Do It All

[texasjohn]

To me, your first choice is ideal, except for no cab option. That far north, a cab might be nice.... check out the L5740, backhoe is quick attach, has thumb. Compare specs, some differences exist that might make a difference to you.

I use an L5030 and it has been bullet proof on my 200 plus acres. Agree you want something in 50hp range for your needs. You want 3ph capability, won't be using backhoe all the time. IMHO, you may fit into the category where 1 machine may do all you need done. Since field work (lots of acres there) will be rented out, that's not a requirement, yet, you will need to so some dirt work for your wife's market garden.

Recommend toothbar for bucket, heavy duty bucket, 3 rear remotes, top and tilt, quick attach for FEL, pallet forks, 4wd, loaded tires, rear weight, etc.

 

[jpm]

first question is what dealerships are close .its useless to say look at x if there are no dealers close by. a commershal tbl is not a bad choice.also a used exavator with a blade mite work.

 

[Honey Dealer]

What features make the commercial machines more desirable? What do the Kubota's lack?
A cab might be nice, but it would have to be functional. I don't want to deal with frosted windows that won't thaw or any other problems a cab could create.
I live in the heart of the bread basket. ALL tractor dealerships are local.

 

[jenkinsph]

To me, your first choice is ideal, except for no cab option. That far north, a cab might be nice.... check out the L5740, backhoe is quick attach, has thumb. Compare specs, some differences exist that might make a difference to you.

I use an L5030 and it has been bullet proof on my 200 plus acres. Agree you want something in 50hp range for your needs. You want 3ph capability, won't be using backhoe all the time. IMHO, you may fit into the category where 1 machine may do all you need done. Since field work (lots of acres there) will be rented out, that's not a requirement, yet, you will need to so some dirt work for your wife's market garden.

Recommend toothbar for bucket, heavy duty bucket, 3 rear remotes, top and tilt, quick attach for FEL, pallet forks, 4wd, loaded tires, rear weight, etc.

I agree with the list of recomendations and agree the slightly more powerful Kubota 59 series would be a great choice, my 110tlb with 43 hp would be my next choice. I have found having the tlb and separate tractors of similar size to work well for me.

 

[ManAtArms]

What features make the commercial machines more desirable? What do the Kubota's lack?
A cab might be nice, but it would have to be functional. I don't want to deal with frosted windows that won't thaw or any other problems a cab could create.
I live in the heart of the bread basket. ALL tractor dealerships are local.

HD,

A true industrial machine is going to be more powerful in all categories, specifically for your purposes, the loader and hoe categories. Let's take a new JD 310SJ for example. Loader lift capacity to full height is 7400...M59 is about 3900...backhoe bucket digging force is 11990, the M59 is about 7600. The based on those two metrics, the JD 310SJ is ABOUT 2 times more powerful. It also is more expensive and weighs 17-18,000 lbs.. The M59 weighs about 8500lbs.

You could buy a used full size industrial machine for less than a new M59, but I don't think you'll get 0% financing for 5 years (in the U.S.)...and it may not have a warranty...and it will probably be more expensive to service and maintain. It will most likely not have a 3pt. hitch or PTO.

The M59 does not have a factory cab option, but you can buy one aftermarket for about 10k from Laurin. The loader and hoe are equal to or stronger than most any other tractor up to 100hp. It has PTO and a 3pt hitch. It can be towed around with a 14k trailer. You've got a standard skid steer quick attach front loader, and quick change real buckets. The backhoe pops off in 10 minutes with practice. You've got front an rear aux hydraulics that can run most low flow skid steer equipment.

Now I'm obvoiusly biased, but if you want one machine for all purposes...I'm not sure you can beat the M59. If go to industrial big construction grade stuff, you're gonna need more than one machine to accomplish all the tasks you list.

