(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

So I have a tractor, how do I make money with it?

L

Lanse

Well-known Member
Serious question! Some of you remember a few months back when I bought this Mahindra 4540 for my shop. I needed it primarily for loader work for my business, but I've fallen in love with it since then, and now being the capitalistic guy that I am, I've started wondering about taking on some side jobs here and there with it, and wondered if you guys had anything that you'd be willing to share with me.

1) From my welding experience, I've learned that its best to be "the guy" that someone calls when they need something done. You get to know the person somewhat and you gain more jobs with less or no competition, and you end up making more money with less chasing of work. Any tips on how to do this with a tractor?

2) What can I do with the loader on this thing? I mean, I know how to get things done with the loader (itll lift 2800 pounds and I have a bucket and forklift attachment for it), but what are some random odd jobs I could list, loader wise, on a flyer or something that I'd hand out? Its hard to think of when you try to sit down and spell it out. Plus I'm sure theres many things that I've never thought of

3) Bushhogging and Garden Plowing - Do you really make money at these? Or is there generally so much competition and a limited amount of demand that it probably wouldn't be worth my time? I'm not looking to make millions here, but I'm not going to load up my tractor and mower to drive across town and mow 2 acres for $50.

4) What are some of the more profitable tasks and jobs that I could advertise? At least in the welding world, repair is usually where its at for me. You take ~$20 worth of steel that you probably already had and gouge out/reinforce a broken weld, clean it up, spray it with $4 worth of spray paint, then charge the gut $100 for your two hours of time and he thinks you're the greatest person ever because you fixed his **** and saved the day. Thats the kind of thing that I'd need to figure out with this tractor deal, if I decide to pursue this. I work full time, but I have plenty of free evenings and a flexible schedule so I could work in some side jobs here and there.

I know that was a rambling post, but I'm kind of just rolling ideas around at this point. The tractor's a ~40hp 2wd machine if that helps. Thanks for your input, in advance..
 
I have always made the most money sticking to my trade, you are a great welder, stick with that.
 
You are going to find that being the best at welding is only half of reason why you have no competition. The other is that nobody wants to get dirty and spark burned these days. Now enter "the tractor"...everyone has one or has a neighbor who does and they are ALL experts...just ask them...and they aren't getting off that seat or out of that cab to get dirty. Customer won't know that until he has the job. Having no competition is the key to money ...reasons vary...when it comes to sitting on a seat and getting paid..you have some very stiff competition. Stay with your strong suits.
 

Well... You can try to compete with every one who has a lawn mower. Or take the jobs that have logs, buckets, wire and other stuff in them and destroy your tractor. And most fields worth working are owned by guys who have 6 tractors...or compete with good welders....
 
Other then snowplowing, if in area that gets snow, I can't think of any "outside" jobs you could use the tractor for without racking up liability(more you do with it the more risk). If you mark it as a tractor for hire for odd jobs(someone needs to hide a body....you know what I mean ) you'd run out of time to work in the shop.

It does open up opportunity to make bigger things at your welding shop, use it to flip, lift, mount things out in the lot that wouldn't fit in the shop (say trailers, roll cages...)
 
Naw, I live in Texas. Can confirm plowing snow is 10/10 fun and the cash is nice too
 
Eh, Im not too concerned about the liabilities. I've learned that its unfortunately very hard to go after someone who is a genuine scumbag even when they deserve to be gone after, and I've also learned to avoid the "nickle and dime" trashy type who

1) only have junk
2) just dont care about anything other than price
3) are obvious white trash
(the three combine into the ultimate customer from hell. Although these characteristics by themselves dont usually indicate anything bad, or anything beyond their face value)

because they're not worth dealing with (in the welding world) and I've been warned by multiple people that they WILL be the first to sue you for any reason they can find.

Honestly I feel like the suit thing is overblown, I just dont see my life getting ruined over a lawsuit that followed my plowing a neighbors garden, despite how many people share supposed horror stories that they claim happened to their neighbors mailman's cousins dog walkers brother in law.

Aside from that, I dont really care what I'm doing for money as long as its ethical, legal, and profitable. I'm just as happy on the tractor as under the hood... Thanks!
 
