There is NO WAY I would do that job for $400 per acre. That is just too wide open for all kinds of problems. I use a Vermeer SC352. It literally sips diesel fuel at one gallon per hour of machine time. I average $200 per hour with my grinder. I would love to find a job like you are talking about and I would set a price of around $135 -$150 per hour. I can knock out a ton of stumps if I keep new teeth handy. I am in Oklahoma so, in my area, I don't contend with rocks which would cause havoc. I have a $75 minimum to grind stumps. I would love to have a larger machine and I could push that $200 average per hour to $300. Unfortunately, I don't seek work or get enough work to warrant a larger grinder. Another thought about what you are doing ... how deep does the property owner want you to grind?I generally go 6". All of my work is residential. The lowest price I have ever ground stumps for was $30 each but there were thirty on that job. I have only had one man ever quibble over my prices and that was a self proclaimed millionaire. It just seem to me that if you are doing this man's work for $400 per acre, you are doing charity work. You can almost bet that you will miss some in each acre and have to drag your equipment back to the job site. I guess there will always be someone who will take that job for less money. If you don't take it for $400 per acre, the owner may just say he'll leave the stumps. Good luck. You have a lot to think about. Just make sure you and the land owner know EXACTLY what you will do for the money. Will you chase roots? How deep? On and on.
