Charges or Rates for Brush Hogging?

keg99 · Jun 27, 2016

My apologies if this has been answered recently, but I searched and could only find one thread from back in 2009 on this subject. Seems back then prices ranged from $50/hour to $100/hour and in between and higher and lower. I have a neighbor right next door asking me to brush hog about ten acres. Flat, smooth and easy access. I have a 6' brush hog and an 8' finish mower pulled by a 40 Hp New Holland. This is in central Missouri in an area most would consider suburbia.

Your thoughts are most welcome and appreciated.

Steve in VA · Jun 27, 2016

Not meaning to be flippant but that's kind of like asking 'how long is a piece of string'? For what its worth, I was cutting about 6 acres of flat, open, easy access for years and charged 75$/hr; right in your ballpark. You have a gut feeling of what your time is worth and the client has a feeling for what they would be happy to pay. Average. You can always renegotiate if everyone is happy with the result.

One word of caution; one "clear, open" field had metal tomato cages buried in the grass. Exciting times there.

GarryinNC · Jun 27, 2016

Being flat and smooth and having nothing out there to puncture a tire means a lot. I would still charge around $50/hr. How good of a neighbor/friend would make somewhat of a difference. Can you do around 2 acres/hr with your 6 ft. rotary cutter? Is it grass or weeds? Persimmon sprouts etc? How tall?

Garry

RobCons · Jun 27, 2016

Pulling a 6 foot cutter I vary between 1/2 acre per hour to about 2 acres per hour. Depends on terrain, what is being cut, and what I have to cut around. All that determines ground speed. Most of the time it is on the lower end of the scale.

keg99 · Jun 27, 2016

I know the question begs further questions. But your thoughts have provided some good info to help me base my asking price. Sounds like things haven't changed much since 2009. As for buried stuff, I once cut a field and happened to look down to my right as I was cutting. There it was. A complete harrow, buried in the weeds just asking for trouble, as my rear tire grazed the darn thing. Two feet to the right and I would have created a mess. We sometimes are good and sometimes are lucky. I'll take luck, since I ain't that good!

37chief · Jun 27, 2016

I charge 125.00 for an hour or less. This is out here on the west coast. Most want a price up front. I usually make out better that way anyway. By the time I drive to the job, and back, sometimes can be two hours. You need to figure in insurance, fuel, wear and tear on your tractor. Then if you break a 1500.00 window (500) from me, or ruin a rear tire. All of a sudden you are in the red real fast. Stan

jacksun65 · Jun 28, 2016

Neighbor on my old place asks me to bush hog it maybe twice a year 3 acres I charge $50 about hour or two. Probably should charge more but it only cost about $8 in fuel. cost them a tonka truck also LOL

wi11y · Jun 28, 2016

Going rate around here in Hancock County, Maine is $50 / hour. We charge more when there is stone in the field (have to pay for blade damage).

Charges or Rates for Brush Hogging?

keg99

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Steve in VA

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GarryinNC

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RobCons

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keg99

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37chief

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jacksun65

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wi11y

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