blue5, I have a good friend of mine that does those types of things for hire here in northern Minnesota. He also has a small landscaping business, so the machinery has a dble purpose. As a "MAIN" source of income, there's no way he could support himself just doing the things you mentioned. I've helped him out some, and he maybe 6-8 "jobs" a summer/fall here. Most are brushing trails and doing some planting/herbiciding for land owners. He bids out at $65/hr when using machinery. It's fun and rewarding work for sure, and he(we) get great kudos from the land owners when done. Downside.....the start up costs are/can be heavy considering equipment needed. If one is looking into creating trails, smoothing trails, tilling soils, etc, one needs some good eqipment that can be costly. A bobcat with accessories, is almost a necessity. Along with a heavy duty tractor for brush cutting/trail making(minimum 65 hp,better 80 or higher). keep in mind equipment failure and damage(hit a stump with brushhog and break blade...$200...ouch). Anyway, the idea is a good one if you don't have to spend big $$$. I'd look at it more as a side job to make some $$$ for your hobbies. Taz