Track Loader and Mulcher rental

[minner]

Guys, I have been turning down clearing jobs quite a bit lately (I normally just bush hog) that would require a mulcher. I've been trying to develope a relationship with the local CAT dealership and got quoted on a 100 HP track loader and HM312 head. I was astounded at the one day rental rate of $750. Thats with me transporting it. Does this sound right? There aren't any other companies locally that will rent mulchers so I dont have much to go on. Also are CAT's rentals the same rental rates everywhere?

I'd like to buy a unit but its not feasable right now. Renting will allow me some flexibility but at these rates THAT is even out of reach.

 

[RDrancher]

Yep, the price sounds right. My Kubota guy rents an SVL90 with an FAE. I figure $1000 a day including fuel. I've rented it a handful of times and its a moneymaker even at that price.

 

[minner]

Yep, the price sounds right. My Kubota guy rents an SVL90 with an FAE. I figure $1000 a day including fuel. I've rented it a handful of times and its a moneymaker even at that price.

What did you charge per hour if you dont mind me asking?

 

[RDrancher]

I usually quote all of my work, but at $175-$225 an hour with a 10 hour minimum and a move on fee you can't get hurt. I usually figure I'll end up only working it about 8-9 hours with cleaning out the radiator a few times and such. To the customer the price may seem high, but you have to pay for your insurance, and cover yourself in case something breaks that you'll end up paying for. Branches grabbing hoses and things like that. The first time I ran one I was having an issue with the door opening and closing. In full rookie-mode I had the mulcher up in the air and uncurled too far trying to check out the door and ripped both hoses and fittings off the machine. Don't do that.

 

[PLMLLC]

The Bobcat dealer here rents it a $995 a day plus insurance. That doesn't include transport or fuel or damage.

 

[GTLandshaper]

Up here in the northwest the cat dealer gets $1,000.00 a day for a 299D with a cutter head. No fuel or Mob. When I charge $1,200.00 to $1,600.00 a day there's not much left over for overhead,fuel and profit, let alone covering any breakdowns.

 

[redprospector]

I wouldn't rent my Bobcat & mulching head to someone, especially with limited or no experience for $1000 a day, much less $750.
$750 a day sounds like a smoking deal to me.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

I can't believe they rent mulchers.. IF I was going to rent one, and I wouldn't, I would make the operator prove they can run one. There's just that much learning curve and because of what is going on in that head, too much liability of hurting the operator or bystanders. I think $750 would be a bargain, though, but that dealer is surely tearing up machines/heads at a bargain price.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

And I didn't meant to come off as a guru or some ace operator. My point is that when I bought a mulcher, I had a lot of seat time in my machine. I also had the opportunity to try out and practice at a slow pace before I showed up on a job site. I think the pressures to complete the job for a novice mulcher operator in a rented machine could be a formula for problems or a messy looking job site.

 

[minner]

And I didn't meant to come off as a guru or some ace operator. My point is that when I bought a mulcher, I had a lot of seat time in my machine. I also had the opportunity to try out and practice at a slow pace before I showed up on a job site. I think the pressures to complete the job for a novice mulcher operator in a rented machine could be a formula for problems or a messy looking job site.

No offense taken. I don't necessarily disagree with you. That said, I'm much off better renting one for some odd jobs rather than going in debt buying one. This is something I may pursue in the future as another capability. I'd rather take a chance on a rental.
I've never run a mulcher before and know there's a learning curve, but have run skids and dang near every price of machinery you can think of, from large dirt pans down to any farm machinery imaginable.