as far as best deals
I think I got it beat I picked up a running 525 with loader for $600-- just bout scrap value, but now after using it I'm in the middle of replacing hydraulic distributor and all the loader cylinders need repacking, it dribs at least a gallon of fluid each time I shut it down, it's a royal pain it the rear getting all of the steel lines off and pulling the distributor/ spool valve out but I'm almost there.
next I need to put the fuel filters back in line as the previous owner had all the fuel system bubberized with some sort of surgical tubing that is deteriorated and inline plastic fuel filters and a 12v pump