What is a fair price for disking 15 acres?

   / What is a fair price for disking 15 acres? #1  

tmc_31

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2005
Messages
392
Location
Texas
Tractor
NH TN70D, NH L190
Hey Guys,

I know that it seems that I am always asking what prices for different kinds of tractor work should be. I admit that I have gotten a lot more from this forum than I have contributed. However, I have contributed some and hope to contribute more as I gain experience, so please bear with me.

Had a customer call me from the Dallas Tx area who had a ranch about 85 miles north of me. He said that he had just bought the place and needed about 15 acres disked for a food plot. He told me he had a 10' tandem that I could use, and I have a NH TN70D 58 PTO HP tractor to pull it with. He said that the 15 acres had been under cultivation in wheat last year. I will have to trailer the tractor up there and back and I think it will take me around 6 hours. My question is what would be a fair price to make one pass over this 15 acres using his tandem and my tractor.

Tim
 
   / What is a fair price for disking 15 acres? #2  
since your going to have to haul your tractor to the farm id say $200 is a fair price todo the discing.
 
   / What is a fair price for disking 15 acres? #3  
since your going to have to haul your tractor to the farm id say $200 is a fair price todo the discing.

Six hours for $200? Exclusive of travel charges? Thirty bucks an hour for a man and machine? This is a business, not a charity
 
   / What is a fair price for disking 15 acres? #4  
Six hours for $200? Exclusive of travel charges? Thirty bucks an hour for a man and machine? This is a business, not a charity

I was thinking the same thing. :eek: I would say total bill of $600-$800. ;)
 
   / What is a fair price for disking 15 acres? #5  
Your better off not doing a job than you are to pay to work
 
   / What is a fair price for disking 15 acres? #6  
Break it down:

85 miles LOADED each way:

85 X $2/mile (seems to be going rate): $170 x 2 (round trip): $340 just to move the machine there/back.

Figure 2 hours on each trip for load/drive/unload: $50/hour = $200

I'm at $540 and I haven't started "working".

I don't know what your machine costs to run, but if you haven't figured out the TRUE cost/hour you better start now.

I know plowing with a pickup truck we got $75/hour for machine+operator. I'd like $100 for the tractor, personally.

6 x $100: $600

Total it all up:
$540 + $600 = $1140

ac
 
   / What is a fair price for disking 15 acres? #7  
Break it down:

85 miles LOADED each way:

85 X $2/mile (seems to be going rate): $170 x 2 (round trip): $340 just to move the machine there/back.

Figure 2 hours on each trip for load/drive/unload: $50/hour = $200

I'm at $540 and I haven't started "working".

I don't know what your machine costs to run, but if you haven't figured out the TRUE cost/hour you better start now.

I know plowing with a pickup truck we got $75/hour for machine+operator. I'd like $100 for the tractor, personally.

6 x $100: $600

Total it all up:
$540 + $600 = $1140


ac


I know guys that move heavy equipment for a living, none get paid mileage and hourly. It's one or the other, but not both. I suppose that may vary, but the guys I know, that's how it is. Unless the OP is actually in business to do this which I don't think that he is, it really isn't fair for him to expect to get what the going rate should be IMO. I know when I do a job for a friend, I charge for my time and they get the equipment use for free.
 
   / What is a fair price for disking 15 acres? #8  
I'm thinking min of $800
that's allot of time on equipment weather it's you truck and trailer or your tractor
 
   / What is a fair price for disking 15 acres? #10  
Is the disc on hydraulics? If so, consider the issue of matching quick disconnects as well as fluid contamination in your hydraulic system. Just saying.
 

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