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.

 

[Marek]

Why not make a few new friends in the mulching business and let them give you a cut or referral fee. Or you need to put together your jobs and rent for a week at a time . Mulching equipment is high maintenance no matter how you look at it.

 

[nwterex]

We Rent Both The Terex PT110F and the Tak TL12 both with Fecon Heads. Delivery and training are required on the first project for anyone as is an Insurance certificate. It works good for us but I'm very picky about who I rent to and I very seldom rent for less than a week and prefer monthly rentals. we charge 3250 a week plus $8 for tooth rental and prorate for hours over 160 per month.

 

[nwterex]

I meant Tooth Wear

 

[minner]

Why not make a few new friends in the mulching business and let them give you a cut or referral fee. Or you need to put together your jobs and rent for a week at a time . Mulching equipment is high maintenance no matter how you look at it.

That is something I have considered but I hate to be liable for someone else's work. Even if I am a little slower I will be satisfied with my work. I only know of one company locally that mulches.
You're right about consolidating work, if this works that is exactly what I plan to do.

We Rent Both The Terex PT110F and the Tak TL12 both with Fecon Heads. Delivery and training are required on the first project for anyone as is an Insurance certificate. It works good for us but I'm very picky about who I rent to and I very seldom rent for less than a week and prefer monthly rentals. we charge 3250 a week plus $8 for tooth rental and prorate for hours over 160 per month.

Yeah the local dealership does require insurance, which is a good thing. I actually know someone who's run one before and may solicite his help.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

If I had the cash and was finding that renting a week or month at a time was costing me a lot AND I had enough work, I'd buy a used machine/head and spend a little making the machine like new. I'd do my learning curve in a used machine and see what works for my situation. I was lucky when I started in that I had two machines. i made one a mulcher and owned several heads before settling on what works best for me and provides me the most uniform product. Now that I only own one machine capable of mulching, I have gotten to know all the ins and outs of this machine. I generally keep a machine I mulch with for 2-3 years. This one I may keep 3-5 years since it's been reliable.

It will come down to personal choice. I am weary of renting units and being stuck on someone else's schedule or being in a machine that's not set up the way I want it. If you are serious about the mulching, by all means rent and try one out, then get something that fits you. You will be more productive than the guys who rent and your quality will be a lot better as you become one with that machine. Too each his own as far as machine's go. I like Bobcat and a lot about CAT but I stick with Bobcat because I don't mulch full time (I also do excavation and a lot of grapple work moving trees/brush) so the Bobcat fits a wide range of services.
Nothing off the shelf is set up just right. Even with debris kits, guards, and this or that, you will need time with a machine to find all the places debris can enter your compartments. That's not good because of the heat mulchers can generate in warm weather. Sealing compartments is important and I've yet to see a stock machine that is sealed right even if it is "ready to mulch".
Just takes time owning/practicing to figure out what will work for your situation. Good luck.