Eh, good point. Thats why im doing this research before I spend a couple grand on used implements and invest my time into finding customers
 
Eh, I have at least 2 trades, working on a third (machining). Variety is the spice of income :p
 
Yeah, you bring up a good point. Welding's not even that dirty once you get used to it :)
 
let the freight companies, building contractors, lumber companies, etc know where you are, and that you have a tractor with a forklift. you might be surprised at the response.
 
Just something to think about.......
Be good at what you do. Give folks an honest job for an honest price. Don't be just all about money. If you are good at what your trades are, people will seek you out and pay you well for your services. I do a bit of mechanical work, and am an A-class mechanic. Folks that I deal with seek me out for advice at the very least. Most pay me well for work performed. I also do a significant amount of "pro bono" work for deserving folks. Sometimes when you "cast bread upon the waters" it is returned to you many fold.
 
I have a brother thats a welder, he just retired from a large job shop that did everything. When they Xray your welds and you pass with flying colors with the Gov't. on space programs then I will consider you as a real welder. As far as insurance goes, plow up a vacant lot for some one that wants to put in a garden,and hit a phone line or worse yet fiber optics, then you will know what insurance is all about. All you have to do is to keep on living.
 
You might lose more than you gain. If you are out playing with your tractor and someone comes in with an emergency repair and you aren't there, that person might get disgusted and not return.
 
Lanse: Something you might be able to make some money doing is finish grading yards and drive ways. A box blade on your tractor with the loader on the front work pretty good for doing that. Also on longer lanes the ripper teeth on a box blade will loosen the gravel up to a uniform depth so you can grade pot holes shut and they will stay they way. So you maybe can pickup some work on existing drives/lanes.

I will second to skip the mowing/bush hogging. It is a rough job that can be very hard on equipment. You need to keep you tractor in good shape to last you a long time.

I would look at expanding your shop skills before trying to make money with your tractor. I hate to say this but it does not take as many skills to run a tractor as it does to make a good weld or machine something. See if there are any classes you can take to learn more machining skills. This would pay bigger dividends in the long run. The wider your skill set the more work you will pickup.
 
No ideas on the tractor. Based on what I have seen, I think everyone else has covered the bases on that so far.

I just wish you lived here in NC as I'd love to have a young guy, with your abilities and drive, to help me. As it is I've got a list of nearly 30 jobs I'm doing my best to get finished, or get to. Then, top that with either emergency stuff, or more regular jobs, coming in nearly every day and to say I am swamped with work would be an understatement. Heck I had two more calls, each with yet another job, to put on the books on Monday.

The problem is finding someone that can do all the things my customers expect of me, be it welding, machining, electrical, hydraulics, mechanical repair, or a combination of any of them. Heck, I know, or know of, quite a few of the competition, and none of them do the range of work I get called on to do. In other words I can't even say the guys are there, but working for themselves, because that's not true either.

I did see where it was mentioned about doing jobs, and the liability involved. If it's an issue, and doing welding work it very well could be, check around on liability insurance. I carry a million main policy, with a million aggregate. It only costs me around $650 a year. A lot of guys don't carry that much, but without it I can't get into places like the Railroad shop, quarries, or some of the other places one of my other customers needs me to work in when subbing on one of their jobs. Usually the RR and the customer I sub for are line boring jobs. Given what I charge for that, the insurance more than pays for itself in one day of work.

Have any friends in NC, or care to move here...??????
 
Yo're thinking of it the wrong way around. Decide what you want to do in life, and hwere you want to be, then proceed, and use the welding / tractor as part of that journey.
 
(quoted from post at 03:26:13 01/26/16) Eh, I'm not too concerned about the liabilities. I've learned that its unfortunately very hard to go after someone who is a genuine scumbag even when they deserve to be gone after, and I've also learned to avoid the "nickle and dime" trashy type
Click to expand...

Don't pooh-poo the liability aspect. Be sure you have a high limit liability policy that will cover everything you do. I've worked in the business insurance area for 36 yrs. and you never know where you might be drawn into a lawsuit, even if it was from someone you didn't have direct contact with. I've seen plenty of claims for injury to people that happened next to the property where we carried the liab. insurance but our customer had assets someone wanted to go after. I your case you might weld or machine a small part on something that breaks and injures someone. Even if your weld or machining didn't fail you might get dragged into it because you worked on the product or part. You'll likely get dismissed UNLESS you are the only one with ins. coverage or assets then you'll be on the hook for the whole dime (you are the one with the "deep pockets"). Otherwise you'll need coverage for at least defense costs to get you out of it. Standard commercial general liability covers that.

