skid steer

**PINEWOOD DUCK** · 09-04-2014, 10:29 AM

Multi part questions. What is going rate for someone to come out and run one probably 8 hours. Need one with mulching cutter, cutting undergrowth pines. About 6 acres. Sumter county. Should I rent machine or just contract job?

**benman** · 09-04-2014, 10:35 AM

I usually pay about $2000 a day for the machine and operator for all they can cut in about 12 hours.....bear in mind, that's a licensed contractor with insurance and such hauling it to and from the site, etc.

I rented the machine and operated it myself once just to see the difference. I can run a skid steer fairly decent, but I cut about half what they normally do. But then again if I broke it I was paying for it. The employees of the contractor I use are more of the drive it like you stole it type of guys.

**Saltydog235** · 09-04-2014, 10:43 AM

Hire it out if you aren't experienced. You'll spend more time trying to get the feel than getting work done.

**FEETDOWN** · 09-04-2014, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by benman

I usually pay about $2000 a day for the machine and operator for all they can cut in about 12 hours.....bear in mind, that's a licensed contractor with insurance and such hauling it to and from the site, etc.

I rented the machine and operated it myself once just to see the difference. I can run a skid steer fairly decent, but I cut about half what they normally do. But then again if I broke it I was paying for it. The employees of the contractor I use are more of the drive it like you stole it type of guys.

You had to stand up in the seat didnt ya?

**mudnut1970** · 09-04-2014, 10:52 AM

My friend charges $175 an hour to run his cutter head.

**ProvidenceSwamper** · 09-04-2014, 11:30 AM

I would find somebody to do it. I used to run one when I did Natural Resource work. I got pretty good at it but it takes time to get a feel for a mulching head. Those heads are constantly needing work or breaking down. You don't want that bill.

I would imagine you are looking at $150-200 an hour.

You can pretty up some land with one.

**benman** · 09-04-2014, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by FEETDOWN

You had to stand up in the seat didnt ya?

Nope I borrowed Simple's platform boots he uses at the ATM

**Simple Man** · 09-04-2014, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by FEETDOWN

You had to stand up in the seat didnt ya?

Probably tried to get it to a drive-thru ATM.

**CAMO SNOB** · 09-04-2014, 11:51 AM

I use a guy in the upstate from time to time, he charges $150/hour... When we need him it is worth it.... Only use them for bamboo patches and un-maintained clear cuts left for years that are supper thick. That thing makes short work of both.

**PINEWOOD DUCK** · 09-04-2014, 12:20 PM

Thanks for replies. Some one want to shoot me a message with a contract number?

**Birdfinder** · 09-04-2014, 12:45 PM

Pm sent

**SOUTHERN WOODS** · 09-04-2014, 07:01 PM

A client of mine had some work done in NC recently and it ran him $150 per hour. I think anything under $200 per hour is fair. If you're clearing big enough acreage with enough volume to it, a logging crew with a chipper is the best route.

**Calibogue** · 09-04-2014, 07:20 PM

FYI.... I ran a skid steer for the first time today and can operate most any equipment.
But those skid steers aren't made for 6' 2" 225# operators!..... For whatever it's worth...

**Gone South** · 09-04-2014, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by SOUTHERN WOODS

A client of mine had some work done in NC recently and it ran him $150 per hour. I think anything under $200 per hour is fair. If you're clearing big enough acreage with enough volume to it, a logging crew with a chipper is the best route.

Yeah, we are getting 80 acres of crap clear cut for fuel chips, but for 6 acres I'd probably get someone to run that mulching head.

**Tater** · 09-04-2014, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by Calibogue

FYI.... I ran a skid steer for the first time today and can operate most any equipment.
But those skid steers aren't made for 6' 2" 225# operators!..... For whatever it's worth...

Got that right.

**Swamp Rat** · 09-04-2014, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by ProvidenceSwamper

I would find somebody to do it. I used to run one when I did Natural Resource work. I got pretty good at it but it takes time to get a feel for a mulching head. Those heads are constantly needing work or breaking down. You don't want that bill.

I would imagine you are looking at $150-200 an hour.

You can pretty up some land with one.

I wish that person you put me in touch with hadn't sold his big ass one before I got ahold of him. He told me there were only two that size east of the Mississippi. I would have like to have seen it run.

We have a seasonally flooded cutover we need a road cut across, too. It has been dry enough lately. Time may slip by on that.

**Baybuster** · 09-04-2014, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by Swamp Rat

I wish that person you put me in touch with hadn't sold his big ass one before I got ahold of him. He told me there were only two that size east of the Mississippi. I would have like to have seen it run.

We have a seasonally flooded cutover we need a road cut across, too. It has been dry enough lately. Time may slip by on that.

I know someone with a big mulcher if you still need it.

**ProvidenceSwamper** · 09-05-2014, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by Calibogue

FYI.... I ran a skid steer for the first time today and can operate most any equipment.
But those skid steers aren't made for 6' 2" 225# operators!..... For whatever it's worth...

It's tight for 6'6'' too....