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Be sure to use an appropriate mount to carry a fire extinguisher on a tractor. Attached with the square U-bolts to ROPS. From Amazon.

Do like a 4post ROPS. And the loaders on mine aren’t meant to be removable which helps. Never removed the loaders from my ag tractors either.

Maybe with the air space and low operating temperatures expected didn’t need vented. On the M5030 hubs each had drain plug, oil level/fill plug and you could remove top cap with grease fitting for the knuckle, with a 6mm bolt thread into a round poly spacer to pull out and pour oil into the hub...

Good job and saved money too. Shop time has inflated too. My old M5030 and B20 had three compartments for oil for the front end. Axle and both hubs. Newer M59 and B26 are one. The axle housings have a vent and good you were checking that it was clear. Wonder how the hubs vented with the 3...

Interesting idea on rope container, Tchamp. The old atv tire I use has a coil of 120’ of 3/8” wire rope. I cut the bead off one side and couple of holesaw drain hole thru tread. Easy to transport, deploy and store.

Very capable TLB and you seem equally adaptive at figuring out repairs. Considered one but stuck with the Kubotas which about the only ones the make something like this. Much heavier duty than similar ag tractors. Ours spend majority of time in 3pt mode.

I made square tubing based tool carriers for my tractors. Variety of tools depending on job. Woods work needs to carry tools safely. Any hook to carry a 5 gallon bucket helps too. All tractors could use a chain box.

China is capable of making high quality stuff often for top line global manufacturers spec. There are also some less quality ones too. Have been surprised at the quality at a much cheaper cost.

China is capable of making high quality stuff often for top line global manufacturers spec. There are also some less quality ones too. Have been surprised at the quality at a much cheaper cost. Bailers are extreme environment for bearings so you have a good test apparatus.

Interesting. rScotty was getting some temperature differential data on the hydraulic cooler. Better? Bigger? or electric fan cooled? Maybe monitor backhoe supply and return? Upper valve block temperature? The hot fluid from the cylinders which goes thru the valves is too hot? The tractor...

Nice follow up report.

So impressed with the ripper on the M59, adapted it the B26. Makes little hoe’s swing above their weight class.

It pays many returns to buy a quality rotary cutter. This will take effort to straighten, reinforcing and welding to strengthen to probably break elsewhere. Cheap cutters can’t handle rocks, trees, stumps, hills or any hard use. Good for learning to weld on.

With your new quick attach switching from bucket to ripper and back should be a breeze now.

You will enjoy the ripper. I usually start 10-20’ out from the stump, find the big roots and use their length as a level to fold them back toward the stump before breaking them off. Working close to roots might want to change from lynch pins to bolt and locknut. BX-expanded makes good stuff...

In my neck of the woods, multiflora rose can get big and gnarly. Once cut your, fine cut flail should be able to maintain yearly maintenance of trails if you do not have too much woody growth. That mower was meant to be more of a finish mower. That it excels at. As you are finding out there...

Even the SHD74 with heavier, thicker blades is rated at 1” . Mulch the heck out of 6’ tall tough fall weeds.

https://palletforks.com/products/quick-tach-cut-out-mount-plate

https://a.co/d/4V3WhYp Check your size. Easier to make shorter than longer.

Have done a few modifications to help my wife use the B26 primarily to mow with. Differential lock pedal. Some parts of what we mow takes 4wd and diff lock. All the engaged or not. Parking brake lever and “brake on” light. Both well worth investments for happy marriage.

A real bargain! All signs point toward Failmaster to see your options for blades and blade holding hardware. The fine cut may run a different rotor than the SHD. Need blades in all positions to run properly. Should have a properly adjusted slip clutch on the driveline also.

Modified an M5030DT loader 30+ years ago to SSQA. Similar HD round back bucket. Welded ssqa plate to the bucket pin-on flange plates without cutting them. Lost some roll back articulation and maybe some breakout force from having extended length from pivot point. Cutting the flanges and...

That’s a rarely fine looking B21. Sweet! Looks new! Appreciate in value asset, get to use and enjoy it is the best kind of investment. Surprise it doesn’t have a step on the left. Our B26 was the first backhoe that had rubber outrigger pads. Don’t have that much pavement but was surprised...

Most people don’t have their money ready for a good deal. Good deals go fast. Flustrated after engine sucked an injector on the B20 and tried various other tractors and mowers for a year. Having other family users/operators on our hillside farm, safety was important. Blueberry patch...

Wow$. 2016 B26 TLB base was about $30K. With backhoe thumb, QA bh buckets(3), rear remote, few extras was -$36. Bought ATI Kubota KX040 excavator to SSQA adapter. Can use skidsteer attachments on backhoe. Well made and highly recommend as a top manufacturer. Being able to finish mow or...

Been a long time since I used a 3pt backhoe. Don’t think they are made anymore? Better than a shovel but still poorly designed and poorly functional digger. Operator safety and equipment damage main concerns. Would think a quick hitch would only exaggerate the problems. Appreciate your...

