Pictures from a skid steer mowing contractor

[Gregster613]

Once you clear an area like that, do the homeowners ever do anything with it? Or do you come back every year or so and do it again and again?
My neighbor has an area like that by the creek. He's hired people to clear it at least 4 times, and it's grown back as thick as ever right now. He even bought a mower just for that area, but never used it.

Good post Eddie, I was thinking/wondering the exact same question! With the humidity down there I'd image it grows back swiftly - unless maintained "often" once cleared. From the before photos, it really gets bushy and thick!

 

[paulsharvey]

Well, not to take over Mr Linemans thread and/or business; the issue is forestry mulching "clears the air, not the ground", as i heard someone say. So, yes, with all the roots and structure remaining, it does come back, and often fast, and thicker. What it does do, it allows you to access the area to do further work; such as routine mowing, spraying, dirt work, ect. It also is Far cheaper and faster to get in the area than root raking. Also, root raking and all that, cause a lot of soil disruption, and Can lead to erosion. Mulching, the roots and all keep the soil together, and the chips/debris actually cover the soil, also helping prevent erosion.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Once you clear an area like that, do the homeowners ever do anything with it? Or do you come back every year or so and do it again and again?
My neighbor has an area like that by the creek. He's hired people to clear it at least 4 times, and it's grown back as thick as ever right now. He even bought a mower just for that area, but never used it.

Some of them keep it cleaned up and some don't, when I leave it can be kept up with a tractor and bush hog, I encourage the people with bamboo to spray it when it comes out after about a month. Some do nothing and stay inside in the A/C and call me to come once or twice a year.

 

[Doorman63]

I religiously mow an area that looked like that when we first bought our place.

Borrowed my neighbors skid steer with front mounted bushhog. I did it in the winter. It’s most grass now after keeping up on it for 4yrs.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I religiously mow an area that looked like that when we first bought our place.

Borrowed my neighbors skid steer with front mounted bushhog. I did it in the winter. It’s most grass now after keeping up on it for 4yrs.

Yes sir that's all it takes once it's been cleaned up and it makes for a really nice area.

 

[Gregster613]

Some of them keep it cleaned up and some don't, when I leave it can be kept up with a tractor and bush hog, I encourage the people with bamboo to spray it when it comes out after about a month. Some do nothing and stay inside in the A/C and call me to come once or twice a year.

Thanks for the answer Lineman, That's about what I expected to hear and I guess it's good for your business if they choose not to maintain it themselves! That's then a repeat call!

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Thanks for the answer Lineman, That's about what I expected to hear and I guess it's good for your business if they choose not to maintain it themselves! That's then a repeat call!

Some customers are like clockwork and I can count on hearing from them yearly and they recommend me to their friends which is new work for me, I also have a friend who drills wells and he meets with new people moving into our area needing a water well drilled and lot's of them want work done and he gives them one of my cards and I get a lot of new customers that way, sometimes I get busier than I want to be and then winter will come and it slows down so I can hunt and enjoy myself for a few months until it seems to start back up, I am truly blessed and a very fortunate man.

 

[Doorman63]

Some customers are like clockwork and I can count on hearing from them yearly and they recommend me to their friends which is new work for me, I also have a friend who drills wells and he meets with new people moving into our area needing a water well drilled and lot's of them want work done and he gives them one of my cards and I get a lot of new customers that way, sometimes I get busier than I want to be and then winter will come and it slows down so I can hunt and enjoy myself for a few months until it seems to start back up, I am truly blessed and a very fortunate man.

As I close in on retirement……..

What would you say the initial investment to get started in this line of work is?

 

[Lineman North Florida]

As I close in on retirement……..

What would you say the initial investment to get started in this line of work is?

I bought a new SS when I got started , new forestry mower and new grapple which ran me about $75k. I already had a 3/4 ton truck, gooseneck and equipment trailer to haul and pull it with, I have since bought a tilt deck trailer and a small mulching head for my business and am currently looking for a used 1 ton diesel flatbed truck. Used equipment prices were insane when I was looking but have since come down and there are lot's of deals to be had right now on low hour skidsteers.

 

[Doorman63]

I bought a new SS when I got started , new forestry mower and new grapple which ran me about $75k. I already had a 3/4 ton truck, gooseneck and equipment trailer to haul and pull it with, I have since bought a tilt deck trailer and a small mulching head for my business and am currently looking for a used 1 ton diesel flatbed truck. Used equipment prices were insane when I was looking but have since come down and there are lot's of deals to be had right now on low hour skidsteers.

Approx 100-150 to start?

Depending on new/used for certain items.

That’d keep me outta trouble for a few years!