Second hand tractors are gone expensive

Bass Reeves wrote: »

This guy is not doing silage. And if he was his turnover would reflect it

Fair enough, I didn’t know that. But even at the 8 hours a day, 6 days a week, going on the hourly figures you quoted he is paying between €39k and €41.5k. Add in employers PRSI and you’re heading for the mid €40’s and they haven’t done a minute over 8 hours on any day.

Compare that to a contractor covering silage, slurry, tillage, hedge cutting etc. who is doing them hours and more for probably 35 to 40 weeks a year and probably double them hours for the other 12 or 15 weeks during the busy periods and the wages don’t be long adding up.

FintanMcluskey

If tractor drivers can earn that money, tractor mechanics are getting a raw deal

Dinzee Conlee

FintanMcluskey wrote: »

If tractor drivers can earn that money, tractor mechanics are getting a raw deal

Someone told me the other day, digger drivers in cork city are on 28/hour now, and it’s hard to get lads for it...

Now, talk is cheap, don’t know if it’s true or not. But it’s handy money I thought...

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

Someone told me the other day, digger drivers in cork city are on 28/hour now, and it’s hard to get lads for it...

Now, talk is cheap, don’t know if it’s true or not. But it’s handy money I thought...

A lot more skill to be a good digger driver than a good tractor driver I would have thought.

Around cork city too you're probably looking at big construction projects possibly paid for by the pharmaceutical companies.

That said I don't know what the cost of living in cork is but it sounds good money.

Then again if the cost of living is high and say anything over 22 is taxed at the high rate of tax you could be as well off on less in a different area.

Donald Trump

FintanMcluskey wrote: »

If tractor drivers can earn that money, tractor mechanics are getting a raw deal

There are plenty of lads who'd rather be driving tractors, who are stuck in a dead-end 9-5 office job with an arsehole boss and a 1-hour commute each way (when corona goes) who wouldn't be on that money either.

FintanMcluskey wrote: »

If tractor drivers can earn that money, tractor mechanics are getting a raw deal

We’re talking about €12-€15 per hour. It’s not big money at all.

I don’t have a tractor mechanic employed directly but if I wanted one I’d highly doubt I’d find one to work for less than €12 per hour?

Lads that are talking about paying €100 a day for what could often turn out to be a 20 hour day at silage, and sometimes 24 hours, would you work hours like that for €5 per hour? Or would you expect any of your kids to work for €5 per hour?

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

Someone told me the other day, digger drivers in cork city are on 28/hour now, and it’s hard to get lads for it...

Now, talk is cheap, don’t know if it’s true or not. But it’s handy money I thought...

I have a friend in Kildare driving a digger at €25 per hour and a few months back, in the middle of a lockdown, they were crying out for workers and couldn’t get them.

A neighbour here in his early 20’s was offered €20 per hour, doing 10 - 12 hour days, driving a 40 ton dumper on a site about 50-60 mins commute from here. He turned it down as he said it wouldn’t pay him for his travelling.

DBK1 wrote: »

A neighbour here in his early 20’s was offered €20 per hour, doing 10 - 12 hour days, driving a 40 ton dumper on a site about 50-60 mins commute from here. He turned it down as he said it wouldn’t pay him for his travelling.

That fella must be on the pup if €200-€240 a day wouldn't pay him for travelling.

FintanMcluskey

DBK1 wrote: »

We’re talking about €12-€15 per hour. It’s not big money at all.

I don’t have a tractor mechanic employed directly but if I wanted one I’d highly doubt I’d find one to work for less than €12 per hour?

Lads that are talking about paying €100 a day for what could often turn out to be a 20 hour day at silage, and sometimes 24 hours, would you work hours like that for €5 per hour? Or would you expect any of your kids to work for €5 per hour?

I suppose the point I was trying to make is that a tractor mechanic is a more qualified role with requirements for more experience, knowledge and training than actually operating the equipment.

It wasn’t a complaint about the amount a driver makes, it was more how little a mechanic earns in comparison for a more difficult & involved role.

I’ve done both in the past, there is no comparison

rs8

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

Someone told me the other day, digger drivers in cork city are on 28/hour now, and it’s hard to get lads for it...

