Those guidelines need to be signed off by President Obama, Defence Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. And even once that is complete, the new law will not officially take effect for another 60 days. Until then, the current ban remains in place.
Typical costs: A backhoe service company that provides a backhoe with an operator can cost $50-$100 an hour, with a nationwide average of about $70-$90 an hour depending on location (a major factor in cost), the size and type of backhoe, and how much time the job takes.
For example, McKeel Equipment Rentals charges $150-$300 a day or $600-$1,200 weekly for a backhoe, and $30-$200 a day for attachments, with pick-up and delivery at $3 per loaded mile ($45 minimum) and a $1,000 deductible property damage insurance at 9% of the rental rate; and Hertz Equipment Rental estimates $200-$285 a day or $660-$900 weekly for a 65-74 horsepower two-wheel-drive backhoe, depending on location.