land clearing and mulching times

[Chain rated]

I'm new to the mulching business and trying to line up work before I buy the machine(299d xhp with denis cimaf ) but giving quotes is hard without any actual experience. Can yall post pictures or description of mulching jobs and how long it took. Also include machine a type of head and teeth.

 

[GreensForestryMulching]

I'm new to the mulching business and trying to line up work before I buy the machine(299d xhp with denis cimaf ) but giving quotes is hard without any actual experience. Can yall post pictures or description of mulching jobs and how long it took. Also include machine a type of head and teeth.

You honestly need to get in the seat and practice on your own land or friends and families. There are entirely too many variables to shoot quotes just by looking at some pictures. I know for a fact from when I started to now I can do twice the work in half the time and make it look 4 times better. You have to take into account your skill level, what kind of finished product the client wants, types and thickness of material being cleared, topography of the terrain being worked, ect ect. Doing it the way you are talking your taking a $100k+ gamble that you can give your clients what they want in a manner you yourself can make money, based on some pictures of someone else's work.

 

[Chain rated]

I agree that I need experience but I also need work lined up before I make this big purchase. I have 2 acres of my own to do before I go to a customers place. I need to move forward from here.

 

[fishfactor]

+1 to what Green said. It's a niche business and difficult to break in to. We started with a separate company backing the mulching business. It took 2 years before we could get a paycheck from the mulching business. You won't even begin to learn the techniques or production on 2 acres.

When we started, I under quoted some jobs by huge amounts. You just smile, suck it up, and do whatever it takes to make the customer happy. 8 years later, I rarely miss by more than an hour, and typically give the customer an invoice for less than the agreed not to exceed amount. They remember that.

If you can afford the payments, repair bills, and fuel out of your pocket for a year or so, go for it. Do some small jobs for free to get practice and production data. Leave a GREAT finished product, not slabs of wood everywhere, and leave a sign with your company info on it.

 

[Chain rated]

Thanks for the advice. I know I can't achieve the production that experienced hands can do, but it would help to get my prices in line. Just something to go off of.

 

[fishfactor]

There just isn't anything generic to go off of. We have done jobs ranging from $150/acre to $13,000 per acre. There is no shortcut. Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.

Do not expect to buy a machine and be able to find enough work to pay for it. It takes time to build the business and your reputation. There are some mulching contractors out there that do terrible work. Sometimes this leaves a bad taste in a customer or organizations mouth, and they just assume that that's what all mulching looks like. This makes it hard to get a foot in the door, but easy for repeat business if you do a good job.

Consider it a very expensive hobby for the first few years. If you have the financial backing to support that, do quality work, and sometimes takes a loss to make the customer happy, you can build a successful business.

If not, you could go to work for a reputable mulching contractor in your area. Honestly, you will probably make more money, and you can decide if it's something you like without going in debt for $125K.

 

[Marek]

There just isn't anything generic to go off of. We have done jobs ranging from $150/acre to $13,000 per acre. There is no shortcut. Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.

Do not expect to buy a machine and be able to find enough work to pay for it. It takes time to build the business and your reputation. There are some mulching contractors out there that do terrible work. Sometimes this leaves a bad taste in a customer or organizations mouth, and they just assume that that's what all mulching looks like. This makes it hard to get a foot in the door, but easy for repeat business if you do a good job.

Consider it a very expensive hobby for the first few years. If you have the financial backing to support that, do quality work, and sometimes takes a loss to make the customer happy, you can build a successful business.

If not, you could go to work for a reputable mulching contractor in your area. Honestly, you will probably make more money, and you can decide if it's something you like without going in debt for $125K.

Very sound advice ! You left out that you must enjoy working on stuff all the time ! If we get thru a job without something breaking or going wrong then it was a rare good day.

 

[Chain rated]

If I don't make a dime with the machine, I can pay the bills for about 1 year. It's a risk, but if I never take a risk I'll never get anywhere.

 

[Reg]

I think the POINT is that there is a MUCH BETTER way to get the knowledge and experience, e.g. work for someone else for ...a while.
I have no idea, maybe 3 months, perhaps a year.
At least you would be getting SOME money in, vs paying a LOT of money out.
Get to know the shortcuts as well as the going rate for your area, etc.
If there is nobody in your area doing this work that you could work for, that might indicate something.
Hauling equipment 50+ miles cuts into profit and THEN some, so be very very sure that there is enough work in your area.