You have a winner either way! Not sure how all the specs compare to the backhoe attachment. Big upgrade from the B20. The B26 did feel a little more tippy. Both had rear tire ballast. Added 2.5” rear wheel spacers helped considerably as we have 500’ elevation change.

They’re great machines. Little more plastic than your B21 but better loader and backhoe performance and operator ergonomics. Bought mine used at local rental auction with 50hours. Wife thinks it’s hers, that’s okay if I get to play with it sometimes.

Good catch rScotty, it does not have QA backhoe bucket. The B26 uses flares on their ssqa and QA backhoe buckets that make connecting even easier. Only model I’ve seen that on. Added that feature on several ssqa attachments.

I’m no expert on how it works. It has a small battery of several cell phones worth but uses I would think capacitor tech to deliver the punch in amps to start a vehicle. Yes I have used that one. AUXITO brand LED light upgraded also. Started Dodge diesel with two batteries that just clicked...

Wouldn’t worry on oil filter change. Less diesel soot with additive like Standyne. Missing a hinged floor plate from the backhoe to tractor. 3pt arms? Check if stored on frame.

Yes on black on loader frame. M59 blacks the loader frame too. My B26 came with spark screen option on the tail pipe. Seemed to plug too often so removed. Added a short angle piece that helped the exhaust miss the loader. B20 had vertical exhaust. Like the B26 exhaust better for woods work...

Things lasting half as long but costing twice as much. I’m sounding like Dad a little more each day. Troubling that increasing initial cost doesn’t necessarily mean a longer lasting product. One of reasons we have down sized from half a dozen tractors to two. On a related subject have been...

Appreciate heads up on problems and solutions. Love our little B26. Modified and equipped handle many chores. Wife is a very competent operator on our rough piece of paradise. Keeping her safe a priority. Found another water line leak today. Line I helped to put in over 50 years ago for...

Every once in a while we have a population explosion of chipmunks. Pretty easy to trap with bird seed and relocate. King snakes, my night cats (skunks) tend to help with population control.

Had over dozen patent pendings thru work. Patent pendings are not supposed to be viewed by public without being released by owner. Think only one went thru the whole patent process so it could be transferred to a private company. Got my $1 and chicken dinner. The legality and benefits of the...

Nice fabrications. Making your machine more versatile. Envying your skills! Keep showing your progress.

About 10-15 years ago had a rash of valve stem failures from atvs, tractors, vehicles and trailers. Switched to bolt-in style where I can. Haven’t had one of them fail since. Nothing ruins the momentum of the day like flat tire.

I keep those pins, 3pt arms and pto shafts lubed with Corrosion X to make easy hand R&R. Pat’s cat2-1 quick hitches makes life easier. The extra distance and a pto override clutch makes connecting easier. Love the rear access creep feature to hook up heavy attachments. The older I get the more...

The KX excavator backhoe bucket quick attachment and thumb is a good option. Aftermarket buckets and attachments are more readily available and cheaper. Underneath is not armored very well. Don’t be afraid of checking for damage of filters and lines. Original hydraulic filters are usually...

Glad your dad is okay. Could have been much worse. Didn’t know about the inherent fire danger until now. Have 10# fire extinguishers on equipment and trucks but don’t know if they could have suppressed that fire. Even with insurance there is loss. Your experience brings valuable safety...

Interested if it works out. Run a pressure gauge on the FEL lift cylinders on a Kubota Soft Ride system on my M59. Lift pressure was couple hundred pounds less than max spec. Could probably add a shim. Still scary strong.

I got one to do a specific outside barn repair using pallet forks and man basket. Used on M59 that has the KX excavator QD on the backhoe. Could not reach with the FEL. Also allowed me reach inside barn too. Yes it took two people. My wife at the controls. But much safer and quicker than...

Understand getting good representative temperature measurement. All methods required some technique. Do like magnetic simple bimetal coil thermometers for things like motors, metal pipe or cylinders in the temperature range we are dealing with. Oil break down, water emulsion, age all reasons...

I would think lower temperature probe would identify the outlet. I wasn’t exactly sure which side either. Thinking temperature under 200F normal. Maybe even 240F. People are poor thermometers so your data is way better. Spot checking backhoe boom and FEL lift cylinders with non contact IR...

Using tractors always needs using other tools. All need a better way to carry tooling safely. Hard to beat a bucket. Nice job!

Like your experiment. Impressed how clean and new looking your tractor is. Mine was battle worn before I got it and have added a few scars. Think my heat exchanger is bare aluminum, not painted (2014). To try to replicate your results, what heatsink mastic did you use? On your heat exchanger...

That would be a good test. When mowing I have clear the radiators and screen several times a season. Curious what temperatures might be seeing. That’s usually the hottest I see the tractor. Backhoe boom cylinder can get hot. About 180-190 degrees per millwright hand test.

