Hy gents , from my planet... a couple of things... just for sake of comparison
If we were to pay 165USD equivalent for a D6 size machine, i´m pretty shure a D6C wouldn´t last the job. 165 goes for R´s N´s and newer models wich are much more productive. Basically if one has a job for deep digging ripping and pushing one shall search a contractor for complete job, the cheapest way.
Very often if one has a 50k job equivalent, one has time and knowledge, buying a "D6" type machine used but not too used able to run for lets say 300 hrs... one end up with a lot of money left... this type of machines do tend to keep their value. and u don´t need to WOT all day long, fuel cost ends up being the manager.
Hiring by hour here is only limited to small day jobs... wich pretty often could be done by other cheap equipment. of course prices are on the 100USD.
If costumer insist in hiring by hour for deep jobs , they run the THR back and talk the all day getting the experience our fella welder dave had.
regards from europe