Forestry Mulcher

jyoutz

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
Jan 14, 2019
2,914
1,959
113
Edgewood, New Mexico
If you don't mind me asking, what is their hourly rate? Or, how much for what size area?
I don’t know what his arrangements are, but foresters never bid any woods work by hourly rates. It’s always “per acre.” We’ve been around the block a few times working with many contractors.
 

The Evil Twin

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501, LA526,
Jul 19, 2022
2,792
2,795
113
Virginia
I don’t know what his arrangements are, but foresters never bid any woods work by hourly rates. It’s always “per acre.” We’ve been around the block a few times working with many contractors.
They do here. Minimum of 8. That's why I asked.
 

jyoutz

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
Jan 14, 2019
2,914
1,959
113
Edgewood, New Mexico
They do here. Minimum of 8. That's why I asked.
That’s what contractors would prefer. We just tell them to give us a per acre bid or we move on to the next contractor. They are given opportunities to walk the job area before formulating their bid.
 

rc51stierhoff

Well-known member

Equipment
B2650, MX6000, Ford 8N, (BX sold)
Sep 13, 2021
2,494
2,959
113
Ohio
I’ve had a pro with equipment visit me three times. And I would not do it differently

IMO what @jyoutz has recommended is as honest as the gospel.

It’s not cheapest option. The guy that we use bids it by the number of days he estimates it to take…I am sure that translates to acres of work to him. But he works long full days (12-14).

When they are done it’s ready to plant seed on…everything is mulched and no large piles of spoils to deal with or burn. He does crib the decent logs nicely in pre arranged places though. It’s an awesome machine and he does a great job.
 

Attachments

Trbarlow

Member

Equipment
LX2610
Jun 14, 2022
19
53
13
Aylesford, Nova Scotia
If you don't mind me asking, what is their hourly rate? Or, how much for what size area?
$200 per hour Canadian. They have two Skidsteers with drum mulchers. Approx. 5 acres. Thinks it can be done in a day, with that said lots of large trees just having him clear out the old stumps, and under brush mainly.
 

The Evil Twin

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501, LA526,
Jul 19, 2022
2,792
2,795
113
Virginia
$200 per hour Canadian. They have two Skidsteers with drum mulchers. Approx. 5 acres. Thinks it can be done in a day, with that said lots of large trees just having him clear out the old stumps, and under brush mainly.
Wow. That's pretty good! Round here it's $250/ hr. USD. That's like $330 CN!!
 

The Evil Twin

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501, LA526,
Jul 19, 2022
2,792
2,795
113
Virginia
Rates
200 HR mulching
3 Hr minimum
150 HR float
100 HR CREW TRAVEL FOR MULTIPLE DAY WORK

Seems pretty fair to me.
Hell, I'd jump on that. I got a $4,000 quote for 6 acres. Leaving everything that is still standing. It's thick underbrush and fallen trees though. Lots of good wood still standing and its tight. Hills and a creek too. I would love to have that section thinned out, but that's a bit steep for a "want".
 

mikester

Well-known member

Equipment
M59 TLB
Oct 21, 2017
3,518
1,979
113
Canada
www.divergentstuff.ca
Machine rental rates here are CDN$100/hr + fuel + DEF + labour based on a 40 hr rental

A JD 331 CTL will average about 20L/hr fuel + 1/2 tank DEF

If you want a job done to a certain standard of quality you are better off renting. If you want someone in and out in the shortest amount of time and a crappy shred job hire a contractor.

If the rental company sends you a worn out machine with worn out teeth send it back because you are wasting time and money like trying to use a chainsaw with a dull blade.
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,309
4,849
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
IF you do rent, check the contract ! Seems that though you rent per day (24hrs), you're ONLY allowed 8 HOURS of use ! Rental shop here will charge you 2 days when you bring back their machine with 11 hours on the meter..
Don't know if this is true elsewhere, just something 'interesting' I found out.
 

The Evil Twin

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501, LA526,
Jul 19, 2022
2,792
2,795
113
Virginia
Machine rental rates here are CDN$100/hr + fuel + DEF + labour based on a 40 hr rental

A JD 331 CTL will average about 20L/hr fuel + 1/2 tank DEF

If you want a job done to a certain standard of quality you are better off renting. If you want someone in and out in the shortest amount of time and a crappy shred job hire a contractor.

If the rental company sends you a worn out machine with worn out teeth send it back because you are wasting time and money like trying to use a chainsaw with a dull blade.
That's excellent advice. Always inspect the cutting edges of rental equipment.
 

Elliott in GA

Well-known member

Equipment
LX 2610SU w/535,LP RCR1860,FDR1660,SGC0554,FSP500, DD BBX60005
Mar 10, 2021
738
714
93
North Georgia
The safest choice is to buy the complete insurance with the rental. No matter what happens, it is not your problem. When I rented a $30K Vermeer tracked trencher; the complete insurance was ~$12 for the day.

I of course was careful with the equipment, but it was nice not having to worry about making a mistake (too tight of a turn or slipping off the trailer ramps) or just having bad luck (finding long buried piece of steel or a really big sharp rock at just the wrong angle).
 

The Evil Twin

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501, LA526,
Jul 19, 2022
2,792
2,795
113
Virginia
The safest choice is to buy the complete insurance with the rental. No matter what happens, it is not your problem. When I rented a $30K Vermeer tracked trencher; the complete insurance was ~$12 for the day.

I of course was careful with the equipment, but it was nice not having to worry about making a mistake (too tight of a turn or slipping off the trailer ramps) or just having bad luck (finding long buried piece of steel or a really big sharp rock at just the wrong angle).
I used to do that with rental cars. Till this one bachelor party weekend in the outer banks. Then, I was invited to never rent from Enterprise again.
 
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mikester

Well-known member

Equipment
M59 TLB
Oct 21, 2017
3,518
1,979
113
Canada
www.divergentstuff.ca
Falls off the trailer an the way back to the rental shop. Driver : "those guys really messed this machine up, boss"
Recently I returned a rental and got a $150 "cleaning fee" tacked on my bill. I sent them photos of the machine prior to pick up and asked them to please explain. They reversed the charge.
 

mikester

Well-known member

Equipment
M59 TLB
Oct 21, 2017
3,518
1,979
113
Canada
www.divergentstuff.ca
The safest choice is to buy the complete insurance with the rental. No matter what happens, it is not your problem. When I rented a $30K Vermeer tracked trencher; the complete insurance was ~$12 for the day.

I of course was careful with the equipment, but it was nice not having to worry about making a mistake (too tight of a turn or slipping off the trailer ramps) or just having bad luck (finding long buried piece of steel or a really big sharp rock at just the wrong angle).
Rental insurance doesn't cover additional costs like fuel and cleaning mud out of the tracks prior to hauling down the road. All the places I deal with explicitly say they charge up to $500 cleaning fees and $5/L for fuel for machines returned dirty or empty.


Ministry of Transportation has some pretty good fines for drivers hauling equipment that's dropping rocks and dirt on the highways.
 

The Evil Twin

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501, LA526,
Jul 19, 2022
2,792
2,795
113
Virginia
Recently I returned a rental and got a $150 "cleaning fee" tacked on my bill. I sent them photos of the machine prior to pick up and asked them to please explain. They reversed the charge.
I have had that too. Thankfully I had before and after photos. It was cleaner when I returned it. Well, video because I was recording the work.
I honestly think they do it because they don't think people will notice. I rent under a LLC so maybe they think companies are less likely to notice.