Big job, total newbies, least # of pieces of equipment to get the job done :)?

[s2dm]

Just gotta ask, what is this "creep to re-position" feature

It allows you to "creep" forward from the backhoe position. I can't find much info on how this is accomplished, but it is touted as a way to continue moving forward while trenching etc without having to turn the seat and move forward.

 

[s2dm]

My kubota dealer (awesome guy) found me a deal on a used m59. 600 hours of rental use, $27000. Unit eyeballs very clean. I'm guessing that a TLB handles rental duties better than most?

Questions

1) Safe to buy a rental with 600 hours?
2) Would the M59 be too large for general orchard duties once we are done with earthwork the next few seasons? Its 6" wider and and 6" longer than the mx5200 the dealer had suggested as a general duty avocado tractor. 12" longer and wider than the L4700 I demoed which felt too small and too tippy for navigating our property. Seems the adage I have been reading on TBN is get more tractor than you think you'd need. We are also rebuilding a house that requires moving some large beams around. Seems an m59 could cover quite a few bases.

 

[hunt4570]

My kubota dealer (awesome guy) found me a deal on a used m59. 600 hours of rental use, $27000. Unit eyeballs very clean. I'm guessing that a TLB handles rental duties better than most?

Questions

1) Safe to buy a rental with 600 hours?
2) Would the M59 be too large for general orchard duties once we are done with earthwork the next few seasons? Its 6" wider and and 6" longer than the mx5200 the dealer had suggested as a general duty avocado tractor. 12" longer and wider than the L4700 I demoed which felt too small and too tippy for navigating our property. Seems the adage I have been reading on TBN is get more tractor than you think you'd need. We are also rebuilding a house that requires moving some large beams around. Seems an m59 could cover quite a few bases.

Dont really know anything about the tractor itself, but at 600 hours its just getting broke in..

 

[LD1]

It allows you to "creep" forward from the backhoe position. I can't find much info on how this is accomplished, but it is touted as a way to continue moving forward while trenching etc without having to turn the seat and move forward.

I see.

On my full sized old hoe, spinning the seat aint a big deal. And I ususally dig with the loader down anyway, for more stability. So I would have to spin around and raise that anyway.

On dads, without a swivel seat, we just push ourselves along with the hoe. We leave the loader up on that to keep weight on the front tires, cause if not, it has a tendency for the front wheels to turn all the way one direction, the you cant push yourself forward and straight.

 

[Grandad4]

My kubota dealer (awesome guy) found me a deal on a used m59. 600 hours of rental use, $27000. Unit eyeballs very clean. I'm guessing that a TLB handles rental duties better than most?

Questions

1) Safe to buy a rental with 600 hours?
2) Would the M59 be too large for general orchard duties once we are done with earthwork the next few seasons? Its 6" wider and and 6" longer than the mx5200 the dealer had suggested as a general duty avocado tractor. 12" longer and wider than the L4700 I demoed which felt too small and too tippy for navigating our property. Seems the adage I have been reading on TBN is get more tractor than you think you'd need. We are also rebuilding a house that requires moving some large beams around. Seems an m59 could cover quite a few bases.

600 hours is just about the "break-in interval on a machine that should last 8-10,000 hours with decent care. The "gotcha" is the chance it was rented to someone who was exceptionally destructive and thoughtless. The M59 is one rugged machine, but there's an old saying about some people being capable of breaking an anvil. So, look for any signs of abuse or unusual wear. Examples: bucket straight, no severe dings? Any signs of damage or leaks on the underside? Any indications of major repair work on the engine or drivetrain? Everything working normally (controls, driving, hydraulics, steering, loader, backhoe, instruments, engine, transmission, etc.)? Tire wear commensurate with the hours?

One thing about a TLB like this is the loader is not removable as with, for instance, the MX5200. You can readily detach the bucket, but the loader arms are always on the tractor, and you've also got that canopy to contend with. Those could be an inconvenience for work in an orchard, depending on your row spacing and the size of your trees.

 

[edkemper]

Just a personal opinion from one with limited years of farming/ranching behind me.

I have 300+ acres. 150 is mostly what I'm dealing with. Mostly flat. Heavily forested with 15-20 years of young trees sprouting up.

I bought a JD210LE at a good price. Heavy, strong, more than enough features I needed. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

FEL
Welded hooks on FEL bucket.
Bolt on pallet forks.
Bolt on 2" receiver.
Ratchet Rake that is rarely removed and most used/needed.
Rear Gannon Box with tines.

Smart move to hire a Permacultur Professional to map out your water works.

When you get the heavy work finished, you could sell the 210 and break even or make a few bucks on it. Then you could buy your tractor with PTO. For me, I'm going to buy an older/smaller tractor with PTO to supplement my 210.

Also bought a JD450E w/6 way blade to cut my fence lines, roads and cut the pads for 2 houses and other outbuildings. Plus it's helpful to have for firebreaks when needed.

All my equipment I can sell for more than I paid.

I'm a retired doctor that now has the time to do the work myself. This is my/our project and don't need so much that I have to have it done tomorrow by someone else.

Born and raised in SF Valley to Ventura County. You picked a pretty area even if it is in CA.

 

[s2dm]

Ended up buying the m59. Its a beast compared to the L4700 I demo'ed for sure. Feels much more stable. I can tell there will come a day that I may want a second smaller tractor for between the rows work, but right now, this feels like the right size tool. Already put about 20 hours in on the backhoe and glad I have it.

 

[jeff9366]

Congratulations.

How was T-B-N advice, relative to Kubota dealer advice? Any conflicts?

 

[s2dm]

Honestly, it was TBN that got me into the 59. I think the dealers sell the most when they agree with whatever you came in thinking. Seeing real use scenarios and hearing multiple user thoughts left me feeling much more secure that though the average farm in my area gets an mx5200, for what I would like to do, the m59 was the better choice.

 

[Grandad4]

View attachment 439509Great choice. About as rugged and capable a unit as you'll find without getting into full-scale construction equipment. If you haven't already done so, spend some time searching the Kubota subforums here regarding the M59. There are a number of informative discussion threads and several M59 owners who may have useful comments.

If not already so equipped, would suggest the addition of a "toothbar" for the lower lip of the front bucket. Greatly increases the digging power of the loader's already considerable ability, and reinforces the bucket when dealing with rocks, etc. You can see the toothbar on my tractor in the attached photo; also note the chain hooks welded at the upper corners of the bucket for attaching a log chain, useful for securing, lifting or even pulling objects. There are many separate attachments that can be connected in lieu of the bucket, but those hooks are very handy regardless.