Well shit. Some online searching says to call local PD to have them run serial numbers. I could also establish a paper trail with a small portion of the sale in a certified check.
the one currently on deck is a low hour but likely abused older skid steer that smokes and is missing it's bucket, if it's what the guy says it is, (good hydraulics, neglected engine) i can use it for the couple hours a week I need it then rebuild the engine when convenient for me. FWIW I think i can get it around 4500 where comparables are 12000.
I wanted a backhoe for an upcoming septic system, but I think I can borrow one for that, and a skid steer is something I could load up and make some money with versus having my money tied up in a big ass backhoe that I can't easily or legally transport