So I wound up with that Bobcat (Kioti) tractor: https://www.bobcat.com/tractors/models/ct2040/features great little machine with a front-loader, filled tires, and a 3rd function hydraulic feature to deal with snow plows.

I don't know how I managed without one all these years. Cleared about an acre of heavily knotted land this past weekend that I thought would take me all winter. I did manage to run over a small springy stump that pushed in the oil filter last week, which caused the machine to immediately shut down. I was OOC for a few days waiting for a tech as i could find nothing wrong but error codes, and it wouldn't turn over. Turns out when there is a high-pressure detected on the oil, it blows a fuse. Swapped the fuse, and runs fine.

The damned thing sips fuel, and the exhaust pipe is cool to the touch. How? Already at 38 hours on it.