Cost of topping 5 acres

[Po Knee]

I have been quoted £300 to top 5 acres by an agricultural contractor. This is more than I was expecting, but is it the going rate these days? I am in South Hampshire. I'd welcome your thoughts. Thank you.

 

[Antw23uk]

I just paid £35 to top approx. 3 acres by my neighbour using her quad bike and topper!

 

[JillA]

Depends on how far he has to come - the time to do the job is probably quite short but his travelling time might add substantially to it. My contractor charged £12.50 per acre for mowing for hay last year (as part of the whole haymaking job) so it does seem a bit steep. Can you get more quotes, including any neighbouring farmers?

 

[Cobbytype]

I paid £25 per acre a few weeks back.

 

[be positive]

That is rather steep, it is probably no more than a couple of hours work with a decent tractor, I pay by the hour and expect to pay for around 6 hours to top 15 acres, so £120 I think you are being ripped off, if they are charging a lot for traveling time look for someone nearer.

 

[Po Knee]

He'd be travelling about 3 miles and said it would be a day's work. Although I have no doubt he'd do a great job I think I'll ask around locally and see what other options there are as I was a tad surprised at the price! Thanks everyone for your prompt responses.

 

[JillA]

Sounds like Equine Added Tax to me

 

[be positive]

Sounds like Equine Added Tax to me

Definitely, 5 acres cannot take all day even if he used a tiny tractor and mini topper.

 

[tessah]

Depends if he brings a picnic and it's nice weather ��

 

[PorkChop]

I agree that seems alot!

I can cut a 5 acre field in an hour and a half

 

[Buddy'sMum]

Depends if he brings a picnic and it's nice weather ��

and is using a pair of garden shears to top with!

 

[Po Knee]

Hmm. Am now thinking he priced himself out of a job he didn't want OR I look like I'm made of money!!

 

[Wimbles]

My OH does a bit of topping/harrowing and charges £20 an hour for his services. Even on the bumpiest, roughest land with me driving I could only make it last 2 hours so £40.

£300 is WAY too much, look elsewhere.

 

[EQUIDAE]

I pay £15 an acre

 

[windand rain]

must have been in the army and thinks you top grass with nail scissors

 

[Dry Rot]

Stick an advert up on Gumtree.

I'll do it for £300 -- and that includes travelling down from Scotland!

 

[WelshD]

I think there is no real blanket answer to this

I recently paid £40 per hour plus a one off charge of £20 for travelling which I thought was fair. Even if the travelling isn't very far they still have to faff about connecting machinery/putting it on a trailer and cleaning it when they get back etc

In my case I had lots of electric fencing up and the guy had to spend a lot of time negotiating it to get a good finish and the very rough long grass was wet so took extra time

the finish is very good and in total it cost me £100 but the chap was very generous with his time and I think the charge could have easily been £120-140 and that was for 1.75 (aprox) acres

So in short it may not actually be too crazy a price, it depends on the job

 

[Cahill]

farmer we use charges £25 ph and comes two miles to us. done my 9 acres in just over 2 hours.
we do have to fit in with his own jobs but dont mind that.

 

[Goldenstar]

I top five acres in less time than that using a ride on mower with a mulching deck !

 

[Tiddlypom]

I paid £130 including the chemicals recently for 5 acres to be sprayed by a properly certificated chap with a quad bike and boom sprayer. Took approx 2 hours including many refills of the tanks.

£300 just for topping? He's having a laugh.

 

[Kylara]

My guy charges £40 an hour for whatever (including travel). Brings his own kit and is helpful and flexible around the weather. Did a heavy duty harrow of my 1 acre winter field and reseed in about 3 hours, but it really really needed a lot of harrowing. Think he charges similar for topping but probs just 1 hour charge for an acre (won't take that long!) and he has some pretty heavy duty equipment, and he fits people in as and when. He's also very good with the animals and stops if get upset or too close!

 

[honetpot]

farmer we use charges £25 ph and comes two miles to us. done my 9 acres in just over 2 hours.
we do have to fit in with his own jobs but dont mind that.

A round here the going rate for a man and a tractor seems about £25-35 per hour. If you are lucky to find someone would wants to do it. I paid someone £350 to spray 5 acres, that included travel and the cost of the spray which is about £100.
We managed to buy a good old tractor and flail mower for £1200, its not fast but it takes about 3hours to cut 10acres.

 

[Po Knee]

I'm definitely going to shop around. Maybe I could hire something and do it myself! Thanks everyone - your input is much appreciated

 

[Dry Rot]

The answer to this thread is to ask a neighour to do it when they do their's. Otherwise you are going to be charged to put the topper on the tractor and taking it off as well as doing the topping. Neighbours help each other out around here. It's called an "obligement". Then when their car breaks down they can ask you for a lift into town with a clear conscience!

 

[Dubsie]

Also, if you DO ask a neighbour/acquaintance and they agree, and then they organise a day to do yours and another neighbour's please don't just cancel because someone else will lend you their tractor. Not only will you not do as good a job (or do it as quickly) you'll have to then spend hours to finish the edges with a strimmer (because you're unfamiliar with the equipment) and your friendly farmer will still have to turn out to do you neighbour's as he agreed to do that one on the basis of doing both!

 

[Dry Rot]

Also, if you DO ask a neighbour/acquaintance and they agree, and then they organise a day to do yours and another neighbour's please don't just cancel because someone else will lend you their tractor. Not only will you not do as good a job (or do it as quickly) you'll have to then spend hours to finish the edges with a strimmer (because you're unfamiliar with the equipment) and your friendly farmer will still have to turn out to do you neighbour's as he agreed to do that one on the basis of doing both!

....clearly written by someone with experience!

And the next time the OP asks, the machine will be broken, sold, or lent out and unavailable. I'm experienced too -- and don't go asking if you can borrow the horse trailer either!

 

[JanetGeorge]

I've been topping (on and off) for the last few days. Had to stop as I hit a hidden rock, broke half a bade (not a major problem) but broke the shear bolt and didn't have a spare. (The joys of tractors and equipment!) So now I'm levelling tracks.

I would think that £35-40 per acre is 'reasonable'!

 

[Po Knee]

I wouldn't dream of backing out of an arrangement...I am a person of my word. I even phoned the contractor to say I was investigation alternatives just to put him in the picture.