Crimson Red Sports

What do y'all think?

Any money in it?  Sure would be fun.

Big women need love too.   ;D

seriously.  I want to be self employed, at least for a while.

I don't see how a fella could make a whole lotta money at that, but then again, I am ignorant on the subject.  I think a person could make more money starting a lawn service.  I know a guy who has done it for years over in SE Alabama and makes a really good living.  You would think it would be seasonal, yet his clients keep him busy year-round. 

You may be right, I dont know.  I just dont mind doing it.  There isnt a bush hogging service around here.  Just the big land clearers.  I dont know if that means there isnt a market or what.

Any other ideas?  I have some capital and low overhead right now, it's the time if I'm going to try something.

You could grow weed, but I probably blew that opportunity by making this post.

Watch the legal advertisements in your local paper. Look for projects, repairs, maintenance, etc. contracts that are up for bid. I have picked up several over the years. You really are fed up with the 40 a week grind, huh?

I have a few acres where you can practice. Seriously, it is hard to find someone to bush hog small parcels and the price isn't cheap.

This is the info I was looking for.  That's what got me thinking, it's hard as hell to find someone to just come bush hog.  They want to bring out the heavy equipment and clear and level for tons of $$ is what I have found.

I wish it was 40 hours.  Yeah, I am ready to try something.

>40 or <40 right now?

I am off right now, waiting on a contract, but when I am working it's not 40 hours, more like 50-60.

I know pretty much zero about clearing land, but it seems that simply bush hogging would not offer a ton of work. Like Brosky said, if you were to offer it as part of an entire package of lawn maintenance services, then you might have something. A cousin of mine has just such a bidness and does pretty well with it. You get a few customers, they pass along their experience with you to their friends, and the next thing you know you have enough work to last you pretty much all year.

good luck on it if you decide to go for it ...

I was just talking to a guy that does critter control
had no idea they made the kind of money they do
getting opossums and stuff off peoples property pays very well .

heck ... you might could bush hogg em' cheaper and get that business too 

bamawv, or anyone, how do you feel about flail mowers?  Should that be considered?  TIA

http://www.terramite.com/

Or some version of will create income. You need to learn how to use it. Stay busy all the time.

Explain?  They look like just small tractors?

I am suggesting a whole different direction from brush hogging. I chose the Terramite because I found a good picture but I have always felt that if things went all to Hell, I could make a good living with a rubber tirebackhoe, loader. Water lines, field drains, culverts, the list of needs is endless. Maybe in conjunction with the brush cuttting.

Oh, I am a pretty good operator.  How easy would it be to remove the backhoe to attach the cutter?  How do you get those kind of jobs?

Maybe it's worth mentioning that I have frontage property on a major road.  I am thinking a two sided little sign will get seen probably at least a 2 -3 thousand times a day or so, I've never counted cars but even at 3 am there is one every few minutes.

Out of my realm of expertise. I just know what kind of demand there is HERE. Word of mouth would be one way, talking with contractors another. Talk to the guy who sells culvert pipe in your area. He will have his thumb on the pulse.

Another thing I've always heard is not to be in the heavy equip, trucking business unless you are mechanic enough to do your own repairs and maintenance. Devil's advocate-- not trying to discourage anything.

Equipment dealers, sellers, AND customers will be lining up to take advantage of the "college boy". Counter that nonsense by doing your homework. Spend a week or a month talking to dealers,-- buy trader magazines and make 400 phone calls and get the sellers of used equip to start talking. Take notes, index your contacts.

Before you go public you need to know if any contractor licensing is necessary.

Flail mowers work well if the field is in "good" shape, that is, not a lot of small saplings or other heavy stuff. For the last several years I have been mowing 60-70 acres that is in a Federal conservation program. We were using a flail mower for most of it but, over time, small saplings like sweet gum have made it just too tough on the mower so now I just use a bush hog.

I'm a decent mechanic.  My dad was diesel mechanic so I grew up around it.  Nothing is completely foreign at least.  Regular maintenance and small repairs wont be an issue.  I even have a hoist and a welder.

No, just insurance.  I can get 1 million liability for like 400 bucks a year.

I think it would really be accorrding to what you charge. Alot of upkeep on the equipment. RTR!

Not a huge amount of upkeep. Hit your grease points often and change the fluids and filters a couple times a year.

So I can offer bush hogging, land clearing including small trees, and light backhoe and loader services... Think that will keep me busy? 

No way I could venture to guess the demand for these services in your area. I'll bet it'll depend on how you put yourself out there and your personal contacts. Throw in a ton truck w/dump bed and you are in business.

maybe you could check out any competition you might be up against  http://bham.craigslist.org/fgs/

not sure on your exact  local but you get the idea , maybe place a ad and see what happens too ?

Take window installation for example. There are many companies that sell storm doors and windows but do not offer installation. But the counter sales guys have list of window installers they recommend to customers. You get on their list by taking them to lunch, or hitting them up with ball game tickets. Same deal with guys that sell perforated pvc for field drains or corregated steel for culverts. Realtors or commercial realty concerns may need property cleared preparing for sale or new construction. Again, I would spend hours on the phone using the trader magazines looking for tips and info. The roadside exposure idea is solid. Business cards and handbills a must.