You described your land as “steep” [member=29761]bluewatersailor06[/member] so tractor stability is obviously THE safety concern for you. As you will be aware, using tractors safely on a slope is not just about the physical characteristics of tractor and “load”, but also the way you manoeuvre on a ‘slope’.
Of course, “steep” to one person is “sloping” to another: if you are in two-minds, Google Earth can help give an approximate quick indication of steepness by checking elevation at two points and using the GE measure options between those points on the ‘slope’.
You don’t mention a front loader requirement (which would add extra weight up front, but could also obviously alter centre of gravity) so my thoughts about things to look for, in no particular order and noting that I am no expert:
4-wheel drive (highly recommended);
Ability to easily add weight/s front-end (& weight/s that are easily sourced at reasonable cost or could be easily DIY manufactured);
Ability to add axle spacers to increase wheel track on the rear axle or means of doubling up rear wheels (i.e. “bolting” an outer set of rear wheels to existing – this is not an uncommon solution providing both extra traction and extra stability for steep slopes and/or soft ground);
As much compact-tractor Horse Power as you can get for your money (I would personally suggest 35HP minimum) noting that HP output at the PTO for driving a tractor-powered flail mower (for example) will be less.
The bigger the tractor (beyond “compact”, i.e. tractors with Cat2 3-point links and above) the more fuel you will probably want to store unless you are next door to a red-diesel supplier: with my 37HP tractor a few 10 ltr cans is more than enough even when flailing several acres.
My own solution for what it’s worth:
Mine is an Agromehanika AGT 835 T/S “alpine” type tractor: this type of tractor is, it must be said, pricey, no matter what brand, compared to the plethora of standard compact tractor configurations such as Yanmar, Kubota, Iseki, Siromer etc (new or used).
I suspect it would be very much cheaper to modify a ‘standard’ compact tractor to provide extra rear-wheel track for safer slope-work than buy one of the “alpine” tractor brands (new or 2nd-hand), but I went the 2nd-hand “alpine” route as one was available when I was looking to buy.
I was more interested in its ability to safely traverse undulating ground with a box-blade or heavy-duty flail mower attached than “steep” slopes, but my fields are quite steep enough and I do feel quite a bit safer with the low centre of gravity of the AGT.