HI, Thanks for the input guys .... I'll check into the price of renting equipment but in our area stuff goes for really high .... Last I looked (awhile back) renting a small terramite backhoe was something like $400 for a day ..... I'll call around and see tho .... the appeal of buying a $2000 to $3000 machine is for just a couple days rental a large chunk of the machine is paid for .... PLUS I do have the possibility of doing a job for a person I know so I could probably knock off probably another $500 ..... Of course all assuming the machine works and doesn't break down on me too soon ..... Thanks