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  matt evans August 5, 2016 at 5:50pm

  So many variables to price between the initial gut to maintaining regular, any small rideon will take a hammering mowing 12 acres on the trot.
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  Derek Conway August 5, 2016 at 6:20pm

  I have both a horse and ride on mower and the two don't mix. The ground will get poached, piles of horse poo will wreck the mower, wheels will drop into deep holes made by their hooves grounding out the blade. 10 acres knee high collected is almost an agricultural harvest. When the horses charge about they'll plough up wet ground, it'll wreck blades.&lt;br /&gt;<br />
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  Sounds like a job for an agricultural contractor, a normal ride on will get wrecked
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  Dan Frazer Gardening August 5, 2016 at 6:58pm

  Exactly, tractor and the correct (expensive) attachment are what's needed, and they'll price you right out by a mile so I'd pass on this one. Save a lot of wasted time.
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  David Benson August 7, 2016 at 12:34am

  see the local farmer for a price you might be supprised
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  Colin Hunt August 7, 2016 at 6:36am

  Agree, farmer's prices can make your jaw drop! They are used to dealing with big, big areas and would treat 12 acres as a couple of hours work.
• PRO

  Andrew Watts August 7, 2016 at 11:28pm

  I've been lucky enough to find a local chap with all the field maintenance style kit - tractors, levelllers, breakers, stone buriers, toppers, etc. As you say, jaw droppingly competitive prices to include labour, machinery and fuel. Would knock this out in a 1/2 day probably at most. I would subcontract to him with a margin and not attempt myself via hire route.

  Every area has such a person, I suggest you try and find them and build a relationship with them.
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  David Cox August 8, 2016 at 12:20am

  the standard rate for topping by the acre is between £6 and £10 per acre-------
  perhaps your best subcontracting in a professional agricultural contractor and adding on your fee to the top?
  
  Give you an idea, I just had 30 acres of mine topped for £160+vat....
  
  Either pass this by or leave it to the Agri-contractors who are set up to do this.
  
  They can cut 25 acres an hour with ease.
  • PRO

    Bryn Dunkerley > David Cox August 8, 2016 at 9:34am

    After listening to everyone's comments, it looks like it's best to leave this job
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  1st Garden Maintenance August 21, 2016 at 9:12am

  Unless you'r very confident that you will make a profit, don't touch it. It is so very easy to end up working for nothing on those sort of jobs unless you are capable of estimating a price with a good profit margin.

  If in doubt quadruple your estimated price or don't bid for the job.