Mowing Large acreage mowing

[jaxs]

Just for reference: In the Ft. Worth area, I charge $65/hr. with a 6' brush cutter and run at 3 mph generally and leave a very nice cut. That is just shy of 2 acres/hr. on level, un-obstructed fields. However, 95% of what I do is NOT level, un-obstructed and the material is generally over 4' tall, so my speed is cut to 1-2 mph with the fel almost on the ground (for protection). My rate will likely go up this year due to the cost of oil and fuel though.
I consider the cost (mileage/fuel) to get to and from the job, the cost to run my tractor per hr. and lastly my hourly wage.

I know that market,you should at minimum double that rate. Here's why. Aside to ruined tires,bent & broken equipment,time spent cutting rusty bed springs from blades,sooner or later you will incounter something like this. My buddy was mowing a lot near Ft Worth where owner swore had been mowed many times before and had always been free of obsticals. As he backed into a corner there was a clamity followed by big wooshing sound. The blades had dis-jointed a natural gas pipe. IDK how many psi line carried but he wasn't able to plug it by stuffing his shirt into it so he held a foot on it to slow it down until the cavalry arrived. Despite his efforts,the gas company calculated flow as if not controled and billed accordingly. No insurance company would insure him after that. Not because of property damage,it was a mircale no explosion or fire resulted considering where tractor exhaust was at moment of impact,not to mention sparks that undouptedly resulted.