Pricing bushog jobs?

EasyE · Jul 31, 2006

I just purchased a 4' bushog for my JD2305. I have a commercial mowing business and I needed it for a undeveloped piece of property I maintain but, I don't know how to charge for bushog work? Do I charge by the hour or by the acre?

Soundguy · Jul 31, 2006

Look in your local paper and see what other tractor services charge by. Here in florida.. most trractor services charge by the hour whether it is hogging, disc, plow.. seed.. etc. Plus a delivery fee.

A 4' hog is a tad small.. most here that do comercial hogging use a 6' unit.

You will have to keep that in mind when setting prices.

Soundguy

Farmwithjunk · Jul 31, 2006

EasyE said:
I just purchased a 4' bushog for my JD2305. I have a commercial mowing business and I needed it for a undeveloped piece of property I maintain but, I don't know how to charge for bushog work? Do I charge by the hour or by the acre?

Going rates here are generally based on tractor size, figuring mower size is relative to tractor power. Prices seem to be around $1.25 to $1.50 per tractor HP. (i.e. 40 HP= $50 to $60 pr. hr.) That'll be with a 6' mower.

Some local contractors cut bigger tracts with bigger tractor/mowers for a "per acre" rate. That ends up being around $18 to $20 an acre, with a "big tract" being 25 acres or more generally.

"By the job" prices are in line with per hr. rates for the most part.

A buddy of mine cuts smaller lots with a Kubota 7515 (???) and a 4' mower. He gets $40 pr. hr.

greenthumb · Jul 31, 2006

I used to advertise for brushogging in the local paper then got to busy to keep up( with other things). I still have a few people who call each year from past jobs. I charge $100 for the 1st hour and $85 for each there after. with a $100 being the minimum charge I feel like I am robbing after those prices mentioned in the above post. I have not had anyone bat an eye yet. I guess it is still cheaper than buy or renting your own machine. Not a bad way to keep a little fun money each summer

Farmwithjunk · Jul 31, 2006

greenthumb said:
I used to advertise for brushogging in the local paper then got to busy to keep up( with other things). I still have a few people who call each year from past jobs. I charge $100 for the 1st hour and $85 for each there after. with a $100 being the minimum charge I feel like I am robbing after those prices mentioned in the above post. I have not had anyone bat an eye yet. I guess it is still cheaper than buy or renting your own machine. Not a bad way to keep a little fun money each summer

One bit of info I need to post with ANY pricing subject. This area is one of the cheapest places in the U.S. in which to live. (except for gas) Houses that would sell in other parts of the country in the $200,000 range typically sell for $125,000 to $140,000. Pay scales are lower than national average, but it all equals out in the end. You ask $100 per hour for a 40HP tractor and 6' hog here and you'll get chased down the driveway with a big stick!

And a further note, I wouldn't do someone elses mowing for $50 an hour, but there's a raft of folks that will.

RonR · Jul 31, 2006

As someone that is trying to do a side biz with a Bota BX, I figure that if I don't make $50-60/hr, I don't want the jobs, and I'm providing my labor for free.

I try to figure the time it will take, then give a fixed price based on $60/hr plus a little more for travel.

I don't do bushhogging, but would add in something for risk of damage to equipment if I did that.

Ron

JJT · Jul 31, 2006

RonR said:
As someone that is trying to do a side biz with a Bota BX, I figure that if I don't make $50-60/hr, I don't want the jobs, and I'm providing my labor for free.

I try to figure the time it will take, then give a fixed price based on $60/hr plus a little more for travel.

I don't do bushhogging, but would add in something for risk of damage to equipment if I did that.

Ron

$60/hr for BX work? That would never fly here, (upstate/central NY). I have neighbors that get less for much bigger equipment. I'd be happy with that rate on my L3710, but don't get it.

EasyE · Jul 31, 2006

Soundguy said:
Look in your local paper and see what other tractor services charge by. Here in florida.. most trractor services charge by the hour whether it is hogging, disc, plow.. seed.. etc. Plus a delivery fee.

A 4' hog is a tad small.. most here that do comercial hogging use a 6' unit.

You will have to keep that in mind when setting prices.

Soundguy

Soundguy, yeah I agree with the 4' hog being small but on a JD2305 that is as big as I could go so, I'm stuck in that aspect. It looks like from the other post I may want to charge by the hour. Thanks,

lawn_king · Jul 31, 2006

We get $75. per hour for a 30 hp tractor with a landpride rotary cutter.

