Having a blast with our new M62

[rScotty]

Something to keep in mind when evaluating all our opinions on these Kubota TLBs is that mine is an older M59 built from 2008 to 2015.
The current M62 model which a lot of the TBN posters own is darn near the same machine - but with a few differences we know about and there may be others we don't. The M62 BH is 2 feet longer than the M59. That may make a difference.

As for how the controls work, a lot of that is going to be operator dependent. I've said I am a homeowner and like to work deliberately. Jchonline has said he works his M62 much the same way. Maybe that's because we both work a lot of the same sort of granite based soil. At our slower speed it makes sense that the flow rate is going to be sufficient to power multiple motions.

Someone who works their machine hard and fast at high RPMs in a commercial setting may have a completely different view of whether the machine has good controls and enough flow rate. There's no doubt the Kubota has less multiflow capability than a full size BH. It also costs and weights about half as much.

In this era of online research, Messicks has all the Kubota parts books online with exploded diagrams, part numbers, and prices.
Someday if I get curious enough I'll check if the BH internal parts really are identical between the two models....maybe I will.... when the snow gets really deep....frozen ground.....and I can't go play.
rScotty

 

[Smokeydog]

Digging with a backhoe is lot like welding that practice makes it pretty and smooth. Visualizing ahead of time where and what your doing. Some folks have a lot of natural ability. I always tend to get better toward the end of a project. Digging stumps always probing multi function curl, crowd and lift to expose root weaknesses. All combined and usually deadheaded until weakness of the roots are exposed. Of the six backhoes I have used/owned the M59 is one of the smoothest. B26 close second. Nice having geriatric muscle memory similar with two machines. Rare that I’m waiting on flow to perform the type of excavation on the farm. Obstacles, steep ground, buildings, trees, buried lines takes more finesse. When on open range she will gallop and flat out move some dirt.

If I was in the excavation business and didn’t need the 3pt capability the Kubota TLB might not be the best choice. There are many bigger, stronger options now. For our use it is a great machine for many tasks and earns its keep.

 

[Jchonline]

A few weeks ago, I finished a 650' trench in very rocky ground with an M62. What you described does happen, but only when one or the other of the sticks is held all the way to one extreme of its travel. It's almost as though there's only so much hydraulic pressure available, and all three directions have to share. If any one of them tries to take it all, it's at the expense of the other two. At least that's the way it works on my machine. So I learned to be delicate with the controls, moving them slowly, and in small increments, to get the boom to lift, the stick to move in, and the bucket to uncurl, all in pursuit of the perfect, flat bottomed trench. I'm still not very good at it, even after all that practice. A neighbor has a large Cat backhoe with all electrical controls. He makes it look easy, and it's my belief that working with valves instead of elecro-mechanical servos is a lot harder.

One other thing I noticed. Half the trench ran down a pretty steep hill. When I'd swing the boom to one side to dump the bucket, it would go down hill just fine. But after dumping, if I didn't give the control stick a strong shove right from the start, the boom would fall farther down hill until it started to move upwards again. Kind of a PITA, especially in other digging situations where it meant the bucket would hit something I really didn't want to hit.

Even with these quirks, though, the M62's backhoe is light years better than the Nardi 3PH unit I had on the old tractor. And both of those backhoes were a heck of a lot better than a pick and shovel...

If you get that bucket closer in to the machine before you swing back up the hill it will work much better. Boom or stick should help, you can decide which to use.

Yes its an extra motion, but it is the same with an excavator on a steep hill.

 

[fried1765]

I might be in the minority here but I never liked the controls for my M59. The loader stick sucked and the backhoe was just ok. I traded that machine and spent a lot more money and I’ve never regretted it. The only thing I missed was the low ground destruction the M59 offered. When it comes to doing work the mini and the skid will make the M59 look silly.

You use your equipment commercially.
Most of us here on TBN do not do commercial work.
The L47, L48, M59, and M62 are very adequate private use units for us.

 

[Jchonline]

You use your equipment commercially.
Most of us here on TBN do not do commercial work.
The L47, L48, M59, and M62 are very adequate private use units for us.

Not only that, but we also get 3PT. I can plow a field, chip wood, skid logs, all kinds of other things that someone with a track loader AND a mini-excavator can't do. Not sure you would find a more capable, all in 1 machine. Sure its not the best at anything, but it is good at most of them.

 

[fried1765]

Not only that, but we also get 3PT. I can plow a field, chip wood, skid logs, all kinds of other things that someone with a track loader AND a mini-excavator can't do. Not sure you would find a more capable, all in 1 machine. Sure its not the best at anything, but it is good at most of them.

The "Swiss army knife" of tractors!

 

[goeduck]

You use your equipment commercially.
Most of us here on TBN do not do commercial work.
The L47, L48, M59, and M62 are very adequate private use units for us.

Agree 100%. The Kubota units are a different market entirely than commercial backhoes, much better for all around use. I would never want a commercial backhoe unless I was in the commercial construction business.... If I was, I would look at excavators instead.

 

[4570Man]

Not only that, but we also get 3PT. I can plow a field, chip wood, skid logs, all kinds of other things that someone with a track loader AND a mini-excavator can't do. Not sure you would find a more capable, all in 1 machine. Sure its not the best at anything, but it is good at most of them.

You can skid wood and chip wood and probably if you were determined enough plow a field with that equipment. But they’re different tools for different uses. A tractor is for field and pto work. A tractor is far superior for plowing a field and a mini x and CTL are far superior for digging and loader work.

 

[Jchonline]

You can skid wood and chip wood and probably if you were determined enough plow a field with that equipment. But they’re different tools for different uses. A tractor is for field and pto work. A tractor is far superior for plowing a field and a mini x and CTL are far superior for digging and loader work.

Of course, you can also do almost anything a track loader or mini-ex can do on a tractor…it may take you 10 times longer and look 1/2 as good.

There are a few other things worth mentioning. Clearing snow. Track loader slips all around, and even sideways. Mini-ex is pretty much stored all winter until the ground thaws (no real use but maybe loading things).

I am with you though..if I could have 1 of each I absolutely would. Love this stuff!

 

[fried1765]

Of course, you can also do almost anything a track loader or mini-ex can do on a tractor…it may take you 10 times longer and look 1/2 as good.

There are a few other things worth mentioning. Clearing snow. Track loader slips all around, and even sideways. Mini-ex is pretty much stored all winter until the ground thaws (no real use but maybe loading things).

I am with you though..if I could have 1 of each I absolutely would. Love this stuff!

"Love this stuff"

Me too!
Just love to walk into my storage barn and see my equipment sitting there.
Subtract 71 years.....makes me feel like Christmas at 10 again!
Magnificent big toys!