Rates for custom mowing, raking and square baling

Jim in NC · Jun 5, 2008

This has probably been addressed, but what are some of you charging to do this with the increase in fuel prices. I use a 45 hp diesel and a 7' haybine. I usually do not seek or do this type of work, but after last year's drought, fields that have not been hayed for years are being cut. I had 2 people ask me today about baling for them.
Thanks in advance for your responses.

ericlb · Jun 5, 2008

these days i never lock into a price for anybody, you cant afford to,with the price of fuel you have to leave yourself a out, if you were working a 45 horse tractor last year for a hourly rate of 75 bucks thats nowhere near enough today you might figure out a price for your time and the wear and tear on your equipmentect, then tell them 'this plus you pay for all fuel used from the time i leave the house until the time i get back'they might hunch and beller, but better that than you quoting them 85 per hour only to find its costing you 120 per hour to do the job

big jt · Jun 6, 2008

From Iowa State University's Custom Rate survey

Mowing Avg $10.70 / Acre
Range of 8.50 - 15.00
Raking Avg $5.65 / Acre
Range of 2.00 - 10.00
Baling (Small squares) $0.48 / Bale
Range of 0.30 - 0.65

These rates of course are based on what was charged last year. I used this rate chart when I baled when I was in college but that was in a time when things were more stable. (the figures I gave are on the current chart) That being said if you really aren't looking for work I would charge towards the upper end until you get your feet wet. If you are looking to do this sort of work charge at the lower end or average and you can always go up.

hth

jt

IaGary · Jun 6, 2008

Fuel is twice the cost of what it was last year.

I use about 3 gallon an acre to mow,rake and bale.

I would need $6.00 an acre more to mow rake and bale,than I did last year.

Sooo instead of the $48 an acre I got last year I would need $54 an acre this year. This ia all figured on 50 to 70 little squares or 3 big rounds per acre per cutting.

It is not that much more per acre in fuel cost per acre as everyone thinks it is.

Gary

IaGary · Jun 6, 2008

Cost to run a 45 hp tractor has only gone up about $6.00 a hour from a year ago cause of fuel price.

Gary

RodinNS · Jun 6, 2008

I charge 70 an hour for a 9'9" discbine, 50 an hour for a 14' rotary rake and 50-70 an hour for a square baler depending on whether it's got a 45 hp tractor in front of it or a 85 hp tractor in front of it. Throughput goes up a bunch with the 85 hp in front in my situation where the bigger tractor has dual power and more gears.

I would think that when you cinsider a wage for yourself, you would be at the higher end of the per acre/per bale prices listed in the other post. Be careful not to ask for too little. Working for nothing isn't much fun, and if you find that you overcharged a bit you can always reduce the bill. You can never get the amount UP after it's been quoted...

Rod

Tradititonal Farmer · Jun 6, 2008

I charge by the acre as thats the fair way to do it in my opinion as how much you can cut in an hour depends on how big or small your equipment is.Also if it hasn't been cut for a couple years you need to check the fields out throughly

shawnspeed3 · Jun 6, 2008

Saw an ad in the paper 1.25 a bale for sm. squares within 10 mi of farm....

kyhayman · Jun 6, 2008

Round bales 22.00, square bales 2.50 to cut, rake, and bale (squares at that price pulling their wagon, 2.25 dropped on the ground). 1200.00 minimum to per job, plus actual cost if I have to interstate move my equipment. So far, I'm booked all the way through July which is as far as I'm locking prices.

Beyond that I'm varying price based on fuel costs. I use about 3 gallons of diesel per round bale. Doesnt vary a whole lot, to cut rake and roll. Since all pertroleum varies with oil I'm holding these prices as long as diesel holds 3.75-4.25. When I fill my tanks again I can vary price per roll 1.00 up or down with each movement into another 50 cent bracket.

Rates for custom mowing, raking and square baling

Jim in NC

Well-known Member

ericlb

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big jt

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IaGary

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IaGary

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RodinNS

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Tradititonal Farmer

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shawnspeed3

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kyhayman

Well-known Member

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