15 Year Old Got His First Brush Hogging Job!!

[jenkinsph]

I agree with Wedge on making a pass with the deck set high the first time and then making a second pass lower and faster afterwards, I would agree on a total price for the job and then stick to it. Nothing looks worse than an increase in price after starting a job. Walk the field yourself to determine what obstructions are in it don't take anyone's word for that. Keep you eyes peeled while you are mowing to avoid a missed obstruction. I would consider walking a smaller portion of the field then mowing it down, then walk some more and mow it until you are done. It is easy to miss something in a large field.

 

[clemsonfor]

Around here to hire out tractor work, weather there sprayiing bushhogging , plowing planting, the food plot guys charege $75-85/hour and if your more than an hour away will usually charge 1 hour drive time. Make sure you know the field and if the owner says he does and that there is no obstructions or scrap metal out there see if he will sign a damage clause in the contract. But if he says hes not sure or will not sign a damage clause id walk it well and cut slow. If you have a FEL keep it low. You run over one piece or angle iron in the ground or junk plow and cut your sidewall of your rear tire your out hundres of $$$ to get a new one on some larger tires. Or if you bustup your hog there is several more dollars and days of downtime to repair it.

 

[sweettractors]

Be sure to have your chain guards in place. This will limit a lot of thrown objects from under the cutter and hitting a passing car or damaging someones property. Put up a guard of metal mesh or plywood behind your tractor seat to protect you from flying debris. Good Luck and work safely. Ken Sweet

 

[deere4320]

Do you have insurance?

I'm not sure......I will have to check with my dad when he comes home on saturday.

 

[deere4320]

Making an assumption here based on what you are asking: that you haven't agreed on a price with the landowner.

If you haven't agreed on a price, how do you 'have the job'?

What if you take a look at all the variables like some have astutely pointed out like damage to your equipment or some one elses property, accidents, fuel, oil, wear and tear, etc and decide that to even break even you would need to charge more than the owner would like to pay?

Good on you for wanting to get into business for yourself and I wish you luck.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Thanks for the advice......I have the job because the people that i offered the work to said they would love to have done. I said okay and that i would get back to them with a price.

 

[deere4320]

Not sure why you would want to do that. Care to elaborate?

No its okay, i just thinking to myself and wishing that i had a friend that into tractor that lives near me

 

[deere4320]

As pointed out, walk the fields. If possible, keep a few marker sticks or flaggin'g tape. Mark the rocks and stumps, keep looking around as you mow. Be ready to pick up the mower. I just rebuilt my bush hog, it was about $1500 in parts and time.

Is it all grass, or does the field have small trees/bushes in it. More brush, the higher the price. If there is a clump of brush, it may be hiding a rock also.

How wide is your mower? Wider = more dollars per hour.

How much seat time/experience do you have bush hogging?

I have an old Woods 6ft Heritage Rotary Cutter

I have not brush hogged much on the 4320, but i have gotten about 8 hours of experience on a really on International

It is mostly really high overgrown grass that could easily be hayed

 

[deere4320]

post pictures when your done.

I would pay by the job. last time I did a field that size, I charged around $200, but that's been a few yrs back.

I will try.....I am going on vacation for 2 weeks:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[deere4320]

If it were me I would try to find out what the local rate is for mowing in your area. Where I live the $50-$75 dollar an hour figure mentioned would price you right out of the market. That is not what you want to do if you are trying to get started in a business. If this land owner is a family friend be honest and ask him what he has been paying.

MarkV

Thanks for the advice

 

[clemsonfor]

I have an old Woods 6ft Heritage Rotary Cutter

I have not brush hogged much on the 4320, but i have gotten about 8 hours of experience on a really on International

It is mostly really high overgrown grass that could easily be hayed

You have only bushhogged for a total of 8 hours and now your going to do it for money on someone elses property on a tractor you really dont have much experience on! Seems like you may be jumping the gun a little to me.

 

[deere4320]

Around here to hire out tractor work, weather there sprayiing bushhogging , plowing planting, the food plot guys charege $75-85/hour and if your more than an hour away will usually charge 1 hour drive time. Make sure you know the field and if the owner says he does and that there is no obstructions or scrap metal out there see if he will sign a damage clause in the contract. But if he says hes not sure or will not sign a damage clause id walk it well and cut slow. If you have a FEL keep it low. You run over one piece or angle iron in the ground or junk plow and cut your sidewall of your rear tire your out hundres of $$$ to get a new one on some larger tires. Or if you bustup your hog there is several more dollars and days of downtime to repair it.

Would it be necessary to take it off?

 

[deere4320]

I agree with Wedge on making a pass with the deck set high the first time and then making a second pass lower and faster afterwards, I would agree on a total price for the job and then stick to it. Nothing looks worse than an increase in price after starting a job. Walk the field yourself to determine what obstructions are in it don't take anyone's word for that. Keep you eyes peeled while you are mowing to avoid a missed obstruction. I would consider walking a smaller portion of the field then mowing it down, then walk some more and mow it until you are done. It is easy to miss something in a large field.

