I don't know if all the big excavators are out in the central provinces building islands for all the industrial estates but I need to get about 20 or so hours of work done. thanks for any contacts. Filling Fields with Fords Forever

have you tried the local or bat tor, sort of like the local council, most have some heavy machinery, and i am sure a few baht for the driver and the boss at the or bat tor would work.

Go to see your Poo Yai Bahn, owner of any large hardware store/petrol station etc. Someone will know who has a backhoe for hire.

Note: If you are given a price on daily rates, cheap does not equal the best value for money. Consider the age of the equipment and the skill of the operator.

Digging dirt, putting it onto a truck, and moving it a short distance should cost around 30 - 40 Baht per cubic meter.

or

Daily rates for relatively new machines (20 ton category) and competent operator are about 13,500B - 15,000B for an eight hour day.

One backhoe, two dump trucks, earth clay that is rock free, no water issues should be able to dig/move about 800 - 1200 cubic meters in an eight hour shift.

or

Clear fairly dense growth including ripping out sizeable stumps to neat pile for burning at a rate of around 3 - 5 Rai per 8 hour shift.

Cheers.

Thanks guys I've done a bit of work with a big Kobelco and they actually had a computer inside to count the work hours so that is always the preferable method; and then you can ascertain if he is a competent operator; if he isn't then have to renegotiate for a by the job bid. Been hearing 1500 an hour so Soundman sounds like you are in the ball park. the best way to find these guys is look for mud on the road and find a job in progress that you can then tail onto so transport is short and then can jump their que before they head to the next Changwat. Timing timing timing. FFF