M59 - Homestead builder?

[The.Griff]

Hey folks, I'm doing some research and could use the advice of people much better versed than myself.
Firstly, I'd like to apologize if this has been asked before. There tends not to be a lot of Homesteaders these days, one. And to be honest I've got so much other stuff to research I don't have TIME to go down every rabbit hole, two.
So I defer to the interwebs.

My wife and I have 40 acres of old growth woods. Recently logged, there are still some big trees to move and lots of dirt work, pond digging, pad site making, trail cutting, ground clearing, and brush hogging to be done.
I'll also need to move big logs to the mill, raise timber structures, pull basic farm implements (not going to doing agriculture on a large scale, just enough to feed the animals), move/blow snow, dig basements/root cellars and ponds.
I'll be looking at forks, a grapple bucket, front snow blower, brush hog, multiple boom buckets, dirt work and a few other attachments.

I'll be using this tractor as a Homestead builder. I know there is equipment that does certain tasks better, but I need one thing that does it all well. I've been looking at a pre-2010 M59 as the turning radius, ground clearance and capabilities will work over our slightly rolling terrain. I like the ability to remove the backhoe, and the quick attach front mount is handy as heck.

If there is another option that I should look at for a TLB I'd appreciate the guidance.
If someone has experience doing what I've listed with the M59 I'd appreciate feedback.

Thanks!

 

[4570Man]

I used to have a M59. It’s inferior to the skid steer and mini I have now but it was a good one machine. The loader is strong, much stronger than a comparable tractor and the backhoe is pretty decent. The backhoe was my biggest complaint with the machine. It was fairly strong for what it was but it was slow. My mini x digs circles around it. The positive things about the backhoe is it’s the only machine in its size class with a swivel seat and a removable hoe. I never put a 3 point hitch on mine but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work fine.

 

[sea2summit]

Old growth on the east coast means something totally different than old growth on the west coast, where are you at?

About the point where you said pond digging and pad site making you started destroying the tractor, they just aren't built for that type of work. Since you already have a tractor have you thought about a skid steer? Might be an option. There's no one thing that "does it all well", it's always a compromise but tractors are like a swiss army knife and with the right attachment the can do just about anything given enough time...but some tasks will still wear the tractor out sooner than others.

 

[4570Man]

Old growth on the east coast means something totally different than old growth on the west coast, where are you at?

About the point where you said pond digging and pad site making you started destroying the tractor, they just aren't built for that type of work. Since you already have a tractor have you thought about a skid steer? Might be an option. There's no one thing that "does it all well", it's always a compromise but tractors are like a swiss army knife and with the right attachment the can do just about anything given enough time...but some tasks will still wear the tractor out sooner than others.

The M59 isn’t a tractor it’s a small construction backhoe. It will handle building ponds and pad building fine. But it’s a little small for the job. If the op is fine with taking a long time or the ponds are small it’ll get the job done. If he wanted speed hiring someone with big equipment might be the better plan.

 

[fatjay]

Trying to get a single machine to do everything wouldn't be my first choice. Jack of all trades, master of none. M59 will do well digging, but you probably also want something with 3pt and PTO so you can run things like flail mower. Also add to the list a skid steer. They're invaluable for working in tighter areas, once you do your digging with the backhoe, you need to clean up the dirt with a skid, and it'll go infinitely faster than any other machine out there.

 

[4570Man]

Trying to get a single machine to do everything wouldn't be my first choice. Jack of all trades, master of none. M59 will do well digging, but you probably also want something with 3pt and PTO so you can run things like flail mower. Also add to the list a skid steer. They're invaluable for working in tighter areas, once you do your digging with the backhoe, you need to clean up the dirt with a skid, and it'll go infinitely faster than any other machine out there.

The M59 has a 3ph and pto. Agreed about the skid steer. My SVL75 will easily do twice the work the M59 could.

 

[rScotty]

If someone has experience doing what I've listed with the M59 I'd appreciate feedback.


Thanks!

We live on a few acres remotely in the Rocky Mountains. Not farmers, but we have animals including horses at times. We like to build things including our house & pond - and landscape the surrounding acres. We like to build rock walls and make landscape features

We have had a dozen tractors over the past 50 years - mostly used but a few new - and our conclusion is that we needed something more versatile than a traditional tractor and implements. In 2008 my wife insisted that we owed ourself a new tractor and that we get one that would do the kind of work we did ourself....but were getting too old to do by muscle alone.

It turned out to be the year that the M59 came out. We bought it and have used it hard - but never abused it - ever since. It is marvelous machine.
Heavily built, easy to use, nice simple controls, visibility, powerful.... no real downsides.
Has only needed the most minimal repair = one cable, one battery, & one hose - starts and runs strong in any weather. Get the thumb, a large and an 18" backhoe bucket, a rock bucket (SSQA) for the front, the three point kit, and a really nice back blade if you wish. Although frankly I never put the back blade on since the front loader is so powerful and versatile.

You won't go wrong with that machine, and they hold their value. So even if you decide on a different one you will still be in a good position.

rScotty

 

[rScotty]

Oh, BTW... you hear a lot about digging with backhoes and of course all backhoes do that pretty well. The M59 is almost - not quite - up to commercial duty in that dept. But honestly, we use ours more as a sort of portable crane for lifting, carrying, and placing heavy loads from stacking logs to building rock walls. Some digging, of course....

And yes, a skid steer coupled with a mini-excavator combo will certainly outwork the M59. But not by as much as you might think. Not that we care. We work on our land because we like to do so. We are looking for enjoyment, not for speed. And the M59 is comfortable - even for a short bit of traveling with two in the cab (one standing).

And when it comes time to move buckets of material like dirt and rocks from down the road at the other end of the property the tractor is the much better choice.
rScotty

 

[4570Man]

And yes, a skid steer coupled with a mini-excavator combo will certainly outwork the M59. But not by as much as you might think. Not that we care. We work on our land because we like to do so. We are looking for enjoyment, not for speed. And the M59 is comfortable - even for a short bit of traveling with two in the cab (one standing).

And when it comes time to move buckets of material like dirt and rocks from down the road at the other end of the property the tractor is the much better choice.
rScotty

A mini and skid steer has the distinct disadvantage of twice the upfront cost and moving both of them is more effort but on a construction site they’re way more productive. Even with one operator they’re easily twice as productive. Put a second operator in the other machine and it’s off the charts increased production. The M59 will move twice as fast as the skid steer will but you’re never going to put it in high range with a bucket of dirt going off-road and I can run the skid steer at the top speed of like 7 mph which doesn’t leave the m59 at a considerable advantage.

 

[fatjay]

The M59 has a 3ph and pto. Agreed about the skid steer. My SVL75 will easily do twice the work the M59 could.

You can remove the hoe and there's 3pt? Is the hoe mounted to the 3pt?