Now, talk is cheap, don’t know if it’s true or not. But it’s handy money I thought...

All these figures are grand until you hit your tax cut off .. then your working for micheal and Leo!! Alot of lads would hit there hours by Thursday. There's only one way to get paid after that

DBK1 wrote: »

Lads that are talking about paying €100 a day for what could often turn out to be a 20 hour day at silage, and sometimes 24 hours, would you work hours like that for €5 per hour? Or would you expect any of your kids to work for €5 per hour?

It's all relative. In general it's 14-16 hour days. If it longer it extra or you are off the following day and paid for it. Not the highest rate per hour but mostly 4-5 weeks work with only 1-2 days off.3-3500 earned in cash.

You could spend the summer working 5-6 hour shifts for 4-5 days a week for the summer and not have much more earned. None of mine did a silage season as they always had a decent summer job. However my eldest used to do an odd day for a local guy if he was off work for the 100 euro. He was just finished college one year and had little work with his regular gig and did 5 days straight for him. Contractor was cribbing a bit as he wanted to put him on the books for the few days but young lad refused.

There must still be so few paying cash as these boy seem to have a bit to spread around

Bass Reeves wrote: »

It's all relative. In general it's 14-16 hour days. If it longer it extra or you are off the following day and paid for it. Not the highest rate per hour but mostly 4-5 weeks work with only 1-2 days off.3-3500 earned in cash.

You could spend the summer working 5-6 hour shifts for 4-5 days a week for the summer and not have much more earned. None of mine did a silage season as they always had a decent summer job. However my eldest used to do an odd day for a local guy if he was off work for the 100 euro. He was just finished college one year and had little work with his regular gig and did 5 days straight for him. Contractor was cribbing a bit as he wanted to put him on the books for the few days but young lad refused.

There must still be so few paying cash as these boy seem to have a bit to spread around

Take a 15 hour day as average so and you’re still talking only €6.60 an hour. You won’t get lads to do it and you couldn’t expect them to either, there’s too much handy money to be made elsewhere. A lad stacking shelves in Lidl is in €12.40 an hour and no responsibility really. I know it’s not the type of job that’s suit everyone but I’m just giving the example of what money can be earned in other places.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to get a good lad for €100 a day because I’m the one that’s paying the money out so the less I can pay him the better for me but I can tell you they’re not there to be got at that rate. And I don’t blame them one bit for it, why would they do it when they can make more than that for half the hours elsewhere.

Donald Trump

DBK1 wrote: »

Take a 15 hour day as average so and you’re still talking only €6.60 an hour. You won’t get lads to do it and you couldn’t expect them to either, there’s too much handy money to be made elsewhere. A lad stacking shelves in Lidl is in €12.40 an hour and no responsibility really. I know it’s not the type of job that’s suit everyone but I’m just giving the example of what money can be earned in other places.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to get a good lad for €100 a day because I’m the one that’s paying the money out so the less I can pay him the better for me but I can tell you they’re not there to be got at that rate. And I don’t blame them one bit for it, why would they do it when they can make more than that for half the hours elsewhere.

There is a difference between getting a lad for X per day on call when you are busy and need him and having a lad working for you for the whole year or even for a solid 3 months. That is the same with any job

DBK1 wrote: »

Take a 15 hour day as average so and you’re still talking only €6.60 an hour. You won’t get lads to do it and you couldn’t expect them to either, there’s too much handy money to be made elsewhere. A lad stacking shelves in Lidl is in €12.40 an hour and no responsibility really. I know it’s not the type of job that’s suit everyone but I’m just giving the example of what money can be earned in other places.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to get a good lad for €100 a day because I’m the one that’s paying the money out so the less I can pay him the better for me but I can tell you they’re not there to be got at that rate. And I don’t blame them one bit for it, why would they do it when they can make more than that for half the hours elsewhere.

It's all relative the young lad out of college might be getting 20-25 hours a week 6 hours Thursday and Friday evening and 8-10 on Saturday or Sunday all summer long. 250-300 euro/ week all summer long. The lad doing silage is on less per hour but in that 4-5 weeks is picking up 3-3.5k. He will probably pick up days here and there off the contractor or elsewhere. From July on he has a good bit of freedom to go to festivals ( when we had them) or away for a weekend.