I personally am not a sketchy, nickel-dime type but if something you do causes injury to me or mine or my property, you can be sure my attorney will be contacting you for compensation. Point being, anyone can come after you (actually they only need a flimsy reason to do so), so my advise is be prepared with good coverage.

Good luck with your ventures. I have a Mahindra SCUT and love it too!
 
(quoted from post at 03:26:13 01/26/16) Eh, I'm not too concerned about the liabilities. I've learned that its unfortunately very hard to go after someone who is a genuine scumbag even when they deserve to be gone after, and I've also learned to avoid the "nickle and dime" trashy type
Click to expand...

Don't pooh-poo the liability aspect. Be sure you have a high limit liability policy that will cover everything you do. I've worked in the business insurance area for 36 yrs. and you never know where you might be drawn into a lawsuit, even if it was from someone you didn't have direct contact with. I've seen plenty of claims for injury to people that happened next to the property where we carried the liab. insurance but our customer had assets someone wanted to go after. I your case you might weld or machine a small part on something that breaks and injures someone. Even if your weld or machining didn't fail you might get dragged into it because you worked on the product or part. You'll likely get dismissed UNLESS you are the only one with ins. coverage or assets then you'll be on the hook for the whole dime (you are the one with the "deep pockets"). Otherwise you'll need coverage for at least defense costs to get you out of it. Standard commercial general liability covers that.

I personally am not a sketchy, nickel-dime type but if something you do causes injury to me or mine or my property, you can be sure my attorney will be contacting you for compensation. Point being, anyone can come after you (actually they only need a flimsy reason to do so), so my advise is be prepared with good coverage.

Good luck with your ventures. I have a Mahindra SCUT and love it too!
 
Lanse,

somebody mentioned lumber yards, freight, etc. A little twist on that could be a shipping destination. I know some guys around here that like to order bulk barrels and they have no way to unload them etc. So when they order, they ship to me, i grab stuff of the van box, flatbed or whatever and the come when they can. It works because most stuff like that will only be delivered during the day when they work. Since your at your shop, could be a good way to make cash for fuel.
 
I do various things. I really enjoy ornamental ironwork (gates, handrails, welding repairs, etc). I am also a licensed homebuilder. Tractor work is fun. I make some money but don't get rich. I bush hog, box blade, plow, plant green fields, and such. Most folks around here are about $50/hour with a 2 hour minimum for 30 - 40 horse tractors. Larger units with batwing mowers $75-$90 with a 4 hour minimum. After a while you get a customer base and start cutting the same fields over and over and you don't find so much stuff.
 
Lance, good luck making money off the people you know. Those I know want me to do backhoe work and tractor work for FREE.
 
been bushoggin for 30+ years for other people, government ground or set aside ground what ever its called in your area.rules have changed over the years only mow once a year now in the fall.acres change every year some in some out if I don't mow it I farm it.. mow about 500 to 800 acres a year with 4430 and 15'batwing one of the grankids has been mowing last couple of years [collage money] she is sixteen, I keep fuel and parts money and give her the rest,her mom will help most of the time with a 4640 and 15' batwing mower. glad to see the kids working for there education. she wants to be a vet
 
Give a little time for word to get around that you own a loader tractor.
You'll find out you end up saying no more than yes.

Endless small jobs where people don't want big equipment making a mess. Landscaping do-dads, small ground preparing for sheds, pools, driveway/yard fixing holes and low spots, drainage, etc. Even something simple like a homeowner needing the dumped pile of topsoil/stone moved from here to there.
(lots of people have flowerbed ideas...they get a load of good dirt dumped....then find out shovels and wheelbarrows are a lot of work :) )
A grapple on your bucket and a backhoe on the back will open up more jobs.

The bigger problem, especially with friends and family is picking and choosing jobs. People that don't own tractors sometimes think they are giant dozers or excavators.
If I look at a job, I weigh how much I am going to beat up my machine....and sometimes I have to say.....sorry..no.
 
I also suspect your hourly net pay for welding or machining will be at least double what you could make driving your tractor. Can you expand your list of contacts for welding work? Maybe take on some overflow work from other machine shops or maintenance and repair work for some manufactures. How are your CAD skills? Maybe build or design welding fixtures for other companies. Are you certified for pressure vessels? If you add shipping capabilities you can fabricate parts and ship them to more distant customers.
 