It may turn out that this just isn't the right thing for you.
Probably best to find that out while making minimum wage than while going into a 6 digit debt.

 

[Rio_Grande]

What we did was lease a cutter for a year. We were using the machine for other things. At the end of the lease we made enough to buy the machine then based on the business I was getting I picked up a rotary cutter instead. People in my area just won't pay for the drum machines.

 

[Chain rated]

Thanks for the advice. I'm considering getting a used machine. I can't find a used denis cimaf 180d so that might have to be new. I was going to try to work for someone but I'm lining up work now. After that last post I'll look into a rotary cutter. I can afford a used machine without any work. Any advice on a rotary cutter for a 299d xhp?

 

[Rio_Grande]

This is what I have. My machine is a 90 hp. I wouldn't want anything any lighter for my machine. You have about 20 more hp and high flow. Based on what I have seen you can get into a much heavier faster turning rotary cutter than I can. I would get the biggest toughest one I could for your machine. You will quickly find its limits.
http://cidattachments.com/product/x-treme-skid-steer-brush-cutter-attachment

 

[groundcover]

Kinda sounds like the way to a million in the mulching business is to start with two !

 

[yellowdogsvc]

I agree that I need experience but I also need work lined up before I make this big purchase. I have 2 acres of my own to do before I go to a customers place. I need to move forward from here.

I'd try and work for someone on the side at least to get some experience and see if you even like it. The next best thing would be to find a used machine or a great deal on an unsold, several year old new machine then work out a deal with a rancher or farmer or cousin who needs the work done and is willing to let you get some experience and still make some money for fuel, wear and tear and insurance. A couple of low pressure jobs like that would turn you into an expert pretty quick and you will find out the limitations of your set up, what works and doesn't work, and it will help you start running numbers in our head for estimating purposes.
It's hard to estimate, at least it is for me, land clearing and be exact unless it's a small job inside a fenced area. I came up with a daily rate for different types of clearing within my service zone. Rocky properties, for example, are more expensive to work on than properties with soft dirt. Big trees are obviously more work than small trees. Species of tree makes a difference as does obstacles. Brush piles, unless they are full of rock or trash, are generally easy to estimate if I know how the trees were cleared. You'll have to find what works for you. My rates, for example, may be lower or higher depending on the scope and machines used. Knowing your fixed costs and you'll figure out variable costs with some experience will help you set a rate that brings in a profit (or doesn't and then needs to be evaluated).

Good luck!

 

[rustyshakelford]

I know someone that bought a Dozer without ever sitting in one before. Thought clearing two acres would prepare him for clearing land for hire. Didn't work out very well. Luckily that tractor was only 35k, not 125k. What business are you currently in? Do you have the equip to haul?

Brett

 

[Chain rated]

I'm currently in the oil field. .... gotta do something. The way I see it is, take a leap to land from a sinking ship or never try and go down with the ship

 

[retrieverman]

I've already got my own business, and I bought my skid steer and brush mower to work on my own land. However, the dealer I bought my rig from keeps referring people to me, and it's looking like this land clearing could quickly evolve into a full time gig (if I want it to).

I have only "bid" one job and just given an hourly rate on the others, and so far, everyone has been very happy with the jobs and prices.

 

[Citydude]

I'm currently in the oil field. .... gotta do something. The way I see it is, take a leap to land from a sinking ship or never try and go down with the ship

Go for it. I admire the spirit. However, don't make a move until you have a business plan that shows what you need to make per day to pay all expenses and your paycheck. Know what your goal is. Keep us posted!

 

[f311fr1]

In middle TN we quote $250 haul charge up to 75 mile radius, $150 per hour on the job site. We use an ASV RC100, FAE 125 head, or a Gyro Trac head modified for skid steer QA/ Cat 304 mini ex. We have a lot of requests for the mini ex over roads and fences. We also have a Blue Diamond 42" rotary cutter for the mini ex and a CID low flow 60" heavy duty hush hog for the ASVs. We always send two people per machine out to the job.