The first tractor I looked at was a Kubota B22. This would have been perfect for my acreage, but we didn't want to go that far in debt (about 13K at the time).
The first tractor I bought was a Deere 670 ($6500 including a Befco 60" RFM which I still use). This machine was perfect for my 2½ acres. It had 19 Gross engine HP and 16.5 @ the PTO. The tractor had a #60 loader, which did everything I needed.
The sole downside was using a 60" Land Pride cutter. The 670 did quite well, but when it did bog down, it took longer then my 790 (with 24 PTO HP) to recover.
I do miss that little tractor sometimes...for one thing, it would have been paid off by now (actually, between 12-18 months ago). I've still got a couple years left on the 790 loan.
I do more brush cutting now (with the 790) since I'm maintaining about 3 acres for a neighbor) so the 790 is the better machine...but that little 670 was a heck of a nice tractor!