Check out the market/client potential & do your sums carefully (& as per previous reponses,talk with an accountant ).
A KubM5700 @c. 50PTO HP is IMO too light for commercial HD slashing (particularly on hobby farms where cutting will be most likely sporadic & varied heights) - For commercial unit I'd be looking more towards the 70-90HP range (which has the added advantage in used, of being more of a "buyers market" because hobby farmers generally consider them too 'big' to buy & therefore don't create additional demand to artifically inflate the used prices)
Maybe something along the lines of this link if your heart is set on a Kubota in the c.$20k range ( roughly same hours, right power range, larger & heavy duty with more usuable working gears than a M5700, & also looks to have an A/C Cab which is big comfort + when slashing for hours on end.........), purely an example to illustrate what's available for the c.$20K & with some negotiation should be able to parked in shed for c$17K, though I stress I have absolutely no knowledge good/bad or otherwise of this specfic unit:-
http://www.farmmachinerysales.com.a...llpartial&Cr=8&__Ntt=kubota&trecs=201&__Qpb=1
farmmachinerysales.com.au will give you a broad "ball park" idea of general local Aussie used tractor prices
You'll also need to factor in the purchase of commercial quality slasher (New @ c.$7K+ or S/H @ c.3K+) into your business equation.....transport costs are also another consideration, as standard ag tractor tyres wear expontentially with regular road running + insurance/rego costs.....etc.
When buying S/H low hours is fine, but more importantly judge hours relative to the overall tractor condition - hour meters are merely indicative of use &,can be stopped/replaced easily. And, even if you know, ask the owner to show you where to check all the filters, fluids/lubricant points, it's a sure thing if he doesn't know the tractor has had scant maintenance..... use of correct coolant is also a good indicator.......similarly a fresh paint job can hide a multitude of sins.......& much panel damage is usually a sign the tractor has been abused.
Tractors if properly maintained/serviced (look for records/receipts of servicing & parts replacements ) & used within their size capabilities should be ok for 4000-5000hrs easily (& many more hours) without major rebuilds - I've had sub100HP's achiev3 6500+ & still going strong, I've also bought s/h "good" 150hp+ tractors with over 7500hrs, conversely I've seen new tractors trashed by "weekend" amateurs at less than 1500hrs......
I'd also advise extremely caution on buying any tractor fitted with a dedicated forklift -the unit you're considering could be ok - but it usually means a history of abuse through: -
1.. Gearbox/driveline: due to high frequency of short shuttles back & forth
2. Engine: lots of short runs @ below operating temps resulting in premature engine wear
3. Overloading of front axle & casting fatigue:- the Forklift frame usually places forces in excess of what the front axle is designed to handle & can also fracture/fatigure castings such as around the gearbox/bellhousing (oil leaks & replaced or loose bolts is an initial indicator) through "flexing" the tractor under excess load.
4. Hydraulics: high/constant demands on hyd pump to lift & operators "slamming" valves up/down
And a forkilift is nothing but a pain/hazard because of the increased height when contracting slashing, so it has no value (nor on the s/h market if trying recover funds by selling separately)
Not trying to dissuade you from starting a business...... just provide a few insights from 'experience'
