"The price quoted to me for the 00" 4300 TLB is $14000. considering that this would cost about 25000 new, and it only has 1208 hours on it, isn't this a decent deal?"
Well, no warranty...and, 1200 hours is quite a bit although if the tractor was maintained, I wouldn't be too concerned. And that's a great price for a machine with a backhoe....you did say it was a TLB, correct?
However, buying from a rental company can be chancey, at best. I'd want to pull the hoe off and take a really good look under the tractor. I'm assuming this is a 3PH type rig...not a subframe?
You'll probably have to get a bank loan or home equity loan to pay for it.
Not necessarilly a bad deal, just look it over real good...don't let that "new toy" glaze in youe eyes cloud your judgement (that's tough to do though!). I notice you only have 3.25 acres. Why do you think you need such a large machine? That's why I wrote the "new toy" comment. You definitely want a tractor but do you need a tractor?
When I bought my 670, it was to replace a 12 HP Wheel Horse lawn tractor. I didn't "need" a compact tractor, but I sure wanted one. I just made sure I got a good machine...and had a more knowledgable friend with me when I went looking to "anchor me down" so to speak.
About a year ago, I looked at a 4300 series machine...just a loader, no backhoe. Nice machine, low hours (400 or so). Got sold before I could make up my mind, but in retrospect...what the heck would I have used a machine that big for on my three acres? Heck, it wouldn't have fit in my garage or the outbuilding (ROPS was too tall).
Good luck with your decision... BTW, is it all "Deere"? Or, is the 'hoe an aftermarket unit?