Recent series of storms and gully washers left several trees down 100+ branches. M59 made quick work clearing and carrying off debris. Then fixed the gravel driveway. Took a couple of hours for two days. Still have one stump to remove at a later time. Tracked equipment has many advantages...

Not sure what model tractor you have. Some have “spill” guard feature that levels or rotates the bucket level when raising. This prevent spilling back toward operator. Depending on model as they use different mechanisms to perform this feature. Bent actuator bars or mid-adjustment may cause...

Not had a problem with any wheel bolts or bearings. The adjustable height spindle and tube do wear then are prone to bend dragging a wheel even with lots of grease. Must be from our obstacle course we call our lawn.

We use our Woods RD7200 to maintain our rough hillside farm lawns. 26 years it sure can take a beating. Had to replace the first bearings in a blade spindle this spring. Two bolt blade bars. Just a well made mower, heavy in the right places. Center anti-scalp roller and rear chain guard. One...

My Veterinarian and I were talking about clearing limbs and trees from around pastures and fields yesterday. He purchased a tracked skidsteer with HD rotary cutter. Works great but is considerably more expensive to run and maintain compared to a tractor.

Plow bolts were a common item at local hardware or co-op. Harder to find now but worth it. Available on Amazon.

Picked up a 5’ Brown tree cutter for $1200. Needed some TLC. Most of the wear was from sitting outside. Great for trails. Chips better than a rotary cutter. Can cut stems off easier than rotary cutter. Still shreds weeds or even 7’ high kudzu. At the low side of required HP @45. HST almost a...

Great idea! Tough to drill larger holes free hand. Good drill bits are expensive. Don’t use the mag drill often but very handy for drilling and tapping. Have used steel plate as guide with holes to drill holes for fasteners with holesaws. 9/16” and up. Can drill beside an existing hole or...

I too was contemplating welding 1” square teeth/fangs to the tips. A6 tool steel because that what I have on hand. 1-2” long would help. Four teeth? Weld square or diamond, and tip bevel? Have seen one example of large curved tooth plates added for logs. Probably not the best for rocks.

FEL hydraulic polesaw sure has helped keeping the woods roads, trails and field perimeters clear of over hanging limbs and down trees. Can cut some big stuff without being in the danger zone. Sadly we losing 100s of ash trees too.

The cylinder rod guard shells were from one piece , short drop of 5” square tube. Steps 2”x5” tubing. Good grip on often muddy shoes associated with backhoe use. Small crew of usually one means a lot of climbing up and down. Too much I want to do to fool around and get hurt by falling. Many of...

Copied the design of outrigger covers from the M59 OEM design. Added steps to both to help this old man climb. Hillside farm always in a tight spot. Mega pads with rubber, cleats and height risers helps plumb and resist sinking in soft ground. Less damage on hard surfaces or landscaping...

Welding depends on the welder and condition of the pipe you can’t see. I once welded a pin hole leak on a Kubota B20 hard line for the power steering circuit on the tractor. Thought it would be a temporary fix but was permanent over 10 years till I sold the tractor. I have more luck than skill...

Added covers and steps to the outriggers to help get up and down.

Reinforced grill quard with quarry screen, , 1/2” plate and added 3”x6” tube bumper. Bonnet guard was factory option.

Excellent advise. Add there are many types of weld-on poly hose supports to secure a hose if you go that option.

Blade hold down clamps have shims that can be removed to compensate for wear. We would douse the blades with used motor oil at the first and end of cutting season.

Probably easier to drill blade carrier. A magnetic drill helps.

Do the center spindle with a ridged bent tube grease gun on Woods RD7200. All spindle bearing zerks straight up. After 26 years the lower bearing on the center spindle failed this year. Bearings are taper rolling type. Rebuilt with new bearings and seals. Careful, too much or too often grease...

Yours is probably better. Envious of your clean floor space.

https://a.co/d/07UCmFVw Come in a variety of sizes.

Several listed with brands like Stanley or Greenly. Used by utilities to dewater underground services. Often have compatible hydraulic chainsaw, cutoff saw, hammer, etc. Definitely a safety factor over electric or gas powered for personal. They do show up used, usually dirty out of utility...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/266321367914?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=fiebFC41Qee&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=gleyKQN-TIy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Often show up used on govdeals. Local fellow had one for over a year on marketplace $200 obo but just checked and no longer listed.

Adding square tubing for chainsaw, chain, long tools has been very useful.

The early Kubota B20 in the 80’s didn’t come with a four post ROPS until later. Loader not designed to be quick disconnected from tractor. It had steel bar that that bolted across the tops of the loader towers, above the hood, that provided “box” strength. About 0.5x2” flat bar. This what I...

Lot of interesting modifications!

Adding chainsaw, fire extinguisher, chain, long tools mounts makes the tractor safer and a pleasure to use. Four post allows many options for improving lighting and mirrors.

