Hedgecutting with tractor mounted flail

[John Shutler]

im going to be investing in another tractor to carry out a variety of more ag related activities as well as some haulage, running a mulcher and possibly a larger PTO biomass chipper. im looking at tractors around the 180hp mark. the tractor will also be used for cutting hedges with a flail, how many people if at all offer this service and what kinda hourly rate is charged? do you find it complements or adds something to your buisiness. im based in a fairly rural area with lots of agricultural hedging and few contractors carrying out this work

many thanks

[woody paul]

I use a flail hedge cutter which is not mine, so just drive it and have the use of it if I want it on a job. 180hp is a big tractor on one also have you used one before.

[cornish wood burner]

180 hp would only drive a small biomass chipper. You would be limited to small users chipping small diameter wood.

[aspenarb]

im going to be investing in another tractor to carry out a variety of more ag related activities as well as some haulage, running a mulcher and possibly a larger PTO biomass chipper. im looking at tractors around the 180hp mark. the tractor will also be used for cutting hedges with a flail, how many people if at all offer this service and what kinda hourly rate is charged? do you find it complements or adds something to your buisiness. im based in a fairly rural area with lots of agricultural hedging and few contractors carrying out this work

many thanks

 

We use subbies with sidearm flails on occasions and the rates seem quite consistent, depending on machine size and reach they vary from £250- £325 a day , they fuel themselves for that.

 

Bob

[gdh]

180 hp would only drive a small biomass chipper. You would be limited to small users chipping small diameter wood.

 

Depends on your definition of small but it should drive a 15inch chipper and that will do 15-20cube an hour.

 

Hedgecutting is around £35 an hour I think but it depends on competition.

[swinny]

We use subbies with sidearm flails on occasions and the rates seem quite consistent, depending on machine size and reach they vary from £250- £325 a day , they fuel themselves for that.

 

Bob

 

Wow the lower rate doenst seem a lot! Esp not with running costs and fuel

[AHPP]

The rate is probably consistent because there's a list of suggested prices for ploughing, flailing etc that agricultural contractors use. Sort of like a national standard. Someone posted a link on here within the last six months.

[gdh]

The rate is probably consistent because there's a list of suggested prices for ploughing, flailing etc that agricultural contractors use. Sort of like a national standard. Someone posted a link on here within the last six months.

You can find it if you Google naac charges. I won't link because it's a pdf. A lot of their prices are a bit high compared to what I see but it's a useful guide.

 

It's based on a survey of members I believe.

[leswold]

We've been asked to price a 400 mtrs hedge reduction from its current 10mtrs height to 1.8mtrs. Its mostly hawthorn but a mixed hedge. Thing is...every few metres the stems are a foot in dia & it so we thought a tractor/flail might handle most of it between those stems. How would others approach this? Sorry to derail but I've no experience of flails. Local tractor/flail hire with operator is around £250-£350 per day but I thought flails could only deal with say 3" dia?

Edited November 17, 2016 by leswold

[eggsarascal]

£250/day around here. Mrs Egg organised it a few weeks ago for the parish council.