DmansPadge · Jul 31, 2006

In Southeast Texas... hogging with a 6' hog will get about $35-40 an hour.

mjncad · Aug 23, 2006

The going rate in my wannabe gentrified neighborhood is $60 per acre for bush hog work. That's what I charge, and since our lots average between 1.5 to 2.5 acres, I tell my customers that rate is rounded up to the nearest 1/4 acre as I have had a couple of smart Alec's try to pay based on 1.42 acres.

Also, for new customers I always take a look see at the job site before I take on the job. Some lots in my neighborhood are flat and easy to mow like ours. Others are down right scary with steep slopes and other obstacles.

If there are numerous obstacles I tell the customer up front that there will be a surcharge based on the amount of gyrating I expect to do to get the job done.

Scary sloped jobs I pass on.

dtd24 · Aug 23, 2006

I am still new at this tractor thing. I bought my 99 JD1070 w/ 440 loader and 8b backhoe about 3 months ago for my small horse farm. I have been thinking alot about advertising tractor work for next season. I am lookin for a trailer as I type.

I am a project manager/ Estimator for a residential & commercial builder and I do quite a bit of side jobs. Alot of roofs lately. Yuck. Good money, but sick of being on the roof. Trying to finish a metal roof right now.

I would not bring my tractor anywhere for less than $60 per hour, I would even go higher for backhoe work. I guess per hour charges can vary per person, but you get what you pay for. My moto is: I don't want to be the cheapest guy in town. The guy who has the lowest number missed the most.

JimR · Aug 23, 2006

My freind gets $100hr. for brushwacking with his 60HP tractor. With the high cost to buy tractor parts and just general maintanance, he will not work for free. Other tractor jobs he does is $65.00hr.

HD Labs · Aug 24, 2006

I don't have any experience charging others for work yet but I have been told that the going rate for bush hog work should be by the hour. The hourly rate should be about the same as what you would have to pay someone hourly to work on the tractor. Round here I think that is about $75 at the JD dealership. Hope this helps. Would like to know what you decide to go with.

Spark_man · Aug 24, 2006

A friend of mine up here charges $85 an acre with a $100 minimum.

Consider this - the local Rent-all place charges $325 per day (1 day minimum, delivery included) for a JD 4210 with a 5' BH.

Gatorboy · Aug 24, 2006

Spark_man said:
A friend of mine up here charges $85 an acre with a $100 minimum.

I need to move to the Eastern Shore -- I can cut about 8 acres and hour. That's $680/hour! Sweet.

Farmwithjunk · Aug 24, 2006

Gatorboy said:
I need to move to the Eastern Shore -- I can cut about 8 acres and hour. That's $680/hour! Sweet.

And if you need a help...... WOW! $85 an ACRE? Who's cutting that acre? Haliburton?

I talked to a lawn care operator yesterday that is going to take over my chores at our church. He's going to cut 1-1/2 acres of LAWN every saturday, including trimming for $75.

Now $85 for a ONE ACRE LOT wouldn't be out of line, but large scale mowing at those prices, SHEEEESH!

Soundguy · Aug 24, 2006

Gatorboy said:
I need to move to the Eastern Shore -- I can cut about 8 acres and hour. That's $680/hour! Sweet.

Had to go back and re-do my math. and edit the post. i was thinking 1.5 hr on my last mowing time.. but was 1.25 hr for 10ac.. so that is just about right.. 8ac / hr.

I feel that is pretty much a 'best' time for me.. I have to run in 5th gear to get that. I'm mowing mostly flat pasture with a couple tree clumps to dodge. .. jd 15' mower.

Hows that kubota? what are the specs?

Soundguy

bigdeer2000 · Aug 24, 2006

any idea of the going rate for a 15 ft batwing and 90 hp tractor

Farmwithjunk · Aug 24, 2006

bigdeer2000 said:
any idea of the going rate for a 15 ft batwing and 90 hp tractor

Earlier in this thread, I posted info on a job I'm bidding (to have done). I've been quoted $16.75 per acre for 120HP/20' batwing, on 112 acres. Contractor says 9 to 12 acres per hr depending on conditions. 2 other bids are simular price, 85HP/15', 100HP/15'. North-central Kentucky. Seems to be cheapest area in the country.