I wouldn't be trying to save $500 on what sounds like a $100K machine. Just saying. And I'm a UCCNC user.I Have 99% decided on UC300ETH-5LPT + UCBB breakout board + 2xIDC26-IDC26 cables + free UCCNC license key. For 212€ that is hard to beat. Other options were Acorn and Masso but they are at least 3X in price.
No, you can't run servos with Modbus.
Do those drives accept Step/Dir control?