I know what you mean , the large field can be overwhelming

 

[deere4320]

You have only bushhogged for a total of 8 hours and now your going to do it for money on someone elses property on a tractor you really dont have much experience on! Seems like you may be jumping the gun a little to me.

I think if i take my take and walk the fields first like everyone has suggested i will be fine. The terrain is not very challenging, i will probably only have to use 4WD in one muddy spot

 

[MarkV]

You really need to come up with a set price that you are happy doing the job for. How much money, after diesel, is good for you for a day or two of work? I think it is great you are using your tractor and finding summer work. As you have said though you have limited experience. You need to walk the field and you are not going to mow as fast as someone that has been doing it for 20 years. On an hourly rate that doesn't make you a good deal. Start cheap and gain a cliental. Running your own business is different than being a labor at a set price for someone else.

Best of Luck,
MarkV

 

[TripleR]

You have only bushhogged for a total of 8 hours and now your going to do it for money on someone elses property on a tractor you really dont have much experience on! Seems like you may be jumping the gun a little to me.

No offense to anyone, but I would have to agree on this. There is absolutely no way I would hire anyone with this little of experience to mow anything and especially at the "going rate". I have been driving tractors for over fifty years and still do regularly, gonna bush hog today, and doing a good job entails some experience. I am still not completely satisfied with some of my own results especially when using new or unfamiliar equipment.

Consideration might be given to offering an "introductory" rate until some experience is accumulated. I do admire initiative, but I expect quality results.

I have hired two sixteen year old boys to do some work for me on one of our farms and their pay is commensurate with their experience.

As always; just an opinion.

 

[Duffster]

It is brushhogging not rocket science.

 

[sweettractors]

No offense to anyone, but I would have to agree on this. There is absolutely no way I would hire anyone with this little of experience to mow anything and especially at the "going rate". I have been driving tractors for over fifty years and still do regularly, gonna bush hog today, and doing a good job entails some experience. I am still not completely satisfied with some of my own results especially when using new or unfamiliar equipment.

Consideration might be given to offering an "introductory" rate until some experience is accumulated. I do admire initiative, but I expect quality results.

I have hired two sixteen year old boys to do some work for me on one of our farms and their pay is commensurate with their experience.

As always; just an opinion.

Lots of us guys have been running on tractors since were 8 years old. By 12, I could do anything Daddy did on the tractor and my reflexes were sometime quicker than his. When I went to visit my cousins, I had to ride on the fender of a 35 MF diesel and talk to them while they plowed on the home farm. No stopping to play until all the chores were done. I was experienced at 15, however, not everyone is, and that needs to be factored in as your above post says. Ken Sweet

 

[TripleR]

It is brushhogging not rocket science.

If you are referring to my post, no it is not rocket science, but to do a good job in a reasonable period of time, experience is needed. If someone is paying by the hour, they will spend less hiring an experienced operator. An experienced operator will also have a better looking finished product. Yes, some are very experienced at age fifteen or so, but the poster indicated he had bush hogged no more than eight hours and not even with the tractor he will be using.

I stand by my original statement as I would not hire someone with this level of experience and certainly not pay the same rate as someone with experience.

My expectations of a job well done and fair price may be at odds with others.

 

[clemsonfor]

Would it be necessary to take it off?

What? Im not sure what you mean. Take the bushhog up if it tears up, or the tire, or take your FEL off. Just asking for clairification.

But if your bushhog tears up due to an immovable object, depending on the damage you probly will need to take it off. But this may not be what your asking.

 

[brin]

If you are referring to my post, no it is not rocket science, but to do a good job in a reasonable period of time, experience is needed. If someone is paying by the hour, they will spend less hiring an experienced operator. An experienced operator will also have a better looking finished product. Yes, some are very experienced at age fifteen or so, but the poster indicated he had bush hogged no more than eight hours and not even with the tractor he will be using.

I stand by my original statement as I would not hire someone with this level of experience and certainly not pay the same rate as someone with experience.

My expectations of a job well done and fair price may be at odds with others.

TripleR - I agree with this post and your previous one...I learned a long time ago to get a price right up front for the job and a signed contract. None of this by the hour stuff for me..Fool me once shame on you...Fool me twice - shame on me kind of thing. Any good operator knows exactly how long it will take him and further I disagree with cutting high..if you did that to me I would make you cut it again. If you are afraid of the job and as a result can not do it right then , realize it now and pass on the job , otherwise do what you have to do to feel comfortable about obstacles in the field and then mow it low and do a good job and you will be asked back ..but where I am..$65 to $75 and hour will get you and excavator or track loader or dozier and $35 to $45 and hour gets you a professional bush hogging job...but I don't pay by the hour..those rates are what is advertised here in my part of Georgia. Good Luck..