Working in woods, trees on our hillside farm a four post ROPS is a necessity. One of many reasons I like the Kubota TLBs. Their FELs are not removable. Added front posts and steel top to 80s model B20 forty years ago. That’s the tricker part of your build. Design to still remove the FEL with...

Mowed about 4-5 acre meadow down by the pond covered in kudzu 30-80” high. Impressed the ease the flail mower could cut it down. Better cut, less hp, faster than using a similar size rotary cutter. No windrows. Little Y blades holding up well. Been cutting other fallow pastures with the...

If you replace them be sure to grease them before installing. Might be able to sneak a blunt grease needle under the rubber boot. Was disappointed that the newer of my tractors didn’t have grease zerks at these points and little if no grease OEM. Used a sharp grease needle to pierce the...

I would wash throughly with purple simple green to remove any salt. CorrosionX is my spray lube and protector of choice. Using CorrosionX on PTO couplers, splines and shafts make connecting so much easier than using grease.

Nice rig! I’ve dug out many stumps. Eastern Cedar (Juniper) rank as some of the toughest. Maybe because they grow red clay.

Trying too to find the best rough cut mower. Have 50+ years using rotary cutters. This year trying a used Alamo shd74 with twin rear caster wheels. Thinking the larger wheels will help on our rough, hillside farm. Already impressed with cut quality. See how it handles 6’ high fall cutting...

Small cracks on a rubber elbow on the suction side of the hydraulic pump allowed air in but very little oil out on my Kubota B26. Enough air to foam up and expel hydraulic oil out vent when hot. Design flaw that Kubota eventually redesigned suction line from filter to pump. Check all suction...

Think you changed to bigger tires on your M62 also? While tracked, high horsepower, high flow machines sure can clear some steep ground. Climbing over the FEL for grapple or lifting jobs working alone is not going to happen with a skidsteer. Having additional labor resources could solve some...

The lady we bought the farm from wanted to leave endowments. While living shopped around various attorneys and groups like East Tennessee Foundation that specialize in setting up gifts and endowments. You want the money to be managed and best utilized for future students. After her passing, as...

Thank you for a great diagnosis and write up. Best description I’ve seen to date. I will need to do this too and gain confidence in repair. I guess since my symptoms are temporary, the spring/pin can reseat itself? Maybe an air bubble can cause it unseat? The backhoe is only used about 15-20%...

Also have intermediary loss of power swing left and boom down on my 2013 M59. Suspect a spec of debris. Have not taken the time to disassemble to check as the problem is transitory. Interested to any solution. Definitely use your swing lock for road transport.

Few more pictures. Made some stabilizer’s covers with steps for easier climbing. Easiest thing is to added OEM factory rubber pads. The B26 came with rubber pads. So impressed bought a set of NOS off eBay for the M59. All TLBs use the same pads. Adding steel to increase both width and height...

Rot and termites always a problem here. Made DIY “BoraCare” to help keep our 300+ year old log structures healthy for future generations. Going to be wet, rainy and smokey for a week.

Have a section of our back deck not covered. Sees the worst of the southern sun and weather. Been playing chemist by adding ingredients to oil based stains. Non-nano zinc, powder, boiled linseed oil and non diluted antifreeze. Last fall had a gallon of Olympic best semitransparent stain in the...

Multiple tractors also gives options of backup. Little tractor is great for 10k pto generator, Bigger tractor better for clearing road from snow and trees. Small gas Yamaha inverter has helped for short but increasingly frequent power losses.

Structural integrity is a good point. Could weld some SS half pipe tubing sections over the bad parts. Stuff on hand to cob together. Still need get an estimate from driveline shop.

10kW , 515rpm, trash can enclosure. Help keeps it clean stored in the tractor shed. Need way to monitor when running. Have gauges both at the generator and by the TV inside the house. With PTO generators hertz as important as voltage to monitor power.

Cut tender spring grass like a lawn. Quieter than rotary cutter. More hp efficient? No windrowing of cut material. Still playing around with setup. Since my property is kinda rough and have tail wheels might add top link floating link like on my rotary cutters. Sometimes I could see the rear...

Rust had perforated the tube for several feet. Weakened enough to dent/crush in several spots. Significant amount debris in the tube now from the holes from cutting grass. It’s either remove or re-tube time. Previous owner had replaced all the pins, shackles and blades. Ran smooth. Under and...

Looking good! Needed a little fabrication pick-me-up this morning! The post outriggers and side shift options are rare over here and sought by foundation repair companies. Excellent work and inspiring craftsmanship.

The grassy areas turn into 6’+ weedy lots in the fall for once a year cutting. Joe-Pye weed, iron weed, black berry, trees, etc. have reclaimed boarders with brown tree cutter. Hoping the flail can cut/mulch better and not leave clumps from rotary cutters that kill grass and encourage weeds...

My thinking too. Don’t see that option much. Maybe cut tall stuff better in reverse?

