Haywire
Veteran Member
Anyone plow/till gardens with their BX in the spring? I was wondering if it pays enough to warrant thinking about. If so, how much do you charge?
Ian
Ian
Tilling gardens for money?
- Thread starter Haywire
- Start date
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ashdump
Bronze Member
Was thinking that myself. I assume charging x-ammount/square foot would be the thing to do with a certain minimum. If somebody wants me to bust sod for them, I may charge extra because I'll have to rip the sod with my box blade before I till it. I guess I should look around and see what other folks charge. I'm thinking of maybe a $40 min charge.
CompactTractorFan
Super Member
Don't forget about licenses and insurance (tractor and liability of course)...
ashdump
Bronze Member
Don't forget about licenses and insurance (tractor and liability of course)...
Yeah. That probably makes the whole thing infeasible. Hadn't really considered that aspect (hadn't gotten that far ahead in my thinking)
I've tilled many a garden in my youth with an old Montgomery Ward front tine tiller. It beat the heck out of me, but I was young and fit and could take it. I probably got $5-10/garden, $20 at the very best (and that was busting sod!!!
) That's been a few moons ago though. I wouldn't mind making a buck or two with my new set-up, but I'm not gonna lose money by buying a bunch of insurance and stuff. I'd have to do it for a living to ever recoup the loss.
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ashdump
Bronze Member
This would be cash under the table. I wouldn't be buying any licenses or insurance. Kinda like that bit of firewood I sold a few years ago. Not jumping thru legal hoops for beer money.
Ian
You better limit yourself to customers you can trust then (family & friends) 'cause in this sue-happy world, who knows what somebody could hold you liable for. I can't imagine any appreciable property damage that could be caused by merely tilling a garden, but Murphy's Law seems to be able to find it's way into any situation.
RoMad
Platinum Member
We have a local paper here for buying and selling and it is very popular. I have had a lot of luck selling vehicles and boats etc. in it. Last year I put an ad in it and the local newspaper for tilling gardens and never got a single call from either of them. I paid $40 for the ad in the paper. I put it in for my son, thinking he could make some extra money.
Johndeere3720
Padawan Tractor Learner, Advertiser
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2009
- Messages
- 6,488
- Location
- NW Oregon
- Tractor
- Bobcat T650, MT55, E42R, E10, John Deere 4410, 4200, x500
Ive tilled gardens before and got $50 a garden. I spend my time and get the soil just right for the customer. $50 seems high now so maybe about $40 or so depending on size, location, terrain, etc. Be sure to keep your hand on the 3 point lift lever though, you never know what you will find in people's garndens. I have found all sorts of stuff, even old bricks. :confused2:
ashdump
Bronze Member
I'm far from a lawyer, but my sister is a stenographer and works with them daily. This liability waiver conversation came up one day a while back and she asked a lawyer for an opinion. He said it was better than a hand-shake, but would be very flimsy in a court of law. IOW, about the same as no agreement at all and still able to be held liable. YMMV.
Popster
Bronze Member
Run over a septic line, water line, electric line and your friend's new best friend will be a lawyer.
Tachdriver
Silver Member
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2010
- Messages
- 224
- Tractor
- Kubota bx25
Call before you dig:thumbsup:
later
later
WayneB
Elite Member
I do a few gardens each year and they are all located within tractor driving distance. Pricing is somewhat difficult to address due to the different types of soil conditions you might run into. If you have to haul your tractor there then the price should include some travel time.
I have found that new soil needs more tilling time than an established garden area and normally I would do the new garden space twice.
As for insurance and being liable I would certainly be very careful here. Last year I did a garden space and sure enough I knocked down the post that was being used for the grape vines. The owner laughed and asked if I could hit the other three post! He could of said immediately that it was my fault and I have to pay to replace the post.
Bottom line is be sure you know the people you are tilling for and take a bit of time to generate a contract for them to sign. This should point out all of the concerns you may have and what they should expect when you finish tilling.
Also be careful with new soil as you do not know how many items might be beneath the top soil, like rock, old transmissions, metal items way too big to move with your small tiller. Tines break really easy...LOL
Wayne
I have found that new soil needs more tilling time than an established garden area and normally I would do the new garden space twice.
As for insurance and being liable I would certainly be very careful here. Last year I did a garden space and sure enough I knocked down the post that was being used for the grape vines. The owner laughed and asked if I could hit the other three post! He could of said immediately that it was my fault and I have to pay to replace the post.
Bottom line is be sure you know the people you are tilling for and take a bit of time to generate a contract for them to sign. This should point out all of the concerns you may have and what they should expect when you finish tilling.
Also be careful with new soil as you do not know how many items might be beneath the top soil, like rock, old transmissions, metal items way too big to move with your small tiller. Tines break really easy...LOL
Wayne
Must be a heck of a deep tiller!:laughing:
ZDB
Silver Member
Tractor insurance is another issue for doing "commercial" work off of your property.
Our homeowners does not cover for this type of work and some of the policies thru the manufactures don't cover either.
Our homeowners does not cover for this type of work and some of the policies thru the manufactures don't cover either.
Popster
Bronze Member
In my neighborhood it was common for "summer cottages" to get their water from a single well owned by a year-long resident. Pipes leap frogged from house to house. Years past and the properties were sold, renovated, and changed. The pipes are often less than a foot under the ground. Lots of surprises.
No maps, no mention to the health dept or tax man.
CompactTractorFan
Super Member
I had thought about doing something for money too, but is does not sound worth while...
