:53:54

Figure wear and tear plus fuel plus your time. You can get to $30 per hour real fast.

Some thoughts. Roadsides are full of hazards including traffic. There are countless unknowns which could cause you physical harm and destroy your equipment including unseen ravines and erosion crevices that could eat you and your rig.

The taller the grass the harder to see these things.

Road signs are a particular nuisance due to the manuevering required and the sickle bar is not the most agile thing to operate.

Might want to give it a thought before you sign up.

Good thoughts.

Mark

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

[Options] [Printer Friendly] [Posting Help] [Return to Forum] [Log in to Reply]

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home | Forums

Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy