100 x .25%=$25, his math was right. I'm not a backhoe operator, but I'd have to agree with James, fuel cost would probably be near that $25 per hour.

Yeah prob so but one tank will las longer than one hour more like one day. If using for arrowhead digging can prob get multiple days on one tank. I own one. A hundred dollars an hour is a dream

U.S. Nationwide backhoe services average $70-$90 per hour depending on location and size and type of backhoe being used. If you think James' prices are too high, don't hire him.

I am always amazed by people who complain about what a business owner charges for services. My wife and I own and operate a mobile home moving company. The operating costs are so high, sometimes I think I would be better off being a WalMart door greeter! My Insurance alone for two trucks runs $1,300.00 per month ! and Fuel. yea ok at $4 a gal now,hmmm . So If we pull trucks onto a job site and the customer does not have their part done. such as trees in the way,fences. decks. I charge $200.00 per hour per truck for the trucks to sit on standby !
When I have someone say, ( thats too high) my reply is simple. you can hire me. you can find someone cheaper. or you can invest a couple of hundred grand ond open your company and not hire anyone!

The American Free Enterprise System always works in the long run unless some clowns from the Government step in and say, "We're here to help."

I get $75 hr and $100 hr to hoe ram
time starts when I begin working
ends when I leave for the day
$100 a hour aint bad for a good size (426 cat or 310 size john deer)
tractor and a opreator with around 20 years experience
just my 2 cents

JD 310 is what I use. Just got back from 3 day dig with total $3100 no complaints from folks we were working for. This was our first arrow head dig, typically we do septic, storm shelters, tank digout and other construction but enjoyed it.

Thanks for everyone with realistic comments, I agree everyone these days want something for nothing, one of the down falls of America.

$85,000 tractor, $4 gallon diesel, $50,000 truck, $9,500 trailer, all the repairs, it all adds up and you get what you pay for when hiring servcies. There is a difference of "Joebob" digging and experienced operator.

I also dig septic systems mainly pools Ive run backhoes and other equ. for
15 years Ive been all over and havent hit any camps. I dug a pool in Georgetown there was a big mound 30 feet off the ridge close as ive ever come and the land owner wouldent let me dig worst tease ever. We got a $50,000 truck 2 $80,0000 tractors $13,000 trailer 2 $20,000 hammers.If you bolw a hose $100 and 5 gal of hydrolic oil $60 mess up a tire $300-$500 every 250 hrs change air, fule ,oil, hydro filters so yea if you charge less than $75-$100hr thers no money to be made