Added a vent now these drain about 10x faster.

Bought a used Alamo74 cutter. One of the features is dual rear laminated, bushhog type trailing height gauge wheels. It’s also has the roller bar. The roller bar has some perforations from rust where it was sitting on the ground. Question, do you really need the roller bar with wheels? Patch...

We have only a few. Get them while they’re young. Pull them out with the Danuser Intimdator and transport to gully tree digester.

They have been in business a long time. Large tractor and construction equipment dealer. Seems like they to deal with higher end used equipment which tend to have higher prices. Have talked with them on equipment, shopped their lot but have never bought anything from them. Haven’t heard any...

50” of rain per year, 280’ elevation in 2500’ winding thru woods need to keep water off the road. Little is crowned, mostly sloped to one side or the other. Land plane has greatly reduced maintenance time and cost. Mainly used to smooth tracks out to prevent water from channeling and washing...

Have never needed the scarifiers for driveway maintenance. The EA LP with more angle on the blades makes it perform better.

25* driveway? Pretty steep. Have 2500’ driveway on a hillside to maintain. Land plane has been a blessing, has quickly paid for itself and has made the road durable with less maintenance. No blade adjustment. Grading up, most of the time, 6’LP can grunt my 60hp tractor in some spots.

Many of the homes built in East Tennessee boggles the mind how they ever got building materials way back in hills. Friend has built their homestead, off-grid with a little contract excavation and lots of B26 TLB work.

Some advantages of buying new. Don’t think you will come close to wearing one out. Up at Johnson City Tennessee a couple of weeks ago and noted Mason’s had several used M62s. At least one M59. Popular machines for hillside work. While the M62 does have some improvements, the pre tierIV...

Wrap wires with tape to prevent chewing.

Got a 2021 little truck for the farm, a Honda Ridgeline. Researching care and feeding found this Honda product. https://images.app.goo.gl/Hu6XCPEKWxEwGFtC9 Can see many useful applications of this product around the farm. Layer of capsaicin makes chewing unpleasant.

Don’t think so. Certainly does have room in a center blank dash. Ran a heavy duty, two lead, fused quick disconnect plug to run a spot sprayer or possible fuel pump.

Thank you for your service. Hope you find your piece of paradise and forever home. Crippling 20-30% cumulative inflation has hurt not only buying but also those who have tried to save money also. Been the final straw for several of the few remaining farmers near me. Large excavators now...

Today the 15-19* was up and down. 10-15*side slope really have to be careful. I grooved the worn front tires when I first got the M59 to improve traction in pastures with side slope. Some in mud. Then bought extra deep lug severe service, high ply, ultra traction new front tires. World of...

Yesterday was cool and decided to clean up a neglected field down by the lake and railroad track. Hadn’t been cut for 7-8 years and not by the M59. Spent a couple of hours cutting kudzu, small trees up to 8-10” and moving large trees that had uprooted. The M59 and brown cutter performed great...

Really surprised your combined price wasn’t higher and a year wait. That’s a lot of extras. There is some economy of scale buying all at once. Don’t expect you will be putting major hours on all attachments. Some of the attachments could be bought used after. Used prices vary so much by...

My solution for outrigger feet. Then improved steps for climbing up and down. Unless you have a ground crew there seems to be a lot up and down.

Follow up. Hydraulic shop first tried to straighten the bent rod. Ok but still tight at some spots thru the new head nut at spots They took it a machinist to make a new rod. He thought he could straighten it better and did. Parts, seal kit and head nut $344 Labor, $175 Back on the tractor and...

Blessed to grow up on a small farm and live and retire on one. Not so much as a living but a way of life. Nice when a hobby can help pay for itself. Just pointing out the potential value of the OPs crop of trees and effort involved in cutting them. We used cut cedar trees for erosion control in...

No longer that it takes to cut a tree, that’s thousands of trees. Good market around here for cedar wood. Maybe have a band sawer cut on shares help pay for your tree saw, reduce tree waste volume? Bird houses, feeders, carpenter bee traps made from small lumber cedar. Shaving mill to...

I sprinkle some sulpher too. Pine bark Beatles killed the pines around my patch 20 years ago.

That low hp tractor would be too small for their smallest tree cutter but more than adequate for the saw. Goats would have killed those cedar trees and made lush grass pasture. Hard to fence the rascals. Cleared 15 acres of kudzu, multiflora rose on a steep hillside. Now growing back with...

Rare to see honeybees in our blueberry patch. Their flowers are too long and tubular for them to reach. Mostly pollinated by bumblebee and carpenter bees. The later cheat usually by piercing the side of the flower to reach the nectar with less pollination. Bumblebees are better cold weather...

Looking forward to your experience and review.

Have to admit I’m a blueberry bear. Freeze a minimum of 4 gallons up to 13 gallons per year. Biggest predator is turkeys. Move a coyote decoy daily helps. Not only scares them but also attracts coyotes that help keep the deer and other critters away. Had a golden retriever that could pick...

