I am putting in a bid at a local factory but need some input from you guys first. The whole property is 9 acres....2 acres of it is hillside that is not only too steep too mow but also too rough with rocks and wash outs. The maintenance manager has already expressed his desire to have it mowed but it's just not possible. He wants it mowed/trimmed down 2-3 times a year. So not only would the incline and roughness make it impossible, you would be crawling in 3 foot high weeds.
How long would it take you guys to weed whack a 2 acre hillside? I just got done measuring this ditch that I do a couple times a year and it is 4000 sq/ft and it takes me an hour. At that rate, that's a 22 hour job. I think charging for those hours will cause me to lose the bid. Should it be fewer hours or more? Just wondering how fast you guys can do it.
If your going to get a brush cutter, get something thats at least 45cc! That way you can load heavy line on it for other jobs. That FS110 isnt much more than a heavy trimmer with handle bars.
I've got one account with a steep bank around a building. It averages about 30' high and 400' long, the slope varies 30 to 50 degrees. I spend about 3 hours to cut 1/2 at a time with a 32cc tanaka handlebar brush cutter with blade. The ground cover erosion control is clumps of "wire grass" that I'm not sure what the proper name is. The reason I cut it is it gets over run with trees and briars. I've tried my DR brush mower, and it looses traction about 5' up. I've attempted to go down one time, I had to let go as it was getting away from me. I really worried about getting injured if it slid back on me or I slid under it. My AWD Steiner looses traction going up also, and turnover worries me. String does not work, as the wire grass gets wrapped around the trimmer head and cutting it off is a time waster. So the blade is my method now. I wear long sleeves, long pants, WE Chapps, and a chainsaw helmet with face shield, high boots and a harness for the trimmer. I've been told I look like a village people person. The best thing to use would be a boom mower, but cost to bring one in is prohibitive. I recommend this type of work be done in the cool of the day, and just like using a chain saw, if you feel yourself getting arm or leg weary, stop, no reason to get hurt. Don't stand in one place long, the ant's will get you. Not a job I ever look forward to no matter how much money. I've never been able to hire help to assist, they try and give up after 15minutes.
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