I am not saying I agree with it or want it for any of mine. But it was exists it part of the reality out there. Most contractors will have a few regular drivers and top up with these temporary divers. It's the nature of the business.

rs8 wrote: »

All these figures are grand until you hit your tax cut off .. then your working for micheal and Leo!! Alot of lads would hit there hours by Thursday. There's only one way to get paid after that

When you are on that type of money you live with the tax. For a 40 hour week that 1120. It makes lads less likely to work Saturdays or OT unless there is a good extra rate. However even at the high tax rate you are nearly netting 14/ hour. For a 40 hour week you would be grossing 1120/ week. If there a half day Saturday you might be getting another 150 + on top of it. Only other extra is a meal allowance paid tax free.

Often companies stuck for workers will pay overnight accomdation but it's no advantage unless there is extra hours in the evening. It a long evening in a BnB from 5.30 the until bedtime

rs8

Bass Reeves wrote: »

When you are on that type of money you live with the tax. For a 40 hour week that 1120. It makes lads less likely to work Saturdays or OT unless there is a good extra rate. However even at the high tax rate you are nearly netting 14/ hour. For a 40 hour week you would be grossing 1120/ week. If there a half day Saturday you might be getting another 150 + on top of it. Only other extra is a meal allowance paid tax free.

Often companies stuck for workers will pay overnight accomdation but it's no advantage unless there is extra hours in the evening. It a long evening in a BnB from 5.30 the until bedtime

Alot of companies are making up wages up with meal allowance and country money (€181 tax free) however €1120 is about €789 take home which doesn't sound as exciting!! In regards to netting the €14 an hour in the high tax bracket I wouldnt answer the phone for it.

cute geoge

As far as I know the way contractors pay is 14/hour for 40 /48hour week any overtime evening and sundays then is paid as 14 cash .Contractors always pick up a few cash jobs wheather its small time /old farmers who still can get a good deal for cash and might be drawing social welfare on top

rs8 wrote: »

Alot of companies are making up wages up with meal allowance and country money (€181 tax free) however €1120 is about €789 take home which doesn't sound as exciting!! In regards to netting the €14 an hour in the high tax bracket I wouldnt answer the phone for it.

The fact is 28/ hour is a huge wage for digger drives. Most would take your hand off for it. The bone of 800/ week into your hand is good money. There are many people not within as ass's roar of that. There are many people in call centers only earning 11-12 euro/ hour answering phones and that's before tax.

The tax system is what it is. You can only work so much around it. For many people they do not even get these options

rs8 wrote: »

Alot of companies are making up wages up with meal allowance and country money (€181 tax free) however €1120 is about €789 take home which doesn't sound as exciting!! In regards to netting the €14 an hour in the high tax bracket I wouldnt answer the phone for it.

It must be great to have such a good job or do you live somewhere very expensive.

€789 would be 41k a year, a lot of people don't make that gross and you think it's nothing exciting net.

With that attitude no wonder you wouldn't answer the phone for €14 net. Plenty literally answering for it and maybe less gross.

The only surprising thing is you're on a farming forum where the average net income per hour worked is probably about €4.

Dinzee Conlee

J.O. Farmer wrote: »

It must be great to have such a good job or do you live somewhere very expensive.

€789 would be 41k a year, a lot of people don't make that gross and you think it's nothing exciting net.

With that attitude no wonder you wouldn't answer the phone for €14 net. Plenty literally answering for it and maybe less gross.

The only surprising thing is you're on a farming forum where the average net income per hour worked is probably about €4.

ha ha, I was thinking the same thing...

14/hour is too little for the 'real job', and then works for peanuts on the part-time farming job

I shouldn't laugh, as I'm at the same myself maybe. :rolleyes:

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

ha ha, I was thinking the same thing...

14/hour is too little for the 'real job', and then works for peanuts on the part-time farming job

I shouldn't laugh, as I'm at the same myself maybe. :rolleyes:

I wouldn't work the real job for what I make farming either but then again I'd owe my employer money every week.

rs8

J.O. Farmer wrote: »

It must be great to have such a good job or do you live somewhere very expensive.

