Brush chopping prices

[Michael Price]

I was wondering what wondering what a fair price for brush chopping is. With fuel prices back up would $100 a acre be high?

 

[John A.]

Michael, Do you mean shredding brush with a big tractor shredder/mower or are you meaning cutting brush with a chain saw, axe, loppers! your question to too vague to know what you mean.
1-Mexican labors will work for about $100/day and "hand clear" about 2 acres/day.
2-A Bobcat skidsteer loader with a tree sheer or hydrolic shredder will rent for more but it will be able to clear much more than the "hand clearing" probably 3, 4, 5 times as much. with a good operator at the controls
3-A tractor and shredder will get rid of saplings at a faster rate yet but you will be limited to tree size 3 in and less.
4-A HydroAxe will cost about $200/hr. But it Will Clear depending on tree stand, timber up to 2ft diameter, about 2 &1/2 acres/hr. 8hr base charge + $500 move on charge.
Hope this helps.
Later,
John A.

 

[Michael Price]

I meant with a brush chopper on the back of a tractor.

 

[kyhayman]

My base rate for mowing pastures with a 15 foot batwing is 85 an hour. If there's small brush its a 100 an hour. 4 hour minimum, windshield time one way. As much as stuff costs to fix I wont do it for less, no use buying a job.

 

[LAA]

Where do you hire the Mexican that can hand clear 2 acres a day?

 

[John A.]

LAA, Have a neighbor that had an older man come by his place last summer looking or work and he had him chainsawing cedars and brush he averaged almost 3 acres / day on 400 acres of pasture. course there were a few large meadows and open areas cedar infestation was moderate to heavy in some places. This old man flat out loved Ranch work. He could have worked in town and made more money but he didn't like town. Also had is own truck, and was quite knowledgeable about All Farm/Ranch work! They are out there one just has to keep looking.
Later,
John A.