What’s a fair price in 2021 for tractor work?

massey

Well-Known Member
I know we are in the midst of inflation, but I’ve never hired a guy to do plotting work until this year. He’s retired and lives next to the property. I like him a lot and told him to figure what his time is worth + small depreciation on equipment+ direct costs. He’s thinking about doing this more in his retirement and I’m trying to give him ( and myself) a realistic expectation of pricing. Anyone done this lately? ( Virginia not California). Thanks in advance.
Ps. (Disking spraying broadcasting spraying)


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I think I remember Okie saying he charged $10 per hour per feet of implement. A 6’ disk would be $60 an hour and so forth. If I hired mine out it would be $65 per hour for whatever I was doing plus moving one way. That’s fair IMO.
 
If someone asked me this question I'd ask them:
Do you have a certificate for "Doing Business As" and a sales tax certificate?
Do you already have a truck and trailer to haul your tractor and equipment? How long will it take to load the trailer and tie everything down?
Do you have liability insurance?
If you are going to do multiple steps such as spraying chemicals, discing or tilling, spreading lime or fertilizer, seeding and covering seed when necessary can you carry all the required equipment at one time or will it require multiple trips?
I you are going to be anywhere near where it may be necessary who will contact "Call before you dig"? (there are still some buried phone cables out there. Don't ask me how I know)
If you are going to be applying chemicals do you know all the rules which apply? Even common 41% Glyphosate can not be applied within 100' of a well in my state. If you cross or go down a highway with chemicals in a spray tank the tank has to be marked clearly with the contents. God forbid if you ever had a spill on a highway. You had better have all the required licenses and permits and a lot of insurance.
If you do plant a food plot for example and it fails to produce how are you going to handle a complaining customer?
I know of more than one new tractor owner who eagerly started to work for some one else and after a couple jobs they gave the idea up. Too much wasted time trying to coordinate everything, work around the weather and finding everyone wanted something done all at the same time.
A neighbor next door would be one thing but any further out is a whole new ball game.
 
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I know we are in the midst of inflation, but I’ve never hired a guy to do plotting work until this year. He’s retired and lives next to the property. I like him a lot and told him to figure what his time is worth + small depreciation on equipment+ direct costs. He’s thinking about doing this more in his retirement and I’m trying to give him ( and myself) a realistic expectation of pricing. Anyone done this lately? ( Virginia not California). Thanks in advance.
Ps. (Disking spraying broadcasting spraying)


Sent from my iPhone using Deer Hunter Forum
I actually do this type of work + brushhogging + gravel + all types of bulldozer work...

For your scenario you described usually spraying is first so I just charge for that at the time it is done and since spraying goes fast I just charge a set rate/acre of $30 with a 2 acre minimum if the property is under 20 miles. If I drive more than 30 miles to get to it I get 3 acre minimum, 40....and so forth. I will carry my own water and whoever I am working for provides what they want sprayed at the site.

For chisel plowing/disking I charge $60 hour with 2 hour minimum out to 20 miles, 30 miles I get 3 hour minimum. My disk is 7’ and my chisel plow is 6’ but I just charge the same and I can haul both of them and my cone spreader at the same time.

Brushhogging $60 hour for 6 foot brushhog, 2 hour min out to 20 miles and then 3 hour min after that up to 50 where I go 4 hour min.

I get $90 hour on the dozer with 3 hour minimum to 20, 4 to 30 and 8 hour minimum after 30. Prices will be going up soon thought because diesel in trucks and equipment.

Things I want to mention that Letmgrow brought up. Spraying only chemical provided to you at the site and with the disclaimer you are their employee and that the property is their property and that you are not near any wells, or waterways...luckily everything I have even been asked to spray has been deep woods food plots not near any water and in middle of properties so not much brain work and measuring needed. I will turn down any job I find questionable.

Lines, property and utilities, know where they are before you even take equipment there...I always drive out in my small pickup and look jobs over before I commit to them. Here in Oklahoma I call 811 with a date I expect to work and property description of where work is to be performed and the utility companies come Mark all of the lines in that area.

I have been doing this type work going on 7 years and have done so well I now do it full time. I deal with 1 boss at a time and no employees. I can fire my boss and move on if required. Be prepared for breakdowns because they will happen and if you aren’t mechanically inclined it may not be for you because shop rates will put a halt to profit pretty quick. Have to have a lot of discipline to get work done ASAP. For plantings and things that require specific dates I schedule for those dates and work everything else around them. I find I don’t really like to use my equipment on my own place for fear of tearing something up before I get my customers taken care of. You don’t need fancy to do this...cabs are a hindrance when you have to do things for people on their terms and property differences, pre emissions equipment tends to not have near the breakdowns that Tier 4 and newer equipment has that requires shop time. Be prepared to fix equipment on the spot with tools, extra hydraulic hoses, fluids, etc...

it is very rewarding work especially for someone who is already retired and wants a little something extra.
 
FWIW, I was paying $40 per hr plus costs 6yrs ago. Having seen the wear and tear on my equipment since getting set up, I wouldn’t consider doing it for that rate.

As a landowner, I would never agree someone was an employee to do spraying or anything else if the relationship wasn’t that of an employee. If they were to get hurt on any aspect of the job, you could easily find yourself liable for their injuries/medical expenses and may well be fined for not having had workers’ comp insurance, unemployment insurance or for withholding taxes.....
 
FWIW, I was paying $40 per hr plus costs 6yrs ago. Having seen the wear and tear on my equipment since getting set up, I wouldn’t consider doing it for that rate.

As a landowner, I would never agree someone was an employee to do spraying or anything else if the relationship wasn’t that of an employee. If they were to get hurt on any aspect of the job, you could easily find yourself liable for their injuries/medical expenses and may well be fined for not having had workers’ comp insurance, unemployment insurance or for withholding taxes.....
Difference between New York and Oklahoma. Lots of ranch hands, handy men over here and relationship is employee as long as the job lasts. I show up to work and ask “what do you need boss”...they give me the task and I complete the task...my work has value so I set the rate of pay and they either agree or I don’t show up...very simple process.
Works for landowner and works for me. And before you ask I file taxes on every dime earned...
 
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