Hi I had been in the custom business for several years around 40. My dad was in the custom business also ,when I say business I mean dirt work with heavy equipment and farming ,custom bush hogging,plowing etc. I guess that's were I got it from ,and he gave me 1 piece of advise that I never forgot. That advise was you never make any $$$$$$ with equipment ,dealing family or friends.They all think you should work for nothing, they expect a freebie everytime. He also said you will learn...... and you will say NO NOT FOR HIRE. The only way you can make $$$$$$$$$ is to work for paying customers or buy contract etc...... I no longer do any custom work ,people where im located are overrun with equipment contractors, they are everywhere. If I do any at all which I don't anymore I figure they wanted me based on past experience or they dealt with my dad years ago etc. Good luck to you in your investment and I wish you all the best. Just my .02.
 
I see guys that are 55+ retired and hiring out their tractor service for brush hogging etc.
They usually charge by the day $500 plus fuel. Some times the brush hogging leads to other work. Tree take down, post hole digging, rock wall repair, bulk manure removal the list goes on. They get the work cause their no nonsense, have the skills and can free up their day when a job comes along.

One thing leads to another that's all I can say and you have to start somewhere.

If there were an 8th or 9th day in the week I'd probably dedicate a day to this kind of work to generate additional cash flow.
 
Did some custom plowing, discing, etc. over the years. Look the job over carefully before subjecting your tractor to the job. Make sure you are not biting off more than your tractor is capable of or the person is trying to con you into a crap job they don't want to beat up their own tractor on. Other than that, if you can turn a buck or two without beating your tractor to death and enjoy it, why not?
 
I bushog for some older people who have a summer house near me, also we are in hunting territory so I get some bushog work at hunting camps occasionally. The work is out there, depending on where you live. If you have a truck and trailer to haul it to the job, so much the better. I charge $50 an hour to bushog, usually can just drive the tractor to the nearby jobs. Just a part time thing, but it helps.
 
One thing we've always had to have help with is getting piles of stuff to a landfill. I don't know what kind of equipment you have, but nobody wants to mess with going to a landfill when you either have to take off work or go on saturday and sit in line half a day.
Look around for people tearing down old buildings or big piles of debris that are getting too big to burn.
 
One thing that worries me if I dig, even if I call 1800dig#, it's my fault if you cut a fiber optics cable, water, gas or electric line. Even if the lines are improperly marked you better have insurance. Good luck getting insurance on a start up business too. So how many of you have insurance doing custom work and how much does it cost? My liability insurance only covers me when I'm on my property.
 
(quoted from post at 13:35:54 01/26/16) One thing we've always had to have help with is getting piles of stuff to a landfill. I don't know what kind of equipment you have, but nobody wants to mess with going to a landfill when you either have to take off work or go on saturday and sit in line half a day.
Look around for people tearing down old buildings or big piles of debris that are getting too big to burn.
Click to expand...
know I don't want to go to landfill, because it almost always means a flat tire!
Hire Lance to do it! :^)
 
Geo-TH,In- Yup, everything you can think of...I'm covered.

Oh, I'm not covered if I decide to light a match and set someones home/property on fire. That would be intentional.
 
I do custom plowing, disking, planting. I charge $50 an acre to plow and disk. $250 minimum. I do ok with it as a side business in the spring and early summer. Just be sure that you have insurance.
 
I dropped farm bureau about 4 years ago after they wouldn't give full coverage on shingles. I'm with Indiana Farmers now, good company, pays everything on shingles except deductible. Insurance companies want all my business, home, auto, commercial and residential rentals. Hard to find a good company.

I was told my premiums are based on my business. I told them I don't have paying customers. So I dropped the idea of insurance.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
How do I polarize a voltage regulator?
Replies
8
Views
727
Fixingfarmer
Fixingfarmer
Mike440i
440i with 71 loader and pippen backhoe
Replies
6
Views
300
Mike440i
Mike440i
jd2cyl1943
what I have been doing lately
Replies
6
Views
360
Richard G.
R
D
Crazy dumb idea, or brilliant
2
Replies
20
Views
867
JMOR
J
M
Trying to figure out PTO & Tractor ID request.. 1950s IH 300 utility..?
Replies
6
Views
404
MARK ROBKE
M
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top