What size/model cat for general contracting?

Hi all. I'm retiring from the mining game in a few months and looking at buying skid steer/tipper for general hire. I see lots of used machines around the 30k mark, but would appreciate any feedback on which size would be most suited to general contracting to the public. The 262C seems to fit the bill? What are the must have attachments? I'm in a warm climate, no snow. I will buy the equipment outright, so won't have pressure of loan repayments. Any tips for a newbie appreciated. Thanks in advance

You could talk to your CAT dealer salesman to narrow it down. Will you use if more for Digging or Lift and Carry? The 262C has been a dynamite machine with very few problems. It has a tremendous lift capacity(2700lbs). If you don't need a vertical lift machine, I would check into the 256C, which has the same power train, but radial lift-better for digging. If you could find a C series 1 instead of a C series 2, you will get about 10 extra HP. The advantage of the C over D series is no regen nor DEF. Saving Maintenance and $$. Another option is the 246C. Any of these machines would work great.