€789 would be 41k a year, a lot of people don't make that gross and you think it's nothing exciting net.

With that attitude no wonder you wouldn't answer the phone for €14 net. Plenty literally answering for it and maybe less gross.

The only surprising thing is you're on a farming forum where the average net income per hour worked is probably about €4.

How many lads were getting a grand a week driving a digger in the celtic tiger days? Wake up that was 12 years ago plus ... everythings gone up why should wages be gone down for an experience operator? Especially in a housing boom? You leave your house for dublin at 5.30am and not home till something similar in the evening and work out the costs of running a van,insurance,tax, diesel, tyres,tolls .. you can take €80 plus out of your wage packet and thats if you've no repayments on a vehicle!! So at 40 hours working week and 10 hours plus traveling/in traffic and you think after costs around €700 is a good wage .. I'm sorry I can't agree .. but I'm basing this on working in or around Dublin and traveling from a satellite town a hour away with an experienced driver plus 10 years experience . A sparks or carpenter wouldn't do it

Grueller

Soooo......
Second hand tractors?

rs8 wrote: »

How many lads were getting a grand a week driving a digger in the celtic tiger days? Wake up that was 12 years ago plus ... everythings gone up why should wages be gone down for an experience operator? Especially in a housing boom? You leave your house for dublin at 5.30am and not home till something similar in the evening and work out the costs of running a van,insurance,tax, diesel, tyres,tolls .. you can take €80 plus out of your wage packet and thats if you've no repayments on a vehicle!! So at 40 hours working week and 10 hours plus traveling/in traffic and you think after costs around €700 is a good wage .. I'm sorry I can't agree .. but I'm basing this on working in or around Dublin and traveling from a satellite town a hour away with an experienced driver plus 10 years experience . A sparks or carpenter wouldn't do it

€700 take home is a good wage where I am down the west but then again I don't pay Dublin prices for everything.

I'm an experienced professional with 10 years experience and am paid accordingly too. You've clarified you're basing your expectations on the dearest part of the country.

I can't comment on the Celtic tiger years because when I entered the workforce everything had crashed and I'd to take a job where after expenses I literally would've been better off on the dole. That would've given me about €200 to stay in bed and after expenses such as rent (I'd to relocate), and run a car to get home each weekend (My choice) I was probably doing well to have between €100-€150 in my pocket to live on. The thing is if I'd done that I'd still be on about €200 on the dole.

rs8 wrote: »

How many lads were getting a grand a week driving a digger in the celtic tiger days? Wake up that was 12 years ago plus ... everythings gone up why should wages be gone down for an experience operator? Especially in a housing boom? You leave your house for dublin at 5.30am and not home till something similar in the evening and work out the costs of running a van,insurance,tax, diesel, tyres,tolls .. you can take €80 plus out of your wage packet and thats if you've no repayments on a vehicle!! So at 40 hours working week and 10 hours plus traveling/in traffic and you think after costs around €700 is a good wage .. I'm sorry I can't agree .. but I'm basing this on working in or around Dublin and traveling from a satellite town a hour away with an experienced driver plus 10 years experience . A sparks or carpenter wouldn't do it

They were and two years later they were lucky to be getting 500/ week into there hand. There is ten of thousands of people travelling in and out of Dublin that will not see the colour of a grand gross many will not make 800 gross per week. That the reality of being s PAYE worker.

Yes employers can be flexible when the economy is thriving and pay overnight allowances, or milage and meal allowances to ge more money into a workers hands when the economy is strong. It happened last time as well. Strictly speaking the overnight allowance drops to about 200/ week after you are in the one location longer than 6-8 weeks. When the boom ends the allowances ends. If you are on 28/ hour it's stays the same or you collect a redundancy payment before you move on

ballinadog

Grueller wrote: »

Soooo......
Second hand tractors?

In 2017 we gave 35k for an 08 JD 5820 incl a loader with near 7k hours on it. Now it was very clean and we got a few implements for the loader (Bucket, Soft Hands Grab etc) thrown in but even at that we thought it a touch on the high side at the time, but I still wouldn’t like to be replacing it today. Going by the comments on this thread she’s prob still worth close to 30k today??