Here are some things to consider:
Decide how much power you want. Below 75 hp keeps you out of SCR (DEF). If you want a higher performance machine and you need to go above 75 hp, you will have to deal with DEF. I personally have never had any DEF issues, but many do.
Lift design, Radial or Vertical. Radial machines are easier to see out of typically. Fewer grease zerks, fewer moving parts. The downside is that they dont have the reach that vertical machines do. This helps when dumping into dump trucks to place the material in the center of the truck. Verticals tend to lift more weight for an equally sized machine in comparison. I prefer radial machines for grading.
The next decision is how much ROC or Rated Operating Capacity you want. ROC is half of what the machine can lift in static operation. Machines in the 2200-2500 pound ROC tend to be the most popular.
Tracks or Wheels is typically asked, but you seem to have made that decision.
You will want to pay attention to GPM on the aux. hydraulics. This number will indicate how well the machine will power attachments, pretty important if you want to do brush cutting. You also can decide if you need high flow hyd. This function allows the machine to operate at a higher gpm than do normal aux. hyd. Some attachments require that function. You dont need it to brush cut, but the performance tends be better with high flow.
Another decision is enclosed Cab or not. I assume being in NC that a full cab would be pretty important.
As for what color you should buy once you know what basic machine you want. I would visit dealers around you, do some demos and see what machines you like doing what you want to do with it. Try to get an idea of what kind of support the dealer can and will provide, it will be a marriage of sorts so go in prepared.
