Blowing Snow

Minn Norske · Dec 14, 2008

What is a fair hourly rate to charge ? This is for a good neighbor that I will be blowing snow for.
ThANKS & TO ALL MERRY XMAS

Sparktrician · Dec 14, 2008

Two options....
#1. Figure your costs. Tractor, labor, snowblower. Figure replacement, operating, and maintenance costs. Total, and add 20% profit.

#2. IF HE IS A GOOD NEIGHBOOR, FRIEND, whom DOSENT charge you "Full rate" tell him to pay what it is worth to him. Usually works best for me when I help neighboors like this....

GeneMO · Dec 14, 2008

For a good neighbor I would consider doing it for free. Never know when you may be in a bind and they will be there. Sure is lonely around this area now that my dad and all the old time "good" neighbors have passed on. Of course if "she" is 30, single and good looking, then of course it's free. Ha Ha.

Gene

Glen D Anderson · Dec 14, 2008

I guess it all depends on how much snow there is and how often he's asking you to do it OR if snow removal is your main occupation................May be I'm missing something but if he was my "good neighbor" I'd likely do it for free, perhaps under the mutual unspoken assumption that occurs between "good neighbors" that he help me out at some point...............Maybe I'm too old fashioned?

Anonymous-0 · Dec 14, 2008

For me a lot depends on how big the job is. If its a simple driveway for a good neighbor I sometimes tell them to pay for the fuel and say $5.00 or something like that. If its a big job like a full farm yard I would charge more appropriately.

Jerry

Dave from MN · Dec 14, 2008

Any seniors in the area I do for free. I figure it's the ;east I can do for all the hunting permission they have given over the last 26 years, plus it makes me feel good when I do so it's good for the soul and they always have great conversation and pie afterwards. My generation or younger freinds It'll be $20-$50 depending on the drive length and depth of snow. Everyone else that calls that I dont care for it'll be $100 for deep stuff on long drive ways, $30 for any other condition. @ years ago when we had that spring blizzard the private road to the south of me was drifted in and one guys tractor was inoperable due to shifter, no one else had anything big enough. I blew out their 1 mile long road with snow from 1' to 4' drifts with out being asked. Didnt get anything but a "thanks, everyone else just forgets about us back here", like it the neighbors responsibility to make sure their road is clear. I wasnt asked so I didnt "charge" but a small $20 total from the three home owners to cover fuel would have been nice.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 14, 2008

When I was a kid, we lived at the end of about an eighth mile lane (gravel) with houses on both sides. We had a tractor and dad kept it graded and clear. Noone ever offered offered anything but Dad just looked at it as he was taking care for himself. Then one day someone stopped by and said they's taken up a collection and handed him an envelope. He opened it later and there was 5 bucks in it. He sold the tractor to a friend that had been asking for it and anytime it snowed, parked on the main road (that was serviced).

Dave

Janicholson · Dec 14, 2008

If with a walk behind and just a drive or walk (like in town or suburb, 15 is max, better for nothing if the good neighbor is concientious they will make it right. 25 per hour is reasonable. For a big ride on or tractor machine, or transit time, it would be twice that. But not for the "good neighbor" JimN

JDemaris · Dec 14, 2008

I've been doing both my neighbors for free - for over 10 years now. Snowblowing and snowplowing. I've never felt right charging and only do it when the snow gets so deep - a plow truck can't get through. I'll add they are both in their 90s.

Dairy farmer down the road from me has a big 4WD Deere tractor (100 horse plus), rear snowblower and a heated cab. He goes all over town helping people out during the worse storms - and he's a sucker just like me. He's never charged anyone a dime. If I went around town with my open-to-the-weather tractor and snowblower - I'd probably freeze to death - or get a broken neck from driving backwards with my head spun around.

My take is this. If you are friends with your neighbor's - it's a bit different that someone who simply lives nearby and you have nothing to do with each other. And, if you hate each other? Different again. Blow some snow into their driveway - instead of out.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 14, 2008

You need to supply some more info. What kind of machine are you using? How long will it take? Does your neighbor help you when needed? How often do you do it? Why can't the neighbor do it? If it's a fairly big job, a good neighbor will offer to pay you a decent price for doing it. Dave

Anonymous-0 · Dec 14, 2008

I"ll do a neighbor or someone close by for free. I figure its just good P.R. You never know when a steer may get out and walk on there yard or a similar incident may occur when you need a understanding neighbor that your in good terms with. Although I got a heated cab and I enjoy blowing or plowing snow anyway. If they insist on compinsating me I just tell I drink budwiser.

billonthefarm · Dec 14, 2008

I keep the 1086 here and the 7120 is at cliffs house. We clean out five farmsteads where we have either cattle or grain bins and few other driveways or barnlots that belong to neighbors as we are going past just to lend a hand. Never charged a thing. Get lots of cookies, bownies and big thank you's and that is fine with me. Its hard to beat a good neighbor.
Living right on the county line we farm in two townships. We've been hooked on to snow plow trucks, wheel loaders and road graders in both townships. I've opened roads and blown snow back off the edge of the road for the township. Never charge a thing but if I need a hand I dont have to ask twice. There is something for just doing the right thing and knowing it will come back to you in the end.
bill

kruser · Dec 14, 2008

Bill, I'm with you on that one. Neighbor and I both have smaller tractors with loader and blades - no cabs though! Everyone in our "neighborhood" loves it when you give them a hand without holding your hand out.
Have been given a lot of good cookies, deer salami, beer, etc. - but the best part is just being a friend and spending time on the tractor, no matter how cold it is!
Hope we don't have use it a whole lot this winter though as I have other things I'd like to get done.

Jim

JOE FARMER · Dec 14, 2008

I CAN REMEMBER, LATE 70'S ,WHEN I WAS A KID SHOVELING OUT WAST DEEP SNOW FROM THE MOUTH OF MY FOLKS DRIVEWAY SO DAD COULD GET OFF THE ROAD WHEN HE CAME HOME FROM 2ND SHIFT AROUND 12;30 AM,
NIEGHBOR JUST ROLLED ON PAST WITH HIS 1270 CASE W/ FRONT MOUNTED BLADE ;WAVING, JUMP AHEAD 15 YRS HE WAS A SALESMAN 4 THE NOW DEFUNKED AGI PRO SEED COMPANY, I NEVER BOUGHT ANY SEED FROM HIM, DID BUY SOME FROM AGRI PRO GUY 12 MILES AWAY THOUGH'''SOME THINGS U DONT FORGET, NOW PRESENT DAY, HE'S NOW LONG GONE BELLY UP! I ALWAYS MAKE A QUICK ROUGHING PASS ON THE THE NEW RESIDENT ON MY WAY DOWN TO CLEEN OUT MY FOLKS. ONLY TAKES BOUGHT 5 MINUTES

buickanddeere · Dec 15, 2008

I've seen snow blowers with two chutes, one for height and the other for distance. But not a blower that appears to have two fans & two chutes?

Blowing Snow

Minn Norske

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Sparktrician

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GeneMO

Well-known Member

Glen D Anderson

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Anonymous-0

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Dave from MN

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Anonymous-0

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Janicholson

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JDemaris

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Anonymous-0

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Anonymous-0

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billonthefarm

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kruser

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JOE FARMER

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buickanddeere

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