Finally M59 delivered!!!!!!!!

[crazyal]

I don't own the M59 but I can tell by looking at it they are two different beasts. The 580 is a heavy machine (over 12,000lbs), lots of power to dig but none the less heavy. The M59 looks much more nimble and versatile. When ever I drive on anything but solid ground like a road or a hard packed lawn it's slow going. Maybe someone else wouldn't take it as easy but a little dip or some soft ground and it it gets your attention. Secondly it has a very heavy backhoe putting a lot of weight in the rear. When building the road up the hill to my house I kept a couple of rocks that weighed about a ton so I could put them in the FEL to counter the weight of the BH.

For what I needed when building a house it clearly was the best choice. Between the extra lifting of the FEL to move large stumps to the extra strength of the BH to dig through a very rocky soil I think the time savings was worth it. Now I would much rather have something in the M59 size. A little smaller but much more range of uses. I toyed with selling the case and getting a BH for my L4240 but I think pricewise I probably wouldn't pocket much money.

Can you remove the BH on the M59?

 

[Bill in VA]

You can remove the backhoe and the dealer was emphatic that it was easy to do. It looks imposing to me but he went over it with me in detail and the explanation seemed simple enough. However, I don't look forward to trying it and don't plan on it anytime soon.

I was very suprised how tight I could maneuver the M59. Sections of our road are 14-16' wide with a 200 ft deep gully on one side and a shale bank on the other. The ability to turn tight is a welcome relief.

Several other nice features are the fact that I don't have to climb up and down everytime I switch to the backhoe, the crawl function is very nice and the thumb which is not standard is really handy.

 

[MarkV]

Bill removing the backhoe really isn't that hard. When you do remove it make sure to do it on level ground. Makes the process much easier.

MarkV

 

[rScotty]

I toyed with selling the case and getting a BH for my L4240 but I think pricewise I probably wouldn't pocket much money.
Can you remove the BH on the M59?

Yes, You can remove the backhoe. I've watched it and it's quick and easy. Doubt I'll ever have a reason to do it myself though. The three point is Cat II. Still, it's not so heavily built as the Cat II 3 pt on our old JD so for 3 pt work we use that tractor. The JD also has a way nicer seat with full suspension.

Recommend that you try a 3 pt. BH before adding one the L4240. They are very limited compared to a frame mount. Plus I much prefer a swivel seat. You are probably already aware of how convenient the BH thumb is. I'll never have another without it. Amoung other things it effectively increases the reach by about three feet.

No less than three of my breakfast buddies have 580s so we get to compare tractors a lot. Their main criticism of the M59 surprised me...that is that it doesn't have a cab. Second, the seat could use an upgrade.

Powerwise their comments surprised me again. Although the 580 has way, way more ultimate power available, they figure for everyday use the M59 and the 580 are pretty close. That is, neither one tends to need to use all the power it has available.

Everbody notices right away that the The M59 has an unusually short turning radius coupled with a short wheelbase. That can make it pitch on bumpy roads, but also makes it nimble in tight spots.
luck, rScotty

 

[ManAtArms]

Bill in VA,

Congrats on the purchase. You will not be disappointed! I love my 59 and use it nearly everyday. Please keep us updated on your experience! There's only a few 59 owners on the boards...so it's a great day when we swell the ranks!

-Mark

 

[crazyal]

Yes, You can remove the backhoe. I've watched it and it's quick and easy. Doubt I'll ever have a reason to do it myself though. The three point is Cat II. Still, it's not so heavily built as the Cat II 3 pt on our old JD so for 3 pt work we use that tractor. The JD also has a way nicer seat with full suspension.

Recommend that you try a 3 pt. BH before adding one the L4240. They are very limited compared to a frame mount. Plus I much prefer a swivel seat. You are probably already aware of how convenient the BH thumb is. I'll never have another without it. Amoung other things it effectively increases the reach by about three feet.

No less than three of my breakfast buddies have 580s so we get to compare tractors a lot. Their main criticism of the M59 surprised me...that is that it doesn't have a cab. Second, the seat could use an upgrade.

Powerwise their comments surprised me again. Although the 580 has way, way more ultimate power available, they figure for everyday use the M59 and the 580 are pretty close. That is, neither one tends to need to use all the power it has available.

Everbody notices right away that the The M59 has an unusually short turning radius coupled with a short wheelbase. That can make it pitch on bumpy roads, but also makes it nimble in tight spots.
luck, rScotty

I'm getting a front mount snow blower for the tractor so I don't know if I can get a frame mount BH as well. Barlows is still waiting for the blower to come in so I can say for sure but I don't think I'll be removing the blower sub frame too often.

A cab is nice, some of the time. I find that I open and close the doors way too much. When digging something that requires you to get out and look at what you're doing from a different angle the doors quickly become a real pain.

The 580 is paid for by the amount of money it saved me in building my house. Equipment is like tools. Once I have one I can't get rid of it.

 

[Charlesaf3]

"
Ours has been an excellent tractor; hope yours does as well. And I also hope someone eventually offers a high exhaust stack. That's the only flaw in an otherwise very nice machine." plus one on that!

Only real complaint - after 2 years I still love the M59.

The backhoe is surprisingly easy to get on and off. Seriously. Its harder getting the 3 point sway arms off.