The Life of a Custom Mowing contractor

[Hay Dude]

The Lord is in control, always.

 

[Hay Dude]

Now to go find $12,000 worth of replacement work. Just to get back to where I was 24 hours ago…..lol

 

[Dryland Farmer]

Will the trade dispute have any affect on your business?

 

[hayden]

I’ll get through this. It’s more the loss of an “anchor” client that kind of rattles you. I knew something was up when one of the supportive HOA members retired. He always liked me and “firewalled” me when there were minor issues (there really were none though). I think his replacement was looking to make a name for herself and I was a fixture there for many years. Probably thought I was a “toxic male” or something….

It is kind of sad, got to know lots of people there and knew the place like the back of my hand.

But with each door that closes, usually a new one opens.

It sucks, but maybe this is the time to trade in one of the tractors for a small excavator and mulcher and ramp up that part of your business? It might bring some valuable diversity to the business as well?

 

[Hay Dude]

The tractors I have are barely enough to get the hay done, so that wouldn't be an option.
However, the next call I get for a decent size clearing job, a mini with a mulcher would be heavily considered

 

[Hay Dude]

Will the trade dispute have any affect on your business?

The tariffs? I don’t know yet.

 

[Dryland Farmer]

We run mostly Deere and Case, so we expect prices to go up for parts. Time to change over to Fendt.

 

[sandman2234]

Now to go find $12,000 worth of replacement work. Just to get back to where I was 24 hours ago…..lol

When the low bidder defaults, and they come back to get you to take over the rest of his contract, make sure you get the 25% over your previous price!
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

When the low bidder defaults, and they come back to get you to take over the rest of his contract, make sure you get the 25% over your previous price!
David from jax

When the low bidder breaks his main piece of equipment and doesn't have a good relationship with the local tractor dealership, and they put him in line to get it fixed during the middle of the mowing season...the HOA will figure out why your prices were where they are!
It costs money to have enough equipment to cover your contracts in the event of a breakdown!
David from jax

 

[Hay Dude]

Some mowing from today

 

[number two]

Nice!
And for some,the snow is beginning to melt!
Good Luck!

 

[Hay Dude]

High 50’s all week here. We’re starting some work that’s been put off a while.

 

[Snobdds]

It was probably a good thing. Not being able to adjust prices in 5 years evenutally hits the bottom line. Let them walk, you will find replacement contracts. If they want to come back...make the price reflect the market price.

People that think they are smart and just churn the market trying for the best deal...end up being nickeled and dimed the most.

 

[WI Dan]

I've just finished reading through your whole thread. It's interesting, due to the difference in geography and culture. Thank you for sharing.

I'm curious about the winter mowing. Does it produce a good result? Are the wheel tracks noticeable in the summer? (long stems folded over instead of cut off)
Does the growth of the field appear better or not, compared to summer mowing?

 

[Hay Dude]

I've just finished reading through your whole thread. It's interesting, due to the difference in geography and culture. Thank you for sharing.

I'm curious about the winter mowing. Does it produce a good result? Are the wheel tracks noticeable in the summer? (long stems folded over instead of cut off)
Does the growth of the field appear better or not, compared to summer mowing?

Yes, it does, but it’s my Customers who requests it. Their opinion is that it clears the dead vegetation out so the new vegetation that is almost ready to emerge gets full sun. I think they’re probably right. The dead, cut thatch also breaks down and fertilizes.
No problems with bent over stems, mower does a great job pulling most back up and cutting them off.

 

[WI Dan]

Yes, it does, but it’s my Customers who requests it. Their opinion is that it clears the dead vegetation out so the new vegetation that is almost ready to emerge gets full sun. I think they’re probably right. The dead, cut thatch also breaks down and fertilizes.
No problems with bent over stems, mower does a great job pulling most back up and cutting them off.

Thanks for the explanation.
I've got quite a few areas that are very wet all summer. It's tough to get in for mowing in time. Usually it's September by the time I do, so the weeds have gone to seed already.
I've considered doing it when the ground freezes up in winter. At least to knock out the little trees growing etc.
Maybe I'll try it next winter.

 

[Hay Dude]

Frozen ground can be your friend in wet areas.

 

[LouNY]

Untill you find that spot that isn't froze good, then it gets aggravating. But at least then the mud is in a small area and you can stay somewhat clean and dry getting it out.

 

[Hay Dude]

Mowing getting underway up here now on new 2025 growth. One of my bigger Customers cut this week. Note I still have log grapple attached, haven’t switched to hay forks yet. Nice to leave log grapple attached for every customer’s first mowing-in case a tree fell in a field over the winter.


Horse farm’s back pasture. Ungrazed for 30+ years. No hay, just mowed!

Folded up and getting ready to hit the road.

Ride home

 

[CH4Ohio]

Horse farm’s back pasture. Ungrazed for 30+ years. No hay, just mowed!

That would have made a bunch of round bales next month . . .