I got my woods groundbreaker 7500 from Craigslist for $3500.
The ability to do projects that require a backhoe on my schedule when i want was worth every penny.
Could i have rented a mini-hoe every time i needed to use one, but likely would have spent more in the long run, and would not have done what *I* wanted to do when *I* wanted to do it. what i mean is im not likely to spend a day, to pick up the rental machine , dig out one small tree, then clean it up and drop it off by the end of the day. I would have waited till i had 3 or 4 projects lined up so i could "justify" spending the $$ on the rental for a weekend.
Not only do i believe its more expensive, but also not nearly as convenient to rent a mini hoe vs owning a rear hoe for your tractor.
I should add I bought mine to work on my property as i was developing it. Putting in drains, electrical, digging out trees, putting in trees, putting in drain feild etc. Not only did i use it for that property but we ended up moving to a second property that needed basicly all that over again. So i have been able to show a long term continued use for mine that also justified me spending them money to buy it.