Going Rate to cut pasture

[yrualeg]

Afternoon all,

Quick question what is the going rate in Georgia to cut a pasture, per acre using my equipment of course ( M6060 and 2310)

 

[Workerbee]

Seems you are asking whats the going hourly wage for a farm hand.

 

[bucktail]

Seems you are asking whats the going hourly wage for a farm hand.

Farm hands don't generally bring their own equipment and fuel.

 

[yrualeg]

I am going to be working some pasture for someone and I was looking for a general idea of what to charge, to be totally honest.

 

[Workerbee]

Farm hands don't generally bring their own equipment and fuel.

Can you read? In original post the OP stated using HIS equipment

 

[imnukensc]

Can you read? In original post the OP stated using HIS equipment

Can you read? The OP stated "using MY equipment"

 

[Henro]

Can you read? The OP stated "using MY equipment"

I don't think he said using your equipment, he said using his own equipment. So he would be a contractor bringing his own equipment, and not a simple employee using your equipment.

What am I missing...???

Edit: Sorry, I am not sure who I am replying in response to...but the point is the same regardless...

 

[D2Cat]

Can you read? In original post the OP stated using HIS equipment

Workerbee, the second post in this thread you said, "Seems you are asking whats the going hourly wage for a farm hand." in response to the original post. The original poster said, "..... to cut a pasture, per acre using my equipment of course."

Then Bucktail responded with, "Farm hands don't generally bring their own equipment and fuel."

Bucktails' comment is stating farm hands work for someone and us other's tools.

So your comment in post #5, "Can you read? In original post the OP stated using HIS equipment." tells me your not following the line of thought between posters, Bucktails comment proves he read the OP statement. You just don't understand what he meant?

To the original poster, ask the one wanting the work done what is a fair price from his perspective. Then see if you can live with whatever he says. Then both parties will know what to expect and be happy in the end.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Good day. I don’t live in GA, so i’d like to confirm that point as I have no idea your local rates, and that was initial question, correct? But I do think a little more info might help get some suggestion beyond the 2Rs class going on…

This may over complicate it but I’d want to answer these questions before I would estimate something (time, labor, expense, investment/potential damage / liability):

How much acreage? (And how long would it take? There’s labor and fuel, plus what ever need to get you there and back)
Are you familiar with the property?
Who is responsible for damage to your equipment such as if you puncture a tire?
Is their trailer or travel involved? If so how far?
Does your insurance cover damages in getting your equipment there and doing the work?
If you damage the property owners stuff(such as a fence) who responsible? Your insurance cover your liability / negligence?
Are you in this to make money? (One time cut or to get some sort of repeat / cadence job)
Or cover cost to help a friend? Etc.
To me, those last two questions indicate there are some equipment / wear and tear / maintenance fees should be included.

I am not sure it helps or not?

 

[NCL4701]

I don’t know the rate in your specific area of Georgia. In central NC, no longer “farm country” moderate sized tractor + simple single spindle 6’ bush hog + operator + fuel (all in) is generally in the $120 to $175 per hour range for a low skill operation such as mowing. Which end of the range it’s on depends on difficulty of the job (terrain, routinely mowed v reclaiming neglected fields, etc.). If it requires trailering to/from the job site, there’s customarily a flat transport fee in the range of $150 to $500 depending on distance.

BTW, it isn’t uncommon for people to be surprised it’s that much, but the equipment isn’t cheap to buy, transport, insure, or maintain and competent, reliable operators aren’t cheap either.

A larger tractor with a large batwing could run higher per hour but it would take less hours so that makes some sense.

More rural areas where there are more bush hogs per person, the rate tends to be less but I couldn’t say exactly what it is now.

You could also look at it based on what your cost is based on the specific job (not just fuel but also your overall cost per hour to own, insure, maintain the tractor and bush hog). Add for your labor as the operator. Add for transport if appropriate. Add something for profit. That method works regardless where you are and, if you do it right, it ensures you don’t lose money on the job. Even if someone else undercuts you and you lose the job, it isn’t worth doing if you’re losing money.

Don’t know what it would be per acre. Seems like a very reasonable way to figure it. Have never figured it that way or seen anyone else figure it that way. Don’t know why.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Afternoon all,

Quick question what is the going rate in Georgia to cut a pasture, per acre using my equipment of course ( M6060 and 2310)

You wanted a quick answer, per acre. I'd say $150/hr divided by how many acres per hour you can cut.

'Per acre' can be a trap. I liken it to the track coach asking if you can run the 100 yds in 60 sec. You think, sure, my grandmother can do that. The next day you show up to run the dash, but there are hurdles, water holes, etc., etc.

Don't know your experience level, but have you walked/driven the area looking for terrain obstacles, how high and thick is the grass, etc.? Many people are looking for mowers because the knowledgeable people have looked at it and don't want to risk their equipment on it. Others are shopping for a cheaper deal. Don't know your customer, maybe they're honest and upright.

If you underprice, you lose a little time. You probably don't really lose money, because you're not obligated to pay yourself anything and the equipment is paid for. It would make it awkward, if the client wants you to do it again, telling them it'll cost more than the first time.

You don't want to enter a situation where the conditions cause damage to your equipment, or you. Then you're out equipment repair/ replacement costs and you may well not get paid.

Story time (if you're still reading). When I was a teenager, Dad was going to cut a small (1 acre +-) 'field' for my uncle to have a garden. I started with our old AC model C and made one pass through this thick, tall grass before hitting a stump, breaking something in the steering.

A few days later, we were back with the newer MF50. I made a couple of passes, watching so intently for stumps that I didn't realize I was heading for a (water) spring. Sank her to the floor boards (made it real easy to step off the tractor). Dad goes and comes back with the AC, which had been repaired by then, and with him pulling for all it was worth and me on the MF, mostly spinning, we managed to get them both out. However, the effort was too much for the AC's clutch, and it ripped the linings off the disk. As far as I know, that little patch of ground never got cleared.

 

[yrualeg]

Thanks all for the input, I know the property very well and have cut it before using their equipment, which has been sold off and they need the property cut, it's been cleared pretty regularly. Very little risk to my equipment, I needed a rough estimate of where to start with pricing. I appreciate all the input on this from those of you that actually read the post.

 

[Tughill Tom]

Thanks all for the input, I know the property very well and have cut it before using their equipment, which has been sold off and they need the property cut, it's been cleared pretty regularly. Very little risk to my equipment, I needed a rough estimate of where to start with pricing. I appreciate all the input on this from those of you that actually read the post.

It comes down to what's your time worth, fuel, insurance and maintenance costs then charge accordingly.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Since you know both your equipment and the land, maybe $100/hr is reasonable ? heck everyone else gets that or more in the 'skilled trades' these days.