Those rubber “street” pads for the backhoe stabilizers really make a difference. They came with B26 we got and was significantly impressed with the added traction and support on just the ground. Often soft ground and at a side angle on our property. The couple inches of height made a difference...

Eastern cedar, juniper are interesting trees. One of the first trees to colonize after the ice age. Some cedar barrens ecosystem have lasted 10,000 years before being disturbed by man. In the woods still have cedar stumps cut over 100 years ago. Heart wood very resistant to rot. Danuser...

There are several startup garage companies that offer some impressive grill protection guards, differential lock step, light guards, etc. There are many options, guessing and misinformation comparing gear vs HST power and traction. Have had many of both. For our hillside, mostly wooded...

Lot of stuff! Quite a package! Need to improve front grill for grapple work. Wouldn’t go over 6’ with your grapple or 4 in 1 bucket. Some have had better reliability from Fit-Rite or other auxiliary hydraulic valves over OEM. Kubota Soft Ride available? WSM, filters and oil.

No idea about the saw and backing precision but the cutter is forgiving and use a couple of trucker convex mirrors. Camera could help too. Also cuts low. Big advantage is still having the grapple on the FEL. The saw does have a clamping option to move cut trees. Both take some serious...

Black walnut stump. Size 13/4E shoe. Can really tell how stumps flare at ground level. Low enough to bushhog over next time. This was before I sharpened the blades, refurbished the deck, unwinded 100’ of fence wire and replaced the pto shaft. Cuts better now. Stump sometimes push up rocks...

Good advise using a forestry muncher if wanting to do all at once. Haven’t used that kind but have really liked using the Brown tree cutter for reclaiming tree encroachment. 5’ works well on M59 HST tractor. Sometimes carry off trees, sometimes just chipping them up or de-limbing the main stem...

Applied 2nd coat of paint. Mystic, Kubota, spray can. Waited 24hours. Good weather. Got this! What did I do wrong? First coat was dry to touch but could scratch with thumbnail. Now have to wait to dry, sand and try again.

First coat of paint after hammering the dents out. Left hint of tattoo to help remember the event.

The 3point attachment arms and controls are probably the worst con of the premium TLB series. Kubota uses better equipment on some ag tractors. Easily improved with a little ingenuity and aftermarket improvements. On our farm modifying equipment to better suit our needs is more the rule than...

The M59/M62 unique backhoe creep feature, Pat’s quick hitch cat2/1 and pin type sway bars make connecting to 3pt attachments quick and easy.

Deck tires do take a beating on my property. Foam filled pneumatic tires probably provide more cushion than the solid rubber without the flat worries.

The bonnet protector was optional equipment for the M59. Listed on WholeGoods pricing list. Not available from local dealer but Messicks had one. Like the added protection and shelf for maintenance like oil change...

Bought 54” wicked grapple and EA 6’ landplane. Excellent pieces of equipment. 2017, <2 month wait. September 2023 bought EA tree puller online but problem with pricing, customer service afterwards canceled the order and got full CC refund.

Rather be in a basket over a ladder anytime.

Decided to take the cylinder to get professional repair. Might be able to straighten. They have a guy who specializes in that. Head/gland nut had a crack but not thru. Seals looked good. Ordered new head nut and seal kit from Messicks. After 30 minutes of beating on the hood.

Having to clean up with a hand shovel I see I the real advantage of your 4-1 type clamshell bucket. Very interesting. Thanks for taking the time to share and explain your build.

Could that feature also push out sticky material like clay?

Like a good sturdy hand rail to hold on to or know it’s there if using both hands like with a chainsaw. Wife is a good operator when I’m in the basket. Don’t think she knows how scared I am.

Worked excellent with inverter generator. Good for capturing data on cyclical loads like for cooking and pumping. Ordered another one to upgrade breakers and monitor cistern pump house for system water leakage using the resetting kWh.

Had Ford 4500 backhoe for over twenty years. 2wd. Very tippy on our hillside farm but proved just how handy a backhoe was. So much improved over ag tractor backhoes. Had the M59 for years before finding an backhoe attachment. Pleasantly surprised how stable the M59 was with the backhoe...

Good many options and tracked machines definitely have advantages on slopes. Big advantage tractors have over skidsteers is egress to cab and labor. Important for a one man workforce. Often picking up limbs/trees then having to chainsaw to length while suspended. Same for pulling post and...

First time seeing a safety wire for pto shaft.

Thanks a lot for good experienced advise. Have much of the material and tooling to do simple straightening. Aluminum angle to line V-blocks. Cargo ratchet strap around cylinder to press just in case. Always stand clear when much pressure. Any press operation is a potential grenade. Cheap 50ton...

Had the tree cutter not the backhoe on the back. Hindsight and last push will be with the backhoe.

Stump muffin. Flopping it over and over.