Once the heavy work is done, the M59 will continue to serve you around the farm without being overkill.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

What features make the commercial machines more desirable? What do the Kubota's lack?
A cab might be nice, but it would have to be functional. I don't want to deal with frosted windows that won't thaw or any other problems a cab could create.
I live in the heart of the bread basket. ALL tractor dealerships are local.

SIZE for one thing. I have no idea what guys use where your at, but in my area in Southern Calif the only Kubota's used by professionals are landscapers and only a few have Kubota TLBs. I have only seen 1 M59 on a job site. That's not to say that there aren't more, just that they are not all that common around here. You see Case's, Deere's and Cat's.

I know that around here you could get a low hour industrial TLB and still have plenty of $$ for a new 40hp CUT.

I only have 80 acres and tried the big only tractor route. After a few years it was clear that I needed a smaller 30ish size machine in addition to the other full size tractors that we have. It is waaaaay easier to get into tight areas and do smaller jobs with a smaller tractor.

Just my opinion, good luck with your decision.

 

[Honey Dealer]

I do like the idea of purchasing a used Cat 4200, getting all of my construction out of the way and then selling it at purchase price. Then purchasing a tractor to maintain the place.
However I can't help but think I would continuously find uses for a backhoe and loader which still makes me think of the M59...

 

[magicheater]

I do like the idea of purchasing a used Cat 4200, getting all of my construction out of the way and then selling it at purchase price. Then purchasing a tractor to maintain the place.
However I can't help but think I would continuously find uses for a backhoe and loader which still makes me think of the M59...

You can only sell it it if you find a willing buyer. Let's face it, you probably are going to want 2 tractors in the end. I am continually amazed at how much my B7800 does which really cuts down on the hours of it's big brother. I was very impressed with the M59, tow-able with a normal truck and trailer setup, great lift capacity, open station for increased visibility. Good luck with your decision!

 

[TWD]

I am looking at purchasing a tractor for my 640 acre farm. Currently all four quarters are rented out to a neighbor. Three being crop land and one being hay.
I run an Apiary on the home quarter and I am in the midst of some big changes.

I will build a 2000 sq foot home and a 4000 sq foot shop shortly. The spouse also wants a large Greenhouse and small market garden in the near future. I will eventually purchase a few cattle, pigs and chickens for my own consumption only. I want a tractor for trenching water, power, and a Geothermal system. I also want to use the tractor to make my own pilings and lift building materials.

After completing all this construction I will use the tractor and implements to load barrels of honey on trailers and maintain the farm. I want to use it for snow removal, grading the driveway, many many landscaping projects and possibly fencing. I will also do contract work if anyone local asks. I am not planning on using this machine for lawn care ( I'll get a Grasshopper) or gardening. I will however use it to maintain Dirt Bike trails and a small motocross track.

Typically I like to buy the biggest most powerful machine that I can. Whether it be a television or a vehicle. I drive a 3/4 ton Dodge diesel, and my dirt bikes consist of a 650 four stroke and a 300 two stroke...... I like power and reliability in all my machines. I am new to the tractor game, and at this point I am drawn to the Kubota M59TLB. Am I falling into the typical "One machine to do it all" trap? I hope to be enlightened by this forums wisdom.

While we do not have as much land as you I am getting the M59 for the reasons you listed :thumbsup: For general dirt work out of a tractor the M59 to me is hard to beat! Sure you can get a used commercial unit but then you lose the 3ph, pto, and having your own new one all to yourself :laughing:

If money was no object I would have a Cat 307C and a commercial unit as previously mentioned to be used for moving dirt, and box scraping. Then I would get a Kubota BX25 for garden work, and tight areas, and a tracked bobcat for misc other duties

 

[VitaBene]

In 1994 I bought my first full sized TLB, a 1988 Case 580K 4x4 w extendahoe. It had 1700 hours on it and I paid $28K. I ran that machine for the next 8 years as a commercial landscaper and snow removal contractor, put 1500 hours on and sold it for 24K.

I would look at similar machines, do your construction with it and then when you are done, sell it and buy a nice L series Kubota for maintenance.