I have a frame mounted Walenstein 720 (built in Canada) on my 30HP 4X4 tractor and love it. I would like to get a real excavator some day when I can save up the pennies, but for now, it does great work around our place. It is some of the bet money I have spent. The log splitter might be slightly better investment, but only slightly.
I also agree with get as big as you can afford. You can NEVER have too much tractor, excavator, boat, airplane, truck, or burn pile!!