Been nice spring like weather for several days and really catching up on some outdoor projects including some that included clearing trees. Rain expected to start in a few hours so time to deal with a big stump from a large oak that fell last spring beside an animal shed. Have worked off and on...

The M59 was to replace M5030DT. The M5030 was bigger, heavier and 7’ wide. Thought about wheel extensions for the M59 at 6’ wide. Added 2” rear extensions to the B26 made a huge difference on hilly ground. Have learn to live with M59 as is. It is at times a scary strong machine. The backhoe...

I also learned on a four stick Ford. No harder than two but hard if using different machines. Think it would be difficult to change to two stick. Did add hand control to thumb foot pedal Kubota M59. Now have a three stick reminds me of the old Ford. Always dreaded if the hoses ever broke going...

Nice project!

My farm is a hobby and way of life so I buy used. There are bargains for TLB and cutters. Buying and fixing stuff a hobby too. 5’ cutter was $1,200 and needed some love to become a happy cutter. Apple and oranges difference between a tree cutter and a rotary cutter. Still like my 286 Bushhog but...

Same tire removal for the Kubota B26 if the dealer didn’t prep for the optional 3pt lift. Do use the black high spring strength lynch pins for the lower connections so brush less likely to unclip.

Yes I’m at the low side. Older 5’ cutter spec was 50-80 pto hp in my manual. With cutter, grapple, ballast, modification near 11,000#. Would not want a lighter weight tractor. Like the 5’ in woods clearing underbrush and non native evasives. Considerable flywheel power reserve. HST plus...

We are mostly wooded too. Have to manage tons of trees as well, hobby farm and landscaping. The M59 is a good multi purpose platform to multiply our older work force. Small enough to use in woods and around buildings. Use to burn brush decades ago. Current best practices is to pile or push...

Would caution anyone operating in the woods to have a 4 to 6 post ROPS with strong roof. Lacking in many open station agricultural tractors. Our driveway is like a green tunnel of mature trees. I’ve had limbs fall out of the blue while maintaining it or operating in the woods. No injuries but...

I’ve scaled back from bigger ag tractors, full size backhoe, skidsteer, dump trucks to just a B26 and M59. Both modified to meet our hillside farm, 140ac, meets our needs now. Don’t have big fields but many smaller pastures and meadow areas with lots of woods. Creeks and ponds just paradise...

Have 10,000# digital gauge on the loader lift arms. Multi function, units, tare, net, etc. Weighed logs and 3pt 960# counter weight with a crane scale for reference. Picked up known weights and tried to develop a formula or rule of thumb to guesstimate weight from loader pressure. While...

Hitch was handy for moving lite trailers around. Welding extra supports and hitch also helps cheap box blades. Use hitch on box blade to store hitch crane. Don’t use the box blade much after the land plane.

Agree. The tractor and mods have made a great platform for maintaining our hillside farm. Just yesterday taking down a section of woven wire fence, pulling posts from where a huge oak had fell across the fence years ago. Having chains, chainsaw, bolt cutters, axe and other tools safely carried...

Welding side wings on some attachments has certainly helped to quickly align properly.

Like the bigger one you got over the 3’x3’.

It was half that before Biden. They used to offer 20-30% off coupons but haven’t seen that for a while. Several of my Kubotas have had mixed thread types. Tractors are from Japan but loaders and backhoes are made in country of delivery. Several of the hydraulic fittings are BSPT too. Only...

Finally bought a gauge from Zoro on sale. Lot Japanese stuff uses BSPT.

286’s are tuff mowers. Check the slip clutch. Equipment with slip clutches I store under cover. There to protect your tractors driveline.

That seems reasonable. Use the 3pt arms for the majority of the hours. Didn’t like the turnbuckle sway control so modified to telescopic pin. Wish it had gear box side link. Added Pat’s quick hitch cat2 to cat1. With the M59 backhoe forward and reverse creep feature makes hookup a breeze.

Used 3x1/2” rubber disks to raise and tilt back the seat. New longer bolts. Surprises on how much it improved comfort.

Haven’t look recently, but think there are two thumb options offered on the M59/62 depending on which QA option selected. Think the KX version has slightly wider and longer thumb for clearance for KX040 type QA. The M59 foot control for thumb was awkward for me. Added better cleats and hand...

The M59 has been a fun platform to customize for our use. Compact, powerful, versatile and thoughtful ergonomics. Lends itself well to owner tweaking to meet their needs. Can’t think of anything that is perfect out of the box. Grapples for handling trees and brush. 5’ long bottom, high back...

Both rScotty and I raised and tilted back the M59 seat for better operator comfort.

Kubota offers all the parts to convert to Kubota excavator buckets as well a thumb that is compatible. Common option on new M62. Too expensive for me to retrofit. My M59 had a thumb with pin on bucket. Used buckets are impossible to find. Kubota buckets were also prone to breaks on the bottom...

