What’s the going rate for gear? It is probably the most asked question that gets asked in the ag Facebook groups.
If we are talking headers and chaser bins, it is about the class of machine or size of chaser bin.
Contract harvesting rates have more or so turned into rotor hour, where back some time ago ha rate was the common approach.
To be fair, the hourly rate does somewhat base itself back off the traditional ha rate, but is charged out hourly.
I am going to take you through what we know, the rate for certain class of headers, and the rate for chaser bins.
Let us just dive straight into the guided figures based on the data we are seeing for the 2026 season.
Do not take this as the exact figures, it is just what we have in our systems.
We are not a business who sets rates. We do not recommend what the rates should be, and we do not believe rates should be the first priority.
We feel quality and reliability should be the main focus, then rates.
But in saying that, we understand margins for growers and contractors are getting tighter.
The only thing I really want to say is, look after each other. If we do not, we are all in trouble.
If you want to see what is currently being listed, you can check the Broadacre Contracting harvesting listings.
Contract harvesting rates have shifted a lot over time.
Back some time ago, a hectare rate was the common approach.
Nowadays, it is common to see headers charged out on rotor hour, especially because the machine is doing the work while the rotor is engaged.
Tractors and chaser bins are often talked about on engine hour or tractor hour, because that gear is running and working differently to a header.
The hourly rate still somewhat bases itself back off the traditional hectare rate, but it is charged out hourly.
Most chaser bin setups nowadays are required to be on 3m centres.
With the capacity of headers increasing, everything else in the paddock needs to follow.
What we have seen time and time again is chaser bins are hot real estate.
Growers will take bins that are 20+ tonne but no smaller. The ideal size is 25 to 30 tonne plus.
A lot of the conversation we have with growers and contractors is, “We would prefer to dry hire a chaser bin, but if it means I have to get a chaser bin contractor in I will do that as well, as we need the grain away from the headers. Just get us something!”
Let that sink in when you are looking at buying more gear to increase your services.
Into the money talk.
The rates we see for a chaser bin contractor are $220 to $300 per tractor hour.
The lower end is a 280hp tractor with 20 to 25 tonne bin and operator, and the higher end is a larger chaser bin and tractor.
Dry hire rates for bins vary from $400 per day to $1000 per day, depending on bin size, time of job, grain going through it and so on.
If you are looking for gear or contractors, you can browse equipment listings or go straight to harvesting listings.
All the prices above are not including GST, so you need to add GST.
Moving on from that, generally the contractor covers floating cost.
Growers supply diesel, and more often than not accommodation and meals, or at least a dinner.
It is better to make all of this clear before the gear turns up.
I understand, we all feel it, and it is what drives the main enquiry to be price focused.
Machinery prices are increasing, input costs are increasing, and now it is 2026 we are seeing some of the highest diesel prices.
We have so many things on the outside of us that are driving our margins down, but if we let that flow-on effect affect us, it will not be healthy.
What I predict is we will lose reliability, quality and loyalty.
We do need to recognise all of us in ag are going through it, and we need to ensure not to get too caught up in the pricing and value other parts of it.
We will save more money being efficient and professional than what we would driving hourly rates down and having rubbish.
If you need to dry hire gear or find contractors, jump onto the Broadacre Contracting website.
These resources may help growers and contractors think through harvest rates, harvest setup, agreements and expectations.
If you need to dry hire gear, find headers, organise chaser bins or connect with contractors, Broadacre Contracting gives you a clearer place to start.
Browse the listings, post a tender or create an account to get moving.
Contract harvesting rates vary depending on machine class, crop, conditions, region and whether the rate is charged per rotor hour, hectare or another structure. From what Broadacre Contracting is seeing for 2026, Class 7 and 8 machines may sit around $600 to $650 per rotor hour, while larger machines can be higher.
Headers are commonly charged on rotor hour because it reflects the time the machine is actively working in crop. It is different to engine hour, which may include time where the machine is running but not harvesting.
Tractors and chaser bins are usually charged differently because they are not operating like a header. The tractor hour or engine hour better reflects how that setup is being used during the harvest job.
From what Broadacre Contracting is seeing, chaser bin contractors may sit around $220 to $300 per tractor hour, depending on tractor size, bin size, operator and job requirements.
Not always. Rates matter, but quality, reliability, efficiency, communication and whether the contractor can actually get the crop off at the right time can matter even more.
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