Helped a cousin out when his haybine went down. He was going to hire someone to mow some hay for him. I mowed a few different fields for him about 5 miles from my place. He did replace the fuel I used. Probably about 5 hours total tractor time including driving over and back. What is fair?
Fair price for mowing hay?
- Thread starter tom4018
- Start date
Son of Butch
Well-known member
I can't comment because I'm always too low.
Don't know anything about Kentucky, but if I remember correctly $50 hr is the going rate for 'unskilled' standing around in Alabama. Lord knows what actually accomplishing something while using machinery would be.
Don't know anything about Kentucky, but if I remember correctly $50 hr is the going rate for 'unskilled' standing around in Alabama. Lord knows what actually accomplishing something while using machinery would be.
True Grit Farms
Well-known member
Zero, besides being family he's your neighbor.
chevytaHOE5674
Well-known member
I mow with a 12' center pivot discbine and charge 14 bucks an acre to mow. In good ground I can do 8+ acres per hour. That works out to 112 bucks an hour.
JMJ Farms
Well-known member
5 hours is worth a couple hundred bucks IMO. You can’t pay the light bill with favors, but as long as he comes when you need him I wouldn’t charge him. I do think he should pay for the fuel, which he did, and he should offer to pay you for your time. It’s up to you whether or not you take it.
If your neighbor’s tractor breaks down in the road, you help him fix it for free. If a storm blows a tree down on his house, you help him get it cut off for free. If he is almost done picking his cotton and a hurricane is approaching, you take your picker and help him finish if you’re done with your cotton. BUT, if he’s custom baling for a customer and getting paid, then you should get paid as well.
For me it’s like this. If you need to borrow me or my hammer to fix your fence that’s fine. But you can’t borrow me or my hammer to fix a customers fence when you’re getting paid for it.
But when it’s your turn and you need help he should do the same for you. If not, then these guidelines don’t apply. I don’t mind doing a little extra, but it ain’t a one way street. I promise you can ask my neighbors and they will tell you that I have been as good or better to them, as they have been to me. That’s what makes good neighbors. That’s the way it used to be almost anywhere.
If your neighbor’s tractor breaks down in the road, you help him fix it for free. If a storm blows a tree down on his house, you help him get it cut off for free. If he is almost done picking his cotton and a hurricane is approaching, you take your picker and help him finish if you’re done with your cotton. BUT, if he’s custom baling for a customer and getting paid, then you should get paid as well.
For me it’s like this. If you need to borrow me or my hammer to fix your fence that’s fine. But you can’t borrow me or my hammer to fix a customers fence when you’re getting paid for it.
But when it’s your turn and you need help he should do the same for you. If not, then these guidelines don’t apply. I don’t mind doing a little extra, but it ain’t a one way street. I promise you can ask my neighbors and they will tell you that I have been as good or better to them, as they have been to me. That’s what makes good neighbors. That’s the way it used to be almost anywhere.
callmefence
Keyboard cowboy
JMJ Farms said:
Excellent post jmj. I agree with everything you said.
Maybe we can expand on it. Say your a custom baler or maybe a fence builder. Either way you have expensive and specialized equipment that you make your living with. Should you be expected to use it for free because it's your neighbor.
Again just for example.
My neighbor owns the local gas station, I don't get free gas.
JW IN VA
Well-known member
Around here,when someone's in trouble with weather or breakdowns,you go and help and always refuse payment even though everyone will ask.If he filled you with fuel and will help you in a similar pinch,you've been paid IMO.
On the other hand,if someone wants something done like haul to market,have field work done that they are not equipped to do,etc ,unless they offer to trade off, they should expect to pay a fair rate.
A few year back my Haybine was broken down and my neighbor cut a 10 acre field so I could finish up haying.We agreed I would come help move his hay off his fields one afternoon.I did that and he was satisfied.I've gone over and helped him transfer large bags of feed with my forks on the loader.We're both glad to have the other's help.
Another neighbor texted me last night he had put a calf out of the road into where he belonged.Didn't call a tell me to go get him just did it.I'd do and have done the same for him.
I think the whole world would be a better place if we'd start acting like good farm neighbors
On the other hand,if someone wants something done like haul to market,have field work done that they are not equipped to do,etc ,unless they offer to trade off, they should expect to pay a fair rate.
A few year back my Haybine was broken down and my neighbor cut a 10 acre field so I could finish up haying.We agreed I would come help move his hay off his fields one afternoon.I did that and he was satisfied.I've gone over and helped him transfer large bags of feed with my forks on the loader.We're both glad to have the other's help.
Another neighbor texted me last night he had put a calf out of the road into where he belonged.Didn't call a tell me to go get him just did it.I'd do and have done the same for him.
I think the whole world would be a better place if we'd start acting like good farm neighbors
Son of Butch
Well-known member
Then take it, end of story. Negotiating over nickels and dimes only builds resentment.tom4018 said:
I took a $100 which would take into account the fuel he gave me. I would help any of my neighbors out when needed. But he runs junk equipment and gets himself in a bind. I am sure he would help me when needed and I would gladly pay. Anyone who has ever helped me I have paid in one form or another. Just trying to be fair and he seemed happy. There can’t be any money in doing it for $25 an hour though.Son of Butch said:
Son of Butch
Well-known member
So true.tom4018 said:
True Grit Farms
Well-known member
tom4018 said:
A man and two pieces of equipment is a $100 dollars an hour. Personally I'd do it for free or charge accordingly.
snoopdog
Well-known member
This is a post near and dear to my heart, a couple of weeks ago my baler broke, neighbor came and wrapped up the last 3 bales, didn't charge me anything, and I'm ok with that, certainly would have done the same. Today, we have a window to get some hay down, good uv, low humidity and a breeze. I see my neighbor leaving this morning,with his mower on, early, cause I'm out early. Well, I go and take care of business, and start cutting, got a flat on a front tire. Broke the tire down , and ran to get a patch kit, did that and air it up and was carrying it it out to the trough to check for leaks and the whole damn side of the tube blew out. 9.00 20, aint nobody got one. So ,I share my misfortune on fb, and he asks me "do you want it down", and I tell him, only if I can pay you. He had a long day, and I figure he'll be here tomorrow.
My standard rate for little nick nack stuff where I let the neighbor borrow something is a 30 pack. Hopefully he will share it with me. I would rather not loan him my stuff but life's to short to worry about that. Its all in a days work.
snoopdog
Well-known member
Of course he wouldn't take a dime, we agreed that I would pay for his fuel at least. He got 2 jars of jelly 1 grape and 1 wild plum, and dibs on my apple crop. He had to drop a gear to get it done, I said "whyd ya slow down" he said "that is thick". I am happy its down, if it rains on it kay sarah, wont be the first.