Great post card like picture! Agree long bottom is the best. After seeing one in an equipment magazine 30+ years ago for skidsteer, adapted my tractor to it. Before ssqa was seen on tractors.

One of the best modifications with guidance of fellow member “M59” was to convert to KX Kubota QA excavator attachment coupler. Had to modify pin-on thumb. Coupler made by USA Attachments. We both have posts on the conversion. Consideration for future thumb. KX quick attach simple, easy strong...

There is a post of its fabrication evolution. Made to be easily removed yet tree fighting strong.

My m59 can easily lift up the machine. For a tractor this size is much stronger than a similar size ag tractor. Scary strong at times. Before you adjust too much, change hydraulic oil and Kubota filters. Important on any used equipment.

Could you stall the auger when digging?

rScotty has been a great help to many and I as well. Very knowledgeable and articulate in explaining functions and repairs. My M59 has to survive and thrive in brush infested environment. Several modifications of armor has improved survivability. One was to improve protection of the tender...

The backup alarm is also tied to a safety switch. Can’t just unplug to not beep. Reverse pedal does it sound?

Probably not the problem since you are familiar with L48. I buy used and the three HST models B20, B26 and M59 had bent and stiff range selector levers from improper shifting techniques from previous owners. Now after straightening and using properly, taking time up to 30 seconds, they shift...

If I knew retirement was going to be this much work, i would have kept working longer.

Sweat set up! I want one too.

Wishing you the best! Sold big oak saw log to a local miller $100. Coveed my tractor use. Lot of free logs on marketplace really limit value for small lots. Sun is warp enemy of fresh cut oak lumber. Tarps make mold. Drying shed that catches the prevailing wind is your friend. Sealing the...

Definitely yes! It needed some love to get it going again. 5’ model and I’m at the lower side of HP requirement with a 59hp tractor. Cuts and chips up limbs and trees much better than a rotary cutter. Only have limited experience with skidsteers and none with CTL. Prefer a tractor.

Your troubleshooting and repair outcome details will be appreciated from another M59 owner. Learned a lot from others on this site. Sure enjoy operating the M59. The transmission gearing and HST-plus is a big improvement over the L48.

Tree encroachment on our mostly wooded hillside farm has always been an issue. Used to be a lot hand work and labor intensive. Don’t know of a single tool that can do it all. FEL hydraulic limb saw and Brown tree cutter now are my favorites for maintaining miles of fence lines, woods, and...

Good post and repair follow up. Keep checking your bolt tightness. Paint or marker marks to visually check. If future bolt breakage or frame flexing may consider adding gussets or plate to strengthen. Happy Trails

Tested and works fine with inverter generator.

Added this meter to the 120v, 10gauge generator cord. Can use as regular extension cord to monitor any appliances. Resetable kWh meter. Power factor is an interesting parameter. My EE off-grid friend say this is important as more of our loads become inductive than resistive when making your own...

Press helps straighten slow and controlled.

That’s what Ms Marjorie Shipley did with all stones picked up from fields and pastures. 600’ wall, 4,000sf house. Structural walls some 4’ thick.

Have a Buck model 91 wood stove. Can be used free standing or how we use it as an insert. Even though had a good masonry chimney, used double wall insulated SS flue pipe. Self cleaning, better draw and added safety feature. Don’t need kindling, starts like a blow torch. After 20years of...

All preparations, testing and maintenance done on gas and PTO generators. Once in 30 year snow and ice storm last week, not even a flicker. Last time lost power for 8 days.

It did take some work on our part. Hard install even with existing underground conduit. Companies took millions from the Government to help rural families get better internet. It took some pestering, phone calls requesting updates. Using the tractor to unstuck subcontractor’s truck and air...

Open center Hydraulic system does not give pressure till valved into a circuit. Have pressure gauge on my loader lift circuit to monitor Kubota soft ride system in real time use. It will show pressure against a load or deadhead relief valve pressure. You could have fittings, tees and...

Got Direct TV when it came out for over 20 years. Could not get local tv by antenna. Price increases and stupid dish up grade placement had me looking. Beta tested Starlink. Great when I had signal but would drop at various times. Not cheap either. Got AT&T to run 1/2 mile of fiber. Never...

The resonator is 2” in/out and see thru so don’t think I should worry about back pressure. Thinking of installing it on the tailpipe discharge side. Might need a U tube to account for longer tailpipe length. Have some exhaust wrap and SS wire ties to try. Need to study on it more. One...

Don’t know if it’s stretching or air, mainly oxygen reacting new material. Noticed tires, even old tires filled with leak stopper also loose pressure at first. Maybe some merit to using nitrogen for the first fill on new vehicle tires? Never have got a solid real science reason to up charge.

Most construction equipment has or needs only one loader safety lift lock. Hope awareness pushes the manufacturers to include on more Ag tractors.

If 240v check amps on both legs. Should be similar. Sometimes when one conductor or connection is compromised it will read voltage but read low amps. Running on half power will heat up the motor up.