Considering side work with a grapple

[heck thomas]

I've read a lot of forums on tbn about hiring out for bush hogging, plowing, etc. But I have bought a Mahindra 1538 with a root grapple, not a big machine, but perfect for moving downed trees, brush piles and so on.
Anybody have any experience or advice on hiring out the grapple? Pricing as opposed to mowing work, potential problems, whatever comes to mind will be appreciated.

 

[DieselBound]

In most cases mowing only requires mowing.

Dealing with things requiring grappling one has to keep in mind that there will be times when one is not able to grab, pick up and dispatch the object. Chainsaws and such might come in to play. And when one has one's body closer to the action increased safety elements need to be deployed, and this ought to command a higher job price; sometimes, however, one might not be able to fully account for something, things might be slightly buried. There's also the fact that dealing with stuff that would require grappling tends to have all sorts of poky things, things that like to take revenge on your tractor.

Doesn't take much to break a CUT trying to do this kind of work. This ran me over $700 (labor, mine, not included):

 

[Industrial Toys]

An Ag loader was designed to clean up manure and move hay. It's not a construction machine.

Often people want other people to do tasks that are tricky, hazardous or hard on equipment.

 

[DieselBound]

Most certainly true in a professional sense. Odd, occasional construction-like work CAN be performed, though with a high degree of caution (and vastly reduced speed).: I'd agree that the manufacturers need to better support the use of "U" in Compact Utility Tractors or look to back off of it.

 

[Industrial Toys]

AND, if I was the customer and have to pay an operator regardless of machine, why would I want to opt for "vastly reduced speed", when I can pay an operator to run a large excavator and make short work of the job? Big difference possibly being float charges.

 

[DieselBound]

If, I suppose, the cost differential were great then the customer might be focusing only on cost (time less important).

There's a fair bit of relativity in all this. Industrial machines can do a lot more and do so quicker, and are less prone to breaking down, but when they break it's a lot more painful.

Professional work really should be performed with professional grade equipment.

 

[Industrial Toys]

This is the last guy I hired to deal with a very stony, boney and stumpy area destined for cut lawn. Note the massive claw and skeleton bucket! And a regular one up front. All kind of comes at no extra charge!

I have a lot of industrial equipment, not construction equipment and am not going to beat the heck out of it.

 

[DieselBound]

If that's on a job you contracted and it bills back, then all is good.

For my personal use I'd shy away from a machine that large as it would draw a lot of attention! (unfortunately, more attention drawn isn't like at some entertainment event whereby the person drawing the attention gets money- with this kind of attention it's usually the "entertainer" then had to shell out more and more money [permits etc.]) Might be another thing for the OP to consider, and that's the possibility of undertaking a job that isn't permitted.

 

[Industrial Toys]

It was just a personal job. But I consider the outlay in money to be money well spent. Better than a vacation for instance, have something to show for it. And the job is well done, quickly and saving my equipment. There were no permits required in a situation like this. Plus, it is a lot of fun to work with stuff like that.

 

[DieselBound]

Had to smile on your comment. I too feel more enjoyment on improving my property than taking a vacation: every day when I'm on my property feels like a vacation! (some days are a better vacation than others, but in general...)