Allis Chalmers wd45 brake job

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lurch85
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Allis Chalmers wd45 brake job

Post by lurch85 » Sun Oct 23, 2016 7:54 pm

Just finished up a brake job for a buddy of mine... Wd 45, had to replace one of the brake drums, reline the shoes, and had a few attempts trying to get the new brake drum on, took it to a machine shop to have it reground a few thousandths and still had to chill the shaft with dry ice and heat the drum itself.... Also spent time with a few broken bolts and the typical frozen bolts/nuts/pins. Worst job I have done in a while, (I felt a bit better seeing a few people on the net saying this job was just as horrible as the time I had)

I have WAY too much time into it. I do a lot of work for other people trading favors back and forth with other people in leiu of money, and this guy insists on making it worth my while to make up for other people's inablility to pay. (which of course, is much appreciated!)

Trying to figure out how much the labor would have cost if he would have brought it to another mechanic, so that can be taken into account for my cost.

I appreciate his wanting to effectively reimburse me for my time, but I also could have been more efficient also. I have given him an idea of a price, and he says it's not enough...

I would rather not say how much I told him.. And he wants to pay me $20 an hour. We agreed to get some other ideas from other guys to take into account...
This number should be for labor only, parts of course were for cost alone with no markup...
Care to help?
John Deere 420C, John Deere 350 straight with Gafner loader, John Deere 4020

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Stan Disbrow
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Post by Stan Disbrow » Mon Oct 24, 2016 4:43 am

Hi,

The general rule-of-thumb for labor is $50/hr on the low side of the scale. It generally runs up to $100/hr depending on business overhead and complexity of the work.

Stan
There's No Such Thing As A Cheap Crawler!

Useta Have: '58 JD 420c 5-roller w/62 inside blade
Useta Have: '78 JD350C w/6310 outside blade
Useta Have: '68 JD350, '51 Terratrac GT-25
Have: 1950 M, 2005 x495, 2008 5103 (now known as 5045D)

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Paul Buhler
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Post by Paul Buhler » Mon Oct 24, 2016 8:09 am

I agree with Stan. If you have the skills and equipment to do a competent job, the going rate around here is $60 - $100 per hour. Of course getting charged less is always appreciated.
Paul Buhler
Killington, VT
420c 5 roll with 62 blade, FOPS, and Gearmatic 8a winch

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pop pop
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Post by pop pop » Mon Oct 24, 2016 8:15 am

put the shoe on the other foot,
what would you pay for the same job?
fair is fair.

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Lavoy
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Post by Lavoy » Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:16 am

$20 is way under the money, 2 years ago you could get that working the drive through at McDonalds in western ND, and those people would not be able to do brakes on a tractor. You should be fairly paid for you time.
What I do is if the job should have taken 3 hours, but from my own stupidity or otherwise it took longer, it is not the customers fault. It's been a long time since I did brakes on a WD, but from what I remember, probably an hour or two per side? Broken bolts are usually not your fault, so that is on the customer.
Lavoy
Parts and restoration for antique and late model John Deere crawlers.
Owner and moderator www.jdcrawlers.com

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lurch85
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Post by lurch85 » Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:18 am

Thanks guys!
John Deere 420C, John Deere 350 straight with Gafner loader, John Deere 4020

whiteclipse16
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Post by whiteclipse16 » Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:40 am

I agree with the other guys, however I do some small engine work on quads and dirt bikes from time to time and I usually tell them $25/hr. I know that doesn't match up with what the others say, but this isn't something I do to make a bunch of money. I just do it because I enjoy a little challenge and I get to make a few extra bucks.
Kind of depends on how much money you truly want to make on the side.
Ben

Great Grandpa's 1960 440ICD 602 blade
Between SN's: 455,633 - 456,801
Currently Rebuilding/Restoring

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