Hacker News Reader

"I think the US took a bit of a harsh stance on these devices for common consumers"

What makes you say that? I don't see any laws about owning these. The good ones are just really expensive. Renting one would probably run you about the price that you mentioned ($200-300).

I've been looking at used ones on craigslist, but haven't found the right one yet.

View on HN

I was talking to a guy I rented one from and he pretty much said "yeah, you used to be able to buy these at sears pretty much up until the year 2000". He mentioned that in order to rent them in the state of Texas you actually need a heavy machinery license (the same necessary for excavators, bobcats and bulldozers).

This guy was great though, he also helped out with my 30th birthday where my friends and I went out to a friend's ranch and just "played" with heavy machinery for a weekend.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com