[Edit: crap, my corp server blocks some content, didn't realize this was an old thread he already bought a tractor, which I can't see because the picture is blocked
)
2.5 acres with .8 acres to mow, I would say you don't NEED a tractor. It's nice to have a tractor for the heavy work, but you'll never use the PTO or the brush hog as much as you think.
I have 16 acres and 1.0+ mile of trails around my property. I also mow a minimum of 6 acres. I have a big John Deere industrial (yellow) front end loader, a 19HP Case diesel tractor with a belly deck for mowing and a Husqvarna zero-turn mower. This past year I've pretty much kept the property groomed with the zero-turn. The Case tractor---I couldn't find a belt (NLA) for the mower deck despite the tractor being newer than my Deere. The front end loader I use to move dirt and very heavy things but it sits most of the time.
For 2.5 acres, you could rent heavy equipment when you need it. I rented an excavator when I needed to build a retaining wall and moved about 40,000 lbs of boulders. It was about $400/weekend and I don't have to maintain or store it. They delivered to my house and picked it up when I was done.
My Case has a 60" deck and my zero turn has a 46" deck. I can do all my mowing with the zeroturn faster than I can with the Case. It's big and slow. The zero turn just zips over stuff. I've used it to cut underbrush and very high grass...no problems.
So I would say rent the chipper when you need it, and get a good zero turn.