I love the Case Skiploader. They were the first ones (I think) to come out with a platform machine. The old Fords and Masseys you would sit astraddle of the transmission, and it makes working over the rear all the time hard for most. Especially the older ones with the gannon controls in front, between your legs.
Case figured it out, and raised the seat up so it can swivel, and put the gannon controls on the fender so they are easy to work while swiveled over looking back. I think it is much better that way. The John Deere 210LE's are the same way, and those 2 are the best chopices for skiploaders.
The other thing Case did right is offered hydraulic downpressure, instead of only float like the ag tractor conversion Ford and Massey's. I can remember running a Case and it would have enough down pressure to lift the rear tires off the ground. Not that you would want to, but that is also why they are 4X4 as well. You can still float the Case, and it has a detent to do so, but if you want to carry grade, it will hold where you put it. The Case is pretty rugged as well, and the tractor is basically the same as their backhoes.
I have seen them still running strong after many hours of use. The only trouble I have seen is a front planetary failure with many hours and operators who never took it out of 4X4 for travel or work on hard surfaces or asphalt.
For what you are describing, I would think it would work out perfect, and the longer you have it, the more you will find to do with it.