Wow that's really bad. Chatted to a long time owner op the other day when buying a lovely old bucket he had for sale. He'd been on the same site for 15 years

Was out at £40/hr dry hire. Bought a new machine every 5ish years. If you're already setup in life I guess it earns you a living but not much more.
As he said though, they do pay every day rain or shine so he takes the slightly less rate for the more long term work. 15 Years on one job is a long time, he's never even had his Pro model out of 3rd gear

I think they need to be £55/hr now with fuel minimum. You can easily justify more but it has to be the right work or you're pulled down against an 8 tonner and a dumper on ball busting UK hire rates and an agency driver who doesn't turn up.