wages

[blackpowder]

$30 paid here. Cash or after deductions.
Definitely not overpaying if the combine worth $400k and the on the job training is an hour for two weeks work in 2 1/2 months.
Farmers forget some people actually feed a family on just wages.
But, I've known these guys for 10 years and they work part-time here year round.
Top heavy equipment operators.
If they were here for just harvest and asked for $50, I'd probably be forced to pay it. Although $ 40-45 more in line with top hands on the line.
$25-40 range likely here.

[blackpowder]

#2. If you are gonna pay operators $50, plus fuel, plus repairs, plus capital cost, made as well just hire the custom operators it's likely cheaper.

If your make or break spread on a combine is $20 an hour you have your answer!

[MBgrower]

$30 paid here. Cash or after deductions.
Definitely not overpaying if the combine worth $400k and the on the job training is an hour for two weeks work in 2 1/2 months.
Farmers forget some people actually feed a family on just wages.
But, I've known these guys for 10 years and they work part-time here year round.
Top heavy equipment operators.
If they were here for just harvest and asked for $50, I'd probably be forced to pay it. Although $ 40-45 more in line with top hands on the line.
$25-40 range likely here.

With todays combines, once they are dialed in, most teens can run them. Automation makes that even easier now. Grain cart guy, a couple hours and they are a pro. Trucking grain and filling bins, thats where you need to be careful green employees. Farming has come a long way in the last few decades, not much physical demand anymore. Most guys under 35 dont know what a grain shovel is, or what the big wrench is for hanging on the side of an old combine.

[blackpowder]

Agreed.
But I've hired many who couldn't run a combine. They were still $25.

[Blaithin]

Ah, but can they grade your grain too?

I’m worth at least $26 😆

(I may be young but I have an unfortunate amount of experience with a shovel as well. Even if a lot of it involves cow shit, not grain)

[Herc]

With todays combines, once they are dialed in, most teens can run them. Automation makes that even easier now. Grain cart guy, a couple hours and they are a pro. Trucking grain and filling bins, thats where you need to be careful green employees. Farming has come a long way in the last few decades, not much physical demand anymore. Most guys under 35 dont know what a grain shovel is, or what the big wrench is for hanging on the side of an old combine.

The green guys go on the trucks here. What can they honestly mess up. Shear bolt? clutch? Combine operator is the most experienced here. Improperly set combine can be $50 an acre in no time. Automation has its limitations, buy a lexicon you will find out quick that it gets shut off numerous times a day. Yes even the germans can’t predict it all. Cart driver also needs to be on point when multiple combines are going and smart enough to keep them all going. And a good cart driver will know when bins are going to be full.

I’d much rather get a call saying auger is plugged than combine is plugged.

[Blaithin]

The green guys go on the trucks here. What can they honestly mess up. Shear bolt? clutch? Combine operator is the most experienced here. Improperly set combine can be $50 an acre in no time. Automation has its limitations, buy a lexicon you will find out quick that it gets shut off numerous times a day. Yes even the germans can’t predict it all. Cart driver also needs to be on point when multiple combines are going and smart enough to keep them all going. And a good cart driver will know when bins are going to be full.

I’d much rather get a call saying auger is plugged than combine is plugged.

Guess you’ve never got the “Oops I put the wheat in the malt bin” call.

[blackpowder]

Bahaha.
I could be a poor teacher.
Not sure how many hours to train a total greenhorn how to pick up flat crops and leave the rocks behind.
Most Class 1 drivers capable...... most.

[sumdumguy]

How about, “oops, I just backed over the auger.” A good all round fixer, semi driver, bin filler, bin closer, grain dryer and grain cleaner operator is worth a lot to us. We have that guy and we appreciate him. Come to think of it, every one is key and when they all contribute with a smile on their face, work isn’t really work at all.

[Maver]

Maybe they are worth $40/hr.

[bigzee]

Rent farm for out for $120
Sit on someone else’s combine for $40-45 hr .... priceless!!

[farmaholic]

Although I've never been around a grain cart I can understand the "God made a grain cart driver" post.

With those kinds of expectations they better be paid well.