Thanks for the input. I do have a NH LX485 ss .30hp or so but only 11gpm which makes a blower not so good. about 1200 lift, high enough to dump in a reg. dump truck. Duties would be mowing, transport/tow and ground contact equipment, an fel would be very handy as the ss is tough on the turf ( sinks in besides tearing things up) kind of a pain to lay down 15 or 20 sheets of osb all the time
One of the top reasons I went with something that rolled instead of skidding. Where I do my firewood is clay base and greasy in the spring/fall, you know, the perfect temps to work firewood and that area grows back green and flat each spring from not tearing the bejeebers out of it, even when removing snow with the bucket without a float valve.
You'll be looking at turf tires then, it will change the price. Plenty of folks trade up for more , not necessarily due to an elect/mech problem with a unit. There are some very nice diesel, sometimes 4x4, units out there , like the ford 1720 type, quite capable for what you want and sip the fuel during mowing.
Stop in at the service shops within 30 miles of you and talk to the parts guys or the service techs to get a handle on what spends little time in the shop versus money pits, maybe ask what they'd spend their money on regardless of brand or year. I spent a couple years looking, asking questions, driving, checking specs, parts availability on the aftermarket, ease of service at home since trailering it to an $85/hr shop was out of the question.
One big upside to getting something used, you won't be so afraid of that first scratch.