Putting a tractor to good use

[adam4838]

Hi guys, after a bit of advice.

 

I am considering buying a tractor for the bigger jobs, to run a splitter, big trailer etc.

 

I do some work for a couple of schools and a Town Council, and grass mowing has been mentioned on a few occasions. Has anyone done any verge / field mowing with their tractors as a sideline? Whats the going rate for seasonal contract work? Is it worth taking on?

 

To be honest, I cant really justify buying a tractor unless it was going to be used more than just on the larger tree jobs.

 

Any experiences or thoughts appreciated.

 

Cheers,

 

Adam

[Aaron]

Tbh alot of it is already sown up and rates are total crap, you can get people doing it for as little as £20hr - £30hr, contractors see it more of a way to keep machinery and men busy through quiter times wich leads to silly prices. Not only that it takes few years to cut to a good standard.

 

Aaron

[Brushcutter]

What sort of tractor would you get?

The Valtra A92 makes an abusolutly terrorable side arm flail tractor because of visability but it a very good little forestry tractor.

 

Also if your mowing playing fields and school grass they might not want it cut with the standard pasture topper or swipe. So you may have to get a much more expensive cylinder mower.

 

Verge cutting is also normally tackeled by farmers with big JDs with equally big flails so you'd be compeating against the guy with the kit and experence already.

 

As for rates it's been a good few years since i did anything grass related for the council but i think 30p a square meter was the rate.

[chrisgilltreesurgery]

Get a Mog

[adam4838]

A mog!!!!!! There's a thought!!

 

I know what you mean about the farmers and such like having it all sewn up. The rates seem to be very cheap considering the machinery.

 

As for what tractor, no idea yet. Dont know that much about them tbh, and havent got a fortune to spend. Any suggestions?