Tractor Jobs??

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Tractor Jobs??

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Is there a market for this?

yes

88%

[ 8 ]

11%

[ 1 ]

Total Votes : 9

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NeathChris

Joined: 09 Feb 2006
Posts: 1387
Location: Neath, South Wales

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 06 10:12 pm Post subject: Tractor Jobs??

Hi, just doing some research at the moment. We, me and my brother, are wondering if there is a market for doing tractor jobs for smallholders using a small tractor. These jobs could include ploughing, topping, fertilizer and muck spreading, hauling, stacking (moving objects and loads with a bucket or prongs), cultivating, hedge trimming, harrowing, hay making, and any other jobs. These jobs would not cost as much as usual contractors charge to do and can be done no matter how big or small the job. We are based in south wales. What do people think?
thanks for reading, chris

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 06 11:44 pm Post subject:
I would certainly think it would be useful for many smallholders that are now coming onto the scene with fewer acres than justifies a tractor/large contractor. However, it would be interesting if you would find that the figures stack up, as that is often the reason that larger contractors don't do the smaller jobs.

Cathryn

Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 19856
Location: Ceredigion

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 06 9:04 am Post subject:

fencing - you missed off fencing! There is supposed to be a "ring" set up for smallholders in this area - but their website is not active - I usually resort to local farmers but then of course I have to fit in with their farming timetable - last year the fields were rolled far too late - it was a waste. Local farmers regard me as totally frivolous - horses pah! (And I went to school with them - the @@@*** lot just because I didn't inherit a farm! Most of them are buddies

) So develop the right attitude and I think you have a market there! If you have the equipment already - whats the harm in trying?

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45676
Location: Essex

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 06 8:46 am Post subject:
I'm lucky enough to have a local agricultural contractor who keeps his stuff at his mum's, next door to us. I was considering getting a small tractor but he's got every attachment you could ever need, 3 sizes of tractor, a mini digger, forklift etc... Pointless me investing in my own gear really.

NeathChris

Joined: 09 Feb 2006
Posts: 1387
Location: Neath, South Wales

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 06 4:28 pm Post subject:
have got all fencing gear here, just need to get a mechanical ost driver for back of a tractor, got a hand bumper tho. how much do you need fencing?

Cathryn

Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 19856
Location: Ceredigion

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 06 5:02 pm Post subject:
Not enough to make it worth your while Chris - but I would advertise locally in tack shops and agri places and get your name known. If people start to hear that you are good and trustworthy I am sure you would get busy.

Beckyess

Joined: 08 Jan 2006
Posts: 1076
Location: Worcestershire

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 06 3:38 pm Post subject:
It's not something I would consider unless in dire straits. I'd try everything myself first and foremost!! Becky

Mary-Jane

Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 18397
Location: The Fishing Strumpet is from Ceredigion in West Wales

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 06 3:51 pm Post subject:

I think this is such a good idea Chris. We have a smallholding of around 5 acres and on which we sometimes need a tractor to do bits of work, but not enough to justify buying even a very old second-hand one (not that we could afford that either). We've often wished that we could own a part share in a local tractor, or have someone like yourselves to call upon to help out.

A good idea - if ever you want to move further West let us know! Good luck.

Jonnyboy

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 23956
Location: under some rain.

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 06 4:00 pm Post subject:
I think it's a good idea. I regularly borrow a tractor and trailer. But if I didn't have access to one I'd go for someone who good do smallholding jobs at a decent rate. Top soil shifting hard landscaping rock delivering and placing (for stream boundary) fencing, gate posts etc. Are all jobs I'm working on where a good local contractor would be handy.

Mary-Jane

Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 18397
Location: The Fishing Strumpet is from Ceredigion in West Wales

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 06 4:01 pm Post subject:

Jonnyboy wrote:

...I'd go for someone who good do smallholding jobs at a decent rate.

Top soil shifting
hard landscaping
rock delivering and placing (for stream boundary)
fencing, gate posts etc.

Are all jobs I'm working on where a good local contractor would be handy.

Ditto for us all the above...

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 06 4:05 pm Post subject:
Ditto here too. If you had seen our attempts at fencing, you would understand why! I would also be interested in very small scale ploughing, baling and fertiliser spreading.

Kirstie

Joined: 01 Apr 2005
Posts: 94
Location: Scotland

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 06 7:39 pm Post subject:
Definatly a good idea, my son does something similar and there are a few locals that do it too, you need to be versatile in what you offer but there are people in Scotland that certainly make a living from it. It may also be worth contacting the big estates as they frequently need people to do that type of work.

Cathryn

Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 19856
Location: Ceredigion

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 06 7:43 pm Post subject:
And if all of us in Mid / West Wales are interested it would probably be worth your while making a round trip!

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 06 9:50 pm Post subject:
My OH has started his first contracting job today, on Exmoor, doing fencing, with the new (to us) tractor mounted post basher. We could see the benifits of small land owners being at te bottem of the list of jobs from the contractor as it is more cost effective to go to a place with more acres to work on.

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