Charge for Custom Mowing

LBH · May 4, 2009

I was asked to do some mowing with a 1066 and batwing this summer. I own the tractor and batwing. They want me to mow some fields off for them. Not sure what to charge. Don't want to overcharge but don't want to do it for free either.

any ideas on what to charge? is per acre or per hour better.
i want to be fair.
thanks,

LBH

LAA · May 4, 2009

I always charged 150% of my actual cash operating expense per hour plus my own hourly wage. You have to have a minimum for small acreage jobs. Even though you probably enjoy doing the work remember that you are charging for your time, labor and investment in machinery, if you don't get anything out of it then it won't be fun for long.

Gary in TX · May 4, 2009

I charge $15.00 per acre or $50.00 per hour depending on the size of the job. Local guy I know that mows for the public charges this so that is what I do as well. Should really be worth more but you can only give the shaft to people so much before you don't have any customers left. I'd rather make folks happy and have repeat business.

JBMac · May 4, 2009

Goes for around $25-$35 per acre here in N. Florida.

Shetland Sheepdog · May 4, 2009

I would charge by the hour! It's probably the fairest way. If vegetation is light you'll get over more ground quicker or if it's heavy it'll take longer. Neither you or your customer will get cheated that way! if you have experience with mowing, you should be able to give a time estimate for doing the job. Don't forget to include travel time to and from the job (at least one way) Probably fairest to charge to get to the job and travel back on your own time. For the size of your rig, I would say a minimum of $75.00 per hour! Here in this area guys are often getting $50.00 + per hour for 50 HP tractors with 6 foot bushhogs!
Dave

nickg · May 4, 2009

I always charge by the hour.with a minimum charge of an hour. Most jobs I charge 60/hr but if its a really small job than sometimes a little less. I figured my fuel usage and wear and tear on my equipment and my time and much less than 60 an hour I really dont make enuff to justify it

Sam from WA · May 4, 2009

For any machine work I do, be it tractor work, skid loader work, dozer/heavy equipment work, I start at $80.00 per hour and go from there, depending on what machine I'm running. If I'm doing dozer work with my Cat D8K, my price is usually about $100 per hour, plus transport cost because I can't haul it myself. A farm tractor is usually relatively inexpensive to operate compared to a dozer, excavator, etc.

Gun guru · May 5, 2009

Depends on stuff---Like do you have insurance?
How big is the tractor, HP--fuel usage.

I would think if you have insurance then charge $50/hour for mowing.

Charge for Custom Mowing

LBH

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LAA

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Gary in TX

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JBMac

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Shetland Sheepdog

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nickg

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Sam from WA

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Gun guru

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