snow removal rates- need help

[farmboy1]

I'm getting ready to sumit a first time bid for snow removal. Any suggestions or comparisons on a rate for a 200 HP tractor with a 14' blade? The only rate I've seen published was in OMAFRA's 2000 custom rate chart- $35 /hr. That gives me fuel and wages plus a bit left over. I'm not sure I want to do anything else besides farming @ break even prices. TIA

[cowman]

I don't know where you're at but here in central Alberta rates are a lot higher than that. The guy who plows out the leases here charges $65/hr. He has a large John Deere 4 wheel drive and a V plow plus a wing. He says its no great money maker as it is very hard on the tractor. A few years ago when we got a lot of snow and drifting he got a lot of work but the last couple have been pretty slow.

[hgb]

Plowing well sites in central Alberta, a large fwa assist with hydraulic angle blade is getting paid about $80/hour. This tractor works for a small gas plant that custom processes gas for 3 different companies, so as you plow these sites each one has to be billed seperately, to track costs per well. The best part of that is oil company does not accept part hours in billing, so you can pick up a few extra dollars rounding the hours off.
Check into insurance rates be for the type of work your doing, as it might be required. (plowing for oil companies well head insurance is required)

[farmboy1]

Thanks all. I met with the contractor and quoted him $100 per hr. and he also suggested the same for a NH TV140 bi-directional I own. It sounds like we're in the ballpark. That above rate (35 per hour) had to have been for a 4WD pickup with a plow. The only problem, this may leave me a little short of personnel and equipment on the farm during a storm period so that's why I quoted a little high. It has to be worth my while. Thanks again.