Tractor hire

[Graham w]

you can use a farm tractor for light forestry without any problems. it is down to the skill of the driver and a good set of crossplys.

[LGP Eddie]

The tractor is just a carrier and due to the competition there will be very little margin to be made in the actual base unit?

You need attachments to make the money and these are going to cost big time too?

I assume you'll be looking at a Forwarding Trailer setup to go behind it and then things like a Winch, Mulcher etc.

 

My advice is get something going on the side first before you make any massive leap? Get a County with Winch and Forwarding Trailer setup or the like that if bought wisely shouldn't lose any money if you want out quickly.

Just an example, a reasonable Forwarding trailer with a decent 100/120hp Tractor of your favoured brand a bit of guarding, loader whatever?

You may have to break out the spanners now and again, but these are skills you will need to succeed anyway.

Fit it around driving kit for others on the Ag side of the job and get yourself known. If it starts to build from there you can easily move forward from a solid footing.

 

Eddie.

[shooterjim]

Brilliant. Thanks for that. All im after is a bit of help from the more experienced out there. If I can help out with the service I provide then we all win as the job gets done.

[muldonach]

20k tractor. 5k for a timber trailer with crane. How could they run for 16 acre? Would barely cover fuel?

 

Well things vary greatly from area to area - but around here you would be looking at £17-22 per hour plus diesel for the tractor and any implement it is driving.

 

Cheers

mac

[Aaron]

@ £38 an hour the tractor won't move on the Ag side of things, you'd be lucky to get £30, with own diesel.

[shooterjim]

Some interesting comments. Ive worked it out on 10 hour fuel, 10 for machine purchase and 10 for wage. The rest is for repairs/maintenance. The fuel is on the high side so 38 would be top charge. In reality reckon it would work out closer to 30 but any fool can be busy for free! All depends on the amount of work available. More work means lower hourly rate. On a 40 hour week at 30 quid hour not bad turnover. Does anyone need such a service in east midlands at that rate?

[richy_B]

I try to never buy anything till you have guaranteed customers lined up. Advertise locally with the prices you want and see what response you get. This will make the decision far easier.

[LGP Eddie]

I'd keep out of the Ag side as its flooded already and rates are savage. You'll make more just driving unless you drop very lucky.

I'd say advertising will be useless, you'll get calls from people sounding you out and checking the rate, but in reality it's very much who you know and reputation that will get the work.

 

Dip a toe in with something used that will have negligible depreciation and get it out there in front of people to let them see what it can do.

 

It's tough enough without having a huge capital investment around your neck and the pondering of having to drop rates just to make a payment.

 

Aim for price work if possible, it gives the chance to earn a bit more, but also if using a bit older kit people won't be dancing up and down if you get the odd breakdown.

 

Best of luck.

 

Eddie.

[steve collins]

if you want to move timber your not looking great money per ton it will not be much over £5 for hardwood

[mendiplogs]

if you want to move timber your not looking great money per ton it will not be much over £5 for hardwood

 

Hi Steve or a large trailer mate thanks Jon